Real Talk: Darkstalkers Are Dead and Fighting Game Saturation

[@1SWINZ1]

I'll tell you why DarkStalkers HD Collection didn't sell, it's because Capcom didn't market it AT ALL. Personally, I never even knew that this remaster existed until 6 months after release, and that was because I just happened to come across it whilst browsing the PlayStation store. I immediately purchased it. Man, this still hurts. It's still frustrating to me that they use this remaster as a way to gauge interest, but didn't market it. If consumers don't know that something exists, then they can't buy it.

[@bananabanana2380]

+SwinnyUK ^ this

[@SkySovereignn]

+SwinnyUK Agreed. I don't believe Capcom gave an effort to advertise/promote this game. They never commit.

[@jesuszamora6949]

+SwinnyUK A huge part of it is their refusal to commit to anything that's not Street Fighter or Marvel, ESPECIALLY in the West. No advertising, no physical version (Japan and Asia had a physical release), no real word to anyone outside of the people who likely already have the games on Saturn, and then they're surprised when it doesn't make billions of dollars. Capcom needed to put the effort in, and they still have that problem. It doesn't help that in the time DarkStalkers has been absent, other games have taken up the mantle of zany ass characters, marrying them with equally zany gameplay. You want your spot with Guilty Gear, Blazblue and the rest, you need to earn it, not expect nostalgia to do all the heavy lifting.

[@1SWINZ1]

ShinSHOGO So basically, they pushed it on the hardcore minority at Pro Tournaments and the like. Yeah, that'll work out. I'm not sure what mainstream sites you are talking about. I never seen it. Same with the KZbin Ads, I never seen them. And over the years, I have spoken to many people who are in the same boat as me, they just didn't know that it existed.

[@1SWINZ1]

ShinSHOGO I'm pretty sure that the only big website there is IGN. And for the most part, only big-time fighting game fans even know about EventHubs and Shoryuken.

[@simplisticintricate]

Darkstalkers deserves a comeback.

[@mdrstudios7067]

Like Power Stone.

[@jaypond4368]

I have a feeling that with the popularity of SF, we have seen sort of a resurgence of fighting games. I think we will eventually get a fully fledged new Dark Stalkers game. Probably on a 3D engine since that seems to be the direction all the developers are taking.

[@benjamin-papa]

The Common Sense Man would love a reboot of that

[@cybershadow4112]

Same I wish Capcom wasn't a one trick pony with Resident evil and SF.

[@DeadlyTrouble]

I still believe Darkstalkers should still come back

[@ResalePrimeDirectives]

Capcom: "WTF? Darkstalkers Ressurection didn't pull those 10 million in sales! I guess no one wants a DS4! What a useless fucking franchise!" Ark System Works: "Hey! Can you sell Darkstalkers to us then?" Reverge Labs: "Skullgirls could use that series for a sweet Vs game if you don't want it Capcom. Sell it please?" Capcom: "No! Fuck you two! We're busy putting out a Darkstalkers 1 HD game then going to cry when it doesn't pull Battlefield 3 numbers."

[@letmecommentstupidyoutube1338]

They see that a a stupid remake manage to compete with Bioshock and then say it's not enough, stupid developers.

[@yourewallsareveryconvenien8292]

Similar situation to DMC5. Basically they said that if they are a real fan and want DMC5, then they should buy the Special Edition for DMC4 so it can reach a certain number. Capcom is always like that.

[@mr_beezlebub3985]

It's almost as if Capcom doesn't want to market anything that isn't Street Fighter or Resident Evil

[@GladDestronger]

for awhile (8 years) they didn't want anything to do with megaman either. mm11 is coming out hopfully it can the capcom hardasses to start darkstalkers 4.

[@GladDestronger]

i have bought and beat mm11. another megaman game is in pre-production right now. but... there's good news and bad news about it.

[@david_the_noob_0422]

Yea most big game corporations are money hungry anyways.

[@jermainemorton3752]

Real talk

[@ProductofWit]

The only reason I know about Darkstalkers is the inclusion of Morrigan, Felicia and Hsien-Ko in MvC3. I think this is true for many people who didn't grow up with fighting games in the '90s.

