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| Shyeim
105th Post
 
Regular Customer
   
|  "Playmore interview at E3!!!!"
, posted Fri 16 May 03:26:
Today I conducted an interview at 2:00 PM at E3 in LA with Mr. Ben Herman, the President of SNK Neo Geo USA.
This interview is from celsius
Media:
BH = Ben Herman
Media: So you were with the previous incarnation of SNK?
BH: I was VP of sales for (Neo Geo) Pockets.
Media: So how does SNK's current plan differ from the previous companies'?
BH: Well, first of all, its the same company, we had an interruption, as I would say. The difference is we will concentrate on software for the existing hardware systems and the new systems that are coming out later. From what we brought before, we obviously brought a new form of Hardware in term of (Neo Geo) Pockets, the system was leap frogging above GameBoy, and it had some success but we knew that Advance was coming, and we had to, you know, leave the market place or compete against it, butwe did not expect what actually happened, which was for Aruze, who we had ask to invest a lot of money with us. Aruzereally had a different plan, they wern't interested with helping us get further into the market place, they were basically only interested in taking our developers to develop for their pachinko games in Japan. Mr. Kawasaki who is the chairman of our company from day 1 of SNK, he took legal action and he essentially got back all our properties and all of our games in Japan, as well as our buildings, and a year and a half ago he opened up the company as Playmore because he could not use the SNK name. In Japan he also released some Playstation 1 and 2 products, and we're ready now to come back to the United States to resume business.
Media: And I assume you got the same developers back that are working on the same fighting games?
BH: We got many of them back.
Media: So what is Brezzasoft?
BH: It's a division of our company. Playmore is structured in a lot of ways and Brezzasoft is one of our companie and part of Sun Amusement.
Media: US fans have always felt neglected when compared to asian gamers when it comes to SNK's games. Games such as The Last Blade 2 were cut and some of SNK's RPG's were not brought over. How will you guys plan to change that? Will you guys be bringing over more titles from Japan and keep more of the stuff intact this time?
BH: I don't think there's going to be some residue with the licensing agreements as such, but in the future you will see more of our products directly from us.
Media: Now, onto SNK Vs. Capcom, probably your biggest title, a lot of people are looking foward to it. What can you tell us about SNK Vs. Capcom?
BH: The title obviously is chaos, um not like our business for the last 3 years (laughs). What I can say is that it will be out in July in the arcades....
Media: In the US?
BH: In the US.
BH: We have 2 divisions here in the US, we have an arcade division which is here in Cypress, California and we are setting up a Home division which we are setting up in New Jersey. They are going to be separate but they obviously relate to each other. So the arcade division is releasing Chaos, SNK Vs. Capcom in July and we'll be doing a home version for PS2 later this year, hopefully by December, but yes it IS coming to Playstation 2.
Media: We've heard some, maybe a mistranslation on the net that it was going to be a 3-D version for the PS2, or will it be the same 2-D version?
BH: Ok, that will be 2-D, but there is a separete King of Fighters, 3-D in development....
Media: King of Fighters?
BH: King of Fighters.
Media: And will that be 2003 or?
BH: No, it will just be called King of Fighters 3-D. There is a King of Fighters in 2-D, 2003 in development as well. But you know, we've mostly been a 2-D company, and we don't want to hurt our fanbase. So we're going into a 3-D game, its going to be done for home, not for Arcades and we'll see what the reaction is and we'll result.
Note: I asked this next question before I knew of the 3 new characters revealed today...
Media: So far 17 characters have been revealed for SNK Vs. Capcom, how many can we expect?
BH: I think by today the number will be closer to 20. There will be some hidden characters no matter what the number (today) comes to, but there will be a lot of characters in the game we're just not ready to announce how many.
Media: Can you reveal any characters today besides Mr. Karate which was revealed in the video?
BH: I'm going to leave that alone because honestly I don't know all there names so I'll leave it to Playmore or the Arcade division of the United States to discuss that.
Media: Do you know how many characters will be available from the beginning then?
BH: Honestly I'm not sure but the matching number is at least 20 at this point.
Media: Which development team is working on SNK Vs. CAPCOM?
BH: Umm, its something that I'm not really familiar with.
Media: Are you familiar with its gameplay?
