Soulcalibur IV Bringing Darth Vader Exclusively to PS3

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Hello everyone! My name is Katsutoshi Sasaki and I am the Director for Soulcalibur IV. Before I begin, I would like to express my appreciation to SCEA for giving me the opportunity to express my thoughts here on the blog and to speak directly to the readers. Now since Darth Vader is an exclusive character to the PS3, it is only fitting to discuss my thoughts on the Sith Lord. So here we go…

The reason we chose Darth Vader as a playable character is very simple: he is probably one of the most symbolic characters in the Star Wars universe and is also one of the most popular worldwide. Admittedly though, recreating Darth Vader for Soulcalibur IV was harder than I initially thought because there is not a lot of reference material as he was only in a few lightsaber fights in the movies.

It’s always very difficult to balance our own perception of how a character should fit in the Soulcalibur universe and their actual gameplay. If a guest character feels radically different than how we perceive them, a player will take it as a different character, and it’ll lead to disappointment.

In working with LucasArts, they said they are eagerly anticipating their characters to be recreated in the Soulcalibur universe. They allowed us to create Vader relatively-freely. The trial and error process to build Vader is definitely a fond memory for all the Soulcalibur IV animators and game designers.

Another challenge that we encountered was how to implement the “Force” from the Star Wars universe. If we were to use the Force in gameplay, we had to make it as an absolute power just like the movie. However, if we didn’t set any limitations on it, the game’s balance would have been completely off. Ultimately, we created a Force gauge to put a limit on using the power. However, we felt players would be frustrated if they couldn’t use the Force on an empty gauge, so we are allowing them to use the Force but it will be counted as a penalty against their character. I think it was good compromise and can be used as a tactic.

I strongly believe that we have brought Darth Vader up to a level where players will feel “This is how Darth Vader is!” while playing Soulcalibur IV. The game expresses him as a lightsaber master with intimidating power and absolute control of the Force. Our players will enjoy playing Lord Vader from the movie and we’re proud to bring them this experience.

Finally, the release date is just around the corner on July 29th. The dream battle for many fans who want to play as Vader, who want to beat him with Soulcalibur characters or who want to challenge Vader with an original customized character is about to start! Stay tuned!!

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164 Comments

  • Thanks for taking some time out of your day to post here.

    I’m glad we got Darth Vader :)

  • Oh so you’re the director. I have to ask why the decision was made to include these wildly out of place characters who are stealing attention away from the already great game in it’s own right? I’m not happy at all that these characters are in the game. Star Wars is a great franchise, yea we get it, but why allow your own product to be used like this? I’m getting the game regardless, but I won’t be using Vader and I do not look forward to all the online battles against all the people choosing him. Kratos would have been a better fit too.

  • beautiful. Can’t wait!

  • Already got the game.

    So much fun playing with the brother!

    Can’t wait for Tekken 6!

  • I actually Bought a PS3 for this game!

    Glad to see it is looking great!

  • babybluedb said

    “Kratos really wouldnt fit into a games that is based on having a kick ass sword Kratos sword-less >_> vader feels better because at least it is a sword kinda (lightsaber)O_o

    vader is more of a sword dualer type where as Kratos is the type to just demolish anything in his past”

    You really don’t know what the hell you’re trying to say huh?!? I’m not sure but I’m beginning to think that you haven’t even played any GoW games. But I could be wrong. Even so you seem very confused and dumb.

  • I feel the force running through my veins. Now where is my princes when i need her. Seriously i cannot wait to play this game.

  • Darth Vader FTW

  • Trophies? It should be a standard by now!!!

  • Oh goody we have something exclusive from Namco, lets celebrate! You’re from Namco Bandai? Then can you explain to me, why you guys are not sure if Tekken 6 will be exclusive on the PS3? No idea how I can put links here without my message being blocked, so check Max Console, should be there somewhere.

    Second of all, can we expect Ace Combat 6 to come to the PS3 anytime (PS exclusive over the years until “you” decided to release it “exclusively” on the 360). Plus, how about Tales of Vesperia is it 360 exclusive or not?

    I may sound pissed and that’s because… I am. I feel like you guys at Namco Bandai (Japan mostly) are taking us PS fans for granted. More like ignore us and yeah that pisses me off.

  • Oh yeah and when do we get to hear about this mysterious Tales of game for on the PS3. Should be announced in July, and July is ticking away very quickly now.

  • To make it easier:

    Tekken 6 exclusivity being questioned:

    quote:

    GameEx: “Will it be exclusive for the PlayStation 3 console?”

    Suzaki: “No. It hasn’t been determined yet as of the moment, but we are developing it for PlayStation 3, so you can play it.”

    GameEx: “Will Tekken 6 be available on other consoles like the Xbox 360?”

    Suzaki: “As of the moment, we have no idea.”

    Source: http://www.maxconsole.net

    Mysterious PS3 Tales of game?

    Based on a Japanese mag scan, it looks like PS3 will gets its own Tales of game that will “take advantage of the system’s power”. The scan (larger version after the jump) shows Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk, Tales of Vesperia and a mysterious upcoming PS3 Tales of game. Further below, a huge title teasing an announcement event to be held on “X Day of July”.

    Source: several gaming websites

  • @100

    Yeah… soo what? what’s the difference? I will still like a game even if is or not exclusive to one console. This gen the only this is exclusive is 1st party games… adept to it.

  • Got to love a “dumbed down” light saber. Something that in the movies could cut through bulk heads, now can not bring down an opponent with several piercings. Whats with all the special characters..MK vs Justice League..Superman can’t even burn through someone with his heat vision. Sorry but this just dosen’t feel right.

