Mo-capoeira game coming Q4 2008

by Justin McElroy { Apr 11th 2008 at 10:50AM }

When we see that a developer we're not familiar with is making a game for the "Wii, PS2, PSP and DS," our shovelware alarms usually start to go off around Joystiq HQ. But when we saw this morning that developer Twelve Interactive was using motion capture for their game Martial Arts: Capoeira, we were ... well, not excited exactly. Can one be skeptically intrigued? Even if the game does end up sucking, it's nice to know that they're putting in the effort of hiring actual capoeira artists.

Capoeira, as we all know without checking Wikipedia, is a Brazillian martial art blending fighting and dance. After watching the video of the mo-cap session we've placed after the jump, it looks more like fighting with cartwheels. But come to think of it, that still sounds better than Pit Fighter. Consider us cautiously, sort of interested.

Tags: capoeira, martial-arts-capoeira

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

IceOrb @ Apr 11th 2008 11:00AM

So basically I can look forward to Tekken but with 13 Eddy Gordos and the ability to button mash and feel like I mastered the game. SOLD.

whymog @ Apr 11th 2008 11:01AM

Wow, we had the exact same idea. That was fast.

Blazur @ Apr 11th 2008 11:04AM

Hell yeah sound me up too! Eddy had the most unique fighting style I've ever seen in a fighting game. You get to kick ass while breakdancing :)

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Apr 11th 2008 11:32AM

Voldo says, "MOST UNIQUE FIGHTING STYLE?!?"

Actually, cancel that... he actually said "ksssssss hhhhk."

GamerGuyX @ Apr 11th 2008 11:01AM

Tekken first introduced me to Capoeira. It was Eddy Gordo's fighting style.

whymog @ Apr 11th 2008 11:00AM

Finally, a fighting game where everyone plays like Eddie Gordo. :D

Ranus Studios @ Apr 11th 2008 11:01AM

There's immense potential here that will probably be squandered.

I'm still getting it.

samfish @ Apr 11th 2008 11:09AM

Oh, neat. I was actually signed up to take a class on this about 8 years ago, but I didn't know if I would be moving.
Turns out I did end up moving down south for college at the last second and had to cancel my classes.
...at least I'm pretty sure it was this. I can't remember the name now, to be honest, but it twas a Brazillian slave dance martial arts thing.

That said, I will more than likely ignore this game.

Shagittarius @ Apr 11th 2008 11:10AM

This sounds seriously lame.

3...2...1...DANCE!

Freelancepimp @ Apr 11th 2008 10:10PM

"one guys base moves could be based off the smurf, while anothers could be based off the running man." Roflmao

deaftly @ Apr 11th 2008 11:21AM

A fighting game where everyone has the same fighting style.......great idea guys.

Shagittarius @ Apr 11th 2008 11:41AM

They could have different dance fighting styles, one guys base moves could be based off the smurf, while anothers could be based off the running man.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 11th 2008 11:58AM

It could work, if the skill system is extremely developed. It can be something more realistic, as you'd have the same tools as the opponent, and therefore it'd really be just a "game of skill" (sort of like Counterstrike and I'm not implying that other fighting games didn't require any).

Gameplay diversity would suffer, but it's doable. I mean, it works for boxing games, right?

whymog @ Apr 11th 2008 11:47AM

You know, I'm not sure angry guys with really hairy chests are typically the best choice for announcing a new game to media outlets.

Unless it was a new Karnov or Zangief-oriented game, in which case it would be hilarious.

Obie @ Apr 11th 2008 11:57AM

Who the hell is Eddie Gordo? :(

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 11th 2008 11:59AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_Gordo

One of the best Tekken characters ever, but waaaay too freakin easy to spam with.

(Just to let everyone know, my favourite Tekken character is Yoshimitsu)

Obie @ Apr 11th 2008 12:02PM

Ah never played Tekken. I suck at 3D brawlers.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 11th 2008 12:00PM

Could be a fun game, but they're going to have to show me more than that.

LaughingTarget @ Apr 11th 2008 12:13PM

The hidden character fights using Soulja Boy.

LiK @ Apr 11th 2008 12:31PM

man, why bother? just load up Tekken 5 and have Eddy vs Christie and you're set.

Norm @ Apr 11th 2008 12:38PM

some of the guys posted up info on the game in the forums on SRK, and they seemed like pretty competent developers who knew how to handle balance in a fighting game. Hope it works out for the best, I know it isn't the best selling of genres to work in.

Moses Jiggetts @ Apr 11th 2008 12:39PM

i remember playing this game back in 2001, as a capoerista, this game is awesome. i cant wait till it comes out for consoles!
its nice to have more than eddie,Pupa Salgueiro,Soiree, christie,elena,bob wilson, and richard.

