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Capcom USA Would Like To Do More Games With 2D Art

By Ishaan . January 5, 2012 . 2:35pm

While Capcom have mostly switched to using 3D art for their 2D fighting games, they do use 2D artwork on occasion. Two recent games have featured 2D art, both of them being remakes of older titles: Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (2008) and Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition (2011).

Replying to a forum user’s request for more games in the style of Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, Capcom USA’s Christian Svensson says that the costs for such a project may would be difficult to shoulder, relative to sales.

“I can’t overstate what a tricky project [Super Street Fighter II Turbo] HDR was,” Svensson writes in his reply. “I’m happy with the outcome (critically, community wise, sales wise) but it was a really hard tightrope to walk and some points in development were really scary (like when we threw away about 2,500 frames of animation in various stages of completion because we weren’t happy with them and started again).”

“And the consumer expectation bar has moved considerably,” he continues. “The costs of doing a project like that today, with the attention to detail/features that SF3:Online Edition had, it would be difficult for sales forecasts to shoulder.”

Despite this, Svensson says more games with 2D artwork are possible in the future. “That said, we’ll see what the future holds,” he writes. “Creatively, I’d like to do more 2D stuff in the future like this.”

Read more stories about PlayStation 3 & Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition & Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix & Xbox 360 on Siliconera.

http://twitter.com/DanijoEX DanijoEX
Well, I do like to see how they will do. Sometimes 2-D art is difficult but it’s well worth it, there’s alot of creativity, and can be be beautiful if done right.
Sometimes, I think the most difficut things can turn good if done right. But it depends..

Zonic505
Pretty much this. It can look great, but can take such a long time (like SSF2THDR, as mentioned). I can’t imagine the cost and time it takes to make such detailed sprites by hand & such.

http://www.youtube.com/user/xxHiryuuxx Hiryuu
2D art huh?
OK. Start with Darkstalkers, make it online ready and you shall have your game afoot with people running after it. Guarantee it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=749504598 Shane Guidaboni
I’ll believe it when I see it.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Kamek20xxExtra?feature=mhee Michael Stevens
Really? Then you can start by finally making a Darkstalkers 4, please. :)

NTyron52
Yes, Darkstalkers 4. I just hope that if they do, they won’t use the same graphics as the previous games (I like them, but I’d rather see something new).
But… before even wanting a game, I hope you are aware of the consequences of your request right? You know that it’s not going to be the same as the previous Darkstalkers, and that it will feature new mechanics, a different feel, probably different controls, and even a possible comeback mechanic right? It might not even be the game that Darkstalkers fans a asking for, so who knows.
Just wanted to post it here, so people know about it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Kamek20xxExtra?feature=mhee Michael Stevens
I’ll take the consequences. I just want to see my most favorite Capcom characters again such as B.B. Hood, J. Talbain, Anakaris, Demitri, Donovan, Lilith, Jedah, etc in HD 2D. As long as they have that and the gameplay is at least decent, then I’m truly happy. :) Well, Capcom. Get to it. I will not complain as long as these conditions are met, please.

Solomon_Kano
A Darkstalkers 4 that looked as smooth as BlazBlue would make me cry my little heart out.

http://www.crunchyroll.com/user/ArtFanIam Samantha Stevens
Yes. A fancy idea. You know what to do, Capcom. Please don’t keep us fans waiting! I want to see my cute little Sasquatch again. :)
Solomon_Kano
Moooaaarrr Bishamon!
NTyron52
I want Phobos!!

