BLOODSTAINED: RITUAL OF THE NIGHT aka the Spiritual successor of Symphony of the Night

toddler316 · May 11, 2015, 10:19pm

I wanted this thread done right and not left to the shit posters making most of these lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWrD0QMZc_s

Game met initial funding goals as of 1:35PM PST 5/11/15

Twitch announcement stream
http://swordorwhip.com/

*Quoted from the game informer article.

After leaving Konami a little over a year ago, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night creator Koji Igarashi is turning to Kickstarter to help fund his next game, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, a 2.5D adventure that appears to be heavily inspired by the brand he helped create. Symphony of the Night fans will be happy to know that Bloodstained sounds like the 2.5D Metroidvania game we’ve wanted to see from Igarashi for years. The game stars a young woman with amnesia who storms a castle to fight off a plague of demons while collected crystals and using a new crafting system to make weapons and spells. We chatted with Igarashi about this new project, why he had trouble finding another publisher, and how Keiji Inafune’s Mighty No. 9 inspired him.

What made you turn to Kickstarter for your next game?
The biggest reason is that we couldn’t find a publisher to fully support the title as-is. There were several bigger publishers that really liked the pitch and the game, but in the end, perhaps they didn’t feel it was a popular enough genre, or that it wasn’t viable for today’s current gaming market. Fortunately, we found some investment that would allow us to get close to the budget we need to make the core game, but even then, the condition of this funding was to first prove the desire for the game I’d drawn out. Not only is Kickstarter what will allow me to do this, but it will also potentially allow us to add a lot more content and some really creative things if we manage to surpass the bare minimum goal.

How did you land on the name Bloodstained? What does it say about the game?
The theme of blood often ties into Gothic roots, so it felt like a good keyword. The “stained-glass” magi-crystal graft made for a good play on words, and – much like a stain continues to grow and expand – the magi-crystal curse grows and slowly consumes its host. All this made Bloodstained a natural choice.

The crafting in this game sounds fun. What went into its creation?
Honestly, I just wanted to delve further into the key concept of “collecting.” Items are usually rendered useless as the game goes on, but this way, everything still has a use later on as players collect a wide variety of materials to custom-craft their own weapons and such.

Did Keiji Inafune’s work on the Mighty No. 9 project inspire you in any way?
He was one of the main reasons I finally went independent and did a Kickstarter. I was fascinated to see that a famous Japanese creator could strike out on his own and create his own IP. I’ve had so many fans asking me for more games that I decided to take the same route as Inafune-san and establish a direct pipeline to my fans to create the game they and I have always wanted.

Are you interested in pulling public domain characters from classic literature and mythology into this or a future project in the same way Castlevania did? Why not just make the main character Dracula?
Dracula may be public domain, but he’s linked too heavily to my previous games. The game is still going to have a Gothic vibe, but I needed a new enemy and a new character unrelated to those games in order to establish this new universe. I don’t want it to seem like a half-baked copy of my previous work. I’m still not totally sure what to do with the enemies, and I’m still wondering whether it’s really necessary to pull in classic monsters just because of the Gothic theme.

How do you feel about the recent rumors about Hideo Kojima and Konami? Do you think what’s been happening to him is at all similar to your departure?
It’s all groundless rumors at this point, so there’s no telling either way. But I do hope he is being treated respectfully as a creator who has generated so many great games.

How do you feel about Konami’s current state as a game company? Are you disappointed that they’re not doing more with properties like Silent Hill and Castlevania?
Konami has grown out of its original game roots and is definitely more of a corporation now. Companies exist to increase profits, and if console games aren’t reaching profit margins, the company can often very dryly choose another path. It’s the obvious choice for them. And while I understand the basic principle behind it, I joined Konami and spent most of my career there because I loved their games. Even now, I’m able to make a new game like this because of my work with them. It’s hard for me, as a fan personally, to see the end of sequels to their bigger IPs.

Before playing Symphony of the Night with Double Fine for their Devs Play, when was the last time you played the game?
I think it was back when I was making Castlevania X Chronicles. I couldn’t believe how terrible I’d gotten at playing the game.

As we’ve seen with games like Ori and the Blind Forrest and Axiom Verge this year, Metroidvania style games are still super popular. Still, do you feel like developers have been missing any element that you consider important for doing it right?
No game is truly perfect, so I’m sure there are always a few elements missing. If they got everything right, then there’d be nothing left to move forward in that genre – developers would probably just start exploring other genres. Honestly, I’m so focused on trying to make the best game that I can, it gives me tunnel vision; I only come up for air to make sure I’m giving the fans the 2D side-scrolling Igavania experience they tell me they want. Who knows – maybe they want more games in this genre because it feels like there’s still a key element or two that we still haven’t found yet. I suppose this Kickstarter could tell us the answer.

