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[a harpy]

Dead Rising 4: We Focus Tested That

The way they talk about their game, they make it sound so unlikable. It's like they really didn't understand the heart of DR1/2 and are basically admitting to hand-crafting the game to sell as many copies as possible instead of to be a great, memorable game.

 

[Dash Kappei]

Dead Rising 4 |OT| 5, 6, 7

 

[Barakov]

This rheodoric feels very very similar to what was being said before Lost Planet 3 came out...

Weirdly so. I've tried to remain optimistic about it but the more I hear the more I don't like it.

Was...anyone really wondering why Frank West would wear outfits and all that?

No. It was ridiculous for the sake of being ridiculous. At least that was my take on it.

 

[Conrad Link]

Lost interest in Dead Rising 4 completely the moment I read they took out co-op. :|

Was a guaranteed 2x copy sale up until that point, I loved playing Dead Rising games co-op with my brother!

Now the game might as well not even exist to me, I wont play it solo. Sucks, was really excited for it and was happy as a big Xbox player to have a decent 'exclusive' to look forward too for a change.

Bah.

 

[Muscle Wizard]

Seems about right

"We had this original idea that was made popular by Dawn of the Dead, which had been remade, and was the basis for the first game in this very fucking series"

 

[Samanosuke Akechi]

$20 Bargon bin by Jan?

 

[ArtHands]

FTFY.



What? Nobody was hating Biohazard 4 given there was no gameplay trailers shown until like E3. The "fog" version was CGI at the time, not actual gameplay. The hookman was never shown until years later. Nobody had a clue what Bio4 was doing until E3. And then fans were worried about how the transition would happen. It helps that Bio4 was a solid game, but for a lot of older fans (like me) it's not a Biohazard game. (Especially given how later entries in the series took elements from it and didn't understand why 4 was a good game)

DR4 is a completely different beast. They took elements of what fans liked out in the third outing (only to include them after fan outcry) and none of the original staff (unlike Mikami/series creator of Biohazard worked on 4) are working on it. It's not hard to understand why fans are backlashing hard on it.

When I said that, I am obviously referring to the point after they shown the final version of those villages. Fans hated it because there's no horror, little to do with Resident Evil plot, and too much actions.

 

[XenoRaven]

But what if, like, the Black Friday shoppers are the real zombies

 

[dragonzdogma]

I wish this studio didn't exist, heck I wish capcom was only making games in Japan.

 

[jediyoshi]

We're talking proper video game writers that knew exactly how to weave the story. Our lead writer worked on the most recent Deus Ex.​

JUST FUCK MY SHIT UP FAM

 

[RawNuts]

"The message behind the game is around consumerism and Black Friday, and we're asking: who is the monster? The zombies running around or is it what caused everyone to fight each other and demand these products and services? I often say this is not the thinking man's game, but there are some messages in there that might make you think a little bit more than usual."

"I need to stop the zombies!"

"No Frank, you are the zombies"

And then Frank was a zombie.

 

[leroidys]

Try different games to satiate your desire for novelty instead of expecting established franchises to do it for you. What you call stagnation others might consider consistency.

I play a toooon of different shit, but that doesn't address my point/opinion.

 

[DOWN]

Ok but why pretend you are bringing back a charismatic franchise icon and actually recast and redesign the character???

 

[Mr.Monitor]

"humanity was the REAL monster ALL ALONG" is the most sophomoric thematic play you can possibly make, especially when you're writing about FUCKING ZOMBIES.

also seriously fuck these pretentious losers for calling out the writer of the original dead rising, that game had fucking beautiful dialogue and was crazy fun and memorable. all the shit I've seen from DR4 is cold, lifeless, and completely unoriginal. I honestly hope this game bombs just to teach them a lesson. maybe they'll get the hint when they're making dead rising 5, 6, or 7.

edit: also, the new deus ex had god awful writing. I say that as a huge fan of the series. mankind divided was a major let down imo.

 

[peanutbutterlatte]

"humanity was the REAL monster ALL ALONG" is the most sophomoric thematic play you can possibly make, especially when you're writing about FUCKING ZOMBIES.

also seriously fuck these pretentious losers for calling out the writer of the original dead rising, that game had fucking beautiful dialogue and was crazy fun and memorable. all the shit I've seen from DR4 is cold, lifeless, and completely unoriginal. I honestly hope this game bombs just to teach them a lesson. maybe they'll get the hint when they're making dead rising 5, 6, or 7.

edit: also, the new deus ex had god awful writing. I say that as a huge fan of the series. mankind divided was a major let down imo.

Wait, that's who he was calling out!? Yeah forget this game, DR's writing was great.