NTyron52
Oh okay then. It’s because sometimes it seems people want a sequel and they think it will be the same as its predecessor… but you at a least want a game and you aware that there will be changes to the game itself.
Well, Darkstalkers with some Blazblue graphics would be pretty cool.

http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
2D Artwork in 2012? That doesnt make sense, why would we devolve our artwork standards when we have such powerful consoles these days? Its like putting in 2D drawings into popular art museums, why would I want to look at that when I can examine the glory of the latest in computerized 3D ultraphotorealistc contemporary high definition set pieces instead?
This is such a baffling decision by Capcom, maybe they should do that for an iOS Android platform game. They should develop what the market wants, thats what sells and makes gamers like me happy.

http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia
Huh? 2D graphics can always have a place. You watch anime, right? I mean, it’s kind of like with traditional animation and CGI Pixar-style animation. CGI might be more recent and high-tech, but there are people who still appreciate 2D animation, cel or digital-based.
Some things don’t need to be “ultraphotorealistic”. For some games, that would be… creepy. And wrong (Pokemon…*shudders*). 3D models and graphics are great, but I don’t think they should take over. It’d be sad if 2D games disappeared… And I think a lot of people would be depressed by that (especially those who have played video games since the NES/SNES/Genesis days).

RupanIII
This. 3d is not some superior progression that must be followed, merely a different aesthetic choice.
“Its like putting in 2D drawings into popular art museums, why would I want to look at that when I can examine the glory of the latest in computerized 3D ultraphotorealistc contemporary high definition set pieces instead?”
On second thought, you guys, he’s right! Who needs the Guggenheim when you’ve got Gears? Burn the museums!

FireCouch
Hilarious.
http://myfigurecollection.net/collection/DrakosAmatras DrakosAmatras
2D art, first and foremost, has the advantage of being able to run with noticeably less system resources than 3D at the same resolution. From there, programmers can invest that extra processing power in other fields like adding more features to run simultaneously, raising the resolutions, or just streamlining memory usage – just a few examples. I’ve played enough 2D games to attest to that, but you can try running the BlazBlue games to see what I’m talking about.
Some art styles also don’t translate well to 3D. I’ve seen the polygon models in Pokémon Battle Revolution (most of which are refurbished from previous Stadium and Colosseum titles, by the way) with more photorealistic lighting. While I don’t mind the attempt, they look less lively compared to their 2D arts by Sugimori. (Although, they look a bit like stuffed dolls, if that’s your thing.)
Oh, right: It also costs less than 3D, although the magnitude might vary by how detailed you want it to be.

http://tristsantithesis.tumblr.com/ Tsunayoshi Sawada
It may cost less but based on the actual article, going the full 3D route provides more profits, since it seems people buy more games in the modern artsyle good graphics department. I can not think of any contemporary 2D game that has busted sales charts that was already tied to some popular anime or other animated licensed television or movie media franchise.
Additionally with more and more powerful processors coming, does it really make much of a difference in regards to how much system resources the art style takes? If youve got all this power, why not use it?
I thought the Pokemon Battle Revolution models looked great and the way they had them move made it seem more lively than the main franchise itself, I can only assume its the future of the series, especially with the Pokedex 3D, which look great in there too.

kupomogli
Nevermind.
http://myfigurecollection.net/collection/DrakosAmatras DrakosAmatras
I’ll have to differ that not everyone cares about superb graphics. Granted, there are fans of latest graphics, but I think what many people look for is tidy visuals; they’d be satisfied if they can see the visuals clearly enough to enjoy their games. I’m not a sales chart observer, but I could point out many notable 2D games like the aforementioned BlazBlue, Rhythm Tengoku and Trauma Team, just from the top of my head.
As for “system resources”, the term encompasses pretty much every piece of hardware in a machine that contributes to its processes, not just processors. You’re right in that hardware capabilities are rising with each release though; no disagreements there. I only mentioned that because optimizing a program for its console’s limits is an important point to remember in software design. I’ve seen some games and programs that neglect this aspect – not even bothering to compress the files in some cases – but they’re thankfully uncommon. (Then again, that might be because they usually don’t need to, given the level of modern hardware specs.)

