Support NeoGAF

[Old Gimlet Eyes]

Not trying to pile on you, but why dont you like cartoonish or comic bookish art styles? Currently work at a game store, and there are a few people that will come in and say they wont buy a game unless it looks "real".

Is that why?

For the most part, yes. I prefer my games to have as realistic art style and graphics as possible. That doesn't mean I won't play games like Bioshock (loved that art in that game), but the anime style is just too far gone from what I like to play. I want games to look like Crysis, or as real as it can get.

Check it out, that new game Racettear sounds fun to me. I love economy sim style games, however when I saw screens of that game, instant turn off. I need to be able to enjoy the visuals on screen, for me to be able to enjoy the game as well.

Does this cut out games that might be fun to me? Probably, but I have plenty of games to play, with art styles I like.

 

[WillyFive]

Currently work at a game store, and there are a few people that will come in and say they wont buy a game unless it looks "real".

That is very depressing.

 

[Plywood]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbnZTOWmZYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2scuqcE3iSY

^

A game based on this style would be more likely to get my $60 than a sweaty space marine game, but hey I'm not American so I don't count.

herp derp, americans all like the same shit herp derp

 

[charlequin]

It seems like a decade or so ago, having an anime-influenced art direct was almost a perk.

...

Now, it definitely seems as if the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction.

That's what happens when an entire generation of gamers grows up playing exclusively Japanese titles (because the local console business completely imploded a few years before) while the generation following them grows up playing a group of games that includes a lot more content from developers in the same hemisphere as they are.

 

[Archie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbnZTOWmZYk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2scuqcE3iSY

^

A game based on this style would be more likely to get my $60 than a sweaty space marine game, but hey I'm not American so I don't count.

I clicked the first link, saw Dio in the title and was expecting some awesome metal as the background music. Disappoint.

 

[tiff]

Check it out, that new game Racettear sounds fun to me. I love economy sim style games, however when I saw screens of that game, instant turn off. I need to be able to enjoy the visuals on screen, for me to be able to enjoy the game as well.

well, Recettear is a total blast. sorry you're missing out on it for some reason i'll never understand.

 

[Momo]

herp derp, americans all like the same shit herp derp

Are you saying that Americans aren't more likely to buy space marine games than anime inspired games? Come now. The topic at hand isn't about individual tastes it's about the overall US market.

I clicked the first link, saw Dio in the title and was expecting some awesome metal as the background music. Disappoint.

It's the re-imagination of an old Tatsunoko property, NH Casshern. I really loved the art style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdOubGFnfG8

 

[Matt_C]

I blame Microsoft and PC developers trying to push the Xbox to the living room. It is not hate, just pure cause and effect.

If Kinect bombs, then expect something would happen.

Spoiler

A sick part of me wants a North American video games crash part 2, just to flood out the marketplace but too many good and talented people would loose their jobs.

 

[Teknoman]

I guess it also has to with what era you started gaming.

Then again, some people are able to drop back a few generations and still find enjoyment in those games...so I dunno.

 

[Skiptastic]

I blame Microsoft and PC developers trying to push the Xbox to the living room. It is not hate, just pure cause and effect.

So it's Microsoft's fault that Westerners prefer games that don't have anime art directions?

 

[Fimbulvetr]

I blame Microsoft and PC developers trying to push the Xbox to the living room. It is not hate, just pure cause and effect.

Did you mean to post in a different thread?

 

[Teknoman]

Well its not just anime art direction, these days it seems to be anything unrealistic in general. Whether it be comic style, anime style (which isnt just relegated to one type of drawing style either) or just cartoonish/hand drawn in general.


Actually even gameplay styles...so to be honest, i'd like to see more games that looked and sound like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug_IHE2CAg8

Maybe not with 16bit limitations on graphics and sound, but just the general idea behind it. And yes, you need to watch the whole video :lol

 

[Johann]

It's interesting to note that some of the biggest properties with anime aesthetics, such as Pokemon and Layton, have taken steps to ensure their continued success in Europe and north America.

Once Pokemon became a worldwide success, Nintendo became very serious about ensuring that the designs in the game were both inoffensive and culture-neutral. I remember an interview with Masamitsu Hidaka, the head of the tv show, who stated they introduced Tracy, a distinctly Caucasian character, since they feared Brock's design would be offensive to people overseas.

 

[luka]

I don't think so. I personally can't stand the "anime" look, or even cel-shaded (borderlands,crackdown) style. I love the Zelda games but refuse to play Wind Waker because of the art style.

Do you only play mature rated games for hardcore gamers such as yourself?

 

[Teknoman]

It's interesting to note that some of the biggest properties with anime aesthetics, such as Pokemon and Layton, have taken steps to ensure their continued success in Europe and north America.

Once Pokemon became a worldwide success, Nintendo became very serious about ensuring that the designs in the game were both inoffensive and culture-neutral. I remember an interview with Masamitsu Hidaka, the head of the tv show, who stated they introduced Tracy, a distinctly Caucasian character, since they feared Brock's design would be offensive to people overseas.