 

[Trail Guide]

Just sell this franchise to Konami already. Let them make some pachinko games because they'll be better than this "consumers are the real monsters shit".

 

[malfcn]

When's the embargo up?

 

[Nanashrew]

"I need to stop the zombies!"

"No Frank, you are the zombies"

And then Frank was a zombie.

I legit laughed out loud at this and thought of a joke ending where Frank was told this and looks into a nearby window or mirror to see his reflection then yells "I AM ZOMBIIEEEE!"

 

[Sayad]

We even did this right from when we were starting the game and pitching the idea of Christmas, [returning lead character] Frank, what the story is... we focus tested that.

Game directed by focus test group! Hmm, wonder how would this turn out.

 

[le.phat]

"sometimes, you gotta take some risk"

Replaces all characteristic elements for most vanilla game design ever

 

[Barakov]

Just sell this franchise to Konami already. Let them make some pachinko games because they'll be better than this "consumers are the real monsters shit".

At least we know the CG will be good.

 

[Wubbys]

Meh I liked 1-3 (in that order) will probably end up liking this as well. Now that they have three writers im sure it will be the next last of us.

 

[Jintor]

You're telling me you made a zombie game and you're asking who is the real monster? Tell me more

 

[Gemeanie]

"I need to stop the zombies!"

"No Frank, you are the zombies"

And then Frank was a zombie.

I'd buy the game if this is the actual plot

 

[Kyou]

I can't believe they just spoiled the entire game

I've been on media blackout for this and had no idea who the real monster was!

 

[Karsticles]

It really bothers me when companies don't understand why a game franchise is popular.

 

[SixMachine]

It really bothers me when companies don't understand why a game franchise is popular.

I don't know why but why do some companies that get handed off a franchise always try to fix the writing? Like DMC series was all about gameplay and the cutscenes were mostly cheesy action but Ninja Theory tried to do their own take on it and messed up the gameplay portion with color coded enemies, horrible bosses, bad style system, etc. This had to be fixed in another version with more help from Capcom. Capcom Vancouver sounds like they are pulling the same crap, doing things like taking out campaign co-op but making their own weird justifications for their writing. It's like do they think these companies handed it off so they can write shakespeare or other pretentious garble? Just freaking keep or refine what works first before writing whatever gobbledygook.

 

[Doukou]

TThe only way I could givwith this is if the statement about shoppers being monsters was completely literal.

 

[Mr.Monitor]

I don't know why but why do some companies that get handed off a franchise always try to fix the writing?

I've thought about this for a while, and I genuinely think it's because a lot of these people most likely don't actually like videogames all that much. The majority of them are probably film industry rejects who still think they have "something to say," and chances are they still believe videogames are a "lower" art form. I realize that's a massive generalization but it would explain a lot about the current state of AAA videogames.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

I've thought about this for a while, and I genuinely think it's because a lot of these people most likely don't actually like videogames all that much. The majority of them are probably film industry rejects who still think they have "something to say," and chances are they still believe videogames are a "lower" art form. I realize that's a massive generalization but it would explain a lot about the current state of AAA videogames.

Yeah, that's a gross generalization. You might as well include every "walking simulator" if your gonna use that. If the writer doesn't understand the main source material then that's the failure of the studio, not the writer.

 

[CalamityPixel]

I just don't understand how a company can not understand the core design of what appeals players to their successful franchise.

I really hope it's an elaborate ruse with a twist. Like the Frank West in the game is an actor and the game is a "what if" film, but some director was stupid and used real zombies.

 

[Dusk Golem]

I have noticed them talking a lot about this, but I mean... Dawn of the Dead, especially the original but also the remake, have this exact same theme. I don't mind if you tackle it again, but I mean Dead Rising 1 already had this theme as well, zombies being symbolic for consumerism themes is hardly anything new, literally one film (technically two with the original and the remake, both of which were popular) tackled this exact thing and is maybe one of the most famous and influential zombie movies of all time.

I mean they can get more writers, and hey maybe the story will be good, but I can't help but wonder why they're so chipped up about this theming when literally it's one of the foundations of the zombie genre and the theme they're tackling with such seriousness is the theme of the movie the original Dead Rising was obviously based off of (Dawn of the Dead).

This said, I do think Dead Rising 4 will be a good game despite some people being hard on it. Though I think it's a shame co-op was cut, it was one of the main appeals for me.

 

[Roshin]

The message behind the game is around consumerism and Black Friday, and we're asking: who is the monster?

One of our goals is to really make a product that means we can make Dead Rising 5, 6, 7.

Hilarious.

It took three "real" game writers to make this game's plot and THAT is what they came up with.

