Rumor: Vader DLC bringing dark side to Xbox 360 Soul Calibur IV
Never mind that we totally caught Yoda and Vader face to face in a Soul Calibur IV trailer months ago, Namco Bandai's official line has remained: Yoda is in the Xbox 360 version, Darth Vader in the PlayStation 3 one. While some of us assumed both characters could be unlocked in either version (except Ludwig, he pre-ordered both editions just to be safe), Namco Bandai has apparently come up with a better idea. Why not sell Darth Vader as DLC to Xbox 360 owners? (And presumably, why not pimp out Yoda to PS3 players?)
GamersReports has allegedly obtained another "quality exclusive" in three screenshots that depict Vader as a selectable character in the Xbox 360 version of Soul Calibur IV. To be fair, the report only suggests that Vader would be offered as an "add-on download" and does not specify whether or not that would be paid content or a fan service freebie. The site adds, "No word on when, or even if ever it will be released." Oh the suspense!
[Thanks, alvin]
GamersReports has allegedly obtained another "quality exclusive" in three screenshots that depict Vader as a selectable character in the Xbox 360 version of Soul Calibur IV. To be fair, the report only suggests that Vader would be offered as an "add-on download" and does not specify whether or not that would be paid content or a fan service freebie. The site adds, "No word on when, or even if ever it will be released." Oh the suspense!
[Thanks, alvin]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Haggard @ Jul 25th 2008 6:27PM
More corporate profiteering bullshit. They've evidently made both characters, why not make them available in both versions?
Haggard @ Jul 25th 2008 7:08PM
*on the disc
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 25th 2008 7:10PM
Doesn't cut it for fighting games? Either you suck or your exaggerating. Its actually something you get used to, you know like playing FPS's on the PS controllers. Yeah, so shutty!
Its not great but it does teh fricken job for sure. A 3 hour session of XBLA Streetfighter II Hyper Fighting that I did yesterday tells me so. Either way when SFIV rolls out I'm getting the fighting stick. Cant wait all my buddies are getting that!
xFenixKnightx @ Jul 25th 2008 7:16PM
Damnit! That was for Boom! down there.
:(
Vince UK @ Jul 25th 2008 7:20PM
"More corporate profiteering bullshit. They've evidently made both characters, why not make them available in both versions?"
This game has "The reek", the reek of stupid greed, a none buy for me.
Roto13 @ Jul 25th 2008 7:29PM
I couldn't agree more. This is why I don't like DLC. It's good in principle, but too many people pull this kind of crap. I'll get the PS3 version of the game, but I won't be buying any extras.
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jul 25th 2008 11:59PM
If Darth Maul or Kratos becomes DLC, you get your ass I'm buying it. I love how much gamers cry and bitch nowadays. First they cried that they seperated these two characters between the two versions, demanding the option to remove that be made available later. Now that we have hints this is possible, you're bitching that this route isn't free. Well fuck me, while we're at it, let's complain this game actually costs money in the first place. These games should TOTALLY be free, but without ads and without a DLC pricing model to accomidate the cost of development.
I'm getting it for PS3.. will I be buying Yoda? Every video shown thus far has proven to me he's a broken character, so I'm keeping him out.
Haggard @ Jul 26th 2008 7:19AM
@Sheppy
I'm not even interested in the game, I'm just of the opinion that it's pretty cynical of them to charge extra for something they could very easily have put on the disc.
lando2k9 @ Jul 26th 2008 5:30PM
Well, Yoda does in fact rock in the 360 version. Also, I'm really hoping that The Apprentice from SW-TFU is playable. I almost got waxed by him with Siegfreid!!
SugarDaddy @ Jul 28th 2008 8:55AM
More whiny bitching from the joystiq community...
They could have easily made both Yoda AND Vader DLC so take what you are given. If you don't like it, don't buy it.
eugene @ Jul 25th 2008 6:31PM
as long as the Vader DLC comes with a fix for the craptastic D-pad, I'm there... otherwise, I'll be playing the PS3 version.
Boom! @ Jul 25th 2008 6:35PM
Same. The 360 d-pad just doesn't cut it for fighting games.
Fernando Rocker @ Jul 25th 2008 6:44PM
I honestly don't know why people complain about the d-pad in the 360... well... yes, is not very precise.
But what I mean is... people really play fighters with the d-pad? Since last gen, I have played all fighters games with the analog. I find it more easy to do the moves and jumps and stuff.
Well... that's just me, I think.
ChooChooCharlie @ Jul 25th 2008 7:06PM
I agree Fernando. Using a d-pad in a 2-D fighter is one thing, but why would you ever want to use it in a 3-D arena?