Whats so offensive about Brock? I guess his eyes could be offensive to some people.

 

[WillyFive]

So it's Microsoft's fault that Westerners prefer games that don't have anime art directions?

It can be. What people like isn't hardwired into their brain, they are learned.

If they would have made more artistic games for people to grow into, we wouldn't have this epidemic.

 

[Old Gimlet Eyes]

Do you only play mature rated games for hardcore gamers such as yourself?

Of course not. Some of my favorite games just this generation are Sims 3 and Tropico 3. I have a huge variety of games that I like to play, they just don't include games that have anime style graphics.

 

[Taiser]

Not in the US it isn't!

yeah, because like 98% of the moe stuff would be/is considered child pornography in the US. :lol

 

[Forkball]

Ninokuni will save us all.

Are you talking about new franchises? Because Street Fighter, Pokemon, Kingdom Hearts, and other franchises with anime art styles have done quite well this gen. I think the lack of games with an anime art style this gen is because most games with this art style are JRPGs, which have moved to handhelds due to their waning popularity and the high costs of game development on the HD consoles.

And I predict Kid Icarus Uprising will be extremely popular in the States.

 

[WillyFive]

Of course not. Some of my favorite games just this generation are Sims 3 and Tropico 3. I have a huge variety of games that I like to play, they just don't include games that have cartoony or anime style graphics.

Sims 3 and Tropico 3 aren't mature games? They are not rated M, but they are still pretty adult.

And I predict Kid Icarus Uprising will be extremely popular in the States.

It will at least enjoy the launch game wave.

 

[Johann]

Whats so offensive about Brock? I guess his eyes could be offensive to some people.

Probably his eyes and skin tone. Hidaka said they re-introduced him into the show since nobody ended up finding him offensive and he was a fan favorite since Tracy was dull as hell.

 

[Old Gimlet Eyes]

Sims 3 and Tropico 3 aren't mature games? They are not rated M, but they are still pretty adult.

He specifically referred to mature rated games. Also, I have been playing Sims forever, it's not an adult game at all. Even my 10 year old nephew likes to build houses and such in Sims 3.

 

[ghst]

Of course not. Some of my favorite games just this generation are Sims 3 and Tropico 3. I have a huge variety of games that I like to play, they just don't include games that have anime style graphics.

eastern europe/scandinavia is the new japan.

 

[Old Gimlet Eyes]

eastern europe/scandinavia is the new japan.

No doubt, all I can seem to play this last week is Men of War.

 

[Dahbomb]

I am glad Capcom took the direction of MVC3 to a more anime/comic book style look. It has great visual flair.

Some people will miss out on the awesomeness of MVC3 and other games with similar art-styles and it's their loss.

And for what it's worth I very much enjoyed the aesthetics of Prince of Persia 2008 for its cel-shaded look. Art-wise it's one of the best this generation has to offer. Enjoyed Borderlands too, visually.

I would put a large blame on the current state of the anime industry though. Also people associate cartoony with either primitive SNES days of 2D gaming or just in general kiddy stuff. I remember showing my casual friends some game play of Okami and they were like "WTF are these shitty graphics!"

 

[Boney]

 

[DaBuddaDa]

I understand what you're saying Darkshier, I am kind of the same way. I have no problem with some Anime, but stuff like Recettear completely turns me off from the game and I'll only play it if the gameplay itself is astoundingly good. I don't generally enjoy playing games that look like cartoons for 6-year-olds on morning TV. Anime like BlazBlue or Yoshitaka Amano's stuff though is fantastic and I have no problem with.

 

[Skiptastic]

It can be. What people like isn't hardwired into their brain, they are learned.

Yeah, and they aren't learning only from games. It's the culture around them.

So, again, it's Microsoft's fault that Westerners are surrounded by culture that makes them prefer games that don't have anime art style?

 

[cooljeanius]

Currently work at a game store, and there are a few people that will come in and say they wont buy a game unless it looks "real".

People like that annoy me. At the college I currently go to, "unrealistic" is about one of the most common criticisms I hear made of games. Somebody will be playing a sports game, and someone else would be like, "Aw, they let you put those two players on the same team? They'd never be on the same team! That's so unrealistic!" So if you figure they have that reaction to things as simple of that, think of how games that are actually unrealistic must seem to them.

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

Ninokuni will save us all.

Are you talking about new franchises? Because Street Fighter, Pokemon, Kingdom Hearts, and other franchises with anime art styles have done quite well this gen. I think the lack of games with an anime art style this gen is because most games with this art style are JRPGs, which have moved to handhelds due to their waning popularity and the high costs of game development on the HD consoles.

Did you seriously not read the OP?

I agree with the OP regarding this franchise and will argue it has less to do with visual presentation and everything to do with the fact Japanese developers finally realized fighting games as a genre cannot survive as, 1. Offline game play experiences, 2. Console exclusives.

Ninokuni looks f*cking amazing. :O

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Valkyria Chronicles was a HUGE success and it was one of the most "anime" styled video games out there.

