Capcom Going Natal, 360 To Midwife
I'm guessing everyone's procrastinating about the contest announced last time. No matter. Capcom's Christian Svensson is at it again, hyping a new game for Xbox 360's Project Natal over on G4:
I think you'll see again a brand focus on what we're doing there [on Natal], perhaps a brand we haven't seen in a while.
Really? Like more Resident Evil? Haven't seen that in about, oh, 3 months now.
That's not the plan. The approach is we're gonna make a 'gamers game' for Natal using something amongst our brand history. I know Inafune is really excited about it, he's been very vocal both in Japan and with the media about his vision of what Natal brings. I'm going to have to ask you to wait and see.
This announcement has NeoGAF salivating at the prospect, and virtually every former Capcom IP has been suggested, right down to Yo! Noid. My personal favorite is the guy who suggested the 1942/3/XX sequel that required you to "hold your arms out like a plane".
Honestly? I hope it isn't Strider, in this case. I'd rather a sequel be a more traditional game.
Posted by Scion on January 14, 2010 13:19 CST
Contest? Did Somebody Say Contest?
Alright, so I'm a bit late with the details. In my defense, I did say "next week", not "Monday". Oh well. Better late than never, right? So, this contest we're running.
"We"? Well, I wanted to boost the participation over on the Strider Hub, if possible. So Tahj (the group's admin) and I are cooperating to run it. The contest itself is to design a kickass Strider 3 cover art. This is purely for fun, nothing official whatsoever. We just figured after the huge tease that was last year, the Net's scattered Strider fans deserved a way to cut loose and blow off steam. We also know that there's enough talent among that scattered fandom to make for some really cool results.
The insert itself needs to be designed to fit in a PS3 or Xbox 360 case, and can be any art style you like. Interested? Well, maybe you'll be more so when you find out what you're actually competing for. What's a contest without a prize, right? eBay store PushMyButton has come through with some fantastic Strider-themed buttons for the prizes: a 6-button set and a 25-button set. The 25-button set will never, ever be sold on PushMyButton's eBay store (trademarked images, ya know), so they're one-of-a-kind omake. These sets are what you're competing for, and will be awarded to the winners of the contest.
If you want to compete, here are the rules:
- One entry per person.
- Use your own artwork or official Capcom concept art. Do not use another person's fanart or you'll be disqualified.
- All entries must be full wraparound inserts (not just fronts).
- All entries must be submitted to the Strider Hub's contest folder by Feb. 14 to be eligible.
- The winner will be decided by a panel of three judges, who are still being finalized. Their ruling is final.
Yup, that's right. If you want to compete, you're going to have to join Capcom-Unity and upload your entry to the Strider Hub. If enough people do compete, there will be prizes for first, second, and third place. The winners will be announced on February 28, the day the PSX release of Strider 2 turns ten.
I hope to see some familiar faces competing. I also hope to see some fresh talent. Go forth, and create new worlds!
Posted by Scion on January 5, 2010 20:39 CST
New Fan Forum: The Strider Citadel!
Kenny and Lepa have finally unveiled their project, the long awaited fan-forum The Strider Citadel. I won't lie to you. It rocks. They've put a lot of work into that place, and it shows.
It's pretty lonely in there right now, though. I know, I know. Why go sign up for yet ANOTHER Strider fan-forum? Here's why: this one isn't directly monitored by Capcom staff. If you have beef with Capcom or want to say something not-so-flattering, you don't have to worry that Big Brother is watching you.
Besides that, it's got a seriously cool vibe. Go hang out!
Posted by Scion on January 2, 2010 20:14 CST
Upcoming Fan Contest @ The Strider Hub!
I was tired of giving Hien top billing, so I decided to freshen up the site a bit. The Hien banner was a holdover from the old site, which was bad-guy themed. Now it's just confusing for the n00bs. So I put the man front and center.
In other news... I've been teasing hints about an upcoming event over at The Strider Hub. Details about what that event will be... are still forthcoming. For now, you can check out the event's sponsor, eBay Store PushMyButton, and speculate. If you want to participate, you'll have to be a member of the Strider Hub, so if you haven't joined... might wanna go ahead and do that too.
