Tendo City

http://360.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=7430

Long, but a really great read... read it! Now! I won't summarize because the article should be read...

Quote:E3 2006: Interview with SNK Playmore USA President Ben Herman

May 13, 2006

by: Sascha Lichtenstein
Written By: James Jursudakul

Advanced Media was able to get an interview opportunity with SNK Playmore USA President Ben Herman on the last day of E3 (5/12/06). Below is the full transcript for part I of the two-part interview with Mr. Herman. The second part, which will contain a few fan questions, will be posted on AMN in a few weeks. We'd like to thank Mr. Ben Herman for taking the time to answer all our questions.


Ben Herman: I've been involved in a lot of launches. A lot of different transition years in moving from different platforms of next-generation, all the way back to the Atari/Colecovision days....but from the stand-point of excitement, this actual time period has been disruptive but its also been the most exciting. This particular E3, for me, is the most exciting I've had due to a combination of reasons. We have products that are coming out for what I feel are for the right platforms. At the same time, the industry is going thru a very interesting change, where last fall when the Xbox 360 was announced and launched, the whole year was impacted by the fact that everyone was waiting for next-generation systems. Microsoft didn't bring that many units at launch. It was definitely a dry-market for the 360 hardware and every other system got impacted by the fact that people wanted to buy what's new. Everyone knew that PS3 was coming. Everyone knew that Nintendo had a Revolution system coming. . .but now in this year, we have all the details and people are going to be able to decide whether they want to spend basically $600 or $500 or $400 or Nintendo's unanswered question of "affordable," but we know it's not anywhere near $400, let alone $300. You know we all expect something in the $200-$250 range. The other thing is, when I look at the new Nintendo system and controller, it is unique, it is different, and everyone is just having fun using it. And for us, as a company, the fact that we have a project which is Metal Slug Anthology, which is going to take advantage of the controller whether you're throwing a grenade or firing a gun, at launch. . .it's a very exciting time.



AMN: Speaking of Metal Slug Anthology (Wii), can you talk about the gameњs features? How does it control? Do you aim where you want to shoot with the pointer?

Ben Herman: You're going to be able to aim and fire with the pointer. You're also going to be able to lob grenades by holding one of the controllers. At this point, the development team is creating it and exact details of which control/configuration will actually be used is not given out, but it's basically going to be interactive with the controllers. Plus we'll have, of course, Wi-Fi capabilities.

AMN: And SNK has a new developer working on this game? An American developer? What is the name of the development team?

Ben Herman: Yes, in Texas. The name of which I'm...we're not into naming who brings the games to us, they don't get first-party announcements as I would call it. Though they are very happy. They are actually developing the PSP version too.

AMN: Will the extra contents in the PSP and Wii versions differ?

Ben Herman: The games will be the same. You'll earn some bonus to get some video galleries or extra content. They'll be some differences. If nothing-else, certainly the way you use the system. I mean the PSP you won't be aiming and shooting (like the Wii-version), you'll just be using the traditional buttons. But with the Wii, the controller (features) will be implemented into the gameplay.

AMN: And Metal Slug 6 is not in the Anthology?

Ben Herman: It is not on the Anthology. It is in the arcades right now, it came out in February.

AMN: So, what plans do you have for Metal Slug 6?

Ben Herman: Still undecided as to what we'll do with it. It's a 2-D game so we can't bring it to PS3 or Xbox 360 as is. Quite possibly it will come to a Nintendo system because Nintendo is certainly does not have a high-definition requirement but we're still analyzing our plans for that. In our agreements with Sega-Sammy, essentially we do not announce any console plans until a certain time period has passed and we're still within that time-frame.

Quote:AMN: Now, you mentioned that you couldn't bring it to Xbox 360 or PS3 because those are high-definition platforms (with Metal Slug 6 being a 2-D game). Now, you also had a somewhat similar problem with Sony on the PS2, where some games had to be cancelled because Sony of America would not permit it due to some stuff about not meeting their graphical standards, gameplay details aside. Has Nintendo posed any kind of barriers for SNK?

Ben Herman: None whatsoever. They were very happy to have us back on board. They didn't come chasing us, but they allow us to have creativity. One of the things about the development kit for Wii is that, they said to us, create accessories. Do add-ons. If there are companies like Logitech and the like that are going to create all kinds of accessories that Nintendo. . .Nintendo's not going to corner the market or say that these are the only accessories that will plug in and play. They essentially are saying "be creative." Today I went to see the presentation. They had some accessories that had not really been shown. They have a classic joypad. They're working on a gun. Other third parties as far as accessory makers will work on other accessories and you know. . .just have fun with it.