[@highswagaming]

Bernharde agreed

[@colincalvin6473]

I knew Felicia even before MvC3. It was the death battle episode where she fought “What’s her name I can’t spell” from Blazblue.

[@XDrumble3]

@@colincalvin6473 Taokaka

[@colincalvin6473]

Thanks

[@TrueUnderDawgGaming]

It's a real shame. Capcom genuinely doesn't care about their fan base. They bleed them dry for money and then go back on their word. Using the funding that was promised for a sequel and using it for something else is bull. Capcom needs to pull their head out of their ass and realize that the reason people buy their games is for the characters. Not because they like Capcom. Nobody likes Capcom. Not anymore. They only have themselves to blame.

[@ice_emperor524]

I miss this series so much

[@TrayGChevorletCorvette]

Ice_Emperor emulator

[@SolidSnake684]

This is literally the first I'm ever hearing of this game, no joke. No wonder this didn't sell, it had no marketing at all.

[@haby.baby0]

SolidSnake684 yeah it really didn’t at all its weird they did that to think they’d want to sell it like they did third strike

[@Kitsune10060]

To be honest, past ONE story saying Dark Stalkers HD was coming, I don't remember hearing shit about the game. so of course the game isn't gonna sell well. If you don't know something is exists, how are you gonna know you can buy it.

[@kakouiisutairu]

Here I am in 2020, 7 years in the future of when you made this video, Darkstalkers fan since day 1, and still clinging on to hope that one day this game will have some type of return.....

[@JCVOX]

Same here, man.

[@D3Z112]

Same here. A entry in to the Darkstalkers series definitely will bring something fresh within Capcom's fighting game department.

[@D3Z112]

Personally, I still hope that they will revisit a new Darkstalkers game at some point in the future.

[@realsalahandchantal]

No

[@RanniTheMarketablePlush]

DragonDez07 Capcom is gonna fuck it up like with SFV and MvCI

[@D3Z112]

+Burrito Uzamaki - I am aware that the fighting game division of Capcom are not doing well so far like you said, but I am really hoping that they (the fighting game division) will get themselves back on track within whatever fighting game they do next and stop making anymore mistakes.

[@ShamanEffect]

I'm still bummed about this years later. I always thought that was kind of a dick move because that seemed like a lot to bank on downloadable titles. This especially hurt because I absolutely love Darkstalkers (with Jon Talbain becoming one of my favorite fighting game characters). I remember the very first time I saw Japanese arcade footage from Street Fighter 4, the very first thing I said was, "Oooooh, I so want to see a Darkstalkers game like this." Who knows what the future will bring, but for now, I'm happy to help keep the legacy of these games alive.

[@jonwismer6235]

If they'd.had let the game sit longer I'm pretty sure it would have gotten more downloads probably sold just as much before other games got removed

[@ChrisSchmidtComposer]

As I see it, the issue here is not really about target audience and mass appeal. My first thought when they announced this game was "Oh good. Darkstalkers 3...AGAIN." Darkstalkers is one of the only games I can think of where there are literally as many anthologies and compilations of the 2nd and 3rd games as there are actual entries in the series. Fans have been playing this game for 20 years - We don't want to buy it again. Capcom using this as a benchmark as to whether or not making a new game is worth it is the logical equivalent to Ford re-launching the Model-T and using that as a benchmark on whether or not making a new car is worth it.

[@GladDestronger]

exactly. that line of reasoning makes no sense. you want new cars not rebuilds of fossils.

[@GladDestronger]

yeah right capcom's logic just falls. then again too many companies do the exact same bullshit. no matter what their product is.

[@BTandC61794]

I just bought this game yesterday (I've never played a Darkstalkers game in my life and only vaguely knew about it because I knew Morrigan from Marvel vs. Capcom), and I think it's great. I love the unique characters, music, and "horror movie" theme. My favorite is Jon Talbain. I'm okay with there never being a sequel, cause it would probably be crappy knowing how Capcom is these days. It's a shame this HD remake didn't perform up to par, because I think it's a great outlet for introducing people to these games, like myself who has always been a huge fan of 2D fighters! With better advertising, this game could have done so much better.