BH: I've seen some of it, but I'm not familiar with all the details at this point.
[this message was edited by Shyeim on Fri 16 May 03:42] |
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| shyeim
105th Post
Regular Customer
| "Re(2):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Fri 16 May 03:28:
Media: Ok. The King of Fighters 2002 will be released for the DC in Japan, in July. Will there be any other games coming out for the DC after King of Fighters 2002?
BH: Maybe, I'm not sure with the answer, I mean honestly, not to put it off but I think Playmore in Japan will have to make that decision. However, I don't expect anymore Dreamcast games here in the United States.
Media: Do you know if the lag issues, which come up when many of the characters perform a Hidden Death move in KoF 2002, will be addressed in the Home versions?
BH: I honestly don't know.
Media: Rage of the Dragons was recently released in Japan awhile ago, do you have any plans to bring that to the US?
BH: We havn't discussed it yet.
Media: Hardware transition. SNK has been with the Neo Geo system for more than 10 years, are there any plans to move beyond the MVS?
CBH: For the past 3 years, you know, we've been a little bit staggered because of all the litigations, but I think we're going to continue to look at new platforms as needed to keep ourselves fresh.
Media: Is it possibile that you will bring out a platform your self instead of going completely third party?
BH: I'm going to leave that alone and let Playmore from Japan address that at this point. I really don't know the answer to that.
Media: SNK Vs. Capcom is coming out for the Neo Geo, will it be brought out for the NeoGeo in the US also?
BH: Um, it will be brought out for the Neo Geo cartridge system. We won't be releasing any more new hardware but we will continue to support it with software.
Media: Will there be limited numbers similar to the 500 that was available for KoF 2001?
BH: It's based on the wholesale request as far as the quantity. And there will be more than 500, I'd say a much larger quantity.
Media: Will it be released at the same time as the arcade version?
BH: Not sure of the precise date, but our Home division will be responsible for the sales. I'm going to Japan in 2 weeks and we'll ask the question as to when it will become available, but itwill definitely be coming.
Media: After SNK Vs. CAPCOM will there still be anymore games coming out for the Neo Geo?
BH: I expect the answer to be yes.
Media: It's been announced that King of Fighters, Metal Slug, and SNK Vs. CAPCOM is coming to the GBA, what can you tell us about these games?
BH: Metal Slug Advance will be out hopefully this fall by October. It is not necessarily going to follow one of the existing formats that are out right now. I'm not going to say its Metal Slug 3 for GBA, its going to have a bit of a different gameplay. The other licenses (KoF, SvC) do exist, they're going to be developed properly, obviously fitting the 32-bit hand-held system.
Media: So you'd say its not a port but an original game?
BH: Yes.
Media: So would it be more similar to the Neo Geo Pocket (Metal Slug) games: 1st Mission and 2nd Mission?
BH: Probably, but that was a 16-bit system and we'll be working with a 32-bit one and try to take advantage of its capabilities.
Media: And what of SNK Vs. Capcom and King of Fighters for GBA? Will it be a port?
BH: It's in the planning stages, and I'm not sure at this point.
Media: Marvelous Entertainment developed the GBA versions of King of Fighters EX 1 and 2, which were just released in the US. Are they also making the fighting games for GBA?
BH: There's been some licensing agreements and we're going to honor them and let them come to fulfillment, and I don't think we'll be making a King of Fighters ourselves until those properties come to be. So KoF and SNK Vs. CAPCOM, which I don't really want to address at this point, but there will be more porperties coming after Metal Slug.
Media: So do you have any speculated release dates for the US?
BH: Some really. I will tell you right now, the promotional plan, which we will do. We're kind of hoping for an October release for Playstation 2. We will presell The King of Fighters 2001 for the Playstation 2 and with any preorders you will get a free copy of The King of Fighters 2000, neither of which has been released in the United States. And at launch you will get both copies.
Shocked Reporter: And will we be able to buy it separetely also?
BH: Possibly, but our visual idea is we'll give it two for one.
Media: Wow!
[this message was edited by shyeim on Fri 16 May 04:07] |
| shyeim
105th Post
Regular Customer
| "Re(4):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Fri 16 May 03:30:
Media: This is strictly from the fans, they all want to know, Garou: Mark of the Wolves, a sequel to that, The Last Blade, and Samurai Shodown, are there any in the planning stages or development.