AMN: So in regards to that, can we expect an arcade stick from SNK?

Ben Herman: It's not out of the realm but I think we're going to leave the accessories to the accessory makers.

AMN: So what's SNK-Playmore USA's 2006 release schedule?

Ben Herman: Ok. In August we'll have King of Fighters 2006 for the PS2. Obviously, in Japan, it's King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2. The decision was made for overseas market EU and United States to call it King of Fighters 2006. I don't care what you call it. It's the sequel to King of Fighters: Maximum Impact. It's our second 3-D game. It has 36 characters with a lot of new ones that are not in the original KoF: MI. It is brilliant as far as the colors, the fighting. . .it still feels like a 2-D game and will come out in August. As an added bonus feature, in Japan they packaged in an anime: King of Fighters: Another Day. For the U.S. plans, it's going to be a separate DVD shrink wrapped in its own cardboard sleeve and we're going to make that available as maybe a gift with purchase or pre-sell opportunity where maybe you can sign up in June, order it, get the anime, then pick up the game on launch day. Anyway the retailers want it but it will be available as a gift.

AMN: Will there be English-dubbed voices for the anime?

Ben Herman: You're going to be able (to watch) in English, Japanese, or Japanese with English subtitles. Also, when we did the first game, King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, Sony of America said its got to be in English. Because of the time constraints and the holiday season, we weren’t able to do it in dual-language so we only did English. We got a lot of heat for that. This time when be bring it (King of Fighters 2006), we'll have the options. If you want it only in Japanese, or English, or Japanese with English subtitles then it's your call.

AMN: So you heard the fans then. So what's after King of Fighters 2006?

Ben Herman: After that we'll be on Game Boy Advance. It's the 10th anniversary of Metal Slug. So we'll have Metal Slug, the original first-edition from the arcades, and of course the MVS and AES, brought to the Game Boy Advance. If went to eBay and you could find it for the AES system, it's a $4000 bid. It'll be $30 MSRP for Game Boy Advance in September and we'll do some special packaging with it. It has been announced before but it will be here, finally this fall.

AMN: Will the game have multi-player or extra features?

Ben Herman: It's a one-player game but (aside from being a single-player game) also a pure port from the arcade.

Then in October, we will join the DS category with our first entry. Obviously, the DS Lite coming in June is going to be wonderful. In Japan the sales have been tremendous and with the $129 retail on the hardware it's also going to be tremendous here in the States. We're going to bring out our first DS title, which is going to be an SNK Vs. CAPCOM, title and it will be our Card Fighters game. It's not just taking the NeoGeo Pocket games and bringing them to the DS. It's a whole new game, obviously using the dual-screen capabilities, and we will be showing gameplay in July.



AMN: From the screens, the card layout seems totally different, so will the gameplay be the same as in the NeoGeo Pocket Color?

Ben Herman: It won't be as simple. It's certainly an advanced version but the concept is somewhat the same. There are like 300 cards and we're looking into the possibility of having one of the trading card companies maybe make some cards that we can actually sell or have as bonuses and stuff, but in the game itself, it will be very complex and take advantage of the DS' features.

Quote: AMN: How long has the game been in development?

Ben Herman: Its been in development for about seven months.

AMN: How many percent complete is it as of this time?

Ben Herman: It's going to be finished in July, so I say it's almost 80% complete. Even though we're not showing it here, the reason for that is those cards is the last thing that gets implanted into the game. So until the cards get in there, there's no gameplay that we'll get. But it's online. . .I mean on schedule perfectly. The cards are going to be put in and we'll have gameplay in July.

AMN: So. . .will it be online?

Ben Herman: Yes, it will use Wi-Fi.

To finish the schedule. In November, the Metal Slug Anthology will be both on PSP, as well as on Wii. It's not going to be like the same day launch for both, but if we can with Wii, we're going to launch it at the system's release. The PSP version is also going to be coming out in November.



AMN: How long has Metal Slug Anthology been in development for the Wii?

Ben Herman: Honestly it started about three months ago. Because the code that we work with, is code that we have and is just a matter of converting it to the format and working with the dev kit.

AMN: Previous SNK ports to other consoles (PS2, DC, etc.) have had long loading times and the versions were never as good as on the NeoGeo. . .

Ben Herman: The loading times will be absolutely quicker due to the faster processing speed. There were some technical issues as far as screen-size and speed and so forth. But the plan is, and will be that it will run just like the arcade games as far as the speed and movement.

