Suda 51 admits “it’s really difficult to be successful with a new IP”
James Pickard October 3, 2011 - 4:16 pmAmidst the disappointing sales of Shadows of the Damned, quirky Japanese developer Goichi “Suda 51″ Suda admits that it was incredibly difficult to launch a successful new IP.
Despite a number of strong reviews – including BeefJack’s very own – Shadows of the Damned flopped, with poor sales figures and a tepid release in Japan just last week. The game’s executive producer, Suda 51, understands that success with a new IP is difficult to come by.
“Of course we always wish to have a big hit, but at the same time – not just in Japan, but worldwide – I think it’s really difficult to be successful with a new IP,” he told Eurogamer.
“You really need an extraordinary amount of support to have a new franchise be successful. Unfortunately we couldn’t really do as well as we hoped for.”
It is incredibly disappointing, especially considering the three big names involved with the project: Suda 51 himself, Resident Evil‘s Shinji Mikami and Silent Hill composer, Akira Yamaoka. Despite this, what changes would Suda have made if he had the opportunity to make the game again?
“I had lots of ideas for online,” he stated. “If I could do it over again I would definitely include online features.”
Ironically, the game’s poor performance may bring into dispute Cliffy B’s comments made earlier today in which he claimed developers should have a personality in order to succeed – something Suda 51 clearly isn’t lacking.
Keep up to date with all the latest Grasshopper Manufacture news at BeefJack.
