Soul Calibur III: PlayStation 2 exclusive – First Screens inside!
Fighter goes rogue – Misses coin-op
Namco has conformed that Soul Calibur III is well into production and will be an exclusive title for the PlayStation 2 in shock news breaking overnight in the US.
Perhaps the biggest news to come from the announcement, and certainly the most surprising, is that there will be no arcade version, at least according to initial reports in various magazines including Famitsu.
And aside from the fact that it’s due to hit early in 2006, little remains other than to speculate why Namco would deny the game to GameCube and Xbox/360 owners, especially given that all three versions of the series’ second iteration performed comparably, in spite of the PlayStation 2’s gargantuan installed user base.
That said, Soul Calibur never did follow tradition. The first game was the flagship exclusive for Sega’s doomed Dreamcast, and still looks as good as it ever did five years later. SCII was a fanboy face-off, seeing bespoke per-platform characters in each version.
Sadly, it would seem that a large bag of money and some persuasive talking renders this a PlayStation 2 exclusive, though as you’ll agree when checking out the screens, it does look utterly delicious.
Expect gameplay details and more in the coming weeks.
Perhaps the biggest news to come from the announcement, and certainly the most surprising, is that there will be no arcade version, at least according to initial reports in various magazines including Famitsu.
And aside from the fact that it’s due to hit early in 2006, little remains other than to speculate why Namco would deny the game to GameCube and Xbox/360 owners, especially given that all three versions of the series’ second iteration performed comparably, in spite of the PlayStation 2’s gargantuan installed user base.
That said, Soul Calibur never did follow tradition. The first game was the flagship exclusive for Sega’s doomed Dreamcast, and still looks as good as it ever did five years later. SCII was a fanboy face-off, seeing bespoke per-platform characters in each version.
Sadly, it would seem that a large bag of money and some persuasive talking renders this a PlayStation 2 exclusive, though as you’ll agree when checking out the screens, it does look utterly delicious.
Expect gameplay details and more in the coming weeks.
Companies:
Namco
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 28.
SorelissLarethian 25 Mar 2005 13:02
9/28
You can tell by the screens of the "Playstationalization" of the game."oh yes, yes, why not make it look a bit like Tekken and final fantasy"as for the quality of the images well they say a 1000 words :) . SC would be much better on GC or XBX.this game screams for FSAA.
shearDS 25 Mar 2005 14:56
10/28
Alan is my first name wrote:
This is rather sad since the Gamecube version sold the most copies at 500,000. But I think Capcom are using the ratio game here, using "Capcom-like" logic.
The same logic that thought, "Hey, Viewtiful Joe sold 300K on the Gamecube...it'll sell MILLIONS on the PS2!"
The same logic that thought, "Hey, Viewtiful Joe sold 300K on the Gamecube...it'll sell MILLIONS on the PS2!"
which was wrong as viewtiful joe didn't sell at all well on ps2
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shearDS 25 Mar 2005 14:58
11/28
dreamcast is quite a powerful console, not one ps2 title looks as good as shenmue on dreamcast
Crocomire 25 Mar 2005 15:26
12/28
There's already a petition for SC3 to come to GameCube doing the rounds.
It's located here - http://www.petitiononline.com/sc3togc/petition.html
Who knows, it might work.
It's located here - http://www.petitiononline.com/sc3togc/petition.html
Who knows, it might work.
fluffstardx 25 Mar 2005 18:02
13/28
shearDS wrote:
Alan is my first name wrote:
This is rather sad since the Gamecube version sold the most copies at 500,000. But I think Capcom are using the ratio game here, using "Capcom-like" logic.
The same logic that thought, "Hey, Viewtiful Joe sold 300K on the Gamecube...it'll sell MILLIONS on the PS2!"
The same logic that thought, "Hey, Viewtiful Joe sold 300K on the Gamecube...it'll sell MILLIONS on the PS2!"
which was wrong as viewtiful joe didn't sell at all well on ps2
I believe that's his point...
