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Mysterious adventure game 'ReCore' heads to PC, too (update)
ReCore is a mysterious project from Mega Man and Mighty No. 9 legend Keiji Inafune, but today we get a sliver of fresh information -- it's launching on PC as well as Xbox One. Microsoft quietly dropped the PC news in a post on Xbox Wire. ReCore is due to launch in 2016 on both platforms, Microsoft says, though the game's previous release window was a more specific, "spring 2016." We've reached out to Microsoft for clarification on ReCore's expected release date.
'Mighty No. 9' team aims to calm angry backers with exclusive demo
Kickstarter backers of Keiji Inafune's Mighty No. 9 are feeling a little burned. When its Spring release came due, Comcept pushed the release back to fall; when that September launch came on the horizon, the game was delayed until 2016. "We feel bad," producer Nick Yu told us earlier this month. "Really, really bad." The company knows its messed up, and agrees that backers deserve something for their patience. So they're getting something -- on September 15th, the game's second launch date, Kickstarter backers will get access to an exclusive demo of the Mighty No. 9's single player campaign.
Two questions with legendary 'Mega Man' creator Keiji Inafune
Keiji Inafune co-created Mega Man in the 1980s -- and the rest, as they say, is history. He's led a storied career in video games ever since, building franchises such as Dead Rising and Onimusha. Inafune currently heads up his own studio, Comcept, where he's finishing production of Mighty No. 9, an action platformer that raised $3.8 million on Kickstarter in 2013. But, more on that later. One of the truly surprising announcements to come out of the Xbox showcase at this year's E3 was ReCore, a new IP from Inafune that features a woman in an arid world of robots that carry glowing, mysterious cores. The Xbox conference revealed a trailer, a spring 2016 release window and not much more. We sat down with Inafune at E3 and asked him two questions: one about ReCore and the other about the state of creativity in the video game industry. He had plenty to say.
Interview: Keiji Inafune on Dead Rising 2, character design and difficulty
Capcom's Global Head of Production, Keiji Inafune, who started with the company over 20 years ago as an illustrator, oversees production of the publisher's major franchises, including Resident Evil, Lost Planet, Street Fighter and Dead Rising. We talked to Inafune at E3 about the design decisions and criticisms of the Dead Rising series, as well as Capcom's ongoing attempt to balance east and west game design philosophies. (Don't forget to check out our preview on Dead Rising 2 for more.) %Gallery-44178%
TGS 2009: The Recap Post
Last week, the Tokyo Game Show brought in over 100 posts worth of news, previews, interviews, galleries, and videos. Clearly, a lot happened. If you're looking for a comprehensive list of all the goings-on during TGS 2009, Joystiq has you covered -- and organized! Click on a platform below to scan the highlights: (On the far right: that's "News" and "Culture" on the top and bottom, respectively)
Inafune skips Nordic Game conference due to swine flu restrictions
Capcom Producer Keiji Inafune won't be pigging out on fine Swedish meatballs at the Nordic Game conference, due to swine flu concerns. GI.biz reports a Nordic Games spokesperson was informed that Capcom has a "corporate policy restricting foreign travel" during the current media-hyped pandemic. Capcom also mentioned that a dog ate Inafune's plane ticket ... not really, but it's just as viable an excuse.Taking Inafune's spot at the conference will be Team 17's Martyn Brown. So, the guy with a severe case of Worms is taking over for the one afraid of catching piggy flu? [Image]
Get Equipped with Mega Man answers from Inafune
As the daddy of the Blue Bomber, you'd expect Keiji Inafune to know a thing or two about the Mega Man canon, and readers of the Capcom blog got the chance to test his knowledge in a interview, in which Inafune quickly set about clarifying series minutiae.Other subjects broached include the prospect of Mega Man appearing in not-Mega Man genres (in short, don't be expecting Mega Man Kart in the near future, and let's all be thankful for that), Inafune's fondness for photography (which influenced Dead Rising), and co-op Mega Man (which, argues Inafune, would be "close to impossible" with the current style of the series). He also mentions that he'd be happy to see Mega Man in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and that's not the first time Inafune has dropped that particular hint. Surely the robo-boy is a shoo-in for the next game?%Gallery-30253%[Via Joystiq]
Keiji Inafune clarifies Mega Man lore
It's hard to actually use the word lore in association with Mega Man. That's a word we generally save for Star Wars, Star Trek, Middle Earth and maybe LOST, but it's appropriate when pertaining to series character designer Keiji Inafune's mini-Q&A with the Capcom blog. In it, Inafune (who also produced Dead Rising and the Onimusha series) answers important, nitpicky questions about Zero's ability to kill, the relationship between Zero and Sigma and its significance and Dr. Wily's (non) presence in the Mega Man X series.Also noted is that, given the chance, Inafune would've loved to see Mega Man in Smash Bros. Brawl. What you won't see, however, is Mega Man with co-op multiplayer. "I think this is quite difficult--even close to impossible with the current style of Mega Man," he said. Our suggestion: Player 1 moves, Player 2 aims the arm. Use some cheesy plot device about Mega Man's arm being possessed. Hey, it worked in Metal Gear Solid.