SirTeffy
It actually costs A LOT more. With 3D engines you have to model a character, then “animate” them using one of several techniques, whether it be manual manipulation of the model, creating a set of “bones” files that are then tweened, using motion capture and applying the movements to a model, the list goes on. Most methods are quick and inexpensive at this point.
With 2D you have a few options: Manual animation of EVERY FRAME on a physical or digital medium, or using a series of keyframes and having the game tween them on the fly, there’s more I’m overlooking. Any 2D methods are costly, require skilled pixel animators, and AGES more time than using 3D modeling (One character in BlazBlue is ~6 months of development time)

http://myfigurecollection.net/collection/DrakosAmatras DrakosAmatras
I see; so the cost does vary by level of detail – especially for complex, high-level 2D games which need to be able to stand up to 3Ds in the current market. Thanks for the information. No wonder they’re not a very common sight lately. There needs to be a cheaper and more accessible technology for it.
That said, if you don’t mind a bit of inquisition on my side: Don’t high-level 3D graphics cost significantly too, only in a different way? Detailed models have tons of points and polygons that require a different way of “drawing”; textures as well, although once a texture file is finished, there’s no need to repaint it for every frame.

James Beatty
Guys, ignore him. We don’t need 100+ comments (like in the last article) dedicated to somebody like him.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=749504598 Shane Guidaboni
What are you talking about? You know all that Naruto manga you love and gush over? It’s 2D, hand drawn art.
http://twitter.com/DanijoEX DanijoEX
Somehow , I think your views on certain things are a bit over the line. You really need to think before you type. Granted, I know there are some things you may not approve of but it’s the way things are. There’s not much anyone can do about it.
Plus, you don’t need to fret over small things. but I really don’t want to argue about this. Plus, I can’t change your views/opinions. It dosen’t work that way and that’s how things go. I will still, however, respect your views/opinions. Regardless of what I say or what I think, I will still show respect to your opinions. It’s not my place to change your mind or anything.
http://www.crunchyroll.com/user/ArtFanIam Samantha Stevens
Oh gosh. Tsuna, not again. ._.
TrevHead
While its bad form to make character judgements based on a few paragraphs but your comments smack of someone basing his preferences not so much on aesthetics but on the latest fads and marketing trends much like so many of us gamers did in the PS1/2 era when 3D was the latest thing.
While I like both 3D and 2D, its horses for courses as some work better for gameplay wise in 2D. A big part why so many retro purists like 2D is because the flat images and animation frames help to coordinate the players timing while they are playing.
Im sure youve played a few 3D games that for some reason you just couldnt get your timing spot on in regards to button presses and moves, even though the 2D version of it felt natural.
alundra311
If looking at ultraphotorealistic graphics are your thing, then I’ve got one word for you… Movies… Nothing can get any more ultraphotorealistic than that. :)
Apache_Chief
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of an art museums that don’t have 2D art in them. And just because it’s been around longer doesn’t mean it’s dated. Why would people still communicate in languages that are thousands of years old when we have a nice, simple Esperanto that everyone could be speaking. I mean, it’s newer, it must be better!
But seriously, I love your comments. Never change <3

http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia
I’m all for more 2D art! How I miss the days of the SNES and Gameboy Advance graphics… 2D games always hold up better graphically than 3D ones (SNES vs. N64; N64 was a great console, but the SNES games don’t looks as dated/ugly now).
http://www.genkaibreak.com Code
rar, I’d love to see more games not just fighters, use 2D artwork/sprite work, HD or not owo; It’s a beautiful medium which sadly we’re seeing less and less with each generation T3T; And on top of that I imagine even less with portables, now that they are catching up to consoles in there ability to handle large quantities of 3D o3o; Although I think it’ll always have a place, and there’s definitely some genre’s where 2D just excels, and 2D still remains dominate in the indie field for the time being owo’ I think companies like ASW have really shined this generation with there 2D work, and not giving up because it takes longer and is more expensive.

