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Topic:
GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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Cinder
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1,931
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Jul '05
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:09am
Subject:
GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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GameTap: With Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, why did you feel that you needed to do something so different?
Ed Boon: We have done this a few times before. The 2002 release of Deadly Alliance was also a reboot in many respects. When you do sequels, it's an interesting balance. You always introduce something new or people take a "been-there-done-that" approach to your game. And I'm a big fan of our competitors--Street Fighter, Tekken, all those games--and some of them are in their fourth, fifth, sixth iterations. We keep our eyes on how well fighting games sell, and fighting games in general have decreased in sales. They don't have the impact they used to, but we have managed to continue to sell our games well, I think because we introduce new elements to each version. This being a new generation of consoles requires a whole new presentation for Mortal Kombat. So we thought we should do something dramatic. If you're counting, this is Mortal Kombat 8. Had we done something with a little tweak to the story and minor adjustments to the mechanics, I think people would get it and just move on really quickly. That's what I have witnessed with some of the other fighting game franchises.
GameTap: Fighting games and platformers were once prominent staples in the industry. Not any longer. When you look at Mortal Kombat, how do you decide what elements should stay and what should be cut?
Ed Boon: To a large extent, we started from scratch. We had two characters on screen throwing kicks and punches. We asked ourselves, "What have we always wanted to improve on?" We have had such a great opportunity to rethink some of the basic 3D mechanics--3D walking, punching, kicking, all of the basic moves in the last generation. It's not like we got rid of something just because we had to. We basically just reset everything. What makes Mortal Kombat Mortal Kombat is magical moves: People teleport and throw spears, as opposed to just hand-to-hand fighting. So we know we'll keep the magic element, with the DC characters really lend themselves to amplifying MK's best qualities. Now we have even more outrageous moves. We have always tried to separate ourselves from the other fighting games by going our own direction.
Read the rest of the interview here:
http://www.gametap.com/articles/gamefeatures/mortal_kombats_creator_talks-05072008
Enjoy,
Cinder
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Tiberius
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11,271
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Jun '06
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:21am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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I'm still convinced this crossover's a bad idea.
-----signature-----
I'd rather give birth to a chair than see an MK vs. DC crossover game. Goodbye, it's been fun. I'm leaving for good. Take care, everyone. 
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CrispyDragon
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21
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Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:43am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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Thanks for bringing our attention to this interview, but there's not one thing new about it that I haven't read in other interviews...
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Your Number One MK Resource Mortal Kombat Informer http://www.mortalkombatinformer.com
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clancop
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Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:44am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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Well he now gives us a yes and no to fatalities, but talking about keeping the T-rating... HUH??? I say we stick to his original statement about finishers but not fatalities. Also, are we getting a hint at Aquaman and Rain being in the game or is he just trying to mess with us? Once again, this interview asks more questions then it answers, also confuses most of us who are trying to follow along... Urgh, I say sit back and wait, especially since most of it isn't written in stone yet.
Well why do you keep saying that Tiberius? The series is struggling, they need to turn it around, what is so wrong with DC Comics? For all the times I have heard you say that, you have never once given a reason, so what is that reason? I think it works for the simple reason that both are dark and mature, and that MK could use the success of the DC license right now to help get themselves back on track financially.
I am excited, but I am starting to get sick of wait and see and all this double talk on Ed Boon's part.
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CrispyDragon
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Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:53am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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clancop posted:
I am excited, but I am starting to get sick of wait and see and all this double talk on Ed Boon's part.
Well I don't think Boon is double talking, this is what like the eight or ninth interview? It's hard to keep track of what he's said and people chose to interpret things differently to how he wishes to convey them. So I can forgive Boon on that front.
As for the wait and see side of things, I read somewhere this was out of Boon's control, he wanted to show us everything but said the whole 'teaser trailer', 'tease information' is just part of the game that is game developing.
I'm just getting a little tired of interviews saying pretty much the exact same thing though, probably almost as tired as Boon is for having to repeat the same piece of information to the hundreds of gaming sites out there.
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Your Number One MK Resource Mortal Kombat Informer http://www.mortalkombatinformer.com
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clancop
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403
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Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/8 11:07am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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Well now he is saying that he doesn't want to take out fatalities? How is that not double speak? Forget what I said about cutting him slack, he either cuts the crap and these "games" and give us straight answers or I plant my foot squarely between his butt cheeks. He knows that for a fact that DC Comics isn't going to let Batman kill someone, so why is he talking about this again? Also, what the HELL was with that Aquaman comment? Just gives us a better of what to expect, not "it could be or couldn't be" because that is getting annoying.
