Castlevania was first released in 1986. Throughout the years, the franchise has been one of the industry’s pillars. You have gamers that played this franchise as children, just to still play it as full-grown adults (some even at the age of getting gray hairs). But there’s been a problem in recent years. The problem being no Castlevania games were released since 2014. And no, collections don’t count. So what would make Konami actually get one of their franchise IP up and running again? Would the fact that everyone seems to care about the franchise more than they do finally wake them up? Let’s explore that.
First, let’s take a look at Netflix of all places. In 2017, Netflix released the Castlevania animated series. The series is an animated take on Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse. On a side note, I still wish they added Grant Dasasty, for the sake of completion if anything. And if that wasn’t enough, Castlevania: Nocturne is coming out later this year. That one looks like it could be Rondo of Blood since Ricter is the main protagonist of the anime. But think of what a good time it would be to capitalize on at least announcing they’re making a new game. If they’re unsure of how to advance the story for now, they can easily go the remake route. Just imagine what a modern Dracula’s Curse or Rondo of Blood game would look like. And it’s not just animation studios giving the series more love than Konami has as of late.
What I’m referring to is the Dead Cells DLC. Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is available on most major platforms. And from the moment it was first announced to the day of release, there’s been an extensive amount of buzz about it. Partially because Dead Cells is a damn good game. And partially because the Castlevania DLC flat-out looks beast. The noise that surrounded this DLC should have at the very least made Konami realize that there’s both life and a market for a return to the franchise, should they decide to take it.
Beyond just simple DLC, there are full-fledged games following the franchise’s legacy. Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon 1 and 2 follow the same format as the aforementioned Castlevania 3: Dracula’s Curse. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night comes off as a play on Symphony of the Night and some of the later GBA Castlevania games. Oddly enough, the Bloodstained series was created by a former Castlevania developer, and produced by Koji Igarashi. Then there’s Berzerk Studio’s Infernax, which is heavily modeled after Castlevania 2. Not to mention the many others you’ll find in digital stores.
Castlevania has enough fanfare to be DLC in another game, have multiple spiritual successors, and have animation studios make shows off the IP. Konami announced multiple Silent Hill games, Metal Gear Solid remakes, and even released a new Contra in 2019. But no Castlevania? So the question is, if everyone else has a passion for Castlevania, why doesn’t Konami?
Take it to the sea and start the fishing. Take a look at the best fishing games you can play on the PS2 today.
Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.
I guess.
How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )
At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.
MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.
one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.
"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"
Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.
Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.
Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.
Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately
...
Goes right back to them as partners.
Okaaaaaay...
Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.
From the article...
"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"
I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.
MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂
Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.
The Nerd Stash: "Developed by Treyarch Studios, Call of Duty: Black Ops games are some of the best in the series in terms of gameplay, story, and -- of course -- Zombies."
Because Konami is a Pachinko company, not a gaming company lol.
While right about no new game has released. Collections certainly count. If they release that collection and sales are through the roof then you bet your ass their paying attention.
The Belmonts deserve better.
The make most of their money on slot machines. They are cheaper to make and there is more money involved.
I thought those collections they released were wonderful. It comes down to money though, I’d the franchise profitable? It’s easy as fans to say, make Castlevania, but as a business is there a return on investment?