FireCouch
It seems to me that if you want your pixel art fix, indie games are the way to go.

http://www.genkaibreak.com Code
Yeah there’s definitely been some beautiful indie games in recent years that both push 2D pixel art; and they have even rekindled retro/minimalist styles owo’ I think indie games are the key to keeping 2D relevant in the long run, especially since a lot of indie creators, are pioneering medium sized companies, which are more equipped, and focused on working in 2D >w<'
I know this is all sort of off topic, given it's more about Capcom talking about doing 2D. But I always wearing my heart on my sleeve when it comes to 2D, and feel the need to gush a little owo;

OverlordZetta
Hey, hey Capcom, know what’s 2D?
Mega Man.

Christopher Caballero
lmao so true

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000147755574 Marcos Karal
What about a new Megaman X!?
…
Or ZX…
…
JUST GIMME MEGAMAN

http://www.genkaibreak.com Code
I’d love to see Capcom do a new 2D Mega Man T3T; pixel or HD. As much as I was disappointed by MML3 getting canned, the lack of any Mega Man projects recently is heart breaking. After playing Hard Corps Uprising this year, I have to admit, I wouldn’t be opposed to the notion of Capcom licensing the series out to ASW for a HD X/Zero/Original Mega Man series >w<; If nothing else because Capcom doesn't seem too interested in doing much themselves with the series at the moment T3T;
Testsubject909
But I’m afraid…
I’m afraid that they’ll look at the demand for Megaman, think about trying to appeal to the western audience and give us a new take on Megaman X7, trying to make Megaman 3D and probably failing at it, and then blame the Megaman brand and never approach it ever again…
My confidence in Capcom is, to say the least, shaky.

http://twitter.com/eliezer_santos Eliézer Santos
Please 2D games, NEVER die.

http://twitter.com/DanijoEX DanijoEX
Nah, 2D games will never die. They’ll always have that special place in our hearts.

Testsubject909
And for indie gamers, they’re a perfect window of opportunity to meet with a neverending demand on top of being (pending on how you approach it) easier then 3D.

cmurph666
I’d suggest maybe a new mega man, but odds are they’ll just cancel it…
ShadowWolf
hey………..
<__>
‘whispers in Capcom’s ears’
Megaman
http://www.facebook.com/jstack Jon Stachewicz
I’d say Strider but my dream Strider sequel would be something like Bayonetta or DMC with more high platforming.
So I’ll join the “Mega Man please” crowd

z_merquise
A 3D Strider game . . . developed by Platinum Games. Now that would be awesome.

Solomon_Kano
That would be the best transition to 3D any series could ask for.

Solomon_Kano
Sweet. If they stick with fighters, it’d be nice to get a SSFIIHD-style Darkstalkers. Or (fat chance here lol) Red Earth. Otherwise, it’d be great to get a 2D Mega Man X9 (that’s where they’re at now, right?).
nilcam_dc
It’s funny that a massive company like Capcom cannot justify 2D but a small company like SNKP excels at it.

Luna Kazemaru
ASW and French bread do the same.

http://www.crunchyroll.com/user/ArtFanIam Samantha Stevens
ZUN and his friends together too. (Examples: Touhou Iamp, SWR) And Examu, not to mention 07th Expansion (Ougon Musou Kyoku).

Luna Kazemaru
yeah and they are all small compared to capcom so whats the problem?

Solomon_Kano
SNK never stopped doing sprite games, so it’s what their fans expect and they deliver that and their fans buy it. Now that Capcom’s left sprites and had massive success without them, they don’t want to take the risk of making a new game with sprites and having it not do well.
It’s not about size, really.

icecoffemix
And then an even smaller company like Vanillaware just destroy them all.

Ladius
Vanillaware’s art direction is fantastic and I love their games, but a 2d beat’em up would need a level of fluid animations they haven’t been able to provide so far. KoF13 is on a whole different level on that regard, and I think SNK has really done an outstanding job with that game.

icecoffemix
I haven’t played KoF13, but Muramasa, a 2009 Wii-made game, was pretty fluidly drawn as far as I can see.
Now it’ll be interesting how would Dragon’s Crown turn out.
z_merquise
A 2D arcade-style beat-em-up by Vanillaware? Look no further than their upcoming game, Dragon’s Crown.
But I do agree with regards to SNK’s KOF XIII. I just wish that they continue developing 2D games from other franchises with animation quality and content like KOF XIII.

