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[L~A]

Siliconera just posted their interview with Kenichiro Takaki (producer of the series), with the whole thing being available there.

Here's a few excerpts:

About the 1st male playable character, in Senran Kagura 2:

I wanted to try a male character at least once, that’s why Murasame is in the game. He’s treated the same as the female characters, he has sexy poses too. [Laughs and makes sexy face]

(....)

[Laughs] I looked at a lot of magazines that show the male form for reference. Yeah, we did our research. [Laughs]

Fan service (he's asked whether he's ever had to go back and change stuff after crossing the line):

I keep in the R18+ or Japanese version of the R rating in mind. In Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit there are scenes where you see the girls get covered in food. Originally, they didn’t have chocolate sauce drizzled on them. I added chocolate sauce because I thought the girls showed too much skin and it turned out adding that in was even more erotic.

Finally, Jimmy Soga from XSEED chimed in about Senran Kagura Burst sales, and what people have to do for Senran Kagura 2 to come westward:

JS: We’re taking it case by case. Senran Kagura Burst did really well. It was download only, but there’s enough to say there is a US audience for it that’s why we went with Shinovi Versus. It’s sort of risky, but we localized Bon Appétit at the same time. We think there is a core audience for it, but it’s case by case for now. If these sell well enough of course we want to continue with the series.

 

[Bomber Bob]

so chocolate sauce is the new milk cream

 

[HawthorneKitty]

I'm doing my part.

 

[GloriousBagel]

Did my part and pre ordered versus

 

[-Horizon-]

You all better buy these games! I want SK2 to make it over as well.

In the Kagura series, you want them to focus on the visuals, the background, and the sexy girls.

Also Takaki da god. He's gonna be the first to make me actually like a rhythm game isn't he?

 

[KirbYuuYuu]

Never heard of Bon Appétit being localized until now. Neat.

Well as long as the gameplay doesn't crap out, there's a reason to keep supporting it.

 

[$h@d0w]

drizzle that chocolate sauce

 

[GuardianE]

Hah, I like reading that they did some research on Murasame's sexy male poses. Fanservice for everyone.

 

[Oersted]

I added chocolate sauce because I thought the girls showed too much skin and it turned out adding that in was even more erotic.

Incredible idiotic. Just wow.

 

[ohlawd]

physical SK2 pls

just in case tho, I preordered the nyuu nyuu pack or whatever it is too >_>

 

[L~A]

Also Takaki da god. He's gonna be the first to make me actually like a rhythm game isn't he?

I think that explains a lot. Personally found the rythm gameplay rather shallow, though the focus on fan service was really there... something fierce, also showed on a TV screen above the demo station, ha ha

 

[flatearthpandas]

JS: We’re taking it case by case. Senran Kagura Burst did really well. It was download only, but there’s enough to say there is a US audience for it that’s why we went with Shinovi Versus. It’s sort of risky, but we localized Bon Appétit at the same time. We think there is a core audience for it, but it’s case by case for now. If these sell well enough of course we want to continue with the series.

"The 3DS digital-only version sold great so we decided to release two physical Vita spin-offs! Depending on how those Vita games sell, we'll consider localizing the direct sequel to the 3DS game that already sold well..."

I'm not sure I understand the logic.

 

[SliceSabre]

I did my part on Burst, which I loved, and will do my part for any other games that come.

 

[FlyingSaucer]

Hah, I like reading that they did some research on Murasame's sexy male poses. Fanservice for everyone.

Can't wait to play with him in the dressing room.
Would have preferred Kiriya, though.

 

[-Horizon-]

I think that explains a lot. Personally found the rythm gameplay rather shallow, though the focus on fan service was really there... something fierce, also showed on a TV screen above the demo station, ha ha

lol that must have been quite a sight

 

[Infernal Monkey]

"The 3DS digital-only version sold great so we decided to release two physical Vita spin-offs! Depending on how those Vita games sell, we'll consider localizing the direct sequel to the 3DS game that already sold well..."