[@ALT3REDB3AST]

Bullshit. Make a NEW DS that's current with new characters etc. people will eat it up. Using a 20 year old game as a test bed was a horrible plan. The only people that are going to play a 20 year old game are those that remember it and are still gamers. If it lacks modern flash, you're not going to get the sales from new gamers. Ah well, not everything can be resurrected... Enjoy the awesome 2d sprites while you can folks.

[@mikkolovesgaming1723]

"Bullshit. *continues to basically completely agree with what Max said* " lol

[@Vorador47]

i'd love a new Darkstalkers, had them on the saturn in the day, loved Vampire Saviour. but basing a new one on sales on a release of the old one is a terrible, i have no interest being the old ones again, but i would buy a new one. and as others have said, Capcom need to do some marketing for it, Darkstalkers is no as well known as Street Fighter. Damn i miss my Saturn, it had just about every SNK and Capcom Fighting game going for it.

[@SAPProd]

This popped back up in my feed. I appreciate all Max did to help support this brand and the real talk about the state of the Fighting Games and Darkstalkers’ chances for a revival. I still hold out hope, but I make sure to temper expectations. I still think there’s a chance for a part 4, especially if Capcom taps an enthusiastic outside party willing to make it as great as the previous games.

[@cowlord120]

The fact that they would be bringing back an old franchise would be enough to make fans get hype. Since SNK is back CvS3 is a possibility. It would also provide a lot of variety to capcoms more modern library. Darkstalkers is legit one of the most unique and well made fighters I've ever seen.

[@TREN2P26]

I am watching this in 2015. I never knew they released this or else I would've bought it. If they were using it as a testing tool they should've at LEAST promoted it to the masses so they knew it was an option. No Promotion no sales

[@AdventDoom]

+Andrew Beech This guy gets it.

[@GIR177]

+Andrew Beech No, it's that gauging consumer interest for a new entry in a series by asking them to buy one of the old ones again is one of the stupidest nuggets of logic that's been prevalent throughout the last few years with Capcom. You can bet your ass if there was a new Darkstalkers, there would tremendous support for it in and out of the FGC. Heck, people supported the crappy SFxT. They haven't made a new one yet because they're dumb, that simple.

[@bananabanana2380]

+Andrew Beech Everyone I know who actually knows about Darkstalkers, loves it. So I belive what you say 100%

[@DonCooks1]

They NEED to re release red earth.

[@lilywong9672]

Marvel vs. Capcom Origins didn't sell well but they still released MvC3, UMVC3, and now MVC∞. I'm sure if Darkstalkers 4 comes out, it'll be enough of a hit to make Capcom money.

[@Unk0wnHope]

capcom. Seriously, you mean crapcom.

[@cheezandtoast]

+Ragnorok x good one, i've always like cap capong personally, but im diggin that one.

[@Unk0wnHope]

:P

[@austinreed7343]

Ragnorok x They became Shitcom, and now Defecationcom.

[@spo0oky981]

Guy Ragnarok this joke is overused but it’s still funny

[@elliott20]

What Max talked about here is business 101. To make a product work, you have a couple of avenues: 1. make a huge market that can take everyone, and charge dirt cheap 2. pick a niche market where nowhere is, and make it a premium product Capcom wanted Dark Stalkers to be category 1, but released something that was fundamentally category 2. It was a product creation mismatch

[@rodolfovalenzuela9368]

I agree a lot, excepto the part that a new darkstalkers should be sexier or gore, I do't think darkstalkers needs to be a copy or alternative to mortal kombat, the liking of darkstalkers I think is mostly for their mix of horror and humour, the cartoony animations and colorful characters in this dark world, it's not to take too seriously and is very well planned every animation and inteaction between characters, like their animation with midnight bliss and pharaoh's curse, I think that makes hard to add new chaacters in the franchise in a Darktalkers 4, not impossible tho. My dream is actually a definitive version of Darkstalkers, the modes and collections of Darkstalkers Chronicles, the online and tutorials of Darkstalkers Resurrection and the backgrounds-music from every game. Dreaming big the sprites redone in the style of Street Fighter 2 HD Remix but by the guys of Lab Zero. I don't think every style of gameplay is needed, only the Vampire Hunter/Savior 2 that is the best. And Dee.

