Daisuke Ishiwatari On The State Of Fighting Games And How ArcSys Got Arcana Heart 3

http://www.siliconera.com/2011/05/05/daisuke-ishiwatari-on-the-state-of-fighting-games-and-how-arcsys-got-arcana-heart-3/



The creator of Guilty Gear, Daisuke Ishiwatari, knows his fighting games. While the genre took a backseat for a few years, one-on-one fighting games are back in the spotlight with Street Fighter IV, Mortal Kombat, and BlazBlue.

When Siliconera spoke to Ishiwatari-san we asked him about the future of fighting games and the company he works for, Arc System Works.

Fighting games are back in vogue now. What do you think of the state of the genre today? How can it be improved and what pitfalls do you see ahead?

Daisuke Ishiwatari, Producer: On a very basic level, nothing has changed. The essential rules of the game have remained the same. You have two players – one loses, one wins. It’s what surrounds that experience that is important – with arcades not as big as they were in the west, online plays a big part – in getting people to experience human vs. human competitive play. I don’t think you can truly replace having someone sitting next to you while you fight, but the means of experiencing competitive play is now much easier than it was. The community that builds up from this is essential to keep that spirit alive.

I think it’s also important for fighting games to prove themselves as ‘Entertainment’ not just as ‘Fighting Games’. BlazBlue does this well with its story mode for example – giving newcomers a different kind of experience outside competitive play. Also accessibility needs to be there – new players need to be introduced to the games systems without scaring them away, so better tutorials more beginner modes are important, and we’re seeing more fighting games do this now…

What was it like working with the Nintendo 3DS and bringing BlazBlue to that platform?

On the technical side – you’d be better asking Toshimichi Mori (the creator of BlazBlue) that question – taking a game from 360 and PS3 and putting it onto portable hardware always has challenges in terms of memory, for example, or reworking artwork. I think the 3DS definitely has that visual impact, when you see it for the first time you think – WOW! However, for me, this is just cosmetic – I don’t think it’s going to radically change the process of games creation.

What are your thoughts on the 3DS, NGP, and portable fighting games?

Portable fighting games are very important to us as it opens up a new audience to our games. We’ve found that people who play our fighting games on portable machines tend to be much younger and play on their own more – this is a great way for us to introduce our games to new players. On the DS and PSP this has been due to the relatively low price of the hardware – rather than by a PS3 and HDTV, which is expensive for younger players, a PSP or DS is a much easier way of playing. Now 3DS and NGP are obviously going to be more expensive – it will be interesting to see how this changes things…



While not a crossover, Arc System Works worked with Konami on Hard Corps: Uprising. The anime style Arc System Works is known for worked well with that game. Is Arc System Works planning on working with other companies?

It’s definitely something we’re open to. The work Arc did on BlazBlue – delivering that standard of HD 2D art – got us a lot of attention which is very flattering. I think people are starting to recognize an Arc style.

You also published Arcana Heart 3 in Japan. AQ Interactive used to release the Arcana Heart games before. How did you strike a deal with Examu?

We’ve known Examu for a very long time. When you’re a hardcore 2D fighting game developer in Japan, it’s a small world! Examu deliver very high quality 2D fighters with unique gameplay systems – so it’s not hard to see how both Examu and Arc have a lot of mutual respect for each other! For Arcana Heart 3, Examu saw what we’d done with BlazBlue from arcade to PS3 and 360 and wanted to use some of our know-how – specifically, some of our rendering techniques and technologies as well as the BlazBlue netcode. This was something that AH3 didn’t have, and something that BlazBlue did very well – so the netcode itself, the matchmaking system, all of these are now in Arcana Heart 3. Actually, AH3 has a very much improved version of BB’s netcode.

It’s not just the tech-side either, its about developing the fighting game community as well, Arc System Works are committed to keeping that spirit alive, and to help bring great quality, unique fighting games to the community to help it grow to nurture it. This partnership helps us do that.



Arc System Works made a Guilty Gear melee game and a platformer spin-off for DSiWare. Are there any other genres you’re interested in trying with either BlazBlue or Guilty Gear?

We did Guilty Gear 2 which was more of an action strategy game – so it’s something we’re always thinking about. We’d love to look at new genres of course, whether or not they’ll use the BlazBlue or Guilty Gear universes I don’t know. However, we are looking to bring in new staff and train them and challenge them with bringing new kinds of experiences to Arc in the future.

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ALL HAIL LORD DAISUKE

btw daisuke was born and bred here in JHB
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisuke_Ishiwatari

Arcana Heart 3 EU Limited Edition



For the fans and fighting game enthusiasts, the Limited Edition version is limited to 4000 units and includes:
• Exclusive soundtrack
• 12 beautiful character and Arcana art cards with fighting move reference guides
• Original Japanese 144 page art book containing sketches and concept art
• All presented in a beautiful iconic box.

Arcana Heart 3 European Teaser



Zen United Trailers always sick

Depending on the price I might look at this although I doubt it, game is worth $15 at the most.