I'm not sure I understand the logic.

One.

Bon Appétit is digital-only.

 

[ponpo]

Also Takaki da god. He's gonna be the first to make me actually like a rhythm game isn't he?

Ugh. Sad the genre is only relevant in the 'mainstream' as poorly implemented fan service cash-ins.

 

[HawthorneKitty]

I think that explains a lot. Personally found the rythm gameplay rather shallow, though the focus on fan service was really there... something fierce, also showed on a TV screen above the demo station, ha ha

I only care about the visuals, background and sexy girls anyways.

 

[Crayons]

I am excited in more ways than one for the male character.

 

[Man God]

"The 3DS digital-only version sold great so we decided to release two physical Vita spin-offs! Depending on how those Vita games sell, we'll consider localizing the direct sequel to the 3DS game that already sold well..."

I'm not sure I understand the logic.

While a bit odd there certainly is a market even over here for those types of games on Vita, so I'm sure plenty of people will buy Versus at least.

 

[kahboomkin]

That stuff about the chocolate drizzle...
This guy is a true artist.

 

[KirbYuuYuu]

Also Takaki da god. He's gonna be the first to make me actually like a rhythm game isn't he?

I'm rather disappointed in this case

 

[-Horizon-]

I mean I've looked at gameplay videos with them set to higher difficulties. I'm in no way a rhythm game person but it looks pretty hard and the button prompts still maintain the beat of the song. I'm not sure what else you're looking for in a rhythm game but if you would tell me that would be nice.

 

[PAULINK]

I mean I've looked at gameplay videos with them set to higher difficulties. I'm in no way a rhythm game person but it looks pretty hard and the button prompts still maintain the beat of the song. I'm not sure what else you're looking for in a rhythm game but if you would tell me that would be nice.

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with your original statement but there are so many good rhythm games out there, that to imply this will be the first one you like is crazee talk.

 

[Jawmuncher]

I'll be buying shinovi and bon appetite day 1.

 

[HawthorneKitty]

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with your original statement but there are so many good rhythm games out there, that to imply this will be the first one you like is crazee talk.

This game will have the most natural beat though; I can feel it.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

Waiting for it to go on sale. (not interested in 20% off bullshit by the way)

 

[Yasumi]

You guys are in for a treat with Shinovi Versus. It's an improvement over Burst in pretty much every way.

This game will have the most natural beat though; I can feel it.

Heh.

 

[Mauricio_Magus]

I only bought the first game because I wanted Shinovi, I'm glad it sold well enough that we'll probably keep getting them.

 

[Silky]

Chocolate does make everything better, yes.

 

[-Horizon-]

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with your original statement but there are so many good rhythm games out there, that to imply this will be the first one you like is crazee talk.

Ahh ok.
That was just me being excited for the series in general guys.
I'll probably end up sucking at it like I do every other rhythm game I try unless I put it on easy or something.

 

[KirbYuuYuu]

Don't know what to say about the cooking game in terms of how good it is, because the PSN thing is a massive hassle for me on Vita, but yeah, Shinovi Versus is actually worth the money because it's.... a good game.

Easy to platinum too if you're into that.

 

[L~A]

lol that must have been quite a sight

Sure was. Since it was on easy, I had no problem getting 99.5% perfect. And when you do, you get a special treat (literally). Let's just say it was NSFW material, ha ha. Then again, I was against a wall, so it's ok

Honestly, Dekamori is basically FAN SERVICE : THE VIDEO GAME, ha ha (not criticising the game. I'd probably get it if I owned the console).

 

[Man God]

You guys are in for a treat with Shinovi Versus. It's an improvement over Burst in pretty much every way.

Eeeh, they're actually completely different beasts. I much prefer the classic side scrolling beat em up of SKB to the 3D open Musou-lite you get with Versus.