NaelAM
You mean the same SNK that a year ago was reported as having a skeleton crew of a staff and their parent company’s CEO was considering shuttering the video game division to focus on their profitable pachinko division? There’s a huge difference between doing a 2D project and being able to afford it.

Lexaus_the_Alchemist
How about making new iterations of Megaman, Darkstalkers, Rival Schools, Strider, etc.? You guys have a plethora of franchises that could use new face lifts for this generation and there are definitely fans out there for all of them. Or hell, take one of your 3D franchises and turn it 2D, like a side-scrolling Onimusha or Dino Crisis. You guys have the resources. Be innovative and get to it Capcom!! >=(
kroufonz
so capcom can i request for a new HD Breath of Fire game in 2D or new megaman X?

icecoffemix
“BoF”
Why you… why do you have to remind me that? T^T

thaKingRocka
I would like for Capcom to care that Svensson would like to do more 2D stuff in the future.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Wayne-LaBranch/100002132711844 Wayne LaBranch
this is cool but…not let’s not have the it look like Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix, those were pretty ugly sprites
http://www.crunchyroll.com/user/ArtFanIam Samantha Stevens
lol So many wishes for Mega Man. I for one love the series and want Megaman back as well, but don’t they need Keiji for them to make Megaman again?

Solomon_Kano
I don’t think so. If that’s the case then we’re never seeing another Mega Man game.
OverlordZetta
If that was true, Sonic games would have stopped years ago due to the similar situation over there.
Michael Vincent
Nope. Since MM is Capcom property, I think they don’t need Keiji for another one. Just like Sakaguchi left at Square, Final Fantasy continues. And looking at Nintendo and the recent Shigeru Miyamoto issue, Mario and Zelda will continue in the future even without him.
Testsubject909
They could’ve at least let us have Megaman Universe.
It would’ve been fine as Megaman’s Swan Song, Megaman’s final game is one where the fans can make a neverending selection of Megaman stages, where you can customise Megaman extensively and many other things that would keep the fans happy for quite a while with continuous content.
But no… all Megaman Games to date are cancelled…

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q6NXXGMO5XNSMJ64NIHYHFP56A Vince
Well, this is quite a nostalgic prospect from Capcom. I say push through with it, as many of the Capcom Fighting games fans like myself grew up in sprite rich 2D era.
Of course, 2D means its Mugen-izeable.
http://twitter.com/Pedazodezoquete Gabriel
Thanks Ishan! Nothing says better “we need more 2d games” than Cammy’s wonderful butt, the article’s picture is perfect! oh and happy new year!

http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan
Hahahahaha. Thanks! Happy New Year to you, too!

Haohmaru HL
than freaking do sfa3 already, damn it!
not that cheesy ps1 port but a real arcade port with online implemented
EDGEucator
But the people making SkullGirls can afford to. Fail more Capcom.

SirTeffy
It’s also their first game, they’re banking on sales to pay back their investors and had to have Konami agree to publish due to buget issues, the date keeps getting pushed back because they can’t get the animations done on time due to having to outsource their animation (they have 2 “main” animators and half-a-dozen outsourced artists), and are only including about a dozen characters, while the game’s been in full development swing for a year, with another year in pre-production.
It’s a HUGE risk for the SkullGirls team, just like it’s a HUGE risk for Capcom. Difference being the SkullGirls team is doing it for the love of fighters and appreciation of the community, while Capcom does it for the profit.

