Hello everyone! My name is Katsutoshi Sasaki and I am the Director for Soulcalibur IV. Before I begin, I would like to express my appreciation to SCEA for giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts here on the blog and to speak directly to the readers. Now since Darth Vader is an exclusive character to the PS3, it is only fitting to discuss my thoughts on the Sith Lord. So here we go…
The reason we chose Darth Vader as a playable character is very simple: he is probably one of the most symbolic characters in the Star Wars universe and is also one of the most popular worldwide. Admittedly though, recreating Darth Vader for Soulcalibur IV was harder than I initially thought because there is not a lot of reference material as he was only in a few lightsaber fights in the movies.
It’s always very difficult to balance our own perception of how a character should fit in the Soulcalibur universe and their actual gameplay. If a guest character feels radically different than how we perceive them, a player will take it as a different character, and it’ll lead to disappointment.
In working with LucasArts, they said they are eagerly anticipating their characters to be recreated in the Soulcalibur universe. They allowed us to create Vader relatively-freely. The trial and error process to build Vader is definitely a fond memory for all the Soulcalibur IV animators and game designers.
Another challenge that we encountered was how to implement the “Force” from the Star Wars universe. If we were to use the Force in gameplay, we had to make it as an absolute power just like the movie. However, if we didn’t set any limitations on it, the game’s balance would have been completely off. Ultimately, we created a Force gauge to put a limit on using the power. However, we felt players would be frustrated if they couldn’t use the Force on an empty gauge, so we are allowing them to use the Force but it will be counted as a penalty against their character. I think it was good compromise and can be used as a tactic.
I strongly believe that we have brought Darth Vader up to a level where players will feel “This is how Darth Vader is!” while playing Soulcalibur IV. The game expresses him as a lightsaber master with intimidating power and absolute control of the Force. Our players will enjoy playing Lord Vader from the movie and we’re proud to bring them this experience.
Finally, the release date is just around the corner on July 29th. The dream battle for many fans who want to play as Vader, who want to beat him with Soulcalibur characters or who want to challenge Vader with an original customized character is about to start! Stay tuned!!
(Average: 4.61 out of 5)
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 »
164 Comments Add your own
101
gardea | July 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Thanks for taking some time out of your day to post here.
I’m glad we got Darth Vader
102
absolute | July 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Oh so you’re the director. I have to ask why the decision was made to include these wildly out of place characters who are stealing attention away from the already great game in it’s own right? I’m not happy at all that these characters are in the game. Star Wars is a great franchise, yea we get it, but why allow your own product to be used like this? I’m getting the game regardless, but I won’t be using Vader and I do not look forward to all the online battles against all the people choosing him. Kratos would have been a better fit too.
103
rudi13 | July 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
beautiful. Can’t wait!
104
rudi13 | July 22nd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Already got the game.
So much fun playing with the brother!
Can’t wait for Tekken 6!
105
SkyDragonc5 | July 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I actually Bought a PS3 for this game!
Glad to see it is looking great!
106
J3SS | July 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
babybluedb said
“Kratos really wouldnt fit into a games that is based on having a kick ass sword Kratos sword-less >_> vader feels better because at least it is a sword kinda (lightsaber)O_o
vader is more of a sword dualer type where as Kratos is the type to just demolish anything in his past”
You really don’t know what the hell you’re trying to say huh?!? I’m not sure but I’m beginning to think that you haven’t even played any GoW games. But I could be wrong. Even so you seem very confused and dumb.
107
stennex | July 22nd, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I feel the force running through my veins. Now where is my princes when i need her. Seriously i cannot wait to play this game.
108
bader | July 22nd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Darth Vader FTW
109
C-h-a-o-s | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
Trophies? It should be a standard by now!!!
110
Onna76_NL | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:58 am
Oh goody we have something exclusive from Namco, lets celebrate! You’re from Namco Bandai? Then can you explain to me, why you guys are not sure if Tekken 6 will be exclusive on the PS3? No idea how I can put links here without my message being blocked, so check Max Console, should be there somewhere.
Second of all, can we expect Ace Combat 6 to come to the PS3 anytime (PS exclusive over the years until “you” decided to release it “exclusively” on the 360). Plus, how about Tales of Vesperia is it 360 exclusive or not?
I may sound pissed and that’s because… I am. I feel like you guys at Namco Bandai (Japan mostly) are taking us PS fans for granted. More like ignore us and yeah that pisses me off.
