Namco Bandai is making a new PS3 game in the Soul Calibur series of fighting games. this should have fans pretty excited, but right now, most are left scratching their heads and/or beards, wondering just what on earth Namco is thinking. Soul Calibur: Lost Swords, you see, is a single player only fighting game, removing the element from fighting games that makes them so much fun in the first place. Oh, and it’s free to play.
But why? Why would you trip multiplayer out of a 1-on-1 fighting game?
"This was done intentionally because as we said people do enjoy fighting other people, but one thing we noticed with the Soul Calibur fanbase is that a lot of people really enjoyed the game for its story, setting and atmosphere," producer Masaki Hoshino told Eurogamer. "They didn’t like playing against other people – when you lose it’s not exactly a great feeling. So we decided to tailor something to this player base."
"This might seem unusual, but we’ve done a lot of research and noticed the Soul Calibur group was different to Tekken. That group like fighting against each other, whereas Soul Calibur fans really want to look at the characters and enjoy the atmosphere, and we had an overwhelming response in that direction, so that’s why we chose that."
That’s cool, but why not both? Why not include a robust single player game as well as multiplayer? NetherRealm has shown its possible to include a hefty single player campaign with Mortal Kombat and Injustice…but multiplayer’s the only reason people keep playing after the story’s over.
Here’s a trailer for the game, out of TGS.
Last Updated: September 19, 2013
UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy
September 19, 2013 at 14:09
They… They know me o.O
I am happy about this and weirded out that this company knows what I want…
Charles Du Plessis
September 19, 2013 at 14:11
Unconventional. Im interested to see how this pans out for them.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 19, 2013 at 14:11
Oh… my… word.
Can the industry not get this right? Oh just because the numbers say something it means that’s how it should be? Nooooo! Come on people. Catch a wakeup.
Yeah there are people who like the SP portion. Yes they may outnumber the MP portion (Just remember those results are skewed as it can’t tell who plays MP on the same machine locally without an internet connection which I am willing to bet is HUGE) but that doesn’t mean the feature must be cut completely.
What is happening. Decidedly multiplayer games are going single player based (Above game) and other decidedly singleplayer games are going multiplayer only? (Diablo III, here’s looking at you)
What is happening in the industry?????
TiMsTeR I miss Gta V
September 19, 2013 at 14:15
They all on crack…. *sniff* what was I talking about again?
Lord Chaos
September 19, 2013 at 14:16
Must be some AAA quality crack.
TiMsTeR I miss Gta V
September 19, 2013 at 14:19
Indeed! I hate multi player only games… Such bullshit, now the freaking fighting games on same band wagon… *sniff* I love pigeons, Pigeon pie yum!
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 19, 2013 at 14:14
You know what would make this idea better? Releasing it on mobile. KA-CHING!
TiMsTeR I miss Gta V
September 19, 2013 at 14:20
You would say that.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 19, 2013 at 14:28
and I don’t even have a MBA.
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 14:35
*an MBA (runs)
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 19, 2013 at 14:38
or an BA? 😛
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 14:40
(You have opened the learn 101 door) MBA has a vowel sound ‘EMBA’ hence the use of AN (an apple etc), BA doesn’t, hence the use of A BA BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 19, 2013 at 14:49
an SHUT UP!
Besides, *sound. PEDANTIC BOOM!
Umar Jaeger
September 19, 2013 at 14:51
LOL nice cumback
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 19, 2013 at 14:25
A MP game going SP……..ITS THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!!
That Rum-Drunk Twit
September 19, 2013 at 14:55
As we know it…!
Ultimo_Cleric N7
September 19, 2013 at 14:58
And I feel fine.
Tarisma
September 19, 2013 at 14:31
Awesome in app purchases! Pay R20 for a sweet new sword
Tarisma
September 19, 2013 at 14:32
I’m sad about this have many fond memories of crushing my digs mates in vs play.
Rincemetimbers
September 19, 2013 at 14:33
Wait, what just happened here? We’ve been told by how many developers that MP is the lifeblood of games, watched them destroy games like Dead Space 3 (okay, I did enjoy that), watched them pander to the CoD market with 4 hours storylines and now this? I must say though, TIME and PLACE. This is a MP game people! Will be watching closely… http://cdn.head-fi.org/1/18/350x197px-LL-1887dde5_wait_what.gif
Macethy
September 20, 2013 at 08:11
It’s simple, DLC and micro transactions are easier to implement for single player games, just look at mobile games. Putting them in MP makes it seem like “play to win”.
Rincemetimbers
September 20, 2013 at 08:44
Candy crush… Shudders. Agreed though, in MP it seems like P2W, or to look ‘cooler’.
Lardus-Respect the beard
September 19, 2013 at 14:48
Sophitia is the SIDE BOOB and cleavage QUEEN!
DrKiller
September 19, 2013 at 16:11
Soul Calibur had a story? For real?