I believe that a video game is more than just it's youtube video. Game reviews and trailers are more popular than ever. When a trailer for a popular game is uploaded to youtube it becomes food for the savage animal that is the gaming public. Look at any comment section for a new game trailer and you will see the masses of the internet and their reactions splattered on the webpage like a Jackson Pollock Painting.
There is every type of comment imaginable. There is praise, criticism, intelligent and ignorant rants, banter and arguments between posters, incomplete sentences, posts in broken English and some not even in English at all. But above all the major theme is judgment.
Some internet commentators even have the gall to insult other peoples opinions. This happens on a regular basis. Some people will judge the game based on something cosmetic such as the appearance of a character in the game. Such is the case in the new trailer for the new "Devil May Cry" Game being developed by "Ninja Theory." In a daring move the developer has gone with a completely different look for the main character Dante.
The new design for the game has angered many fans who have gotten used to the "Classic" look that Dante has had in the first 4 games. The developer is Basically taking a more realistic approach. Gone is the Anime style look with shiny silver hair, leather belt buckle adorned trench coat, and the pretty boy J-Rock look that Dante is known for.
This new Dante design is bold yet simplistic. The new Dante is much younger, this game takes place much earlier in his life.The developers have decided to take an 70's youth culture and rebellion theme to Dante. The character now has short dark hair, is very thin, and looks like a European punk rocker in a shoddy red and black coat. The difference is quite striking.
The internet reactions are pretty typical. The fans are not happy. Here is one angry fan's reaction.
"absolute bullshit! who ever is a fan of DMC I suggest you protest this game and very play or buy it! I bet dante himself is very pissed at this game. I going to find the creator and smack him so hard!"
I have not edited this at all. This is a typical example of the communication skills that the average youtube commentator possess. I'm sorry if this is you.
All of the ridiculousness aside, the reaction to this new Devil May Cry is a great example to show that many of the gaming masses are very reluctant to change. Look at games like Madden NFL, the majority of First person shooters, and even Super Mario Bros. These games don't change very much. Little tweaks are made but the core game play and design of the games remains relatively unchanged.
Devil May Cry is much like this. The game has minor changes with each installment, but the core game play and style of Dante have not changed. Many game critics and fans alike want to make video games more socially accepted and appreciated as a medium. Unfortunately this is one of the roadblocks that keeps it from getting to that point. As long we refuse to allow games to change, they wont.
Most of the fans unfortunately are too invested in a game franchise. I find myself doing this with many of my favorite games. Many people such as myself get comfortable with certain things.