There were several moves in SC2 that used diagonal directions paired with certain buttons, and I'm sure this one has some as well. Personally, I've always found those kind of maneuvers to be easier to do on a d-pad than a thumbstick.
ChooChooCharlie @ Jul 25th 2008 7:08PM
Dammit! I meant easier on a THUMBSTICK than a D-PAD.
Obie @ Jul 25th 2008 7:55PM
Funny of all the current systems, the Classic controller on the Wii has the best D-pad...it's almost identical to the SNES D-pad.
C. T. @ Jul 25th 2008 6:32PM
Yet another example of DLC not being true extra content, but features withheld to make a little cash on the side. We expect that from EA, but say it ain't so, Soul Calibur. Say it ain't so.
Ken Edwards @ Jul 25th 2008 6:48PM
Actually Namco is just as bad, if not worse than, EA. I mean look what they did with We Love Katamari. They turned a budget $40 game into something that cost over $60 if you wanted to get the entire game's experience. And that is not counting the $$$ for Cousins or other DLC, I am just talking the 7 DLC packs for more worlds to roll your ball of junk around in.
SugarDaddy @ Jul 28th 2008 8:47AM
It's called capitalism. That's the way things work. You make a product and you capitalize on it. Besides, you're still getting a full game even if Vader is not included. There are like 6 new characters with all new fighting styles in addition to all from the last game. And when you think about it, it's almost like they are giving 360 owners a free character in Yoda -- PS3 owners a free character in Vader. If you want the other character, you have to pay. Quit your bitching. It's perfectly reasonable.
The commenters on this blog are such whiny bitches, it's amazing. They whine and bitch and complain about EVERYTHING.
gilbert @ Jul 25th 2008 6:31PM
what was the freaking point of marketing them separately? so freaking stupid. they both should have been in both editions from the start.
DarkNessBear @ Jul 26th 2008 4:31AM
Seriously. And Kraytos/Nariko should be in the PS3 version and Hyabusa should be in the 360 one...
Sam @ Jul 25th 2008 6:33PM
I think we ALL saw this coming.
Whats even worse is the DLC will probably cost 1000 points and it'll be a 10kb unlock file, since he's more than likely already on the disc.
The other rumor is that the final empty character slot will be filled if you have a force-unleashed completed save file on your console.
Bullshit if you ask me, but as i said, i think we all expected this to happen.
Superstar90 @ Jul 25th 2008 6:40PM
1000 points is excessive don't you think? That's 12.50 I think...
I would pay up to 2.50 for Vader. I can't bring myself to pay for DLC thats over 200 points because you can get some wicked XBLA games for 400 points.
iNZoW @ Jul 26th 2008 11:54AM
i have the game, the final box is unlockable by beating arcade by yoda or Vader. Unlocks the Star wars unleashed dude.
Sora @ Jul 25th 2008 6:39PM
Wasn't this rumored months ago?
syrik zero @ Jul 25th 2008 6:44PM
That's what I thought. Pretty awesome that some bought both though. Ludwig makes me laugh
ice~ @ Jul 25th 2008 6:47PM
Idc if they wanna make a lil more money Ya can't blame em besides 1up already gave this game an A so we know it's gonna be amazing.
I've never wanted a game more than this
Geist @ Jul 25th 2008 6:49PM
If 1UP gave this game an A, then I am skeptical of the game now more than ever.
Spartan 1308 @ Jul 26th 2008 6:24PM
This was a given. Why wouldn't this be expected from Namco? This is the same Namco that released more planes as DLC for Ace Combat 6 the same day the game was released. It's the reason I still haven't bought AC6. I won't buy it until the price drops and then it will be from Ebay.
Scott @ Jul 25th 2008 6:53PM
Does anyone even give a crap about Soul Calibur's other characters? I mean, why not just replace all the character models with Star Wars characters and release a Star Wars fighting game? The only press I've really seen on this game has been about the extra characters that appear from outside of the Soul Calibur universe...same with the previous installment (Link, Tekken dude, Spawn...)
If they can get the rights to characters like these, why not just make a huge mash-up fighting game with a bunch of random characters?
Mr Khan @ Jul 25th 2008 7:13PM
I doubt they would want to be called out for copying Nintendo
Though granted King of Fighters and Fighters Megamix did it before Smash Bros was a twinkle in Sakurai's eye, albeit with less recognizable characters
Sam @ Jul 25th 2008 6:57PM
Exclusive characters only made sense when it was characters from games that were console-exclusives (Link, Heihachi Mishima).
If you want to include Vader and Yoda, fine, but put them out on both systems, then give us Master Chief and Kratos as exclusives.