A lot of people compare Bloodborne to Castlevania. Have you checked out Bloodborne and what are your thoughts on it?
I’ve watched my kids play it. Man, that is a very well-made game. The game world and positioning are pretty different, so I was surprised to hear people compare the two games. I love the Cthulhu world, so I hope they keep on making sequels for it.

Do prefer playing with a whip or a sword?
Well, I technically gave birth to the sword-based Igavania-type characters, so I guess my weapon of choice is a sword.

New stretch goals added including the long desired VITA port.

New Strech goal Classic Mode

crotchpuncha · May 11, 2015, 10:23pm

I need a gif of him throwing the wine glass.

toddler316 · May 11, 2015, 10:37pm

At work now but as soon as i find one i’ll put it up just for you bro.

Hawkingbird · May 11, 2015, 10:51pm

With the different tattoos covering the main character’s body I assume the Glyph system will be returning in some form.

King9999 · May 11, 2015, 10:53pm

Here’s a related article: http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/5/11/8576141/koji-igarashi-day-in-the-life

GreyFoxx · May 11, 2015, 10:57pm

Man i really wan to play some Castlevania right now.

orochizoolander · May 11, 2015, 11:08pm

First of all that still pic is HYPE AS FUCK!..but just concept art so lets temper expectations until we see some game play lest we fall into an Inafune trap card.

Second of all shots fired! This is Iga’s and by extension us CV fans fuck you to Konami who think we don’t want a 2.5D metroidvania.

Third, I haven’t played Portrait of Ruin, but I hope a glyph system similar to Order of Ecclesia is used instead of one like Dawn of Sorrow OoE made collecting and combining glyphs way more fun.

Fourth this is the best part of this game:

“Dracula may be public domain, but he’s linked too heavily to my previous games. The game is still going to have a Gothic vibe, but I needed a new enemy and a new character unrelated to those games in order to establish this new universe. I don’t want it to seem like a half-baked copy of my previous work. I’m still not totally sure what to do with the enemies, and I’m still wondering whether it’s really necessary to pull in classic monsters just because of the Gothic theme.”

I’d much rather have something completely new and different straight from the mind of Igarashi and co then see another variation of classic monster mythologies, look at how unique and badass the Souls and Bloodborne enemies are.

Exodus_1 · May 11, 2015, 11:13pm

credit NinetiesArcade from the lounge:

Gasaraki · May 11, 2015, 11:16pm

They aren’t tattoos apparently. The name Bloodstained comes from some kind of sickness or disease that leaves stained glass looking markings. I mean, it may still be involved in some kind of game mechanic, but yeah

toddler316 · May 11, 2015, 11:17pm

King9999 · May 11, 2015, 11:18pm

Livestream with Iga playing Rogue Legacy: http://www.twitch.tv/KindaFunnyGames

Hecatom · May 11, 2015, 11:18pm

Pledged $100 because i couldn’t pass on the goods offered.

jimmy1200 · May 11, 2015, 11:42pm

Oh nice. I always find the larger donation rewards funny though. Like, man, if im giving you 10 grand, which is 2 percent of your total goal, im an investor at that point, and i wanna see some return on that. Pretty much everything over 100 bucks is pointless, and just for flexing. Well that artbook might be dope.

Eh, i’ll wait until it comes out. I’m interested in a metrodavania, but isnt might number 9 looking real suspect right now. I dont know bout these kickstarters. Although i wouldnt donate anymore than for a copy of the game, so essentially im just preordering it.

This is small and picky, but i hope there are some different color palettes at least for the main characters. Lemme have my faux black girl color palette. lol. Its just kinda dull to always default to white people as your models for games. Gimme a spanish girl, black, asian, for god sakes, anything but another fancy white anime girl/dude. lol

Gasaraki · May 12, 2015, 12:01am

jimmy1200:

Oh nice. I always find the larger donation rewards funny though. Like, man, if im giving you 10 grand, which is 2 percent of your total goal, im an investor at that point, and i wanna see some return on that. Pretty much everything over 100 bucks is pointless, and just for flexing. Well that artbook might be dope.

Eh, i’ll wait until it comes out. I’m interested in a metrodavania, but isnt might number 9 looking real suspect right now. I dont know bout these kickstarters. Although i wouldnt donate anymore than for a copy of the game, so essentially im just preordering it.

