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New Soulcalibur 5 trailer shows online lobby system
Soul Calibur 4's online VS. modes were adequate from a netcode perspective, but like most fighting games they lacked any sort of well-developed lobby or chat system. SoulCalibur 5, on the other hand, will allow spectators to chat about matches as they happen, as seen in this latest trailer.
Mad Catz now shipping Soulcalibur 5 fight sticks
It may not be as curvaceous as the fighters of Soulcalibur V, but at least you need not feel ashamed ogling the game's official Mad Catz stick. As one of two officially licensed fight sticks (the other being a Hori model), Mad Catz's offering will set consumers back $159.99 and is already off to retail as you read this post. Sticks are available in both Xbox 360 and PS3 flavors, but you already knew that because those are the only two platforms on which you can buy Soulcalibur V.
Soulcalibur V advertisement debunked, junked
Following Namco's release of a controversial, crass Soulcalibur V ad focusing on ... non-fighting-related aspects of the game, the above image started going around of a subsequent ad that had reportedly been deemed too controversial and removed. The first post we've seen about it was on Digital Battle, but it's been picked up by a few others. However, we don't believe Namco Bandai even attempted to use Voldo's codpiece as a selling point. Try to contain your surprise: as far as we can tell, the ad is a fake. We don't know who's responsible for its creation, but we do know that the Voldo image used for the ad comes from a screenshot of Soul Calibur IV, released in 2007. Compare the two images above, and try not to think about how much time you've just spent concentrating on Voldo's business.
Edge Master and Algol return to the stage of history in Soulcalibur V
Sometimes you want to fight against a certain Soul Calibur character, but you'd rather their moveset be performed by an old bearded guy. For that, there's Edge Master. Concept art posted by Famitsu shows he'll be returning in Soulcalibur V, as will Soul Calibur IV final boss Algol, who now follows the Street Fighter III boss dress code. Famitsu also revealed the ability to create "Devil" style characters (like Tekken's Devil Jin) in SCV's character creator. Namco Bandai demonstrated this with a "Devil" version of Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada.
Pre-order a deluxe Soulcalibur 5 soundtrack
In order to properly get in the mood for an Italian assassin vs. evil animated sword monster fight -- to set the stage of history, so to speak -- you'll need the right music. You can start your preparations for a more Soulcalibur 5-friendly home by pre-ordering the four-disc (!) Soulcalibur 5 Original Soundtrack Limited Edition from Eminence Music Production. In addition to 56 tracks from composers Junichi Nakatsuru, Hiroki Kikuta, Tomoki Miyoshi, Andrew Aversa, Cris Velasco, and Inon Zur, you get a DVD that goes behind the scenes of the soundtrack's creation, and "character cards" of the new fighters. If you're on the fence about whether to spend ¥4,980 ($64) on Soul Calibur music, you can hear a few samples at Eminence's site. The soundtrack will ship on January 31.
Soulcalibur V trailer peers into the past
We can hardly blame you for being so obsessed with the Soulcalibur series. The drama of big dudes with bigger swords, screaming and fighting, and a power dormant for so many years, thought lost -- man, you just can't get that kind of drama anywhere else.
Soulcalibur 5 getting costumes from Bayonetta designer
Soulcalibur isn't exactly known for down-to-earth costumes, and now 1UP reports that Soulcalibur 5's wardrobe is about to get just a touch stranger. Namco has announced that Mari Shimazaki, character designer for Bayonetta, has designed three costumes for Soulcalibur 5. Specifically, Shimazaki has clothed Ivy, Tira and the series' newest sword dancer, Leixia. As one might expect, the costumes are flamboyant to say the least. Check out some images and design sketches in the gallery below. %Gallery-140105%
Soulcalibur 5 screens carry a big stick
Look, we should be telling you about the screens of Xiba, Soulcalibur 5's new staff-wielding fighter, but we just can't. Why? Yoshimitsu is why. Just look at him! Frankly, our favorite ninja-demon-robot-thing has never looked better. Check out the gallery for more images (including Xiba, we guess).