  • I’m not gonna buy this game without playing a demo first! i hoop the demo also has a MP mode

  • Is there a way to make a soul caliber vs tekken?

  • darth vader is way cooler than yoda… and thats not even the ps3 fanboi in me talking.

    is there any other ps3 exclusive things going on… like maybe KEEPING TEKKEN 6 PS3 EXCLUSIVE OMG.

    sony is loosing all the exclusives that matter. sure they make new ones but the old ones still rock.

    looking forward to resistance 2 and K2, and little big planet. and maybe in the future gears of war 3.

  • cant wait for this game. to bad kratos wont really be in it. was wishin that was true.

  • yeah also hopin tekken 6 is exclusive. it was playstation fans who made that series successful. My family own/ed every single tekken. still have tekken 2(PSN d/l), tekken 3(best game in series), tekken tag, tekken 4(worst in series), tekken 5DR online. i play T5DRO almost every single day. i basically mastered lili(people seem to hate her though so dont play her anymore)and workin on a few new guys but not sure which one to pick as my main player.lol

  • I don’t have the same respect I used to have for Namco, could be I give this a shot. Without trophy support and being a Namco game it’s kinda not at the top of my list.

  • kratos and nariko wouldve been hot for this game i woulda been all over it

  • kratos and nariko wouldve been hot and maybe rohan from lair and i woulda been all ove rthis game anyway i just hope yoshi finally looks normal or kool in this one

  • Please, for the love of everything, patch this game with Trophies soon!

  • Question: Why not Sony using all their first party or exclusive third party characters together and make it into a game??? I think it will be cool, not exactly like Nintendo smash brother….but something casual, puzzle may be possible? Look at all the all so popular characters we got……..i think we can make a killing out of it…let’s call it “Sony superstar”~~~~! cool heh?

    cheers

  • let’s see, Kratos, Rachet and Clank, sackboy, solid snake, liquid, Nariko, Rohan, Uncharted, and all the characters from Arc The Lad, Wild Arms, anymore????? hehe…..sorry dream big at the moment……

  • Will this support Trophy system?

  • Soul Calibur IV does play music from your hard drive you have to set it in Options. This game was almost complete when Trophies were announced, they probably found out with us, which is why they aren’t there. Demo coming in mid-august, by the way.

  • How many GB is the mandatory installation? (I only have 1GB left out my 60GB)

    Why do we have to install this game on our HDD? 360 doesn’t need to.

    Does this title has Trophy support?

    Will we ever get Yoda as a DLC?

    After finding out the mandatory installation size and reading a few reviews. Then I’ll decide if it’s a purchase for me.

  • Sweet! I like cameos! {{vvwwwwooooommmmm}}

  • AWESOME JOB i CANT EFFIN WAIT!

  • Ok I love the series and I’m thinking of picking it up but…

    1. Will it support online play?
    2. Will it support the 2.41 update?? Custom Soundtracks and throphies??

    You really should look at putting a blog to inform us of this. Thanks!

  • I can not wait for this.

  • Looks great!

    1. Will it support the 2.4 update? Like throphies and custom soundtracks?

    This is a heavy factor if I’m going to be getting this game.

  • Thanks for the videos, they look amazing ! Can’t wait to play as Vader, looks cool…

  • I normally don’t play fighting games, but this is pretty much the only series I do play. Looks very promising, I’m sure it will please!

  • I really hope u give us trophies

  • @ 113 – adept to it?? i was just letting you know. just how im gonna let you know right now that your english isn’t very good.

    cheers,
    Lh

  • Here’s a good idea for sony. Just like we have mandatory installation. Hmmmm, whatever happened to the days when you use to buy a game without install?
    You guys should require developers to have these bullet-points on their game boxes.
    • Mandatory Installation
    • Custom In-game Music (Yes/No maybe a patch in the future)
    • Trophy support
    • Online play support
    • Voice chat

    That way there will be no surprises when I get home. Thanks you.

  • We should have got the younger version of vader when he was in his prime. And older version With the costume change option. Ahh it will probly be downloadable from PSN $1.99 right?

  • tuesday seem so far away. can’t wait

  • im loving it. cant wait for tuesday

  • seeing the two videos has turned me over from a potential renter to a serious buyer!

  • I am so excited!! Not just for Darth Vader, but mostly for the create a character!
    I hope there will be down loadable content.

    I also hope you will add these characters as downloads:
    Kratos from God of War

    Nariko and/or Kai from Heavenly Sword (they would be perfect!)

    Wolverine from X-Men

    Maybe some other Namco characters? Like the Tales characters….imagine Kratos vs. Kratos!

    Also Anime characters!!!

    I am looking forward to playing online with everyone!

  • Please add custom sound tracks Namco!! I love your music just fine, but I would love to mix it up with my music too!

  • @138

    My english isn’t very good? I wonder why? oh yeah.. isn’t my first language :D

  • @114…and many others

    Yeah, a lightsaber normally would cut through anything, but so what? It’s a game for a reason, nobody seems to have an issue with people getting a spear through the chest and getting thrown to the other side of the arena, so something like the lightsaber being “dumbed down” is perfectly fine.

  • i’ve given up on “exclusives” i’d rather see these dual console games be made for the systems than one batch code for both. how much better should SCIV look for ps3 than 360, same with tekken. i was appalled at how gta4 didn’t take the systems into account for graphical differences. DON’T MAKE THE SAME LAME MISTAKE. i, for one, fully understand it’s all about how much money you can make. but give us a clear choice with multiplatform games. hell, it might even win over a few new ps3 owners.

  • whats with the 404 error when i click submit also? i almost re-entered my text, good thing i checked first.

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