BH: At this point.............No. Doesn't mean it won't happen, but at this point I cannot even put a date on the concept of those games.
Media: None of those games?
BH: Yes, doesn't mean it won't happaned but I'm jsut saying there are no plans for any of those.
Media: I've heard reports that a new Metal Slug coming out, I don't know if its for the arcades or PS2, but its goign to be 3-D, can you confirm this?
BH: Um, not yet. Right now I'll just say KoF 3-D
Media: Baseball Stars was recently announced as an Online game, what system will it be for and what can you tell us about this?
BH: Um, who announced that?
Media: Gamespot put it in their news and they said a 3-D SNK Vs. CAPCOM, Baseball Stars Online and the new Metal SLug was going to be 3-D.
BH: Ok, its too early. I mean I would like to see Baseball Stars come out whether its online or not, but I don't have any confirmation whether we'll be able to do that, but I certainly would like to.
Media: Whatever happened to The King of Fighters Online which was announced a year or two ago?
BH: Umm, we'll firstly who announced that?
Media: I'm not sure.
BH: Well if you could find out, its not that I don't have an answer, but I would like to know if it came from us or just something else becasue I'm not aware of any King of Fighters Online.
Media: Do you know if SNK plans to tkae their games online or are they considering it?
BH: We're considering it. It's something that I would like to see us do and I've suggested it, and I think down the road its something we can do and something that we should do. For the systems and obviously the future ones whether its Playstaion 2 or 3, even Nintendo's next system might have some online capabilities if they follow through on what they should do. We know that Microsoft is there, and it makes a lot of sense.
Media: It was recently announced in a Japanese publication, I believe it was Arcadia magazine that SNK Vs. CAPCOM would be coming to all three consoles, can you confirm that?
BH: I cannot at this time, I really don't know the answer to that. If that game is as strong as I think its going to be for Playstation 2, I would like for it to be on all the platforms as well. The question is the timing. In other words, if its something I can do but it takes me 5 years to get there, it makes more sense to do something more current.
Media: Are there any plans for any games to come to X-Box or GameCube?
BH: X-Box, I would say I have a meeting tomorrow, my plans are to get us to be licensee's as quickly as possible. And you know in the future, start as quickly as we can and develop for X-Box. It's a platform that we should be on. GameCube, personally I don't want to, only because I think by the time I get the developing done it'll be another year from now and it'll be a little too late for what I said. We got to wait for their next system.
Media: Why do you feel that X-Box is a system that you should be on?
BH: The demographics of our consumers. I mean I think Sony and Microsoft hit the same age levels. I think my personal feelings is that most of our consumers are on both. It's kind of like if Halo is only available they'll by Halo for the one system, if another game is only available for Sony they'll only buy it there. If its available for both, its their choice.
Media: So how is the rest of the US release schedule?
BH: Right now my hopes are that by October we will have Metal Slug 3, we'll have the combination King of Fighters, and we will have Metal Slug Advance all in the Fall planning.
Media: Considering the declining arcade scene, will Neo Geo's arcade games have a wider distribution this time around?
BH: It's up to the distributors. We know there are other people leaving the market place...we're not. It's not really up to the sales effort but more up to the fact that the operators, wanting the properties and continuing, and I know a lot of operators have gone out of business. It's cyclical, and hopefully that cycle will return. As you said before there are also new systems being considered. We've got you know Nintendo, Namco, and Sega (Triforce) got the system their trying to develop. I think those systems need to have graphics that are just unattainable by other systems for awhile at least to get that category (arcade) started again. And right now I think with all the games coming at home instead of the arcade, or when I use to go to the arcades would always have the advantage of being better and people would want those games to be brought to the home. And SNK likes to bring it to the homes and we want you to bring it home so I think the Arcade needs a good little shot in the arms.
Media: Hoe do you think the future of the arcades, particularly the Neo Geo department will be in the next year, or the next five years?
BH: I think the whole category is continuing to decline right now and I think that industry needs to address it and give it a little punch in the arms or something. Not say cut the price from a dollar back to twenty-five cents to play but they need it to do something.
