Grasshopper Manufacture remaking The Silver Case for PC in Unity 5

Scarl said:
Hm, I figured the new assets would be remade in the style of the old assets anyway. I'm hoping for something that's as faithful to the original as possible simply because I likely won't ever be able to experience the original. But I understand we might not be the primary audience for this remake, I'm sure there's plenty of interest in Japan alone.
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Haha this comment feels slightly loaded, but that's okay =) Western audiences who love Suda's games and Japanese games generally are crucial to this project. We definitely want you all to be happy with what we're making. We want to create something faithful to a 1999 PS1 release that simultaneously feels like it isn't out of place on PCs in 2016. Challenging as that is, I think in the end this will strike that balance and will be satisfying even to enthusiasts who'd have wanted to play with the original UI assets.
 
CO_Andy said:
A studio that knows how to use Unreal Engine is using Unity instead?

I wonder if they're not using their main guys to work on it.
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Unity makes perfect sense if you want the ability to port to a large selection of platforms. Additionally, due to how prolific Unity is, it gives Grasshopper access to a large set of possible subcontractors when they want to farm out some of the work (yes - this is done by nearly all studios, even "large" or "AAA" studios).

In reality, this makes perfect sense when you consider that this is a remake of a Japanese-only title. They would probably like to push it to multiple platforms over time, with as little work as possible. Considering the genre I wouldn't bet against a later mobile release.

All this aside there is also an argument to be made about having a flexible pipeline and the ability to work with multiple engines if you don't maintain an in-house engine.
 
thebatdan said:
Haha this comment feels slightly loaded, but that's okay =) Western audiences who love Suda's games and Japanese games generally are crucial to this project. We definitely want you all to be happy with what we're making. We want to create something faithful to a 1999 PS1 release that simultaneously feels like it isn't out of place on PCs in 2016. Challenging as that is, I think in the end this will strike that balance and will be satisfying even to enthusiasts who'd have wanted to play with the original UI assets.
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I'm sorry, it was a loaded comment, you're right. I didn't mean to sound disrespectful there. I'm very happy this is happening in the first place, it's incredible. ^^'

I'll admit it was the bit about those assets not being an option because they'd have to be redrawn at a higher resolution in the style of the old ones that bothered me, simply because that's exactly what I was hoping was going to happen. Not as an optional thing but as the main one.

But of course modernizing is to be expected, and as long as the spirit of the original lives on in this project that's not a bad thing. Just a tough one for you guys to balance like you said, but I'm confident you're all up to the task.
 
Scarl said:
I'm sorry, it was a loaded comment, you're right. I didn't mean to sound disrespectful there. I'm very happy this is happening in the first place, it's incredible. ^^'

I'll admit it was the bit about those assets not being an option because they'd have to be redrawn at a higher resolution in the style of the old ones that bothered me, simply because that's exactly what I was hoping was going to happen. Not as an optional thing but as the main one.

But of course modernizing is to be expected, and as long as the spirit of the original lives on in this project that's not a bad thing. Just a tough one for you guys to balance like you said, but I'm confident you're all up to the task.
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Looking at Active Games' portfolio on their site, I'm more than confident.

http://www.activegamingmedia.com/en/portfolio/index_2.html

No More Heroes, Demon's Souls, and of all things, Maximum Tune 5, heh. Hey, now THERE'S a game to put on PC... someone go bug Namco.


Another question that came to mind: any chance of including a digital-only document to explain the connections to Moonlight Syndrome? It's not a big deal, but it's definitely a thing.
 
thebatdan said:
Haha this comment feels slightly loaded, but that's okay =) Western audiences who love Suda's games and Japanese games generally are crucial to this project. We definitely want you all to be happy with what we're making. We want to create something faithful to a 1999 PS1 release that simultaneously feels like it isn't out of place on PCs in 2016. Challenging as that is, I think in the end this will strike that balance and will be satisfying even to enthusiasts who'd have wanted to play with the original UI assets.
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Since you were answering other things, do you know if Masafumi Takada's original soundtrack is being retained or is it being newly rearranged by him or somebody else? Also, are the FMVs being acted out by new people now and is the in-game art all staying the same as before or being redone? I'm not port begging or anything but I've been asked by friends if other versions are possibly in the works at some point too (like console port or mobile port)? The wording in the articles mentions "other platforms" does that just mean aside from Steam like GOG or does it mean a port down the line for other platforms? It's okay if you can't answer that.