Newtynho 26 Mar 2005 01:11
14/28
Those screens do look similar in quality. But the final version of SC 3 should look much better than that. Have you played Tekken 5?! I'm not even a fan of Tekken, but the graphics are really impressive. MUCH better than Soul Calibur 2's. If Namco makes SC 3 look as good as Tekken 5 it will look considerably better than Soul Calibur 1 and 2.
I think this game should be released on next-gen consoles, not current-gen ones.
I think this game should be released on next-gen consoles, not current-gen ones.
MichiyoYoshiku 26 Mar 2005 15:45
15/28
While my grammer isn't good and the statement is not well organized I did create a petition to try and sway namco.
I also am gather physical signatures at arcades for an arcade version.
If you wish to sign the petition (I will revise it before sending it to namco)
here is the link
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Noco
Don't dismiss it as On line Petition don't work. because in the past.......they have
I also am gather physical signatures at arcades for an arcade version.
If you wish to sign the petition (I will revise it before sending it to namco)
here is the link
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Noco
Don't dismiss it as On line Petition don't work. because in the past.......they have
Coxy 26 Mar 2005 18:37
16/28
Heres a random Soul Calibur fact (that everyone probably knows anyway):
The original Soul Calibur game (called Soul Blade or Soul Edge in America) was released as an exclusive on the original Playstation (as far as i know)
So maybe sc3 as a ps2 exclusive has got something to do with that ???
The original Soul Calibur game (called Soul Blade or Soul Edge in America) was released as an exclusive on the original Playstation (as far as i know)
So maybe sc3 as a ps2 exclusive has got something to do with that ???
MichiyoYoshiku 26 Mar 2005 20:04
17/28
We'll get the last laugh when the game flops and the series is never seen again.
Soul Blade.....Sold horrible btw.
Soul Blade.....Sold horrible btw.
MichiyoYoshiku 26 Mar 2005 20:08
18/28
My petition was first
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Noco
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Noco
MichiyoYoshiku 26 Mar 2005 20:09
19/28
oops all this triple and quad posts.....sorry
MichiyoYoshiku 26 Mar 2005 20:09
20/28
And blade sold like crap
Ditto 27 Mar 2005 14:36
21/28
mac wrote:
The original Soul Calibur game (called Soul Blade or Soul Edge in America) was released as an exclusive on the original Playstation (as far as i know)
Really? The only thing I can remember about Soul Blade was:
"I'm so sorry, I'll never forget you."
Coxy 28 Mar 2005 23:09
22/28
Yes,its official people Soul Blade was an exclusive on the Playstation (it has an scee logo on it which means it was originally published by sony computer entertainment - check if u dont believe me)
fluffstardx 29 Mar 2005 09:00
23/28
Soul Edge/Blade became cult.
Then they made SC, and actually managed to sell games...
Then they made SC, and actually managed to sell games...
tyrion 29 Mar 2005 12:01
24/28
fluffstardx wrote:
I think it's terrifying a dead console could turn out a better version than the one on it's supposed superior.
If technical superiority were all that decided which products lasted and which didn't, you'd have posted that comment from your Amiga.
tyrion 29 Mar 2005 12:05
25/28
Joji wrote:
I really hate this kind of exclusivity elitism, it's as though Sony are flexing muscles to keep the best series on PS2.
Yet nobody complains when Nintendo only publish games for their own platforms.
If Sony is willing to put up the money to develop a game, why can't they stipulate that it only appears on their platform?
Do you favour passing a law to demand that every game be available for every platform? Or just one that ensures that "games I like" are available for "platforms I like"??
Joji 29 Mar 2005 14:20
26/28
Think you are twisting things a bit Tyrion. Nintendo and MS and, yes even Sony make their own games for their own system and that's a given so don't steer down that alley. That's totally different.
Namco are an independant developer owned by none of the three. Yes they worked closely with Nintendo recently but they also work with Sony and I understand that. I just find that when a game is multi format it's just a punch in the face to have things turned on their head when they have proved successful.
If you take the Hitman series as an example the first two games go t to GC but later because GC copies might not have been selling as much or whatever reason the next two didn't. That I can live with because at least Hitman was given a fair chance and now it's on PS2, Xbox and PC.