Yes, let's just nick Romeros concept for Dawn of the Dead 30 years ago, cash in, and call it a day.

 

[Sleight of Jam]

Lmao good luck with all those sequels planned. You're gonna need it.

 

[Spman2099]

This is going to be a very, very bad game. I can feel it.

 

[blankempathy]

"I need to stop the zombies!"

"No Frank, you are the zombies"

And then Frank was a zombie.

No no you get a timer now so Frank doesn't become a zombie. A brand new fresh innovative subplot that only these new proper writers can provide. Everything that comes out of the developers mouths sound like they have no idea why people enjoyed dead rising games in the first place. They also sound incredibly defensive in the way they explain the "new" features. I'm curious who were even these focus testers that they keep bringing up? I swear they love to point that out as if to say "look this is what the fans wanted don't get mad at us!"

 

[hawk2025]

I applaud Capcom for making changes and taking risks. This is basically like Resident Evil 4, a series that brought huge (and much needed) changes to a series that was facing sales decline back then, and it paid off for Capcom when it turned into a enormous success, depite series fans hating on it pre-release.

Of cause there is a risk that it might not work out well. As long as there doesn't implement any anti-consumer practices, I will look forward to it and hope they will succeed here like they did with Resident Evil 4.

Oh, please.

It's a bog-standard open world game with zero creativity. The only "risk" here is straying from the things that were actually original about the series.

RE4 this is not. Not even close.

 

[OnimaruXLR]

What happened to the people who made Dead Rising 2? That was a good game. Did they get jobs elsewhere? Given how Capcom treats their employees, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Orochinagis]

Can wait for Dead Rising: Amnesia version

 

[lupinko]

I liked the first two Dead Rising games a lot and never questioned why Frank West or Chuck Greene would wear a dumb costume. I am the 90% and proud

The first two games were because of Inafking, yes even DR2. Which is why even though it was made by Canadians, it still feels genuinely like a Capcom game from Japan.

 

[CamHostage]

I may be Old Man Videogamer, but any time a company talks about how important its story is to the game and the franchise going forward, I worry that they've lost the plot. Videogames are games, first and foremost; telling a good story is the icing on the cake, not the point of the medium. Of course, there are different games and genres where story has more importance than others (and a few where storytelling is the gameplay,) but in general, if you're going to spend any time thinking about the future of a franchise beyond the game at hand, think about play concepts and tech implementation that you could only dream of or test this time, and let the story come when you know what actual gameplay you're going to offer.

 

[Shadowplay1979]

"The message behind the game is around consumerism and Black Friday, and we're asking: who is the monster? The zombies running around or is it what caused everyone to fight each other and demand these products and services? I often say this is not the thinking man's game, but there are some messages in there that might make you think a little bit more than usual."

 

[Mature]

Every time this game gets brought up it's with comments on how focus tested it is and, man, how totally unappealing.

 

[black070]

We're talking proper video game writers that knew exactly how to weave the story. Our lead writer worked on the most recent Deus Ex.

 

[danmaku]

yay, can't wait to buy Standard Zombie Killing #2323904 and then Standard Zombie Killing #2323905 and Standard Zombie Killing #2323906!

I just don't understand how a company can not understand the core design of what appeals players to their successful franchise.

I think they understand it perfectly, but they want DR to get bigger than that. They think they hit a wall with DR1-2 design and they need to make it easier to swallow for the average gamer.

 

[F0rneus]

Are you telling me that Capcom handed off a great horror/action franchise to some randos, who focus tested the shit out of the game, try to clumsily explains how their changes will make the game better and will help the series, and how the original tone was too cheesy, only for every person who loved the series to essentially go "Nah, we don't want any of that, you are stripping the soul of the series away WTF"?

Well that's shocking.

 

[Chobel]

Before entering this thread, I expected that it was about removing the timer, I had no fucking clue they are focusing on the "story" lol.

There's no mention (even implicit) of this supposedly deep story in any trailer or gameplay videos, so either they have the worst way of showing it, or this "story" is some made up bullshit for PR.

I applaud Capcom for making changes and taking risks. This is basically like Resident Evil 4, a series that brought huge (and much needed) changes to a series that was facing sales decline back then, and it paid off for Capcom when it turned into a enormous success, depite series fans hating on it pre-release.

Of cause there is a risk that it might not work out well. As long as there doesn't implement any anti-consumer practices, I will look forward to it and hope they will succeed here like they did with Resident Evil 4.

LMFAO!

 

[katsubento]

I'll take some other Capcom sequels over Dead Rising.

 

[KainXVIII]

What do you expect from man, who looks like overgrown hipster?

 

[vivekTO]

I am still hopeful for this , lets wait for the release!!