Thanks for all the answers so far though.
 
Sumio Mondo said:
Since you were answering other things, do you know if Masafumi Takada's original soundtrack is being retained or is it being newly rearranged by him or somebody else? Also, are the FMVs being acted out by new people now and is the in-game art all staying the same as before or being redone?

Thanks for all the answers so far though.
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I gather that all this falls under 'we're keeping whatever we can'(and the rights are intact), so Takada's OST should be fine. I doubt he'd object to the project when it's finally seeing global release.


And considering the content of those FMVs, redoing them would be nothing short of insanity.

tumblr_o41v65fMAR1skns5ho4_1280.jpg
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Well, it's just that he mentioned that the quality of some of the original assets weren't really up to scratch so have to start over on them. I was wondering if he just meant the 3D models, UI and environments or if he also included the artwork and FMVs too.

Also, if I had to choose, I care far more about the amazing artwork of the original release than the FMVs, honestly. Which take up most of the game.
 
Sumio Mondo said:
Well, it's just that he mentioned that the quality of some of the original assets weren't really up to scratch so have to start over on them. I was wondering if he just meant the 3D models, UI and environments or if he also included the artwork and FMVs too.

Also, if I had to choose, I care far more about the amazing artwork of the original release than the FMVs, honestly. Which take up most of the game.
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I gather original artwork and the live action stuff will be priority 1 as far as keeping it intact, and the 3d rendered backgrounds and UI will be what's most likely to be redone.

There's... three chapters with live action content? Minor spoilers, just referential:

Spectrum:
Shows the children running through the streets.

Kamui Drome:
The camgirl and the reporter. Short, but integral.

Lifecut:
The people in the street and the interviews.
 
Hmm, yeah, I always assumed that it was just MGS style FMVs - short FMVs with crowds walking by, some dialogue overlayed on top of them and the girl in the room was the only part with actual acting. The more you know.

It makes me wonder...if they do decide to remake Ward 25 also, it will be even harder to retain the assets from the original release. Extinct mobile phone game. How would they go about getting it all back again? Grasshopper's honestly got it on a HDD somewhere? lol.
 
Sumio Mondo said:
Hmm, yeah, I always assumed that it was just MGS style FMVs - short FMVs with crowds walking by, some dialogue overlayed on top of them and the girl in the room was the only part with actual acting. The more you know.
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The other cool bit about those is apparently Suda used a real editor to help make them, though he was skeptical about working on a game.

It makes me wonder...if they do decide to remake Ward 25 also, it will be even harder to retain the assets from the original release. Extinct mobile phone game. How would they go about getting it all back again? Grasshopper's honestly got it on a HDD somewhere? lol.
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I'd assume they do, actually.
 
Sumio Mondo said:
Well, they're already far better than SEGA then.
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Considering how near and dear Suda's old projects are to him, I'm sure he's kept all this stuff close to heart. He's very humble about them, usually shocked that people even want to play those.

Always got the impression his punk rock persona was kind of a caricature.
 
cj_iwakura said:
Considering how near and dear Suda's old projects are to him, I'm sure he's kept all this stuff close to heart. He's very humble about them, usually shocked that people even want to play those.

Always got the impression his punk rock persona was kind of a caricature.
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Yeah, he used that for PR to market his newer games but he was influenced by Snatcher mostly when making TSC, going by his interviews. Snatcher is one of my favourite games too (as is David Lynch one of my favourite directors, who he no doubt is also a fan of, not even forgetting similar taste with writing like Franz Kafka, another thing we have in common), so he has fine taste too, to go along with the creativity and originality.