It's also very unusual to get this kind of treatment from a japanese developer. Perhaps they have a lot on their plate development wise, but the least I think Namco could do is give us a reason why there is no GC and Xbox versions planned. This is asking very little after we all shell out for their product so often.
Maybe Spong can ask Namco Europe what the line on this is to set our minds at ease.
Namco are an independant developer owned by none of the three. Yes they worked closely with Nintendo recently but they also work with Sony and I understand that. I just find that when a game is multi format it's just a punch in the face to have things turned on their head when they have proved successful.
If you take the Hitman series as an example the first two games go t to GC but later because GC copies might not have been selling as much or whatever reason the next two didn't. That I can live with because at least Hitman was given a fair chance and now it's on PS2, Xbox and PC.
It's also very unusual to get this kind of treatment from a japanese developer. Perhaps they have a lot on their plate development wise, but the least I think Namco could do is give us a reason why there is no GC and Xbox versions planned. This is asking very little after we all shell out for their product so often.
Maybe Spong can ask Namco Europe what the line on this is to set our minds at ease.
Joji 29 Mar 2005 15:11
27/28
I'm a big fan of Soul Edge and it was one of my first PSone games. Perhaps sold badly but still a top classic.
True it was only on PSone then, but series jumping formats over time is expected these days. To put all your eggs in one basket can be suicide if you don't be careful.
PS2 is popular but is a victim of it's own success. Like too many development passenger on the PS2 Titanic those life boats otherwise known as customers can only take so many passengers product before they sink with an empty wallet.
In other words the big games sell and the smaller stuff doesnt. I believe that developers such as Tecmo's Team Ninja noticed this and jumped to Xbox. Having made that decision DOA now has more recognition than if it was just another me too beat em up, fighting for our attention amongts the PS2 horde of games. Tecmo are now more respected and good luck to them for jumping to Xbox.
Perhaps GC/Rev also needs it's own beat em up series in a similar way but who will deal I wonder, if anyone. If this were to happen we might not need SCIII so badly. I'll still bag a PS2 version but I'd rather have a GC version.
True it was only on PSone then, but series jumping formats over time is expected these days. To put all your eggs in one basket can be suicide if you don't be careful.
PS2 is popular but is a victim of it's own success. Like too many development passenger on the PS2 Titanic those life boats otherwise known as customers can only take so many passengers product before they sink with an empty wallet.
In other words the big games sell and the smaller stuff doesnt. I believe that developers such as Tecmo's Team Ninja noticed this and jumped to Xbox. Having made that decision DOA now has more recognition than if it was just another me too beat em up, fighting for our attention amongts the PS2 horde of games. Tecmo are now more respected and good luck to them for jumping to Xbox.
Perhaps GC/Rev also needs it's own beat em up series in a similar way but who will deal I wonder, if anyone. If this were to happen we might not need SCIII so badly. I'll still bag a PS2 version but I'd rather have a GC version.
tyrion 29 Mar 2005 16:10
28/28
Joji wrote:
Think you are twisting things a bit Tyrion. Nintendo and MS and, yes even Sony make their own games for their own system and that's a given so don't steer down that alley. That's totally different.
All I was pointing out was that the money says which platforms the game goes on. If Sony, Nintendo or Microsoft pay for the development, they say which platforms the game is available for. If the money goes to an internal development resource or an external one, what does it matter?
Joji wrote:
Namco are an independant developer owned by none of the three. Yes they worked closely with Nintendo recently but they also work with Sony and I understand that. I just find that when a game is multi format it's just a punch in the face to have things turned on their head when they have proved successful.
Namco is a company. It wants to make a profit. Add up the cost of developing or porting for GameCube and XBox, subtract that from the estimated profits for the game on those platforms and compare the result to the money Sony is offering. If you come out ahead with the money from Sony, take it and just publish on PS2.
It's a pure business decision.
Sony can afford to have more exclusive content because the profit on PS2 games is higher due to the numbers sold. Nintendo and Microsoft need to outweigh a much larger amount of money to gain an exclusive.