[@omnionika152]

CANNOT agree more with this

[@truelovewontwait]

Hello from 2022. Darkstalkers is back baby

[@dragondelsur5156]

Well, now i see the reason why Darkstalkers is fucking dead and the only character returning on the crossover games is Morrigan. It looks like Capcom is not even trying with fighting games anymore, the 2 last fighting games were Street Fighter 5 and Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite and both were shit with Infinite being the worst on the Vs series. I want Darkstalkers to return but i don't want Capcom to just dump the series again making a bad game on purpose, this HD "remake" had zero marketing and i don't want the same for a suposed Darkstalkers 4.

[@angelocano1260]

I think one of the reasons is poor advertising because i started playing fighting games since MK deadly alliance and i never heard about darkstalkers until i stumbled upon it rescently and ended up loving. I think it could of sold well to young and old gamers alike. i am 16 so i can vouche for the young guys. So yea capcom just should have just advertised it more because if they did i would have bought it on release day

[@cadan6074]

This comment is super late I know but how awesome would it be if Iron Galaxy made a Darkstalkers 4 like how they made Killer Instinct. I would do anything to get that game made!

[@tudorciubotaru3497]

Danny Wiles Or Arksys.Seeing the treatment they gave to Guilty Gear and DBZ warms my heart

[@EternumTagerMain]

Killer Instinct vs Darkstalkers would be neat.

[@ghost-in-the-ciel]

save my two favorite fighters by doing darkstalkers x samurai shodown

[@Vorador47]

+Ciel Samurai Showdown went to shit after SS4

[@Canadiansamurai]

+Vorador47 Nah, samurai showdown sen is when it happened

[@Vorador47]

Biospark117 Samurai Showdown 64 came after SS4, and that was terrible, and well they did return to normal for SS5 & 6 they were just not as good as SS4

[@aamirwalker247]

Welp one was saved

[@executordabest3865]

Aamir Walker So hey there still could be hope for darkstalkers

[@christianrc6485]

"Super hero movies" THATS SATURATION

[@betastar6494]

I really wish there was a new DarkStalkers game. They don't even have to do anything big. Maybe just a game with updated sprites and more story. Mabye the story could be anime cut scenes, better yet with the animated sprites they could use with the cut scenes to save the budget. This is the game that even got me into playing fighting games and its sad that Capcom doesn't even acknowledge one of its foundation turbo fighters. Depressing.

[@abeness]

I think one of the reasons these re-released fighting games don't sell to their potential when re-released has to do with developers "leaving the game completely intact" (with no updates). If they added a few backgrounds here and there, or even better added a completely re-balanced version of the game (completely optional of course), I think people would be more inclined to check the game out.

[@Ninja07Keaton]

In Dark Stalkers case, re balancing really isn't necessary. Every character is viable, so it isn't an issue for DS. The problem is they weren't marketed correctly. DS is one of Capcom's most obscure series, advertisement is everything for an obscure title, if it lacks that...well you get the idea. Take in to account new releases like SF4 updates and rival series like Tekken and BlazBlue and you have major problems with sales.

[@TadpoleU]

4:12 "... over satuWation.." Sorry, just made me laugh

[@belinskiparadox7687]

how dare you... my mother was a satuWation.

[@Dingofist]

Good stuff Max. I really hope you'll keep supporting Vampire Savior by continuing to put out videos for it. The game's just too good to go uncelebrated. I know a lot of people in my local scene are really excited about it and getting into it.

[@ProductofWit]

People were also relatively uninformed about the existence of this game. I myself bought it last week. I am fairly new to the FGC and only got into it since SSFIV. I probably never get to know a new Darkstalkers game. Fighting Games are saturated just like we are seeing with DotA games. In Europe it's even worse. In North America fighting games at least are popular, in Europe too many people are into shooters.

[@IlluminaProduction]

As someone who never played darkstalkers back in the day, I bought the game and I am not disappointed, but I have a tendency to pick other games over it. I think my issue is the learning curve with the game. Like most fighting games you're gonna get blown up online when you start, but sometimes I get discouraged because I feel like I can't catch up to the people who have been playing it for 10+ years. So I try to stick with it, but it does get hard. Character selection is another issue.

[@sindur3446]

Bloody Roar. That is all.

[@GarethDragon]

+Shane Gotch That's a game I would love to see get a decent sequel. Bloody Roar 4 was so terrible!