I'll reveal more about the event next week. Until then, enjoy the suspense!
Posted by Scion on January 1, 2010 12:29 CST
Gameside Interview with Isuke Translated!
Just in time to close out the year, Gaijin Punch (the owner of gamengai.com) has finished his translation of Gameside's interview with Isuke from back in January. You can read it here. He's given me permission to mirror it here on the LSCM, and I will eventually. For now though, head over to his site and read it there. While you're there, take a look at Gaijin Punch's Japanese rarities and take a moment to thank him, if you could.
Happy New Year!
Posted by Scion on December 30, 2009 7:11 CST
Chris Covell's New Info on Famicom Strider!
Christmas bonus! Like the title says, Chris Covell's posted some great stuff over on the "Japanese Secrets" page of his (fantastic) site: articles from Japanese gaming mags, screencaps, and even concept art! Go now!
Oh, and Merry Christmas, everybody!
Posted by Scion on December 23, 2009 10:52 CST
Darran Jones STILL Knows Where Isuke Is
You may remember my references to Darran Jones' off-the-cuff comments about Isuke over on his RetroGamer forums. I've cited them a couple of times here on LSCM, in both my SGX article and, naturally, my feature on Isuke. Well, I was lurking over on the RG forums, trying to find out whether RG did a feature on Strider while they were producing that 3-volume book of classic gaming love... and I turned up something even more interesting. I'll just let it speak for itself:
Honour is [...] a difficult obstacle to overcome. I've known where the creator of the Strider arcade game has been for years, but he will not speak to me unless I get permission from Capcom Japan. So far that permission hasn't been forthcoming so he won't speak to me :(
This is intriguing, for a number of reasons. On the one hand, this is typical Japanese social protocol. On the other hand, we know that Isuke's willing to give interviews. So why exactly is he stonewalling Jones?
Posted by Scion on December 21, 2009 18:00 CST
Strider Wiki!
The first brand-new product to come from The Strider Hub has arrived: The Strider Wiki. Hub member Notymenow, apparently a longtime LSCM reader, took my suggestion and got the ball rolling. The Strider Wiki's still very new and very much a WIP, so don't pass judgment just yet when you visit. Think of it as a place for you, the Strider fan, to participate and show your enthusiasm for the Strider series and Hiryu himself. If you see something that's not right, jump in and correct it. All of you fans who kept wanting to create a Hiryu page over on Wikipedia? THIS IS THE PLACE TO DO THAT. We need pages on ALL the Striders, not just Hiryu: Matic, Sheena, Ryuzaki, Kuramoto, and Hien. We need pages on all the other characters as well, and all of the different ports, all the rumors, etc. Everything you wanted to add to the Strider Wikipedia articles that Wikipolicy wouldn't allow... ADD HERE.
I am very excited by the potential of this project. It could end up being really great. As with the Hub, however, it won't be great without your help. So jump on in and get involved!
Posted by Scion on December 10, 2009 12:25 CST
Strider: Option Zero Feature Re-Opened!
The Strider: Option Zero section is now re-opened as a Feature. It's been revamped with new information, courtesy of my interview with Bueno. Expect the Body Weapon page to be released soon with a similar revamp.
Also, if you haven't joined The Strider Hub yet, you may want to. I've got a cool promo coming down the pipe that you won't want to miss.
Posted by Scion on December 7, 2009 07:34 CST
New Strider Fan Hub on Capcom-Unity!
There's a new fan-forum for Strider otaku at Capcom-Unity: The Strider Hub. It's created as a labor of love by fans, for fans. Yours truly has collaborated with the group's owner, Tahj, and we're now both on the same page. He's currently revamping the group; we hope to build it into a robust group that can serve as the focal point for all Strider fans across the Internet. We want to build a thriving Strider community right there on Capcom's doorstep, to show them that Strider hasn't been forgotten. If we want a new game, we can only improve the odds by showing Capcom that there's a vibrant, active fanbase for that game.
We can't do it without your help, however. A community needs members, so click the link and join ours! Upload your artwork, post your stories, ask your questions, and show us your research. Whatever Strider-inspired work you've done, put it on display there! Go sign up!
Posted by Scion on December 1, 2009 07:34 CST