Once again, we have seen this before, and you would think with all the complaints about him opening his mouth and saying something stupid, like "the next MK game will have an entirely new roster", that he might want to keep it shut a little more this time around. Geez...
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c0nd0rd4myt
Posts:
678
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Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/8 11:09am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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CrispyDragon posted:
clancop posted:
I am excited, but I am starting to get sick of wait and see and all this double talk on Ed Boon's part.
Well I don't think Boon is double talking, this is what like the eight or ninth interview? It's hard to keep track of what he's said and people chose to interpret things differently to how he wishes to convey them. So I can forgive Boon on that front.
As for the wait and see side of things, I read somewhere this was out of Boon's control, he wanted to show us everything but said the whole 'teaser trailer', 'tease information' is just part of the game that is game developing.
I'm just getting a little tired of interviews saying pretty much the exact same thing though, probably almost as tired as Boon is for having to repeat the same piece of information to the hundreds of gaming sites out there.
you would think on Gamers Day he would of just held a panel and let everyone interview him at one time.
-----signature-----
the fatalities are still in this game, just with a new wrapper
quit B1tchin over the wrapper and have some candy.
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GATechGamer
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Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/8 11:19am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
- Date Edited:
5/8 11:41am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
GATechGamer
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Swimming characters...hum.
Ya'know, Kabal's animality in MK3 had him turning into a shark. Could he be talking about that? I mean, if Kabal were to turn into a shark, Aquaman would be able to control him, right?
EDIT: Someone has pointed out Cyrax actually turned into a shark, so whoops, my bad.
-----signature-----
Let's put a smile on that face.
Mature Content =/= Mature
Still hoping for Aquaman.
I implore you, play Braid.
Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. --H.L. Menken
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c0nd0rd4myt
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Date Posted:
5/8 11:47am
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
- Date Edited:
5/8 11:49am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
c0nd0rd4myt
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other important things to take away from this.
1) their staying away from the movie, armored, variations of Batman. (in my mind, bad)
2) they are also staying away from David Hasselhoff (thank GOD!)
3) they are not going down to a T rating in order to be more Mainstream.
-----signature-----
the fatalities are still in this game, just with a new wrapper
quit B1tchin over the wrapper and have some candy.
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thepunisher823
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3,959
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Aug '06
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Date Posted:
5/8 12:23pm
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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that was a very good read .. one of the better interviews out there
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Proud Member Of The Cheesy Poop Klan-General
Brother of Shadow-Eliminator
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The Final Drop Of Blood
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Tiberius
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Jun '06
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Date Posted:
5/8 8:53pm
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
- Date Edited:
5/8 9:06pm (3 edits total)
Edited By:
Tiberius
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clancop posted:
Well why do you keep saying that Tiberius? The series is struggling, they need to turn it around, what is so wrong with DC Comics? For all the times I have heard you say that, you have never once given a reason, so what is that reason?
Okay, I'll give you some answers. I've stated them before here and there in past threads, but I'll give you as much details about that as I can. I have nothing against DC Comics. I've been a Batman fan since I was a kid. I really enjoy the 90s animated series and also the Justice League. Batman Begins was awesome and I can't wait to see The Dark Knight when it comes out in July. DC is awesome just like MK, but I honestly feel they don't belong together in the same game. Too incompatible, too different from one another partially because MK people kill and DC heroes don't. Another reason is the fact that most superhero games aren't that good. For example, the best Batman game I ever played was Rise of Sin Tzu and it was so-so at best despite having Kevin Conroy voice Batman in it like he did for the animated series. If a crossover had to be done, MK should've been paired with a franchise that has no qualms about death and dismemberment. The T rating to me and the removal of the fatalities I think are both bad ideas because death moves and the M score are consistent MK staples. You'd mentioned before that you believe that a T rating could help generate more sales, but I really don't think an M rating has ever stopped anyone from getting that kind of game before. For example, GTA 4 sold 3.6 million copies on Day One. I'll bet a fair amount of those people playing it right now are under 17. After MKA came out, I was really looking forward to finding out who lives and who dies come MK8 and now they're not sure if MK/DC will be canon? That's kind of frustrating, because this game will probably put those answers on hold at least for a year or two. The timing of this crossover seems wrong. This move seems too risky to me, even more so because they made certain mistakes in recent years. MKA was good, but it had its flaws. The game was rushed, the endings were cheaply done, and the bios we were promised never got finished. Ed Boon and his crew are very talented people, but I honestly feel they've made some mistakes in recent years and making a game with another awesome yet incompatible franchise seems like yet another bad move. I saw one of my other favorite franchises die last year due to bad decisions and self-inflicted wounds. It was the Highlander franchise, and I see too many similarities between them and MK when it comes to internal problems. If MK isn't careful, they could destroy themselves like Highlander did. I hope they survive, I really do. I've been an MK fan since Day One back in 1992, and it would really suck if another franchise I really like dies this year too. In conclusion, I have nothing against anyone who wants this game. I just don't think this crossover is going to work and it's going to alienate a fair portion of the MK fanbase. It doesn't seem like a good idea in making this game based on past problems and Midway's current financial woes. I want this series to turn things around and recover, but I honestly think this crossover is not the way to make this happen (mainly because some fans like me won't buy it). Everything just seems wrong about it to me, and I think it could make their current problems even worse. Sorry for the long read, but those are my reasons.