Media: Thank you for your time.
BH: Your welcome.
[this message was edited by shyeim on Fri 16 May 04:20] |
| DarkZero
58th Post
Occasional Customer
| "Re(8):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Fri 16 May 10:06
Judging by the fact that Capcom also ported their most popular fighting games to the Xbox very early on, I think that there must be something in the numbers there that we're not seeing. It must work out financially somehow, even though the Xbox is almost unanimously shunned by... I don't want to say "hardcore gamers", but definitely the type that considers GameFAQs to be a gift from God. The people that make gaming their hobby, and possibly their only one. It doesn't make logical sense, but Capcom seems to see a profit in it, so it's probably not a bad idea for Playmore to go after the same people that bought CvS2 and MvC2.
The fact that he doesn't really seem informed or enthusiastic about his company's new developments and fan base disappoints me, but as long as he has good business ideas like making KOF2k1 and 2k a two-for-one package deal, who cares? He clearly knows how to sell games and pander to the base instincts of the American consumer, and that's what SNK needs right now.
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| Fro Boy11 1483th Post
Red Carpet Executive Member
    
    
    
| "Re(2):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Fri 16 May 10:43
quote:
I must say, for a president, he sure is... uh... how you say... not a gamer? I'm not saying he is incompetent. But with all do respect to him, He didn't answer the questions quite well. I'm sure his good at the business part but please, why have a president who has no knowledge of how the game is or how to improve from their games?
I mean there are a lot of things that should be improved in their games. The Engrish and blood censorship are one of them, actually theres a lot more i just can't remember. B. Herman seem to just announce the release of games, follow orders from japan and produce the games in US. although snk usa is just a producer not a developer i think they should make a step towards improvement.. not a big stupid step but a small brilliant step. something like GOOD ADVERTISING/MARKETING or something.
well, at least that's what i saw in this interview.
Good interview. This guy was kinda confused though, but most of the stuff was good news altogether. Even though he didn't know about Metal Slug, Garou, and SS5, but who cares, you'd get the same answers if you asked Capcom of America too. This guy is just there to make the US SNK/Playmore fans happy. The KOF2k, 2k1 deal is GREAT! I'm getting down on that, even though I have them both on Dreamcast.
SvC will probably come out on DC, in Japan. He doesn't make decisions like that so he doesn't know. I'll still get it here in the US on the PS2, but the DC comes first...ALWAYS!
Now if they could just bring out KOF '97-98 and those Samurai Showdown games that are getting re-released in Japan to the US. That would be great.
Plus, distribution is key. I'd like to see SNK vs. Capcom or at least KOF2k2 where I live, there's NO SNK stuff here at all. It was even hard to find KOF Evolution for Dreamcast.
Matt Facts: Matt was the only Hardy at this years WrestleMania
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| Grave 321th Post
Bronze Customer
| "Re(9):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Fri 16 May 17:31
quote:
Judging by the fact that Capcom also ported their most popular fighting games to the Xbox very early on, I think that there must be something in the numbers there that we're not seeing. It must work out financially somehow, even though the Xbox is almost unanimously shunned by... I don't want to say "hardcore gamers", but definitely the type that considers GameFAQs to be a gift from God. The people that make gaming their hobby, and possibly their only one. It doesn't make logical sense, but Capcom seems to see a profit in it, so it's probably not a bad idea for Playmore to go after the same people that bought CvS2 and MvC2.
I don't really understand the hatred toward Xbox. Linux geeks treat it as the first stage of an experiment enabling Microsoft to control all of our home appliances, some gamers worship it religiously and treat Halo as if it was god, some people hate it irrationally...
I don't know. When we have parties here, we usually hook up at least two Xboxes for 8 player LAN Halo. Halo is probably my favorite console FPS ever, and it's damn fun with a lot of people. The Xbox probably has the weakest software library out of the 3 current systems, in my opinion, but it has a good amount of enjoyable games. Controller S fixes any issues I had with that obnoxiously huge US controller, and Xbox Live is a truly awesome service. I still have yet to play CvS2 online, but stuff like that makes me see Xbox as a viable platform.