Boscorooty @ Apr 11th 2008 12:40PM

Will those two grey aliens be busting grooves in this?

Everytime I hear the word "capoeira" I can't help but think of them....

R

J @ Apr 11th 2008 12:53PM

"They're break-dance fighting!"

Richard Mitchell @ Apr 11th 2008 1:03PM

Okay, these people have missed a HUGE licensing opportunity:

Only the Strong: The Video Game

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DPuHPCIJzUc

Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 11th 2008 1:13PM

I love capoeira. This should be cool!

Oh, and incorporating other dance styles? What, so moves like the 100 hand jazz hands slap? (think SFII sumo character)

Wreck @ Apr 11th 2008 1:30PM

For the few of us who saw The Rock's movie "The Rundown" a few years back, this was the fighting style of the jungle guerrillas that he had so much trouble with. Lots of movement and action.

Hot$auce_Magik @ Apr 11th 2008 1:34PM

FINALLY ANOTHER GAME I CAN USE MY DDR PAD WITH!!!!!

For a hilariously awesome demonstration of said fighting style, see "Only the Strong" on your nearest flee market VHS table...

"He is my Maestra"

Hot$auce_Magik @ Apr 11th 2008 1:35PM

Oh poopsocks Richard beat me to it....

kbomb1upc @ Apr 11th 2008 1:46PM

I love this fighting style. It's one of the most stylish forms of martial arts and one of the hardest to master...The Capoeira guy from The Protector is one of the best Capoeira fighters in the world (even though the movie sucked)
http://www.videosift.com/video/The-Protector-Capoeira-vs-Muay-Thai

Kamikazee @ Apr 25th 2008 7:04PM

Hey kbomb1upc,

That is untrue what you said about the guy in the protector. His name is Lateff Crowder. He is not even a capoeira master. He is very good at what he does....but being the best in world, he is not (Yet)! There are many Capoeira fighters that are masters, that would show him a few kicks or take downs if you know what I mean. He is good though....

Badger_badger_badger @ Apr 11th 2008 7:45PM

Haha! That fighting style was heavily referenced in the "Death Note: Another Note, The LABB Murder Cases" book which I just finished. Maybe it's more than a coincidence...

Arcainne @ Apr 11th 2008 8:35PM

Personally, I practice and love Capoeira, so I'm both excited and curious to see where this game goes. I'm not sure if they are going to have different styles of Capoeira or what they plan to do to mix things up, but I'm happy to see Capoeira get some publicity, finally. =)

Kuuma @ Apr 11th 2008 10:25PM

I've played this game before, it's called TEKKEN.

nav1 @ Apr 12th 2008 12:03AM

I used to practice Capoeira, and I have to say I'm at least interested in the outcome. That said, I wonder:

*Will one of the stages be an actual "roda"?
*Will there be a berimbau playing and depending on the speed of music will the characters play faster?
*Will the characters be divided into angola and regional capoeira?
*Will it suck?
*Will it blend? (had to do it)

Moses Jiggetts @ Apr 12th 2008 12:19AM

kuuma... you havent played this before...
this takes some thought
eddy + christie+mokujin/Tetsujin/combot in some cases

Button mash=win 4 n00bl3ts

gets ya thinkin, hey in addition to the life bar they should have a stamina bar in fighting games that pride themselves on having accurate depictions of martial arts. like tekken and virtua fighter.. so you wouldnt be able to pull off crazy super combos or you would but youd get more and more tired. force some strategy out of players

wain @ Apr 17th 2008 6:42PM

I have done capoeira for a few years now and I can definitely say it's got way more depth to it then most people see. U cab name a 100 people who all do capoeira completely differently, it would defintiely take the influence of people who actually know the art to get somthing like this to work. Anyone hwo has tried the style, can tell you it's extremly hard. Anyone who hasn't assumes it can't be used technically to fight. On your brithday usually you have to fight everyone in the class, if you are in a large calss it never turns out well. If this game is done well it could be great. People hated Eddy Gordo in the tekken 3 because you could button mash and beat the crap out of people...but when they "fixed it", the capoeiristas were easy to beat. They do a moving spinning kick then immediately run back to stand in front of the person...no one, in any martial art moves out of danger then back into danger to make sure the fighting stays linear. By nature that is what capoeira is, but people became whiny and pissy which is what happens when whiny pissy people get their asses whooped by somthing new.

Manlio @ May 2nd 2008 4:33AM

*Will one of the stages be an actual "roda"?

Yes, all the stages are rodas

*Will there be a berimbau playing and depending on the speed of music will the characters play faster?

yes