111
Onna76_NL | July 23rd, 2008 at 1:00 am
Oh yeah and when do we get to hear about this mysterious Tales of game for on the PS3. Should be announced in July, and July is ticking away very quickly now.
112
Onna76_NL | July 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 am
To make it easier:
Tekken 6 exclusivity being questioned:
quote:
GameEx: “Will it be exclusive for the PlayStation 3 console?”
Suzaki: “No. It hasn’t been determined yet as of the moment, but we are developing it for PlayStation 3, so you can play it.”
GameEx: “Will Tekken 6 be available on other consoles like the Xbox 360?”
Suzaki: “As of the moment, we have no idea.”
Source: http://www.maxconsole.net
Mysterious PS3 Tales of game?
Based on a Japanese mag scan, it looks like PS3 will gets its own Tales of game that will “take advantage of the system’s power”. The scan (larger version after the jump) shows Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk, Tales of Vesperia and a mysterious upcoming PS3 Tales of game. Further below, a huge title teasing an announcement event to be held on “X Day of July”.
Source: several gaming websites
113
cmargary | July 23rd, 2008 at 1:08 am
@100
Yeah… soo what? what’s the difference? I will still like a game even if is or not exclusive to one console. This gen the only this is exclusive is 1st party games… adept to it.
114
frostquake | July 23rd, 2008 at 1:27 am
Got to love a “dumbed down” light saber. Something that in the movies could cut through bulk heads, now can not bring down an opponent with several piercings. Whats with all the special characters..MK vs Justice League..Superman can’t even burn through someone with his heat vision. Sorry but this just dosen’t feel right.
115
Sneaky Snake | July 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 am
I’m not gonna buy this game without playing a demo first! i hoop the demo also has a MP mode
116
indigovenom | July 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 am
Is there a way to make a soul caliber vs tekken?
117
IIIKAGEIII | July 23rd, 2008 at 2:50 am
darth vader is way cooler than yoda… and thats not even the ps3 fanboi in me talking.
is there any other ps3 exclusive things going on… like maybe KEEPING TEKKEN 6 PS3 EXCLUSIVE OMG.
sony is loosing all the exclusives that matter. sure they make new ones but the old ones still rock.
looking forward to resistance 2 and K2, and little big planet. and maybe in the future gears of war 3.
118
NewYork214 | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:10 am
cant wait for this game. to bad kratos wont really be in it. was wishin that was true.
119
NewYork214 | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:14 am
yeah also hopin tekken 6 is exclusive. it was playstation fans who made that series successful. My family own/ed every single tekken. still have tekken 2(PSN d/l), tekken 3(best game in series), tekken tag, tekken 4(worst in series), tekken 5DR online. i play T5DRO almost every single day. i basically mastered lili(people seem to hate her though so dont play her anymore)and workin on a few new guys but not sure which one to pick as my main player.lol
120
LiquidSun | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:37 am
I don’t have the same respect I used to have for Namco, could be I give this a shot. Without trophy support and being a Namco game it’s kinda not at the top of my list.
121
Megulito | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:40 am
kratos and nariko wouldve been hot for this game i woulda been all over it
122
Megulito | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:42 am
kratos and nariko wouldve been hot and maybe rohan from lair and i woulda been all ove rthis game anyway i just hope yoshi finally looks normal or kool in this one
123
DryvBy | July 23rd, 2008 at 4:20 am
Please, for the love of everything, patch this game with Trophies soon!
124
chanskie | July 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 am
Question: Why not Sony using all their first party or exclusive third party characters together and make it into a game??? I think it will be cool, not exactly like Nintendo smash brother….but something casual, puzzle may be possible? Look at all the all so popular characters we got……..i think we can make a killing out of it…let’s call it “Sony superstar”~~~~! cool heh?
cheers
125
chanskie | July 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 am
let’s see, Kratos, Rachet and Clank, sackboy, solid snake, liquid, Nariko, Rohan, Uncharted, and all the characters from Arc The Lad, Wild Arms, anymore????? hehe…..sorry dream big at the moment……
126
Atomic_Virus | July 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 am
Will this support Trophy system?
127
LilZay14 | July 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Soul Calibur IV does play music from your hard drive you have to set it in Options. This game was almost complete when Trophies were announced, they probably found out with us, which is why they aren’t there. Demo coming in mid-august, by the way.
128
Ghostm | July 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
How many GB is the mandatory installation? (I only have 1GB left out my 60GB)
Why do we have to install this game on our HDD? 360 doesn’t need to.