That is also possibly the worst teaser trailer I have ever seen. This package shouldn't be more than R280

If you felt the recently revealed Arcana Heart 3 limited edition for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in Europe was lacking that one thing to convince you it's worth your hard-earned money, Zen United announced today a package for £49.99 that will either seal the deal or scare you away from the game entirely. The package includes everything from the limited edition, but with one.. interesting addition: a 'super 3D [censored] mousemat'.

It'd be pretty easy to make a joke about this, but I think the following message from the Arcana Heart Facebook page pretty much does it for me. Check it out (and an image, if you're curious) below.

Let robotic, Kung-Fu mistress, Mei-Fang, soothe away your combo-induced aches and pains with her LUXURY WRIST PILLOWS! Nestle your tired wrist between her SUMPTUOUS SILICON MOUNDS for a mouse-shifting experience that must be felt to be believed!

The SUGGOI OPPAI Fans Edition is limited to just 500 pieces and contains;

• Mei Fang Super 3D [censored] Mousemat

PLUS! The Arcana Heart 3 Fans Edition, including;
• Arcana Heart 3 on PS3 or Xbox 360.
• The original, 144 page Japanese Arcana Heart 3 artbook.
• Arcana Heart 3 Official Soundtrack exclusive to this Limited Edition set.
• 12 character guide cards, featuring artwork and command listings for Arcana Heart’s extensive character and Arcana roster.

AND SOLD!

Doing the similar release to BBCS in EU.

Dam I want one!

Hahahahah i wouldn't mind that mouse pad, but eh ill still just get the download

If you order the "Suggoi Oppai" Fans Edition straight from the online store its about R1.1k T_T. had the same problem with GG limited edition, the actual game is cheap but the delivery cost is just ridiculous.

will probably just have to settle for the standard limited edition unless it shows up on take 2

Arcana Heart 3 Love Max announced

http://www.4gamer.net/games/190/G019042/20121026012/

lololololol

AH3 Love MAX trailer


sorry but you can't tell me this game doesn't make marvel look like[censored]
now just to wait for Arc to announce a console port

Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! Heads To North America In Fall 2014

Aksys Games confirmed they will bring Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! outside of Japan. This version of Examu’s fighting game is rebalanced and has a new hot springs storyline.

The all girls fighting game lets players choose a character and an Arcana that changes how you stats as well as your abilities. Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! has a time attack mode, gallery pictures to unlock, a replay viewer, trial mode with 90 missions to complete, and online multiplayer. The game will have English text and Japanese voiceovers.

Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! will be available in North America in fall 2014 for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita

Siliconera

awesome, always liked this game. its everything mvc3 should've been

I have Arcana Heart 3. Will this becoming to EU. Or another import for me?

going by bbcp im going to assume its another import

Then me and you will import

I've got Arcana Heart 3 think this will be worth it?

Nucleous said ...

I've got Arcana Heart 3 think this will be worth it?

if you like AH3 i'd go for it. nice thing is its not that expensive. retail price is $40 for both ps3 and vita versions. should go up on psn as well

Nucleous said ...

I've got Arcana Heart 3 think this will be worth it?

If you liked AH3. You'll love this. As Ragna said. Price is good also

Nucleous said ...

I've got Arcana Heart 3 think this will be worth it?

No your paying for a patch, someone can correct me if I am wrong but the game has nothing new outside of character balances and a survival/training mode?

Rather buy something like Skullgirls or Chaos Code, will save money as well.

DarkPrince said ...

Nucleous said ...

I've got Arcana Heart 3 think this will be worth it?

No your paying for a patch, someone can correct me if I am wrong but the game has nothing new outside of character balances and a survival/training mode?

thats the kind of thing i'd expect someone who doesn't play fighting games to say. if you want a sequel then wait for AH4. there's still enoughnew content in the game to warrant a new release. its got a new system. more story. more characters. what else do you want?

RagnaXBL said ...

DarkPrince said ...

Nucleous said ...

I've got Arcana Heart 3 think this will be worth it?

No your paying for a patch, someone can correct me if I am wrong but the game has nothing new outside of character balances and a survival/training mode?

thats the kind of thing i'd expect someone who doesn't play fighting games to say. if you want a sequel then wait for AH4. there's still enoughnew content in the game to warrant a new release. its got a new system. more story. more characters. what else do you want?

It seems you and me are importing. But hey Ragna. Don't expect people that don't play fighting games like me and you do to see the difference. We will buy it and enjoy it.

The changes are well deserving f a purchase. It seems the battle system has completely almost be redone. I'm very excited for this

RagnaXBL said ...

thats the kind of thing i'd expect someone who doesn't play fighting games to say. if you want a sequel then wait for AH4. there's still enoughnew content in the game to warrant a new release. its got a new system. more story. more characters. what else do you want?

Don't confuse my comment for how I feel on the game or the practice, my comment was specificly directed at Nucleous, who judging by his trophy list only has a handful of fighting games listed, meaning he probably isn't too big into the genre and plays what catches his eye, considering the closest thing to Arcana on his list is Blazblue, of which he has only 2 Blazblue titles listed and only 2 actual trophies between the games it's clear that a title like this may not warrant a full purchase from him and he should wait for a price drop.

You say it is worth the purchase because you brought your personal opinion into it, I just looked at facts and made my decision based on that