[@bmoney3837]

Bloody roar vs darkstakers would be a great game

[@zombies8myleg691]

I would love to see Arc System Works buy Darkstalkers and make it their own franchise though that doesn't seem possible.

[@mikkolovesgaming1723]

Capcom's let other developers run with their licenses before, so mostly I don't see this happening because of Arc Sys not having the interest. lol

[@caesar0frome950]

I was hoping this video wouldn't age well but

[@andrecarvalho6691]

Yup... If the leaks are true... Then yeah it might truly be dead.

[@greenac88]

I agree. I'm not a big fan of HD re-releases either and would prefer soething new. I would personally like to see a possible Capcom vs SNK 3 or maybe a brand new Capcom fighting game

[@ExelArts]

The biggest reason darkstalkers ressurections failed were 2 things the bigger reason being marketing as there pretty much was none and the other was those that did know of the game no one wanted an old game that Capcom has already resold to them 3 times already

[@alexishernandez-xb8cx]

Capcom should have considerd making darkstalkers 4 because why would you buy something people already played instead of a brand new darkstalkers.

[@Daikkenaurora]

I hope its not. It has some of the best characters in fighting game history.

[@NotaDrDoom]

Max, I am A pretty big fan of yours, and would appreciate if you would talk about the degradation of the fighting game experience since companies made the move to 3d models, such as SF4, MVC3, and so on. personally I feel like the pace has been slowed in modern fighting games, making it less hype worthy and just overall less fun simply because most of these characters weren't made to be 3D characters.

[@HouseofDarkner]

X-Men vs Streetfighter was officially my first addiction to fighting games. It's because of that game I got into Marvel 2. If they HD that one, I will recommit myself to that game. It would be a nice flashback for me.

[@theHedgex1]

Okay it's time to reopen this wound and discuss the potential of darkstalkers coming back only if you give them the same treatment as Killer Instinct. revamped everything about the revamped everything about the combat system opening in full 3d character models background and everything have a story mode that's pretty confident and make it hard to master but easy to get into

[@maxi0361]

I Love Darkstalkers a lot, the theme is just so good and the system is unique.

[@La-PetitMort]

BB Hood and Hsien-Ko forever my mains

[@ranwolf1240]

I'm still hoping for another Rival Schools/Project Justice in the future

[@ChipnDipz1]

Right about Q.Bee, wrong about Sasquatch. They're actually a friendly race that'll be cool with anyone that shows signs of friendship by giving them bananas and not freaking out when they show up on the scene. He's trying to find where his buds went (apparently willingly went along with Jedah because he had buku bananas). You're right though. A good 1/2 to 2/3 of the cast is pretty grim on paper.

[@benjiammin]

A strait sequel would be so much better than just re releasing older games that, as you point out Max, were overshadowed by others during their original runs. And you're right, what with Neighterrealm studios taking pages out of Capcom's book they way they play Injustice, it wouldn't be that bad of a stretch for Capcom to make Darkstalkers a little more Mortal Kombatish. And quite frankly I'd just like to see moves like Midnight Bliss done in 3D

[@roberthernandez3394]

Dammit, dammit, dammit. Just when I thought Darkstalkers was going to get the recognition it deserves. Thank you for the update Max, there were some epic matches on this update too!:)

[@psychoreactive]

As an old man I remember all these games in the ARCADE. What we're seeing now is something of a divide between older and younger gamers in general. I agree with the video as far as games produced should appeal to more than just the hardcore crowd. I also think that there is a place for classic re-releases, but not as an indicator of interest. Capcom is assuming the younger gamer is even familiar with Darkstalkers outside of a terrible cartoon (US version) and the crossover appearances (MVC).

[@DesignDoc]

Publishers are messed up right now. There needs to be great changes in management.

[@pigboykool]

Very well analysis! Games release need to have a huge following in order to sell well because Capcom is not putting much money in promoting those games. Fighting games that still have huge following like Street Fighter Alpha 2/3, Xmen vs Street Fighter, Capcom vs SNK2 are some of the high profile games Capcom should release them in HD online edition in order to sale well. Hack, I still play SFA2 & CVS2 almost weekly till these days, and so does many people from my "generation" do also.