 

[gorfyako]

I added chocolate sauce because I thought the girls showed too much skin and it turned out adding that in was even more erotic.

*insert "That's good... That's damn good" gif here*

 

[-Horizon-]

Sure was. Since it was on easy, I had no problem getting 99.5% perfect. And when you do, you get a special treat (literally). Let's just say it was NSFW material, ha ha. Then again, I was against a wall, so it's ok

Honestly, Dekamori is basically FAN SERVICE : THE VIDEO GAME, ha ha (not criticising the game. I'd probably get it if I owned the console).

I can only imagine how awkward it would've been if it was smack dab in the middle of a really really busy store lol

 

[Superflat]

Cool. I like the gradual steps toward decent manservice representation in these kinds of games, and even though it's not my cup of tea, I think these kinds of titles have their place in the market. Good to hear it's selling well!

 

[FlyingSaucer]

I can only imagine how awkward it would've been if it was smack dab in the middle of a really really busy store lol

Sounds like lot of fun. Especially in a store packed full of these people

Spoiler

;p

 

[Wynnebeck]

Chocolate and Hometown. This game is going to be great.

 

[Disgaeamad]

I added chocolate sauce because I thought the girls showed too much skin and it turned out adding that in was even more erotic.

 

[-Horizon-]

Sounds like lot of fun. Especially in a store packed full of these people

Spoiler

;p

One is already too much. More than that is overkill.

 

[HyperZone<3]

I would prefer that they bring over other niche action games now that their kinda pervy beat-em-up has done well.

I think the success of Senran Kagura in the west shows that people will any ole dang product, no matter how little western tastes are being pandered to. At least I hope that's the lesson learned, and its not just about boobs = sales.

 

[Accoun]

Sounds like lot of fun. Especially in a store packed full of these people

Spoiler

;p

this means a lot, I wish more kids would listen to good rock n' roll music like Smash Mouth

;-)

 

[The Broken Ska Record]

Wait. This series is a rhythm game? Well, Imma have to download it.

 

[GuardianE]

Wait. This series is a rhythm game? Well, Imma have to download it.

No, there's a rhythm cooking spinoff game called Senran Kagura Dekimora (Senran Kagura Bon Appetit for NA).

 

[Vylash]

I keep in the R18+ or Japanese version of the R rating in mind. In Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit there are scenes where you see the girls get covered in food. Originally, they didn’t have chocolate sauce drizzled on them. I added chocolate sauce because I thought the girls showed too much skin and it turned out adding that in was even more erotic.

Based SK

 

[Hours Left]

It's interesting that they are actually giving the playable male character the same fanservice treatment. I was wondering about that.

I might have to give the game a shot now.

 

[Verelios]

You have my sale.

Sales.

More than one. Plural.

 

[RalchAC]

It's interesting that they are actually giving the playable male character the same fanservice treatment. I was wondering about that.

I might have to give the game a shot now.

Yeah, I think this kind of games should do this. They won't stop getting stuff like that ONM article, (since the dwarf / warrior didn't persuade people that wanted to complain about Sorceress and her zero gravity boobs) but at least you can just answer "it's how it is for everybody. Look at this dude and how ridiculous his swimsuit is". Including both turns those things from slightly creepy to just funny IMO.

XSEED seems to be doing it right with Akiba's Trip.

 

[Hours Left]

Yeah, I think this kind of games should do this. They won't stop getting stuff like that ONM article, (since the dwarf / warrior didn't persuade people that wanted to complain about Sorceress and her zero gravity boobs) but at least you can just answer "it's how it is for everybody. Look at this dude and how ridiculous his swimsuit is". Including both turns those things from slightly creepy to just funny IMO.

XSEED seems to be doing it right with Akiba's Trip.

In regards to Akiba's Trip, it turned it from a game I had almost no interest in, to one I've currently got pre-ordered.

I'm totally for more male oriented fanservice, if that's not already totally obvious.