I still remember him replying to me once on Twitter about TSC on DS not being released and being really disappointed and him saying something like "I'm sorry, please wait" in Japanese. Never thought it be over five years waiting though...lol. He never broke his promise.
 
Sumio Mondo said:
Yeah, he used that for PR to market his newer games but he was influenced by Snatcher mostly when making TSC, going by his interviews. Snatcher is one of my favourite games too (as is David Lynch one of my favourite directors, who he no doubt is also a fan of, not even forgetting similar taste with writing like Franz Kafka, another thing we have in common), so he has fine taste too, to go along with the creativity and originality.

I still remember him replying to me once on Twitter about TSC on DS not being released and being really disappointed and him saying something like "I'm sorry, please wait" in Japanese. Never thought it be over five years waiting though...lol. He never broke his promise.
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More of a response than I got. :P He just said 'thx!'
 
I figured all the FMV would be total garbage by modern standards, like any FMV from that era, so they'd have to redo it anyway.
 
ArjanN said:
I figured all the FMV would be total garbage by modern standards, like any FMV from that era, so they'd have to redo it anyway.
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This is the most distinct one(and probably the most controversial one in the game):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U80c0rI3cY (0:36)
(NSFW)

Honestly I think keeping it low res will add to the charm. That's also a direct rip, the in-game footage is in a smaller window with text captions.

tumblr_nmzlcouxpK1skns5ho3_1280.jpg
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Kinda bummed about that UI mockup, it just doesn't have the same vibe and doesn't look nearly as stylish as the PS1 UI. Don't really get why they even need to design a new one, while the raw assets of TSC have obviously aged the overall style is still amazing; I'd rather they just remake the assets in HD. Sure you can argue that they need to modernize things but honestly Suda's aesthetic direction is a huge component of what makes his games great in my mind, so that definitely makes me a bit skeptical of how this is going to pan out. If it's just the UI and they get everything else right I'm still obviously on board, though.

Honestly, if they included an option to play the game with all of the original assets in a low resolution I would actually play that version. I care more about preserving the visual style of the game than playing it in high res.
 
So how often can we expect updates? Just as they happen, on a regular basis, etc? I hope you all aren't going to be on media blackout until Fall or anything.
 
My friend in Kyoto is probably gonna play it. She's a huge fan of this game. Looks great, looks like they're retaining the old style to me. :)
 
Agreed, that screenshot looks to sacrifice none of the style of the original - keep that look and I'll be very very happy.
 
I had a friend who is a big Suda51 fan from Kyoto and she said that he talked about doing Ward 25 and bringing that "next time" to BitSummit so it sounds like he's going to be doing that after all. :D
 
Sumio Mondo said:
I had a friend who is a big Suda51 fan from Kyoto and she said that he talked about doing Ward 25 and bringing that "next time" to BitSummit so it sounds like he's going to be doing that after all. :D
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What about FSR? Also, wondering if they'll be able to subtitle the FMVs, one or two have voice acting, and they don't have subs.
 
Well it's just happened but I will keep asking about such things as FSR, I do think Ward 25 is next on the list though THEN FSR (and believe me, I'm just as curious how they would remake that game, especially given its graphical style). I will ask about if anything came up about the presentation like the FMVs etc.
 
Sumio Mondo said:
Well it's just happened but I will keep asking about such things as FSR, I do think Ward 25 is next on the list though THEN FSR (and believe me, I'm just as curious how they would remake that game, especially given its graphical style). I will ask about if anything came up about the presentation like the FMVs etc.
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I think for FSR, they'd be good just remastering the PS2 version. Use the original's textures over the awful DS ones, include the new DS puzzles, and it's good to go.
 
Oh, I did ask the director about FSM. Like you'd expect he said sales would be the big question, though he did mention Suda wanted to do it.
 
Heh, didn't really expect that upload to get so many hits. I just uploaded it for the interest of you guys! :P Just saw the @thesilvercaseen twitter account link to it, though. Glad they're cool with it!
 
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