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I'd rather give birth to a chair than see an MK vs. DC crossover game. Goodbye, it's been fun. I'm leaving for good. Take care, everyone.
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clancop
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:17pm
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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Okay, now it makes more sense. You feel that the game, being toned down to a T-rating, with the inclusion of DC characters, in a way cheapens the game. You believe that an M-rating would make it a better seller because of the success of GTAIV and other games like it. Am I right?
Not to worry, a lot of KOF fans felt the same way about the Capcom vs series, but we all saw how successful that was. I say relax, enjoy the ride and be excited about the game. Hell, it is not everyday you see this happen, and if Ed Boon does plan on starting fresh, it is one of the few places you will find your favourite characters.
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GATechGamer
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Apr '08
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:19pm
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
- Date Edited:
5/8 10:40pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
GATechGamer
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I understand the concern, however, I think you really have to consider the main variable here: sales. MK vs DCU has already created a bigger buzz than the MK franchise has seen in a very long time. It was a wild idea that no one predicted, and while many have responded with outrage, many others have met the idea with excitement. If nothing else, the game will likely get an appreciable number of sales from people who are simply curious, while DC fans are likely to buy it just for the heroes (assuming the gameplay is solid). If the game is marketed well, I believe it will sell well, and ultimately, that is what will keep the MK franchise alive.
EDIT: Ya'know, I was thinking about the thing you said about not finding out who survived Armageddon, and I remembered this: Street Fighter fans still don't know who won Street Fighter 2. Seriously! That's crazy. But it didn't cripple the franchise.
-----signature-----
Let's put a smile on that face.
Mature Content =/= Mature
Still hoping for Aquaman.
I implore you, play Braid.
Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. --H.L. Menken
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Tiberius
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:31pm
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
- Date Edited:
5/8 10:39pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
Tiberius
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Some games have always been known for their ratings to a certain extent, and if it's one thing I've learned, younger people are going to get access to the games they want to play one way or the other even if it's something they can't buy on their own. Ratings don't always sell games, but toning stuff down after what it's known for is always a risky move. I don't believe DC cheapens anything, I just believe they're not compatible with the MK world. And if this does turn out to be one of the few places I can find my favorite characters, then I'm going to have to respectfully decline from taking part in it because it just doesn't feel right to me. Also, about what I'd said earlier. It wasn't easy seeing one of my other favorite franchises die last year. Something like that would make anyone uneasy.
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I'd rather give birth to a chair than see an MK vs. DC crossover game. Goodbye, it's been fun. I'm leaving for good. Take care, everyone.
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iceberg
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Aug '06
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Date Posted:
5/8 10:36pm
Subject:
RE: GamTap - Ed Boon Interview
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GATechGamer posted:
I understand the concern, however, I think you really have to consider the main variable here: sales. Marvel vs DCU has already created a bigger buzz than the MK franchise has seen in a very long time. It was a wild idea that no one predicted, and while many have responded with outrage, many others have met the idea with excitement. If nothing else, the game will likely get an appreciable number of sales from people who are simply curious, while DC fans are likely to buy it just for the heroes (assuming the gameplay is solid). If the game is marketed well, I believe it will sell well, and ultimately, that is what will keep the MK franchise alive.
EDIT: Ya'know, I was thinking about the thing you said about not finding out who survived Armageddon, and I remembered this: Street Fighter fans still don't know who won Street Fighter 2. Seriously! That's crazy. But it didn't cripple the franchise.
when was there a Marvel vs DCU game? unless ur just talking about the franchices in general?
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Beware of the Ice Iceberg Right Ahead I am giving MK vs DCU a chance. U should too. http://forums.midway.com/mortal_kombat_vs_dc_universe/b10806/p1 everyone watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRn9Dy2msNQ
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