Miyamoto, Inafune keynotes at CEDEC conference
Next month's CESA Development Conference (CEDEC) in Tokyo will feature keynote presentations from Shigeru Miyamoto and Capcom producer (and Mega Man creator) Keiji Inafune. Miyamoto's talk, "From where should we create?" (or something like that), will look at the development process of Wii Music, the philosophy of game production and "universal design," and the small problems that come up every day.Inafune's talk has yet to be outlined, but he is producing the boldly retro-minded Mega Man 9. A keynote about the challenges of strictly limiting yourself technologically could be interesting. It'll probably end up being about the Lost Planet movie, though.[Via Develop]
Mega-new Mega Man 9 details, screens, hands-on
Beyond some crappy scans and lots of speculation, real info on the WiiWare return of Mega Man has been scant. Well, GamesRadar just opened the flood gates with its exclusive, proper reveal of Mega Man 9, featuring a hands-on by Nintendo editor Brett Elston and an interview with series creator (and MM9 producer) Keiji Inafune. Elston reports that Mega Man 9 is ... well, it's essentially an NES game – just as difficult as the original 8-bit installments of the famed series. "Mega Man 9 is easily on par or above the hardest games in the series," Elston says, adding: "Hell, we played for two hours and only made it to three bosses, and even then only beat two." Read on after the break for more new info.
Get equipped with autographed DS Lite
One lucky fan got his black DS Lite signed by Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune at the recent New York City event, and thanks to him, another "lucky" fan will be able to buy it. Not only did Inafune scribble on the device incomprehensibly, he drew an adorable rendition of one of the series' signature enemies, the Metool/Mettaur/Hard Hat/whatever they're calling the little guy these days.The current bid is only $50, which is a steal for any DS Lite, much less one bearing the mark of one of the most influential figures in game history. The price will no doubt change as people like us publicize this.[Via GameSniped]
Meet Keiji Inafune, Mega Man creator, in NYC today
Chances are, you've played one of Keiji Inafune's games. He created and designed the Mega Man character, produced the Onimusha games, and most recently worked on everybody's favorite zombies-attack-mall action game, Dead Rising. If you happen to be in the NYC area, you, a mere gaming mortal, will be able to meet this esteemed game producer.The signing will happen at the GameStop across the street from the Manhattan Mall. Joystiq will be sending one photo journalist to the event, camera (and chainsaw) in hand.
Inafune worried about recouping next-gen Mega Man cost
Keije Inafune, who broke away from the legacy of Mega Man with Dead Rising and Lost Planet, says a next-gen Mega Man would be a financial gamble. He estimates a next-gen title starring the blue bomber would cost approximately $15 million. This is the part where it gets weird. Inafune says that from a producer standpoint he's worried about recouping the cost of development and more than once says he's waiting for someone rich to come along and fund it -- and it doesn't have to be Capcom."I'm not even saying it has to be Capcom money. It could be EA, actually. I should say a company we have ties with, so maybe Rockstar," Inafune said in an interview with 1UP (video after the break). He believes, from a producer standpoint, the financial risks are too great to make a new Mega Man and says, "Realistically, I would have to say, I would be worried if it would recoup the money we spend."After that the interview turns into questions about Mega Man Legends 3 and having Inafune draw for the reporters. It is interesting to see the man behind the blue bomber say that a next-gen Mega Man would be a financial gamble. Has the series lost any type of solid financial backing? Is Capcom taking a breather from spending money and upgrading the series to next-gen by focusing on other IPs? Could Inafune just be sick of doing Mega Man? What we do know is that Inafune has plenty on his plate right now with sequels to Dead Rising and the rumored Lost Planet follow up.
Inafune talks RE4 engine and the Wii [update 1]
During the recently-concluded GDC 07, Keiji Inafune (do we really need to tell you who he is?) talked about the problems of porting new-gen titles over to the Wii. First, he commented on the possibility of bringing over engines from two of the company's latest new-gen games, Dead Rising and Lost Planet. The possibility, it turns out, is non-existent, as he said these titles' engines were optimized for cross-platform use. What will take their place? The Resident Evil 4 engine, it would seem. While Keiji commented that the industry is really craving photorealistic graphics, he is still interested in creating the types of franchises that enjoy iconic mascots, such as Mega Man. Mr. Inafune even commented that Capcom is working on a secret project, to be revealed at a later date. He did not comment, however, if the title would be for the Wii.[Update: loltypo. Thanks, Markus!]