 

[Forkball]

Did you seriously not read the OP?

Did you? He said that Street Fighter Alpha sold well, but Street Fighter continues to sell well. I disagree with his notion that Street Fighter shifted towards a western art style, it still looks very anime-ish and the calligraphy flair to the visuals are distinctively Japanese.

 

[Pimpbaa]

If modern anime didn't have so much sexualized little girls and feminine boys maybe. Nonsensical designs doesn't help either. If there were games done in the anime style of the 80's and early 90's, that'd be awesome.

 

[Jerk]

Valkyria Chronicles was a HUGE success and it was one of the most "anime" styled video games out there.

Yeah, but it had a unique and unoffensive style.

VC2 on the other hand...

 

[Wazzim]

If modern anime didn't have so much sexualized little girls and feminine boys maybe. Nonsensical designs doesn't help either. If there were games done in the anime style of the 80's and early 90's, that'd be awesome.

Feminine boys? I don't remember a anime having these (there will sure be one) only FFXII (nvm, that's a game) lol.
The problem is that the big crowd isn't going to appreciate anime style like it is now.
As a recent example, my friends began laughing at me when I was playing KH:BBS, it's just that I knew better :lol

The 80's and 90's style is what has to come back in anime first before seeing it in games, I am hopeful seeing the new Gundam 3) having a 80's style and I think that more anime's will follow if it has a big succes. (which it will surely have, it's gundam)

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Yeah, but it had a unique and unoffensive style.

VC2 on the other hand...

VC2 will be a sales "failure" not because of the art style but because it is on a platform with a terrible software ecosystem. I put failure in quotations because first week sales seem to have blown Sega's (low) expectations away.

 

[Teknoman]

I dont know about sexualized little girls... Some of the characters might look younger than what they are, and even then, most games dont feature stuff like that. Aside from Dead or Alive and a few games that arent going to release outside of Japan. Then theres the issue of everyone not looking the same at certain ages. Of course Japan takes it too far sometimes, but thats another story.

The "pretty boy" thing really just seems to be a Square Enix thing as of late.

EDIT: Also anime does not = one style type.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

I dont know about sexualized little girls... Some of the characters might look younger than what they are, and even then, most games dont feature stuff like that. Aside from Dead or Alive and a few games that arent going to release outside of Japan. Then theres the issue of everyone not looking the same at certain ages, but thats another story.

The "pretty boy" thing really just seems to be a Square Enix thing as of late.

As of late??

They have been doing it since FF7 :lol

 

[Jerk]

VC2 will be a sales "failure" not because of the art style but because it is on a platform with a terrible software ecosystem. I put failure in quotations because first week sales seem to have blown Sega's (low) expectations away.

I speak not of sales in this particular situation.

I was simply voicing my dislike for the direction they took the art in the second game in.

Still not 'bad' but...

 

[Teknoman]

As of late??

They have been doing it since FF7 :lol

Then I guess it's just a Nomura thing?

 

[DaBuddaDa]

As of late??

They have been doing it since FF7 :lol

FF4 even. Paladin Cecil was a pretty boy.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

FF4 even. Paladin Cecil was a pretty boy.

How can I forget about that?

Yup, SE has been doing at least since FF4.

 

[Jerk]

How can I forget about that?

Yup, SE has been doing at least since FF4.

Have you seen Firion?

 

[SuperAngelo64]

Yes. There is just currently a Japan-hate fad going on since 2008.

I'm giving it about 2 more years.

The moe fad also has contributed to this though... so it's not completely one-sided.

 

[Wazzim]

Have you seen Firion?

Firion is just a emotional guy, I don't even want people that don't understand emotion in jpn games to play them. Screw them.

 

[thetrin]

I love anime-inspired art, and am always willing to give a game a look if it has an art style that interests me.

That said, I also love a wealth of western art. I just like aesthetically pleasing games that don't rely on realism. Realism is for chumps.

Yeah, but it had a unique and unoffensive style.

VC2 on the other hand...

Someone has to explain to me what the difference in art style is between VC 1 and 2. They look largely the same to me.

 

[WillyFive]

Yeah, and they aren't learning only from games. It's the culture around them.

So, again, it's Microsoft's fault that Westerners are surrounded by culture that makes them prefer games that don't have anime art style?

It can be. Are they helping?

 

[DaBuddaDa]

Yes. There is just currently a Japan-hate fad going on since 2008.

Huh? We're talking about Anime as an art style, not all things Japanese. What "Japan hate" are you talking about and what was its catalyst in 2008?

 

[Chet Rippo]

Aren't all Final Fantasy's anime based? They sell really well. I don't thnk if Fianl Fantasy XII was not profitable that it was due to being anime based.

 

[thetrin]

Aren't all Final Fantasy's anime based? They sell really well. I don't thnk if Fianl Fantasy XII was not profitable that it was due to being anime based.

Okay, this whole "anime-based" thing is ridiculous. What exactly is your definition of anime based? That the artist is Japanese? That his art style is similar to that of other Japanese artists?