Rockman 9 has finally come, leaving a trail of rampant acclaim and financial success. Shooting Star Rockman 3 released with less than stellar sales and a story that implies the end of the series.
Just where will Capcom take the franchise from here? For the first time in a very long time, we have no clue as to what comes next.
Undoubtedly, we will most likely see a Rockman 10 or a new game from an elder series, but how? In what shape or form? Downloadable? Disc based? 8-bit? 16-bit? HD?
SSR3's release implies the fall of the "hobby style" Rockman games; the financial backbone of the franchise since 2001. Without the annual hobby games and subsequent merchandise, just how well will the franchise perform?
What happens next?
As I see it, Capcom has been playing a game of basketball with us.
For years, Capcom wooed the crowd (the Rockman fans) with repetitious techniques to score. But after years of seeing the same plays over and over again, the crowd eventually stopped cheering. Boredom had settled in. They grew tired of seeing the same thing over and over.
^This basketball game represent our growing boredom of the hobby style games: After being served the same game for seven years, we have grown bored and boy, does it ever show.
Back to the basketball metaphor, Capcom takes note of the crowd's growing boredom. What do they do? How can they win the crowd back over? Taking a risk, they try out a new play. Capcom shoots....they score. The crowd goes wild.
^This is what happened with Rockman 9: Capcom took a risk and released an 8-bit styled game in a "next gen" era receiving unexpected acclaim and praise. Their risk paid off.
With the ball in their court once again, they face the question: "what can we do next?"
Will they repeat that previous risky play to win us over, knowing that we may eventually grow bored of it? (8-bit/retro styled rehashes)
How about a new play? Something we've never see before? (a new series)
Or will they revive an old play that hasn't been seen in many years? (revival of older series)
The ball's in your court Capcom. We're eager to see what you have in store for us next.
For more Rockman news, rumors and whatnot, head over to the official blog:
411mania took the opportunity to interview Minoru Nakai, Rockman DASH 2's scenario writer and producer of the up and coming Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop!. As with all interviews with Capcom staff previously involved in the DASH series, the usual question was popped: "Any plans for a sequel anytime soon?" Nakai san's answer:
"Certainly we hear this question a lot. People are really looking forward to the day when we finally do get a chance to do a sequel, especially one for Rockman DASH. There's a lot of people, myself included, who want to make the sequels, but you really have to weigh the capacity of the company and look at all the other games that we're involved in creating right now, and right now it seems like the capacity and the timing isn't quite right for that sequel, but there are a lot of people who really want to make one, so it's certainly something to think about, but not right at this moment."
Nakai san also noted he's more interested in developing a sequel to Rockman DASH 2 than Tron Ni Kobun (The Misadventures of Tron Bonne).
So, it appears all hope is not lost; DASH 3 may be on its way, though not any time soon. All I can say is, We the fans are the backbone of the franchise; we make it what it is. Through continued support, we'll eventually prosper. DASH 3's arrival will be our doing.
If the newest issue of Famitsu is any indication, Dr. Light may actually appear as a playable character in Street Fight IV. Joke character anyone?...
Currently, a translation of the scan does not exist, so his presence in SFIV is pure speculation. However, the idea of Dr. Light appearing in SFIV doesn't seem so far fetched: the X series games are known to contain hidden Street Fighter moves, all of which are given to the player by Dr. Light himself.
Of course, this may turn out to be nothing at all. JunkmanSP has informed me the article might be making fun of Gouken's beard in comparision with Light's own. Until a translation of the article surfaces, consider this to be one hell of a rumor.
For more news and rumors head over to http://protodudesrockmancorner.blogspot.com/
Splendid news: At long last, I have finally obtained Mark Gatha's contact information, which shall be used to setup an interview. If you don't know who Mark Gatha is, shame on you!
Mark Gatha has provided the voice of MegaMan X in X8, Command Mission and Maverick Hunter X. His
portrayal of the character has been positively received throughout the
fanbase, some even consider him the best english VA to ever portray X.
Got a question for Mark? Ask him!
Submit
your questions in the comments, and I'll have Mr. Gatha answer as many
as he can! Ask him about his work as a voice actor, tips to getting
into the industry, or even ask a few questions about voicing X.
Rockman DASH 3: quite possibly the second most demanded Rockman title in the brand's history next to Rockman 9.
For
the past couple of years, we've listened to Inafune's desires to
finally create the game, but as he has pointed out, money stands in his
way. Creating a fully fledged, 3D Rockman title in this generation is a
financial risk, due in part to the franchise's recent inability to make
profits off of non Shooting Star series titles (ZX Advent=bomb, Rockman Rockman=bomb, Irregular Hunter X=bomb, Rockman 9=unknown, but looking good!).
But,
how do we know for sure a third DASH won't flop? How can Capcom assure
themselves that fans really do want to reprise their role as Rockman
Volnutt? To return to the "world covered by endless water?" To see the shining faces of the 41 Kobuns again? Simple: Test the waters.
I
wholeheartedly believe it's time Capcom created an "accessible side
story" DASH title, one that isn't a cell phone game (*cough* "5 Island Adventure" *cough*). I'm talking about something on the DS or even WiiWare or XBLA, something that can be approached by a wide audience.
The
demand for a new DASH title is there, so why not test the strength of
the demand with a "new" DASH game that won't cost $15 million to
produce?
Of course, we must recognize that the colorful
characters from the series have never "disappeared", for they are
constantly making cameo appearances in other Capcom titles. But, as
much as I love these characters, I would much rather play a game with
them in the spotlight. Honestly, I grow tired of seeing Rockman Volnutt
face off against Ryu and Morrigan. I want to punt dogs again, utterly destroy Bonne mechs and yes, sneak a peek a Roll once more.
Read the rest of my musings at: http://protodudesrockmancorner.blogspot.com/
An uncertain future lies ahead for Rockman.
Splendid news: At long last, I have finally obtained 