Hori making Soulcalibur 5 branded fight sticks
Remember how Mad Catz is going to make those gorgeous, dynamically styled Soulcalibur 5 themed fight sticks? Well, if shiny bevelled edges and an LED-ready see-through plastic casing aren't your jam, accessories manufacturer Hori has a rather minimalistic alternative: The Soulcalibur 5 Joystick. The stick's fancy name matches the rest of its aesthetic, and is slated for a January 2012 release, with versions being made for both the 360 and PS3. While Hori has yet to announce pricing or parts information, the size of the stick suggests that it will be similar to their Sanwa-packing $140 Real Arcade Pro. That's wild speculation on our part, of course, so while we're speculating let's go ahead and say that the stick is also filled with molasses. Gross, Hori!
Play dress-up with this new Soulcalibur 5 character creation trailer
After you've acquired that snazzy branded Soulcalibur 5 fight stick and modded it out fresh with LEDs and Sanwa/Seimitsu parts, you'll need a customized character to compliment your rogue individuality. Luckily for you, Soul Calibur's character creation mode is returning for the series' fifth installment, and it looks as, uhm, robust as ever. It really looks like Namco Bandai has tried to include the whole package this time around, allowing players to change fabric patterns, add additional models to pieces of armor, and layer decals to create their own designs. Obviously custom characters will never be allowed at tournaments, but who hasn't always wanted their very own Corrupted Soul Barbie?
Ezio brings a hidden gun to a knife fight in Soulcalibur 5 footage
Namco has posted a very long video discussing the features in Soulcalibur 5, complete with plenty of footage of everyone's favorite assassin, Ezio Auditore da Firenze. There's also a lot of talking to get through, so you may want to skip to 26:55 (as in the twenty-six minute mark) to get to the in-game action. Oh, and yes, Ezio brought his hidden gun. Siliconera notes that the video discusses the game's customization systems. Adjusting a character's physique, for example, could allow for longer reach. Furthermore, Namco does have plans for downloadable content, though the developers weren't ready to discuss whether those plans include more characters. We've still got our fingers crossed for Spawn making a glorious comeback.
Soulcalibur 5 fight stick coming courtesy of Mad Catz
You'll be able to 8-way-run in style next year, as Mad Catz is introducing a Soulcalibur 5-themed version of its Tournament Edition FightStick, shipping for Xbox 360 and PS3 to coincide with the launch of Namco's latest. Fittingly, it's called the "Soul Edition," though it thankfully doesn't claim to take the soul of its user in exchange. Like the Soul Edge, however, SC5's fight stick is composed of mythical, unknown parts (Mad Catz isn't telling just yet). The "Soul Edition" fight stick will launch in January 2012 alongside Soulcalibur 5, though we've yet to receive an official price.%Gallery-137701%
Soulcalibur 5's pre-order character Dampierre is ... interesting
The Soul Calibur series has a long and storied history for inserting extra-IP characters into its weapon-based brand of 3D fighting, but hidden beneath the glitz and glamour of big-name cameos lurks a world of truly bizarre weirdos. Take Lord Geo Dampierre, for example: We're still not entirely sure which major retailer will include the Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny alumni with pre-ordered copies of Soulcalibur 5, but we are entirely sure that his fighting style can be classified as both "goofy" and "incredible," thanks to the above trailer. It'll be interesting to see how this self-proclaimed "World's Greatest Assassin" will fair in combat against the world's actual greatest assassin; they both have wrist-mounted blades, seems pretty even to us!
Soulcalibur V Collector's Edition: the pages of history
You know the biggest news related to Soulcalibur V; and now you can see the game's biggest box. Namco Bandai revealed the book-style collector's edition for the game, which includes the usual soundtrack and art book, along with a making-of video and exclusive downloadable White Knight and Dark Knight (not that Dark Knight!) armor sets for the character creation mode. The CE will be available alongside the standard edition on January 31. No price was given, but it looks classy, which no doubt adds a couple dollars to the total. Speaking of class, Namco also unveiled a pre-order bonus from an as-yet-unspecified retailer: Dampierre, the Waluigi-looking fellow from Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny. You'll find lots of images of him, along with Ezio, new character Leixia, and returning characters Raphael and Nightmare, in our gallery.%Gallery-137249%
Soulcalibur V launches on January 31, 2012; Ezio sneaks into the game
The rumors are true! Assassin's Creed: Revelations protagonist Ezio Auditore de Firenze is the secret guest character in Soulcalibur V, the latest trailer reveals, and it looks like he's coming packed with all of his trusty pointy objects. And a crossbow! Namco Bandai also revealed a January 31, 2012 launch date for Soulcalbur V, and handed over the above trailer. Hidden wrist-blade Soul Edge, anyone?
