Check out the new DoA3 character. She looks like a goddamn Marvel reject. Ugh.

[S.Cody2]

<div style='font: 14pt Plakatbau; text-align: left; '><b>Link:</b> <a href="http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/game/doc ... htm">Watch out for Japanese Ads.</a>

Check out the new DoA3 character. She looks like a goddamn Marvel reject. Ugh.</div>

[EsquE]

<div style='font: 12pt Baskerville; text-align: left; '>...<i>that costume does bite. The face and hair are cool, she just needs a better outfit. All black leather with some silver dragon designs on the legs would be perfect. Whoever does the DoA character designs really blows.

The DoA games have never really appealed to me in terms of character design, with a few exceptions. I've always enjoyed them more for the style of fighting and overall speed. The character designs have always bordered on crappy. They don't really stand out.

Yeah, the ladies are all hotties, but in what way do they or any of the characters really stand out. None of their looks are dramatic and their costumes are generally bland or too whacky. The one thing really keeping DoA from becoming a major player is the fact that the character designs are so weak. A great designer could push them over the top.

None of the new characters for DoA3 interest me in the least. I'll get it for the awesome play and for the few really cool characters like Jann Lee, Lei Fang and Ryu Hayabusa. The rest are either beyond goofy or totally bland. They really need to either get rid of some of the characters or totally re-vamp them. Stronger backstories and endings (learn from Tekken) and better base costumes for all the characters. Get rid of Ayane's stoopid fucking bow at the very least. DoA is one of the few exceptions where substance overpowers style, and it hurts the game. Virtua Fighter is another that will always remain a hardcore title and not mainstream unless they improve the look of the characters.

Fighting games thrive on character, not just gameplay. Name any fighting game and someone will have a favorite fighter, and their choice will likely be based just as much on the look of the character as it is on how they play...really, how many people say Dhalsihm is their favorite Street Fighter? In the hands of a great player Dhalsihm is nearly invulnerable, but how many people would say he's their favorite?</i></div>

[Crono]

<div style='font: 12pt Arial; text-align: left; '>Well yah, the "look" of a character is definitely very important. Most casual players are shallow enough that they'd pick a favorite character based on how sexy and perfect that character looks (regardless of their moves list).</div>

[Crono]

<div style='font: 12pt Arial; text-align: left; '>I dunno, her face view on the bottom is gorgeous, and the costume isn't too out of character for a DoA lady. My only thoughts on DoA3 are "let it come to PS2 as soon as possible."</div>

[Kupek]

<div style='font: 10pt Verdana, Tahoma; text-align: left; padding: 0% 10% 0% 10%; '>If someone picks their character for a fighting game based on looks they're shallow? I think you've lost some perspective there.</div>

[EsquE]

<div style='font: 12pt Baskerville; text-align: left; '>...<i>it's a simple matter of attraction. We are all attracted by certain things and repelled by others. Shallowness comes into play when image is the only concern; when someone continues to use a character because of how they look even if they don't like playing them.

Attraction is what initially draws us to anything. We don't begin a relationship at any deep or meaningful level. We move toward what attracts us and learn to appreciate it with time. And it's when we find something deeper that we can overcome attraction and stick with what's important...uh oh, I think I'm moving out of the Gamethought boundaries...better wrap up before I start ruminating and repel everyone <big>8^0</big>

Anyway, what I was trying to point out is that the look of the character is important. Image is an important part of beginning something that will last a long time with a gamer. Most people are attracted to DoA because of the sex and stay for the cool play, but sexual attraction never has much staying power <big>;^)</big> They need to make something that attracts on a different level so it will stay with the person...just think of advertisements. There are plenty of sexy ads, but not all of them are memorable...you need more than sex...it can be a part of it, but if that's all it won't last long. Street Fighter characters have lasted because they stand out, they're primary, they're basic enough that anyone can relate and complex enough not to be bland. Not an easy task but necessary to create a real franchise...and even Street Fighter is transient...with all the incarnations only a handful of designs survive each one. Characters you see in an instant in your mind's eye when their name is mentioned...and not many would say Ryu is dead sexy <big>;^)</big></i></div>

[SineSwiper]

<div style='font: 11pt "EngraversGothic BT", "Copperplate Gothic Light"; text-align: left; '>She doesn't look too bad, except it's an Aoi reject. (Notice the face palm throw.) And I see that (like every other 3D fighter) DoA rips off VF even more with Brad Wong. C'mon! That's fucking Shun Di!</div>

[SineSwiper]

<div style='font: 11pt "EngraversGothic BT", "Copperplate Gothic Light"; text-align: left; '>Everybody has a move for each button, and that means it's easy to mash and win. Shit, the counter system is sooo screwed in that game that I could kill the computer just using them and throws.</div>

[SineSwiper]

<div style='font: 11pt "EngraversGothic BT", "Copperplate Gothic Light"; text-align: left; '>Ahem...women.</div>

[Kupek]

<div style='font: 10pt Verdana, Tahoma; text-align: left; padding: 0% 10% 0% 10%; '>Ya know, someone might just have more fun playing as a certain character because of their looks. Videogames are, afterall, mostly a visual experience.</div>

[S.Cody2]

<div style='font: 14pt Plakatbau; text-align: left; '>They're not crappy designs, they're just not outstanding in characteristics. As far as render quality goes though, they're incredible.</div>

[S.Cody2]

<div style='font: 14pt Plakatbau; text-align: left; '>It's easy to mash and win in any fighting game if your opposition is relying on the same tactics...</div>

[S.Cody2]

<div style='font: 14pt Plakatbau; text-align: left; '>Capcom's been around so long certain designs are expected instead of yearned for...Ryu's still around because he's the fucking mascot. Capcom is really lazy when it comes to making new sprites.</div>

[Crono]

<div style='font: 12pt Arial; text-align: left; '>See, but, physical attraction (leading to intimate contact with women) is a far cry from pressing buttons on a controller. Some of my favorite characters in fighting games (from the start, too) have been the freaks.</div>

[Crono]

<div style='font: 12pt Arial; text-align: left; '>I'm not preaching. I've played with a share of characters solely cause they were cute... then eventually stopped IF they don't end up playing well. We're all guilty of that at one time or another.</div>

[Kupek]

<div style='font: 10pt Verdana, Tahoma; text-align: left; padding: 0% 10% 0% 10%; '>Guilty? We're talking about playing a videogame here.</div>

[Gentz]

<div style='font: 11pt arial; text-align: left; '>DoA has more problems than just one stupid character</div>

[S.Cody2]

<div style='font: 14pt Plakatbau; text-align: left; '>Namely?</div>

[S.Cody2]

<div style='font: 14pt Plakatbau; text-align: left; '>YOU STICK TO YOUR POSSE!</div>

[Crono]

<div style='font: 12pt Arial; text-align: left; '>Look, don't start reaching for comebacks (especially since this isn't an argument). The phrase, such as "We've all been guilty of sneaking sweet snacks" is one of the most common sort of references out there.</div>

[Kupek]

<div style='font: 10pt Verdana, Tahoma; text-align: left; padding: 0% 10% 0% 10%; '>It's not a comeback. I just really think you're taking fun and games a bit too seriously.</div>