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SNKP and console game development

Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 21:35
by SonicTempest
A good number of us have been rather underwhelmed by SNKP's current-gen efforts as far as console development goes - MI wasn't that good, and MI2, while better, still has issues that turn away a lot of people. Metal Slug 3D...no comment. And even the promising sequel to the Card Fighters franchise on DS has turned sour.

That said, what would you rather see SNKP doing with regard to console dev? Their arcade division is on more or less a good footing, what with titles like XI, NGBC and SS Tenka being received well for the most part, but what do you think SNKP should be focusing on when it comes to developing for home consoles?

Personally, I don't think releasing "next-gen" sequels to their old IPs like FF, AOF, KOF, etc on consoles is going to do much good - while fans are familiar with and love those franchises, they don't have much traction with the larger market as a whole (at least outside Asia and Latin America).

Capcom has done pretty well for itself by developing original IPs like Devil May Cry and Resident Evil, and more recently, hitting the "big time" with the mainstream with titles like Dead Rising and Lost Planet. I think SNKP needs to do something similar if they're to be taken seriously.

Thoughts?

Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2007 21:42
by BP
The only console-only games that SNKP are doing are on the DS; and up to now, I'm not really sure how those games are going to turn out. But one things for sure, they've seem to be fixated in pleasing the moe crowd.

Whatever happened to that new franchise they've got in store? We haven't heard anything about it after the name announcement - not even what genre the game is going to be.

Still, I'd hope for SNKP to branch their efforts from fighting games (and not totally forget them ala Capcom) and delve into other genres to cater a wider fanbase. But with all the resources being poured into KoF XII, I'm not sure if this will happen soon enough.

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:25
by Fuu
I doubt SNKP has enough money/talent/balls to pull a new good franchise.

It's not a good moment for the industry, that's for sure - the only viable platform for them is the DS, but their line up is rather meh.

I'd sure would like to see them take some risks.

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 16:37
by denieru
so the DS Card fighter sucking wasnt a dream? was hoping what i read was a beta or something... good thing i dont have extra cash to spend cuz i would probably buy it anyway.

*sighs*

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 01:17
by Apathy Wind
Problem is, what sort of genre is a new SNK property going to be in? They've got the 2D fighter down pat but the MI series shows they really don't know what they're doing in a 3D fighter. And if you're having trouble succeeding at a progression of your mastered genre then what hope do you have with a totally foreign subject like FPS?

Maybe SNK should focus their efforts on new properties for the DS and/or Wii. Neither system requires top tier graphics and both offer rewards for novel gameplay and experience - this way SNK can focus most of their energy on content and make a name for themselves with an interesting new concept (like Katamari did in 2004). It'd be so much better than uninspired sequels or the half-assed shoe horning of their classic franchises.

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 04:35
by Kyosuke Kagami
:( I'd really wish SNK would make new Athena, Crystalis and Ikari Warriors games.

And no, that Athena game for cellphones doesn't count.

Re: SNKP and console game development

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 04:41
by Shiny
Something universal would help SNKP out as SS stated. But that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 20:53
by SonicTempest
Apathy Wind wrote:Maybe SNK should focus their efforts on new properties for the DS and/or Wii. Neither system requires top tier graphics and both offer rewards for novel gameplay and experience - this way SNK can focus most of their energy on content and make a name for themselves with an interesting new concept (like Katamari did in 2004). It'd be so much better than uninspired sequels or the half-assed shoe horning of their classic franchises.
DS in particular I think is a pretty good starting point for trying something new...it has a pretty big userbase that's used to trying out quirky games. That and development costs will be low, so it's a low-risk investment.

As for what to create, something like a basic action game would be a good way to start, I think.

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 22:08
by Kyosuke Kagami
Crystalis for DS plz :(

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 22:48
by Apathy Wind
Kyosuke Kagami wrote:Crystalis for DS plz :(
With SNK's image as a rehash king I'd think they'd be better off developing a new property. Once they have a couple popular new offerings under their belt then they can start resurrecting old franchises - particularly since some successful titles would give SNK the leverage to get such games released (SNK's not the most sought after developer at the moment).

Focusing on the past is only going to further SNK's image as a 16 bit dinosaur.

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 22:51
by Kyosuke Kagami
ok...

... game from the former Crystalis staff plz :(

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 22:51
by SonicTempest
Considering how long ago that game was made, I wouldn't be surprised if all of them had left the company by now.

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 22:58
by Kyosuke Kagami
They should hire new talents, then.

After seeing how horrible the KOFMI games and that Metal Slug 3D ended up, it'd be the most intelligent thing they could do.

I mean... what can their current staff do? :\

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 23:13
by Sheba
Kyosuke Kagami wrote:
I mean... what can their current staff do? :\
Moar KOF.

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 00:23
by Kyosuke Kagami
Sheba wrote:Moar KOF.
Even their date games for fags are KOF based!