This is small and picky, but i hope there are some different color palettes at least for the main characters. Lemme have my faux black girl color palette. lol. Its just kinda dull to always default to white people as your models for games. Gimme a spanish girl, black, asian, for god sakes, anything but another fancy white anime girl/dude. lol

Nothing about No.9 is suspect. If you’re talking about the fact taht they found a publisher, we have no idea if that would have happened or not if it didn’t get the critical reception it did. Iga even mentions that IN THE VIDEO that the kickstarter is about showing that there’s support for the game and will simply help them expand it.

The problem isn’t kickstarter, the problem is people not realizing what kickstarter is. IT’S A KICK STARTER. It doesn’t preclude things happening outside of it, and guess what, people who donate to it are doing just that, donating. They aren’t buying a product. You are essentially an angel investor(If I’m using this term correctly, but I think I am).

toddler316 · May 12, 2015, 12:10am

Gasaraki:

jimmy1200:

Oh nice. I always find the larger donation rewards funny though. Like, man, if im giving you 10 grand, which is 2 percent of your total goal, im an investor at that point, and i wanna see some return on that. Pretty much everything over 100 bucks is pointless, and just for flexing. Well that artbook might be dope.

Eh, i’ll wait until it comes out. I’m interested in a metrodavania, but isnt might number 9 looking real suspect right now. I dont know bout these kickstarters. Although i wouldnt donate anymore than for a copy of the game, so essentially im just preordering it.

This is small and picky, but i hope there are some different color palettes at least for the main characters. Lemme have my faux black girl color palette. lol. Its just kinda dull to always default to white people as your models for games. Gimme a spanish girl, black, asian, for god sakes, anything but another fancy white anime girl/dude. lol

Nothing about No.9 is suspect. If you’re talking about the fact taht they found a publisher, we have no idea if that would have happened or not if it didn’t get the critical reception it did. Iga even mentions that IN THE VIDEO that the kickstarter is about showing that there’s support for the game and will simply help them expand it.

The problem isn’t kickstarter, the problem is people not realizing what kickstarter is. IT’S A KICK STARTER. It doesn’t preclude things happening outside of it, and guess what, people who donate to it are doing just that, donating. They aren’t buying a product. You are essentially an angel investor(If I’m using this term correctly, but I think I am).

No he’s talking about the community manager SJW mess that got started.
That was a PR disaster and the fact that she was not fired on the spot after the first message went out proves she had another in somewhere that was allowing that bullshit.

Regardless of where you land on the topic, it was super unprofessional.

Kromo · May 12, 2015, 12:18am

But people play these games because they want to feel like a hero or a champion or a savior!
It’s not a sports game, or a crime sandbox game or some kind of burgertime knockoff.

Gasaraki · May 12, 2015, 12:18am

toddler316:

Gasaraki:

jimmy1200:

Oh nice. I always find the larger donation rewards funny though. Like, man, if im giving you 10 grand, which is 2 percent of your total goal, im an investor at that point, and i wanna see some return on that. Pretty much everything over 100 bucks is pointless, and just for flexing. Well that artbook might be dope.

Eh, i’ll wait until it comes out. I’m interested in a metrodavania, but isnt might number 9 looking real suspect right now. I dont know bout these kickstarters. Although i wouldnt donate anymore than for a copy of the game, so essentially im just preordering it.

This is small and picky, but i hope there are some different color palettes at least for the main characters. Lemme have my faux black girl color palette. lol. Its just kinda dull to always default to white people as your models for games. Gimme a spanish girl, black, asian, for god sakes, anything but another fancy white anime girl/dude. lol

Nothing about No.9 is suspect. If you’re talking about the fact taht they found a publisher, we have no idea if that would have happened or not if it didn’t get the critical reception it did. Iga even mentions that IN THE VIDEO that the kickstarter is about showing that there’s support for the game and will simply help them expand it.

The problem isn’t kickstarter, the problem is people not realizing what kickstarter is. IT’S A KICK STARTER. It doesn’t preclude things happening outside of it, and guess what, people who donate to it are doing just that, donating. They aren’t buying a product. You are essentially an angel investor(If I’m using this term correctly, but I think I am).

No he’s talking about the community manager SJW mess that got started.
That was a PR disaster and the fact that she was not fired on the spot after the first message went out proves she had another in somewhere that was allowing that bullshit.

Regardless of where you land on the topic, it was super unprofessional.

That has EVEN LESS to do with kickstarter then and doesn’t help his point at all. That’s completely on Inafune’s side

toddler316 · May 12, 2015, 12:36am

It’s now met the initial funding goals.
On to stretch goals.

Hawkingbird · May 12, 2015, 12:41am

Fully funded already? Shit, I wonder if this is enough for IGA publisher to fund it. Most Kickstarters don’t get fully funded in a day.

toddler316 · May 12, 2015, 12:43am

Oh at this rate, he might not need anything more than the kick starter pledges to get his entire budget.