Of course, I used to hate Xbox too. System's way too bulky, the controllers were awful, and I don't much like Microsoft. However, when I caved and bought one (the JSRF and Sega GT deal was too good to pass up), I was instantly glad I did.
But I'm getting way off topic.
Anyway, it doesn't surprise me that the guy doesn't know much about what's going on in Japan. US divisions always seem to know less. However, I'm glad SNK has some major representation in the US now. They have some presence, and that's a good thing. The two-for-one KOF2k/2k1 deal sounds absolutely great, so I guess we'll see how they do.
As much as it'd be nice to have an incredibly enthusiastic SNK fan running the company, somebody who knows every game inside and out, from a business standpoint, that kinda thing seems less than likely. I mean, few companies are ran by rabid fanboys, but I'm sure if they were, fans would get treated better, heheh.
No, wait, back up. Working Designs is run by rabid fanboys, however, they're incredibly immature and ineffective at what they do, take liberties with editing gameplay and plot, and justify crazy prices with extras not everybody wanted in the first place. On second thought, maybe it's better than businessmen aren't insane fans. 
I think things will be better for SNK fans in the US soon... I just hope my local arcades get SvC... if not, I sure hope I can find some good arcades when I move to Boston come September.
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| Celsius
0th Post
New Customer
| "Re(6):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Fri 16 May 22:56
Heyz, this is Celsius the one that did the interview.
I just wanted to comment that Mr. Herman's comment on the X-box was just his opinion and views but not necessarily that of Playmore Japan. Both regions have to be considered and while SNK USA is very interested in the X-box, I fidn it hard to believe that Playmore Japan is even looking in Microsoft's direction. We have to keep in mind that while the X-box might be ahead in terms of sales in the US, in Japan where Playmore is located, things are radically different.
Anyways, I also asked him about the PSOne rereleases and games such as KoF 91, 98 and Samurai Shodown 3, as well as a few others are going to be rereleased for the PSOne with a price of $9.99. You've probably already heard of this announcement from IGN ,but just in case. The reason I didn't post it in the original inteview was becasue I forgot and it wasn't on my recorder.
Also, regarding gameplay questions, I had a whole page filled with those questiosn but had to discard it when he said he didn't know much about the gameplay.
Anyways, this was my first interview and its an honor to have it posted on this site >=).
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| Fro Boy11 1499th Post
Red Carpet Executive Member
| "Re(9):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Mon 19 May 10:44
quote:
And no Garou, no LB, no SS for now...
Damn! Ok I was only waiting for this answer dammit! How dare you say no Garou no LB and NO SS, why they ruin these games, shit....
And KOF 3D, damn first release your other 2D games then jump on 3D... Sigh that would make me really sick!
Well, I mean this guy obviously didn't know ANYTHING going on in Japan, so he's just telling what he knows FOR RIGHT NOW. As far as I'm concerned Playmore might be developing Garou 2, SS5, and LB3 as I write this.
Matt Facts: Matt was the only Hardy at this years WrestleMania
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| Fro Boy11 1502th Post
Red Carpet V.I.P- Platinum Member
| "Re(7):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" , posted Wed 21 May 07:15
quote:
Heyz, this is Celsius the one that did the interview.
I just wanted to comment that Mr. Herman's comment on the X-box was just his opinion and views but not necessarily that of Playmore Japan. Both regions have to be considered and while SNK USA is very interested in the X-box, I fidn it hard to believe that Playmore Japan is even looking in Microsoft's direction. We have to keep in mind that while the X-box might be ahead in terms of sales in the US, in Japan where Playmore is located, things are radically different.
Anyways, I also asked him about the PSOne rereleases and games such as KoF 91, 98 and Samurai Shodown 3, as well as a few others are going to be rereleased for the PSOne with a price of $9.99. You've probably already heard of this announcement from IGN ,but just in case. The reason I didn't post it in the original inteview was becasue I forgot and it wasn't on my recorder.
Also, regarding gameplay questions, I had a whole page filled with those questiosn but had to discard it when he said he didn't know much about the gameplay.
Anyways, this was my first interview and its an honor to have it posted on this site >=).
Great interview!! Give me a job!
Matt Facts: Matt was the only Hardy at this years WrestleMania
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"Re(6):Playmore interview at E3!!!!" 
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