TheDarkEmpress
Dat ass…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1141654745 Ridho Siregar
It’s Alvin Lee’s art works!! :D
z_merquise
Looks like lots of people here wanted a new 2D Megaman game.
But for me, I would like Capcom to develop new 2D beat-em-ups (belt scrollers). It’s arcade games like Final Fight, Captain Commando, Alien vs. Predator, Warriors of Fate, Dungeons and Dragons, etc. is what made me a huge Capcom fan back in the 90′s.
If smaller developers like Vanillaware can do it with Dragon’s Crown right now, why can’t they do the same?
ThunderGod_Cid
You could have Arc System Works make SFAlpha 4 and call it a day.
I mean they did make that Sengoku Basara 2D fighter, which was never released outside of Japan, so why not?

http://twitter.com/ReverendJohnW The Rev
The Alpha Series is basically dead Alpha 3 tied it up nicely and SF IV merges with Alpha/Zero
2d SF V maybe?

ThunderGod_Cid
Story-wise I’d say Alpha 2 tied it up better, when everybody faced their rivals as their “last boss” it made sense. Not everybody wanted to kill Bison and he wasn’t holding some kind of tournament. Everone had their own reasons for traveling the world, and chasing after their rivals.
Alpha 3 added several new characters + some old characters and the “New Challengers” from SSFII. And it had everybody face M.Bison last for no apparent reason. In fact SFIV just muddled the story even more with the fact that Bison was STILL alive, and that some characters like Rose had the same exact ending from Alpha 3.
So I still say it’s possible to do a SFAlpha 4.

http://twitter.com/ExceptionL ExceptionL
The two fighting games I wanted but never could get, sengoku basara by Arc sys. works, and of course the Rumble fish games. I gotta get my hands on a copy of those sometime!

http://twitter.com/VXLbeast VXLbeast
YES 2 2D.
http://twitter.com/#!/Leafy_Cam Leafhopper
ABOUT TIME.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Johnson/553729135 Daniel Johnson
Oh no…Capcom Don’t, Please! The Megaman X Remake looks HORRENDOUS!
KaruCgSt
Demon’s Crest 2 … ._.
Mister_Nep
Work on some more 2D Megaman Capcom! You hear me?!
*cricket*
That cricket is my witness!
Michael Vincent
Uhm. How about bringing 2D Capcom games from Japan. I can think of one right now. (Objection! Take That! Eureka!) ^_^
http://www.facebook.com/wahyudilestadi Wahyudi Lestadi
I love 2,5D rather than full 2D
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1178303859 Jon McGuire
As long as Udon doesn’t help out this time, I want to see a new Darkstalkers in 2D.
http://twitter.com/AaqibRawat Aaqib Rawat
i really dont know how hd remix did well it was horrible.[ graphics sounds]
ok capcom
megaman x
breath of fire
darkstalkers
street fighter alpha 2
cyberbots
strider
and have all the original teams make the games !
http://www.facebook.com/people/Livio-Nava-Ponce/100001179004097 Livio Nava Ponce
If other companies can do it, and still doing 2D fighters, why can’t Capcom?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Danny-Lee/100001803906692 Danny Lee
2D artwork? Just Make 2D side scrolling Mega Man X9 DerpCom.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Roberto-Armando-Iraheta/775564143 Roberto Armando Iraheta
Um. SF3OE doesn’t count because it was a port. >_>
Why don’t they look at Darkstalkers, because to be honest, it’s an impossible task unless it’s in 2D.
xxx128
I am tired of texured polygons and all these 3d sandbox engines in general. Most games look and feel the same at some point. Bringing back quality 2d titles would be such a fresh change to gaming. I also believe that 2d can be pushed to unseen heights with the current technology. Its just that companies are too scared to venture such projects.

Testsubject909
Have you seen or heard about Skullgirls?

PrinceHeir
definitely loving the examples everyone is giving here :D
SNK Playmore, Vanillaware, Arc System Works, French Bread, Examu and probably tons more im missing.
how about SF Alpha 3 MAX HD Edition or a new Megaman(X or Z series) or Darkstalkers 4???
*Edit i forgot Agatsuma Entertainment who is doing Code of Princess for the 3DS :D

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