Does this title has Trophy support?
Will we ever get Yoda as a DLC?
After finding out the mandatory installation size and reading a few reviews. Then I’ll decide if it’s a purchase for me.
129
Scodo_Thope | July 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 am
Sweet! I like cameos! {{vvwwwwooooommmmm}}
130
Mindfuct | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:21 am
AWESOME JOB i CANT EFFIN WAIT!
131
LN_MEXWARRIOR | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
Ok I love the series and I’m thinking of picking it up but…
1. Will it support online play?
2. Will it support the 2.41 update?? Custom Soundtracks and throphies??
You really should look at putting a blog to inform us of this. Thanks!
132
Mindfuct | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
I can not wait for this.
133
LN_MEXWARRIOR | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
f
134
LN_MEXWARRIOR | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 am
Looks great!
1. Will it support the 2.4 update? Like throphies and custom soundtracks?
This is a heavy factor if I’m going to be getting this game.
135
PS3Diablo | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Thanks for the videos, they look amazing ! Can’t wait to play as Vader, looks cool…
136
X1rtam | July 23rd, 2008 at 8:55 am
I normally don’t play fighting games, but this is pretty much the only series I do play. Looks very promising, I’m sure it will please!
137
BabeBro | July 23rd, 2008 at 9:18 am
I really hope u give us trophies
138
lakaihigh | July 23rd, 2008 at 9:21 am
@ 113 - adept to it?? i was just letting you know. just how im gonna let you know right now that your english isn’t very good.
cheers,
Lh
139
Ghostm | July 23rd, 2008 at 10:06 am
Here’s a good idea for sony. Just like we have mandatory installation. Hmmmm, whatever happened to the days when you use to buy a game without install?
You guys should require developers to have these bullet-points on their game boxes.
• Mandatory Installation
• Custom In-game Music (Yes/No maybe a patch in the future)
• Trophy support
• Online play support
• Voice chat
That way there will be no surprises when I get home. Thanks you.
140
vandam | July 23rd, 2008 at 10:55 am
We should have got the younger version of vader when he was in his prime. And older version With the costume change option. Ahh it will probly be downloadable from PSN $1.99 right?
141
Kinglink | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Once again exclusivity rears it’s ugly head. It’s good that Vader and Yoda are in this game, but it would be better if they were both in the same version. Why does Sony and Microsoft need to have their own special characters instead of not caring about who gets what and just looking to get the best possible game.
142
LooneyASESINO | July 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
tuesday seem so far away. can’t wait
143
LooneyASESINO | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
im loving it. cant wait for tuesday
144
turstkill | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
seeing the two videos has turned me over from a potential renter to a serious buyer!
145
saintfighteraqua | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I am so excited!! Not just for Darth Vader, but mostly for the create a character!
I hope there will be down loadable content.
I also hope you will add these characters as downloads:
Kratos from God of War
Nariko and/or Kai from Heavenly Sword (they would be perfect!)
Wolverine from X-Men
Maybe some other Namco characters? Like the Tales characters….imagine Kratos vs. Kratos!
Also Anime characters!!!
I am looking forward to playing online with everyone!
146
saintfighteraqua | July 23rd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Please add custom sound tracks Namco!! I love your music just fine, but I would love to mix it up with my music too!
147
cmargary | July 23rd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
@138
My english isn’t very good? I wonder why? oh yeah.. isn’t my first language
148
Hai | July 23rd, 2008 at 1:54 pm
@114…and many others
Yeah, a lightsaber normally would cut through anything, but so what? It’s a game for a reason, nobody seems to have an issue with people getting a spear through the chest and getting thrown to the other side of the arena, so something like the lightsaber being “dumbed down” is perfectly fine.
149
TheVesra | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
i’ve given up on “exclusives” i’d rather see these dual console games be made for the systems than one batch code for both. how much better should SCIV look for ps3 than 360, same with tekken. i was appalled at how gta4 didn’t take the systems into account for graphical differences. DON’T MAKE THE SAME LAME MISTAKE. i, for one, fully understand it’s all about how much money you can make. but give us a clear choice with multiplatform games. hell, it might even win over a few new ps3 owners.
150
TheVesra | July 23rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
whats with the 404 error when i click submit also? i almost re-entered my text, good thing i checked first.
Pages: « 1 2 3 4 »
Leave a Comment
We close the comments for posts after 30 days. If you would still like to comment on this post, please use our contact form.