[@g1ng3rsn4ps]

All of Darkstalkers/Vampire is sexual and dark. Not just the 'boobs' or 'women'. But still, that sexual allure/disposition the game was dripping in and It's dark ambiance is what makes it so fabulous as a universe. Still hoping to see a 4 some day~ :)

[@LordNarkham]

I know what you mean, bro. But you gotta agree with me on the fact that making a title available for PC simply makes it more known and helps raising the sales figure a lot more...

[@thegreatme5]

Yeah, I actually remember when Capcom initially ported Darkstalkers 1, 2, and 3 to PSN with no netplay to PSN prior to Resurrection. I actually bought 1, 3 AND Resurrection to support the franchise, I'm so glad Capcom took those purchases into consideration.

[@MrSagejonathan]

I didn't get resurrection because I felt I had enough fighting games for the moment. If Darkstalkers 4 comes out, I WILL buy it though. This game can gather interest for the franchise but I don't think it's an accurate measurement of interest for a NEW Darkstalkers.

[@theHedgex1]

Expect a small gathering and be surprised and happy for the big results lower your expectations

[@thecurtle]

First Person Shooters also appeal to the singleplayer crowd though, where fighting games don't as much. There are a lot of FPS's but they aren't doing particularly well either unless they are bringing something new to the table. Look at Haze, Brink, the recent Aliens games, etc.

[@growingspiral]

The first Capcom vs SNK is awesome. I used to have it on Dreamcast. Was I the only one that loved that game?

[@PalicoDonFlufflesVods]

Rip Darkstalkers... Probably will never see Lei lei in a game every again.. ah well.

[@Turlast]

I really like Darkstalkers Resurrection, but...I just haven't been playing it as much. The game is pretty fun, so I'll probably start playing it again. But yeah, people like to complain, but I really enjoyed the fighting games during this Gen. As you said, with a console and Joystick, you pretty much have your own Arcade cabinet there. I'm also glad I was able to get into fighting games I never had much of a chance of playing, like Darkstalkers 3, Virtua Fighter 5, or 3rd Strike.

[@thegreatme5]

Yeah you're right about that. Guess I assumed since they ported the first and third they'd port the second. The more you know!

[@Dead2ritz78]

I've love the Darkstalkers series bought my first Darkstalkers on Saturn then bought the import of Darkstalkers Matching service for Dreamcast these games are just awesome and one of a kind

[@TheShadowassassin27]

I would have to agree with Max there.I wasn't really sure about combining Darkstalkers with some material from Mortal Kombat cuz when it comes to fatalities..Mortal Kombat pretty much owns that...& they pretty much combined Street Fighter 4 & Mortal Kombat 9 to bring out Killer Instinct 3.I was thinking maybe combine it with the Street Fighter 4 series with Killer Instinct 3.Hey if they bring out a Darkstalkers 4...it would be very cool to combine it with some material from Mortal Kombat 9 or 10 & show more nudity.Basically combine not just the Street Fighter 4 series & Killer Instinct 3...but also Mortal Kombat as well.I believe those would be a good fusion to bring out Darkstalkers 4.

[@AeolusMN]

You are right, also things like work ethic is are in the way of being effecient. They make long days not because they are productive, but to make it seem they are productive. They stay at work and don't leave before the boss for instance, even stay if they already finished their real work. Though i'm generalizing a bit this does happen. SE made content without planning for FF13, the excess content was used for 13-2 etc. yeah...

[@shg45]

Capcom: *trademarks Darkstalkers* Me: "So you're saying there's a chance..."

[@Jayjayyy92]

i left a comment earlier saying rip darkstalkers. but to be honest we dont know whether or not capcom will make another darkstalkers. they could just make another one regardless. one can only hope

[@CristianRamirez-fk5jr]

Just talk about if netherrealm studio should make darkstalkers with fatalities from mortal kombat and crossover game: mortal kombat vs darkstalkers.

[@Realhoneyman]

Time will tell if we get another Darkstalkers title or not. I do understand but don't see the snese in monitoring interest in a new entry in the series by releasing old instalments though. Surely announcing a new DS is in the works is the best way to guage interest via internet traffic, talk on Capcom forums etc. Thumbs up to re-releases of Capcom's best old titles. Alpha 3 would be great due to variety of systems and the home verisons having a killer roster (remixed music would be nice too).