Residentevil72501 @ Jul 25th 2008 7:01PM
Did anyone try the new SIren Blood Curse yet? And if so is it good?
Tiptup300 @ Jul 26th 2008 11:33PM
Totally on topic greg.
Kye - Me_DF @ Jul 25th 2008 7:10PM
Is it only me who thinks there should be a Wii version with Luke Skywalker?
Come on now, it's only a fighter. The Wii could definitely handle it.
LilTmac2003 @ Jul 25th 2008 7:21PM
Haha.
I actually bought the Gamecube version of Soul Calibur II because it had Link. I was thinking of which version should I get, Yoda [360] or Vader [PS3].
I was leaning on the PS3 side, but since it's coming to the 360, screw the PS3 version.
Banana Kid @ Jul 25th 2008 7:16PM
I just want to point out--a screen like that would be easy as hell to photoshop. Could definitely be fake.
Ken Edwards @ Jul 25th 2008 7:50PM
Yes, very easy to photoshop.
GoldenS1104 @ Jul 25th 2008 7:19PM
DLC only makes sense when the game has been completely finished and the developer comes up with new content after the game has been released. If they were ever going to put both characters in both games they should have done it since the beginning. If we're expected to pay it is such a slap in the face.
umm....hello??? @ Jul 25th 2008 7:19PM
amazing....they made a "must buy" fighting game into a "fuck THAT shit...ain't no wayyyy in hell I'll buy this" fighting game. congrats, Namco for being the next EA!
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jul 26th 2008 12:31AM
And from my perspective, considering they hinted at DLC new characters in the past, they turned a "must buy" fighting game into a "still must buy" fighting game because we aren't looking at Soul Calibur IV Hyper Fighting Deluxe Megazoid Fighting Go Go Battle 3000 in less than a year just because they wanted to add a new character or couldn't get one done before the title went gold.
Gamers bitch too much... serious. The title ships with 30 fighters not including the infinity in the character creation mode. It's not like missing the DLC character keeps you from accessing 1/3 of the game.
Vcize @ Jul 25th 2008 7:22PM
Well seeing as how Soul Calibur has been doing the exclusive characters per console thing for a little while now with no option to get the other console's characters at all, how is this anything but a good thing?
It's an option, people. If they didn't release it as DLC, they wouldn't release it at all. Even if it costs money it's still better than nothing, as people that are big fans of the game or of the character still have the option.
Don't want to pay? Don't pay. But don't sit here and act like this is something that would've been on the disc if they couldn't charge extra for it, because it wouldn't.
Roto13 @ Jul 25th 2008 7:35PM
"Well seeing as how Soul Calibur has been doing the exclusive characters per console thing for a little while now with no option to get the other console's characters at all, how is this anything but a good thing?"
They did that once ever.
Sheppy (of the Fidlious Clan of Wong) @ Jul 26th 2008 12:05AM
Roto... kinda unfair considering Soul Calibur went multiplatform ONCE EVER. And since that decision lead to one of the only times a third party game sold more on Gamecube than PS2 or Xbox... it's kind of hard to deny the driving power of that feature.
I just hope they bring better balance to my ebony scythe god this time around. I love Zaszalamel but goddam if he wasn't drastically overpowered... he was like Nightmare, but quicker, and more juggles than Voldo or Cervantes....
Jon @ Jul 25th 2008 7:24PM
Well, too bad you're wrong, Joystiq, and that video you link to never shows Yoda and Darth Vader fighting each other.
Clever camera work does not make it true.
Mr.ESC @ Jul 25th 2008 7:33PM
Um I don't want to pay for Vader but I was thinking on buying the Ps3 version after I get a PS3.Now why would Ps3 owners pay for Yoda? General Grievous,Dark maul or Mace Windu yeah but Yoda?
I would pay for Spawn but not for Vader.
AlphaOmegaSin @ Jul 25th 2008 7:49PM
this game is gonna be sick, i do hope they allow for downloading each other systems characters. then no one will feel snubbed
T @ Jul 25th 2008 8:02PM
Oh come on. When this happens...are there honestly going to be people who will be surprised?
Chase @ Jul 25th 2008 8:18PM
This is bullshit for the people who bought the game. Fortunately, I have little interest in buying this title at retail price. I'll wait it out until the DLC is free.
Twist @ Jul 25th 2008 8:34PM
The good thing here is that if these end up being popular then maybe Lucas Arts will see that there is a market for a good Star Wars fighting game. They tried it once with the awful Masters of Teräs Käsi, but if they were to hire a decent studio to take the project on then I would be interested. Especially if they stuck to Jedi and Sith characters and mined the expanded universe characters like the ones from the KOTOR games.