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[neptunes]

Online Stalkers?
Capcom shows off the first look at a PSP running WiFi in its Darkstalkers brawler.

First is a picture of the lobby system Capcom has implemented for finding players fights. The game will only be for two players at a time (no tag-team play, unfortunately, and there is no mention of a tournament structure for multiple systems), but the lobby lets you choose from a number of named players -- a 15-player lobby seems to be the cap, and there do not seem to be sub-lobbies, so we'd guess it'd pull players with the strongest signal strength if there are too many in an area.

Capcom mentions, in its description of Darkstalkers Chronicle' mode, that the game can do one of two modes: 1. Wireless LAN, and 2. Ad-Hoc mode. To our minds and experience, those two phrases usually go hand-in-hand (although there are differing definitions between when an application is utilizing Ad-Hoc or is connecting/hosting a Wireless LAN session ... basically, we've heard it both ways as to whether that means "online.") It describes that, if an access point is not available, players can use Ad-Hoc mode to connect ... access point usually means online HotSpot, but there's no mention of hooking up to servers or anything of that nature (would it make any sense to set up a wireless networking LAN, in your home and not connected to the net, just to host 2-player fighting games with the rest of the family?) The specific terminology used to describe 'access point' and 'data transmission' and other wireless features may also instead be referring to a heretofore unspoken one-copy multiplayer mode, where one player shares a multiplayer session with another without the game simply by uploading part of the game to him (although that's REALLY stretching the verbiage used -- though it does specifically say that each player in Ad-Hoc mode needs a copy of the game, but don't say that for Wireless LAN). Frankly, even our Japanese correspondents are a little baffled -- is it online or not?


click here for more info from IGN

Nice to know that it's capable of wireless game sharing.

The psp only uses Ad-hoc mode for it's wireless multiplayer right?, so I wonder what they mean by wireless lan.

 

[Wario64]

That about wraps it up for DS.

 

[jiggle]

Game sharing = 1 disc 2 can play?

 

[jooey]

if it was online don't you think they'd pimp it?

 

[neptunes]

That's what they're trying to figure out.

The psp is capable of wireless ad-hoc LAN multiplayer and wireless online multiplayer.

The game's website speaks of two multiplayer methods. (read 1st post)

 

[DECK'ARD]

PSP could lead to a bit of a revival in 2D fighters with things like this.

Capcom is saved!

 

[Jonnyram]

Whoa whoa whoa, slow down.
There's a slight misunderstanding here. There are two game modes in "Network" mode, called "VERSUS" and "LIMIT BATTLE".

Connection is done only in ad-hoc mode, though. Here is what the site says.

PSPs that are close to each other can transfer data directly over wireless LAN (1) and fighting is possible!
Using only the PSP hardware and "Vampire Chronicle" software, you can immediately fight using "Ad-hoc mode" (2) which doesn't require access points. (no transmission fee is required)

(1) Wireless LAN - a form of data transmission, for which no special connection equipment is required. The PSP hardware has wireless LAN functionality built-in and this game's Ad-hoc mode uses it, for transmitting battles.
(2) Ad-hoc mode - a type of wireless LAN connection that doesn't require an access point. PSPs nearby can send and receive data with it.

I guess it's easy to misunderstand there are two modes here if you don't have a technical background, perhaps, but the two keywords "wireless LAN" and "ad-hoc mode" are basically referring to the same thing.

 

[neptunes]

better correct ign before they get people's hopes up.

 

[DECK'ARD]

Ah well, the lobby system is still nice though

 

[Docpan]

Phuck, I know I'm gonna end up getting a PSP...

Dammit all.

 

[Amir0x]

It doesn't look like they're confused, they mention the seperate modes here:

We just wrote a detailed article on this mode (with a good deal of speculation on whether the game might offer online play), but essentially, Network is the game's multiplayer VS mode. There are two types of gameplay here, and there are also all kinds of handicapping options to level the playing field between players. The first mode is standard Versus, which allows you to customize the limits on each player and also features a detailed stats screen after the fight. The second mode is Limit Break, which throws in random challenges like unknown characters picked and limits on when a player can use kicks to force great players to beat their opponents utilizing a wide range of skills.

So...hmmm

 

[Amir0x]

ALSO!

