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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
File:Bloodstained ritual of the night logo.png
Developer(s)Koji Igarashi
Inti Creates
Composer(s)Michiru Yamane
Ippo Yamada
EngineUnreal Engine 4
Platform(s)Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Playstation 4, Xbox One
Genre(s)Metroidvania
Mode(s)Single-player

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an upcoming video game being developed by Koji Igarashi, the former lead developer of the Castlevania series, and Inti Creates. The game is expected to be released in March 2017 for Linux, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Playstation 4, and Xbox One.

Gameplay

The game is expected to follow the Metroidvania-style gameplay of the Castlevania series; by defeating enemies, Miriam will gain powers enabled by the crystals on her body, as well as items that can be used to craft new weapons and armor. The game will be presented in a 2.5D style, presenting the game in three-dimensional graphics but restricting movement to a 2D system. Igarashi stated the choice for 2.5D was that it follows in the style of his previous Castlevania games[1][2]

Plot

The game is based on the player-character named Miriam who finds her blood is cursed and is slowly turning to crystal. To remove the curse she faces the challenges of a monster-filled castle with the help of Gebel, her companion who is similarly afflicted but for a much longer time.[1]

Development

Japan-based Koji Igarashi (nicknamed IGA) has been a key developer and scenario writer for the Castlevania series published by Konami since 1997's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. However, starting in 2010's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, the series was out-sourced to MercurySteam and Kojima Productions, with Igarashi having no involvement in the series since. Instead, Igarashi worked with Konami's mobile games division, such as the Japanese version of Scribblenauts, trying to introduce more complex gameplay elements atypical of most mobile games.[3][4] In March 2014, Igarashi opted to leave Konami, stating concern for his continued employment at Konami and differences in the directions they wanted to take the company: "For the longest time, when I was working at Konami, I was protected by my company. They took care of me. Now I'm kind of anxious."[5][6][7]

Igarashi also stated that he had received a large number of requests from fans to continue to develop Castlevania games, giving him another reason to leave Konami and aim to start his own studio to develop these fan-requested games, including a Metroidvania-styled game in the same thematic theme of Castlevania.[5][7] Prior to his departure, news of the success of the Kickstarter for Mighty No. 9, a Mega Man-inspired game developed by the series' lead Keiji Inafune, had reached Japan, and inspired Igarashi that this could be a similar route to obtain funding for a new game.[4] Following his departure, he began pitching for funding of a new game with the help of Digital Development Management's Ben Judd, who has also assisted with Mighty No. 9's funding.[4] They approached more than twenty publishers with the pitch, but found that none of them were willing to help. According to Judd, while Igarashi's reputation reduced the risk involved with the title and the projected budget was modest, Japanese publishers wants to make sure that the American and European markets would want the title and Castlevania games typically were not as well received in European markets, while Western publishers believed the Japanese origins of the games were too strange for them.[4] After six months with no success, Igarashi opted to join ArtPlay as a paying job, but worked with the company to assure that he would be free to continue to pursue this new game idea.[4]

Igarashi recognized the success of Mighty No. 9's Kickstarter, and began seeking how to do that for his vision. He and Judd were able to locate investors that would help contribute funds, but only if there was a strong interest in the title. The two opted to use Kickstarter to demonstrate what they believed would be a popular title, seeking to gain $500,000 to demonstrate the interest in the title and secure investor funding. The Kickstarter was launched on 11 May 2015, and included additional stretch goals for higher funding levels.[8] Prior to the Kickstarter, Igarashi teased the announcement through social media using the phrases "igavania" and "sword or whip", and on the day of the announcement, participated in live streaming event via Twitch.tv playing several other Metroidvania titles with various gaming personalities and developers.[9] The game succeeded in its base goal within four hours of going live.[10] In addition to monetary stretch goals, Igarashi is offering additional bonuses for all backers based on the amount of social media content the Kickstarter generates, such as followers of the game on Twitter or Facebook or number of pieces of fan artwork submitted to its site.[11]

Inti Creates, who also helped to develop Mighty No. 9, will help Igarashi to develop Bloodstained.[12] The game's music will be composed by Michiru Yamane, a former Konami composer that worked on the music for Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.[11] 2 Player Productions helped with filming Igarashi's pitch for the Kickstarter at Castello di Amorosa in northern California a month prior to its announcement.[4]

Should the Kickstarter reach a target stretch goal, Igarashi has stated that they will be able to have David Hayter voice Gebel for the game.[2]

24 hours later, the project became a huge success. Over 15.000 Supporters pledged more than 1.200.000$, showing that there indeed is a big fanbase for the so called IGA-vania Games.

References

  1. ^ a b Matulef, Jeffrey (11 May 2015). "Castlevania director Koji Igarashi announces Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night". Eurogamer. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b Chalk, Andy (11 May 2015). "Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi reveals Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night". PC Gamer. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  3. ^ Ashcroft, Brian (17 March 2014). "Beloved Castlevania Producer Koji Igarashi Leaves Konami". Kotaku. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Leone, Matt (11 May 2015). "Koji Igarashi: A Day in the Life". Polygon. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  5. ^ a b Alexander, Leigh (19 March 2014). "After leaving Konami, 'IGA' takes a leap and trusts his fans". Gamasutra. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  6. ^ McWheartor, Michael (17 March 2014). "Veteran Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami". Polygon. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  7. ^ a b McWheartor, Michael (19 March 2014). "What's next for Koji Igarashi, the man who left Castlevania and Konami behind". Polygon. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  8. ^ Otero, Jose (11 May 2015). "Former Castlevania Producer Announces Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night". IGN. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  9. ^ Igarashi, Koji (11 May 2015). "Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night". Kickstarter. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  10. ^ Reeves, Ben (11 May 2015). "[Update] Igarashi's Castlevania Spiritual Successor Hits Kickstarter Goal". Game Informer. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  11. ^ a b Geraldi, Matt (11 May 2015). "Castlevania director launches Kickstarter for new game that's a lot like his old ones". A.V. Club. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  12. ^ Mackey, Bob (11 May 2015). "Interview: Castlevania's Former Keeper Returns with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night". US Gamer. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
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