[@Riku0723]

Maybe you briefly talk about that one canceled Megaman game, Maverick Hunter and how Capcom perhaps needs an overhaul on how they go about making games?

[@SteamBoy27]

With each comment more information is made clear. Okay, I can see that. You came off very strong in the beginning but you've now made a valid argument. It's just a matter of opportunity cost to him. It's not his fault to gauge things based on how valuable something will be to him. That's just my rebuttal, but yes. I can see what you're trying to say now.

[@JoeCoolMaveric]

My only exception to my anti-huge roster rule is Tekken Tag Tournament 2. There are 59 playable characters or something. I am a little biased, but that game has the right assemble. I don't care if there are bonus characters who are complete clones (Lee/Violet, Roger Jr./Alex) but I love playing as them regardless. To me, TTT2 is the funniest fighting game I have ever played. I would really like to see a similar game that is a crossover of Guilty Gear and BlazBlue. That would be awesome.

[@octobomb]

i wish there was a real talk about Japanese Game industry and business that is different from America in contrast.... also wish there was referals to that Real Talk with another real talk about Darkstalkers Tombstone and why its dead and theories, concepts, and critical critique on how it didnt hold up with other titles by function and other things. Briefly talking about Darkstalkers are dead, how to fight against the Fighting Game Saturation instead of just accepting it, and possibilities of the mythos inspirations for possible characters. While also referring to the really old Real Talk about Dark Stalkers that was even before this video.

[@ChipnDipz1]

Thank you. I actually believe Max contradicted himself in an Injustice vid too. He likes hype games, but NRS games are GRIM, not HYPE. Everything about them is graphic, extreme, gritty, and sobering. Dark Stalkers isn't meant to be like that in the slightest. Just look at characters like Felicia, Hsien-Ko, and Sasquatch. They do have moments where they kill each other in this title (by using certain moves as match winning moves), but in a future installment, it shouldn't be a focus to be dark.

[@mkooij]

however with Injustice around the corner which appealed to me even more and me haven't finished Ni No Kuni yet and me having a social life I decided it wasn't worth it to go for more fighting games. so basicly it comes down to this: Netcode, interest (i think marvel is boring), and time shortage to learn more fighting games. so for now I'll be playing 3s, AE and Injustice. I would definetly pick up Bloody Roar if they made a new or remake though

[@rat9625]

Eh I'd rather not have Darkstalkers be gory

[@2ndStateAMV]

When I first heard Darkstalkers Resurrection I was hoping it was Darkstalkers 4, but after googling what it was I found out it was only an HD remake. Theres nothing wrong with that, but I don't have the money for a remake, but I'll definitly dish out the money for DS4. So they can't really use those numbers for whether DS4 would be a good seller or not.

[@arjunarman5814]

I didn't play the games until I was much older, but I DEF knew about Morrigan and Felicia (and the anime OVA) back in the day haha. That being so, I would agree that there is much more knowledge of the characters/general vibe of the game (i.e. boobs and monsters) than the game itself. If you put Morrigan on something it will sell at least some units, but people would rather see her or the few other breakout characters in a game more familiar to them like MvC.

[@some_hippies]

One thing I know about myself as a consumer is that I tend to forget about my XBLA titles. I own quite a few of them, and as soon as I beat one I tend to forget about it until I dig through my hard drive and play them for a couple hours. Since I don't want to spend $20 on a game I'll forget about, I won't. If other people have that logic I can see why Capcom's HD remakes don't sell well. Why play old Marvel for reasons other than nostalgia?

[@ashuramgs2sub]

The last thing I would ever want is CvS3 made with the SF4 engine. Nearly any other Capcom engine would be preferable for me. Ideally, it'd be sprites by SNK Playmore (seeing as Capcom doesn't have any decent sprite artists anymore) and headed up by Hideaki Itsuno.

[@Gamesta100]

I bought Darkstalkers Resurrection earlier this year and I would have bought MvCO if it was still available.

[@BlackSpiral2000]

I think another issue you could talk about here is risk and profit. Maybe even companies that are willing to bring games over that might not do well as opposed to companies that will only release stuff that they think will sell. One company I admire for taking risk to bring games over is Atlus. Could make for some interesting debate and discussion.