They added a Widescreen mode and normal mode in the options, so you CAN choose between them. I heard complaining about this before, wasn't sure if this was cleared up:

One of the coolest surprises about the PSP edition in this most recent check-up of Capcom's official site is the news of what's in the Option menu. Capcom has added a Normal mode in addition to the standard Widescreen mode -- instead of spreading the game map out to the edges of the PSP's 16x9 screen, the game crops the edges back to the original size for a more faithful arcade experience. There are also cool little borders framing the action (which are specific to each stage, and look to be able to be turned off.) Most people will play with the full screen, but for purists, it's nice to have that option.

 

[Jonnyram]

It doesn't look like they're confused, they mention the seperate modes here

They edited the article.

 

[Kon Tiki]

About to be one of my fav launch titles ever.

 

[Lyte Edge]

Okay, so this is basically the same game as the Dreamcast version released in 2001, which in turn is an upgrade to a game first released in 1997...

...But I still can't wait to get it. I hope this game is a way for Capcom to test the waters; I wouldn't mind seeing a few more ports (SF3, CvS2!) on the PSP.

But what I'd LOVE to see is a new 2D fighter from Capcom released simultaneously on consoles and PSP. That would rock. It would kill my wallet, but it would be worth it.

 

[Amir0x]

Okay, so this is basically the same game as the Dreamcast version released in 2001, which in turn is an upgrade to a game first released in 1997...

...But I still can't wait to get it. I hope this game is a way for Capcom to test the waters; I wouldn't mind seeing a few more ports (SF3, CvS2!) on the PSP.

But what I'd LOVE to see is a new 2D fighter from Capcom released simultaneously on consoles and PSP. That would rock. It would kill my wallet, but it would be worth it.

The Tower mode is exclusive to PSP. And also, "with a fully-stocked remake that includes all of the characters from the franchise's storied history (much of which has never been seen before in America."

Anyway, that's what IGN says.

 

[ourumov]

Okay, so this is basically the same game as the Dreamcast version released in 2001, which in turn is an upgrade to a game first released in 1997...

...But I still can't wait to get it. I hope this game is a way for Capcom to test the waters; I wouldn't mind seeing a few more ports (SF3, CvS2!) on the PSP.

But what I'd LOVE to see is a new 2D fighter from Capcom released simultaneously on consoles and PSP. That would rock. It would kill my wallet, but it would be worth it.

I hope this time they don't forget about a Zero 2 conversion in the way of re-porting...Shit...Why did CAPCOM had to port SFZ3 when having the AWESOME SFZ2 ?????
It sure would have been ended a better port effort (SFZ2 fits best to GBA capabilities than SFZ3 does).

 

[Jr.]

I hope this time they don't forget about a Zero 2 conversion in the way of re-porting...Shit...Why did CAPCOM had to port SFZ3 when having the AWESOME SFZ2 ?????
It sure would have been ended a better port effort (SFZ2 fits best to GBA capabilities than SFZ3 does).

So you are saying that it is release at the same time WITH wireless/online multiplayer with the console versions??? That would be sweet, if they did that, I would never touch a home console again. heck, as of right now I may not...

 

[Lyte Edge]

The Tower mode is exclusive to PSP. And also, "with a fully-stocked remake that includes all of the characters from the franchise's storied history (much of which has never been seen before in America."

Anyway, that's what IGN says.

That's total BS. All the characters from the series were in the home version of Vampire Savior, which came out as Darkstalkers 3 for the Playstation.

Vampire Chronicle basically takes the game play systems from all the Vampire games and combines them into one; you choose your play style a la Street Fighter Alpha 3 or Capcom Vs. SNK 2.

It is true that Vampire Hunter 2 and Vampire Savior 2 never made it Stateside, but both are just Vampire Savior with a few different characters/movesets in each and some game play tweaks.

Vampire Hunter 2 is basically just Nightwarriors with the backgrounds from Vampire Savior.
Vampire Savior 2 adds a few changes and new moves, but is basically just VS with a different Darkforce mode and the three missing characters from VS1 (Phobos, Pyron, and Donovan) added in. They removed three other characters though.

The home versions of Vampire Savior/Darkstalkers 3 took the three "missing" characters and added them into the game, but they were still based off of Vampire Savior's game play style.

So with Vampire Chronicle, Capcom took the game play AND movesets from all the games and combined them into one. The only thing "missing" are the backgrounds from Vampire and Vampire Hunter, but you DO get all the music from all three games. You start the game and choose Vampire, Vampire Hunter, or Vampire Savior play styles, then choose your character and their moveset from Vampire, Hunter, Hunter 2, Savior, and Savior 2 IIRC. Characters that weren't in the older games get some changes anyway; for example if you pick Vampire-style Bulleta, she gets FB/DP motions for moves instead of charge moves.