How CyberConnect2 became a Soulcalibur 5 collaborator
CyberConnect2 has movie-making experience from working on a CG .hack movie, and it's that experience -- including motion capture expertise -- that drew Namco Bandai to the developer for Soulcalibur V. "I was approached by Namco almost two years ago," CEO and Naruto cosplayer Hiroshi Matsuyama told Gamasutra. "I knew they were working on Soulcalibur V, and they asked for help in the visual side of the game. The fighting gameplay was handled by their own team, and they just needed help in the visuals of the game, because they wanted to add more to the dramatization of the game." CyberConnect 2 did storyboarding and motion capture for the fighter. Matsuyama said that the motions have a CC2 look. "The actions look a little like in Naruto, in the sense that the motion doesn't look like we used motion-capture," he said. "In that sense, I think the game looks like it's been done by us." Matsuyama also said that Epic is surprised by CC2's use of Unreal Engine 3 for Asura's Wrath. He said it's "difficult" to make a cinematic action game in an engine designed primarily for shooters, but there's something like that for every engine. "I think the tools don't matter," he said. "And, a perfect engine doesn't exist. There's always something that's difficult to do with every tool."
Leaked Soulcalibur 5 screen shows mysterious character (and it's not Ezio)
We know, we know, the big story here is that Assassin's Creed sneakster Ezio Auditore da Firenze may have infiltrated Soulcalibur 5's dramatic tale of swords and souls, but look! There's totally another dude up there, completely unaccounted for. We've been over our tipster's image with the finest fine-toothed combs money can buy, and every single character on this screen can be quickly and verifiably identified, except for the dude to the right of Ezio. Head past the break for a breakdown of the menu and let the wild, rampant speculation begin.
Rumor: Assassin's Creed protagonist Ezio coming to Soulcalibur 5
The picture above was provided to us by an anonymous tipster, which we're told comes from a beta version of the upcoming Soulcalibur 5 appearing at recent fighting game tournament. If this shot is real, Assassin's Creed protagonist Ezio Auditore de Firenze will be a playable character in Soul Calibur 5, set to launch next year. Unfortunately, we don't have confirmation just yet, and there's no information about whether Ezio is limited to a certain version of the game, or available to anyone playing it. But one thing is for sure: The Hidden Blade would look pretty nice decked out with Soul Edge finery.
French SoulCalibur 5 match videos prove that you're already unprepared
One of the universal truths of the fighting-game world is that at all times, someone out there is better than you, no exceptions. It's a sure thing, so much so that this cosmic natural law even applies to games that aren't even out yet, as is evident by the SoulCalibur 5 Astaroth v. Ivy match video above. It's nice to know that even though the bright, cheerful announcer we've come to know and love has been replaced by a gruff, melancholy fellow, matches are still followed by confusing and non-sequitur one-liners about justice and victory. Slide past the break for a few more videos showcasing the new fighters and reworked mechanics. Welcome back to the Stage of History; now eat it!
Soulcalibur 5 story mode crafted by Asura's Wrath dev CyberConnect2
The story mode in Soulcalibur V has been elevated in importance, at least on the developer's side. Namco Bandai is working on the narrative component of its upcoming fighter alongside CyberConnect2, the exuberant studio behind Asura's Wrath and the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series. Andriasang relays the information from Namco Bandai, which claims that CyberConnect2 has been involved with the project since its inception, providing the storyboards and the motion-capture shoots that -- presumably -- explain all the eternally immolated souls and so forth. We imagine CyberConnect2's taken Namco Bandai's draft script and done a find-and-delete on anything that seemed even vaguely plausible. (You have seen Asura's Wrath, right?) If it's crazy enough, it could be even be a hit for Hollywood and its bizarre compulsion to adapt the game genre where story is of least importance. C'mon, they even did King of Fighters.