[@Jvirtual97]

damn i remember playing all the old darkstalkers and street fighter alphas with my older brothers back in the day... good times

[@ResalePrimeDirectives]

Real talk: We're entering an era where companies are expecting almost every major release to "pull those Call of Duty" numbers or the entire project is considered a failure. The release could pull a fairly healthy profit but unless it's selling 10 million copies then someone 'dun fucked up son' and people get laid off. This way of business is destructive and it fucks the employee, the consumer, and just about everyone but the CEOs.

[@SteelDragonFist]

Darkstalkers is one of the most successful (and addicting) fighters around. Darkstalkers Resurrection did make it 7th place and it didn't live up to Capcom's expectations, but damn I think Capcom should at least be proud of themselves for bringing this game back to the fans. I'm even happy myself that Darkstalkers Resurrection made it to the top 10. Also I think that the Darkstalkers has a nice future (if people keep playing this game enough). In my opinion, this game will NOT die at all.

[@foodforforthought]

Max I completely agree with you about the market capcom was going for and to expect that capcom was going to hit their sales was laughable. I think capcom needs to realize that there is a difference between an hd re-release of a game and a new game all together. If darkstalkers 4 were to come out with a new image and new system mechanics I would imagine they would make sales off of people who weren't even interested in the franchise in the first place not to mention their original demographic.

[@NabaniSaa]

There are at least 21 fighters that are being played right now. That's a huge amount, especially for the fighting genre.

[@YoMamaBih]

I personally believe we can get a new Darkstalkers, especially with Capcom selling their assets and such. Who knows? Maybe Namco Bandai can get their hands on DS? I hope.

[@Triggerhappy938]

I disagree. While I think an HD release of Capcom vs SNK II would do better than Darkstalkers, I think it would still under perform. The problem is, like you said, you have to appeal to the mass market, and for the mass market, the fighting game itch has been scratched. With UMVC3, SSFIVAE2012, Persona, 3rd Strike, KOF13, TTT 2, VF5FS, and MK that there is not much that the average joe could want that isn't covered in the current market, and I didn't cover all the games out right now.

[@jasminelovespink]

Well, for me, Darkstalkers are dead... FOR NOW.

[@wolf07ga]

Max, Capcom needs to hire you for this type of stuff. I know they hired you in the past, and you did them well, but they need to hire you permanently. You're a guy who truly knows, love, and understand the logistics of both the fan base and corporate side of it. You hell would do a better job than whose ever making these poor decisions.

[@LimeEye13]

Another issue was those who wanted it, already had it. While this is the best version of the series hands down, most already had multiple copies. I'm a casual fighting game player and I have 3 legit copies of official releases already. Capcom needs to give players the titles they want, not more nostalgia. I WILL buy this new release, but the timing couldn't be worse with so many big releases & $15 is $5 too much for many who see this as a "retro" release only.

[@HeroInferno93]

One of the problems I think Darkstalkers Ressurrection had was that Capcom had the playstation version of Darkstalkers 3 on PSN about a year ago, and some people thought that Capcom removed Donovan, Huitzil and Pyron to sell later as DLC, like they did with all the DLC characters in SFxT, thats not what happened though, Capcom used the Arcade version of DS3, which from what I understand is the version used for tournaments, and that version never had those 3 characters.

[@albertwesker848]

Here is the thing about expectations. They are expectations and expectations are ALWAYS high. Your brain will always dream big. Think reasonably and then find victory.

[@MintJammer]

Personally its just an extension that in the end, the new fanbase of fighting games was just the mainstream's trial run of the genre and a boost for new Capcom only. Now that I think about it, the Skullgirls' dilemma is just a repeat of anime fighters'. You can support and support and support, but without casual players, you can't bring it up. Though in SG's case, it gets less lasting players than stuff like GG and Melty, and getting community funds would be unheard of a few years ago.

[@toonami99]

I have to agree, If Capcom released Alpha 2 and CvS2 I would have bought them day one. I even mentioned that I wanted them in Capcom's character survey last month.

[@9thpixel]

The only over saturation is Capcom fighting games. I would love to see a new DarkStalkers, but I cannot ignore the many great Non-Capcom fighters that are now haunted dojos.