IGN developing content for Sega? 1UP contributing too?
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jan 29th 2007 at 6:15PM }
As much as you might cherish pummeling IGN-created Virtua Fighter 5 character 'Ryuutoushi,' the unprecedented pairing of press and publisher warrants investigation. A Sega-sponsored contest in which an IGN reader is selected to design a game character would be one thing, but IGN editors contributing content for Virtua Fighter 5?Digging deeper, we discover that 1UP's James Mielke has also created a VF5 character, writing on his 1UP page, "I'm pretty sure I can die happy now, knowing that no matter how many additions there are to the series, that I am part ... of Virtua Fighter history." As it turns out, Mielke and presumably IGN, along with other members of the gaming press, won their right to design for VF5 by placing high enough in an "editor's tournament" hosted by Sega last year.
Sure, it hurts deeply that Sega neglected to invite us; knowing that Kietzmann would have mopped the floor with Mielke and his editor ilk. Of course, Sega would have rejected his poorly disguised efforts to bring back Hornet (from Fighters Megamix), but still...
In all seriousness, should we be concerned that critics have contributed, however casually, to Virtua Fighter 5? Can we really trust the opinions of those who have been charmed by thoughts of immortality within the game? There is certain danger in crossing this line.
Note: the press-created characters are not playable, but will appear as opponents in various modes throughout the game.
[Via PS3 Fanboy]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ferrarimanf355 @ Jan 29th 2007 6:27PM
This is much ado about nothing. These editors were fans of Virtua Fighter already, and love the series dearly, so this isn't clouding their opinions when they clearly love the series already. This isn't going to sway opinions.
Abscissa @ Jan 29th 2007 6:37PM
"Note: the press-created characters are not playable, but will appear as opponents in various modes throughout the game."
That's right, they won't be playable until the *following* Virtual Fighter game. It's one of the standard rules of fighters going back to Street Fighter 2: "Any non-playable character in one game will be included and playable in the following sequel."
Blake @ Jan 29th 2007 6:49PM
I got to create a character for VF5 as a journalist here in Australia was offered the opportunity but ran a comp instead for readers to submit their character and he chose mine. Its no big deal really , the characters are just variations of existing fighters.
Still it will be fun laying the smack down on my own creation...
Agent MOO @ Jan 29th 2007 6:46PM
No matter, IGN and 1UP don't have any integrity left to lose.
SynikaL @ Jan 29th 2007 7:08PM
Yes, this is a problem.
But as Angent Moo has stated, both entities fabrics of integrity have been tattered long ago.
-Kimosabae
I love gscentral.org @ Jan 29th 2007 7:35PM
We want Pepsi Man!
Mr Khan @ Jan 29th 2007 7:36PM
This is very much like SEGA, they've always had good relationships with the gaming press
hell, i remember back on PSO Episode III (the card game) for GC, that there were about 3 months, each one for a different gaming mag, and each one including an event card for that mag
SEGA, fallen from grace, not entirely (all they need is a good 3D sonic, and they'll be a top-notch dev)
Judd @ Jan 29th 2007 7:40PM
Well, at least in this case these guys are designing their own original game characters. But I remember when I played Perfect Dark that Rare made a character of Andrew Reiner from Game Informer. That's a lot worse, because in this case the game is somewhat "breaking the fourth wall" to include a member of the gaming press. He also appeared in XIII.But he's still my favorite writer for GI. http://www.gameinformer.com/Magazine/Staff/Andrew+Reiner.htm
Virtua Fanboy @ Jan 29th 2007 7:50PM
I want Fighters Megamix 2 damn it!!!
Aegies @ Jan 29th 2007 8:05PM
At least in regards to James Mielke, he didn't do it as a representative of 1UP so much as because he was a well known hardcore VF enthusiast. 1UP had been gushing about the game long before this was ever even talked about.
http://eat-sleep-game.com
Keif @ Jan 29th 2007 9:41PM
Im guessing non of you have played virtua fighter 4?
These guys didnt invent brand new characters, they are talking about custom characters. You can tae one of the fighters from the game, rename them, and use money you earn in the game to change their looks. thats all it is.
Infact some of the characters you fought in that moe in 4 were designd by otehr fans of the series in arcades in japan.
Pedro @ Jan 29th 2007 11:04PM
What are we afraid of? That IGN will give the game an artifically high mark because they contributed to it? How will well tell the difference between that and them giving it an artifically high mark because they are ass hats?
Are we afraid that 1up will give it a higher grade because they are involved with it? How will we tell they aren't just giving it a higher grade because it is a ps3 game?
icekyuu @ Jan 30th 2007 12:02AM
SOA ran a contest some time ago in which users can enter their desired ring name and taunt. SOA will randomly pick entries and feature them as AI characters in the game. What happened with IGN/1UP is similar, except the winners of the informal tournies get to choose their costume.
Quite a number of users on http://virtuafighter.com made it into the game as well.
baby sea tuna @ Jan 30th 2007 9:47AM
"Sure, it hurts deeply that Sega neglected to invite us; knowing that Kietzmann would have mopped the floor with Mielke and his editor ilk."
Don't kid yourself, if you went toe-to-toe with Milky in VF, you'd have spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find the rest of your teeth...
Luap @ Feb 7th 2007 9:38PM
Cassamasina appeared in Perfect Dark as one of the bad guys. No big deal. You just wish you had the social skills to build a good relationship with developers.