As far as releases, that'll be it for the year. As for things that will be in development for next year, they're in our hearts and in our secret vault but there are new systems coming out and we certainly hope to support some of them.

AMN: A bit about Card Fighters Clash. Before, when SNK and CAPCOM first had the contract to bring out games for the Vs. series, it was something like three titles that SNK could develop and three titles that CAPCOM could develop. Now with this new contract for Card Fighters Clash DS. . .

Ben Herman: It's not a new contract. This is still part of the original contract. In other words, we had the ability to bring out a game and we decided to bring it out for the DS.

AMN: So does CAPCOM still have the ability to bring out a game too?

Ben Herman: I think we're at the point right now, where we're at the end of the first contract. They're done with what they can do and we're done with what we can do. There would have to be new discussions and new relationships to possibly do future contracts.

AMN: Now, a bit about your previous releases. For the past three years, which titles has sold best for SNK in the U.S.?

Ben Herman: If you look at the three years. We did Metal Slug Advance, which was two new characters and a whole new adventure, was a tremendous success for us a couple of years ago. Also King of Fighters: Maximum Impact, even though we got some heat about the voices and the English, it still sold over 100,000 units. It was a very very successful title for us. We've been disappointed obviously that Sony has rejected some of our request but they worked with us on some dual packs and the like. As we look at the PS2 category and we go to what I would call the additional years where it becomes a budget category. We still see some tremendous opportunities to support it and hopefully get their blessing on some of the things we'd like to bring.

AMN: So then SNK still plans to support the PS2 and Xbox in 2007?

Ben Herman: Xbox is done. Version 1 Xbox is totally done. They haven't announced that it's over but believe me, it's over. That category is gone. There will be nothing new from us for Xbox.

AMN: How many units did Metal Slug Advance sell?

Ben Herman: It sold about 80,000 units.

AMN: Actually, I can't find that anywhere and have been trying to pick it up. . .

Ben Herman: We've been back and forth on making more. Part of me says keep the market dry and let's just go to Metal Slug 1 when we bring it this fall. We've had some requests and there's a couple possibilities through the show that people might want to buy enough to meet the minimum but they obviously want to hit a lower price point, so we have to balance it all. But we may go back and order some. But really, the sell through on it was wonderful. We only stopped ordering it because we decided it was time to dry it up before some retailer requested some help but we've many times looked at the possibility of re-ordering it.

AMN: Now with last or rather current generation of systems, SNK Playmore USA has been a big supporter of the Xbox because Sony wouldn't allow so many games. . .

Ben Herman: Well I mean we've looked at the Xbox as a customer. We looked at PS2 as a customer. And we looked at Nintendo GameCube as a customer. We didn't support GameCube mainly because by the time we got started, it was too late. Cause we would've brought it out at a point where the market would be falling off and we just decided to wait. We waited for now. That's why we're there early with Wii, we're certainly supporting the DS, and we certainly have supported GameBoy Advance. I apologize to our fans who are Nintendo fans but the future is now.

Quote: AMN: So do you suppose that Wii is SNK's current favorite next-gen console right now and will probably have the most support from SNK (relative to other systems)?

Ben Herman: It has the first support. Xbox 360 has been out for awhile but we haven’t brought out a title yet. PS3 is coming, and from our stand point as far as any games for it, they're coming later. So without question, Wii is coming out, we have a game for Wii and. . .you know it's certainly the first thing. . .so the first is usually. . . the first child is usually closest to your heart. But we do have some strong expectations that Sony will do very well. I'm sure Xbox 360 will continue to do well. The Wii, is just. . .the buzz at the show is very strong.

AMN: In Japan, they announced NeoGeo Battle Coliseum for the Xbox 360, quite awhile back. What's the status of that?

Ben Herman: Really right now it's on delay or on hold. The situation right now where obviously it was announced before 360 hit the Japanese market. Once again, Microsoft has not really impacted. As a matter of fact, the 360 has sold worse than the original Xbox. And that Xbox, ugly as it was, that big-black-brick, and as pretty as the 360 is. The 360 has not taken a foothold. Microsoft has been very good to the publishers, they've created some very incredible royalty opportunities, basically saying that there's no royalty payments to Microsoft and just build it. Some of the publishers have made some very attractive games in Japanese but it still has not sold. PS3 is coming, and certainly, even though it is very expensive. The reality is that the Japanese market will support Sony. I don't know what Microsft is going to do but a lot of publishers who have to invest lots of money to make the game are going to look at it and say, "well, I have the United States, I have Europe, and I have nothing---Japan." Whereas they are going to look at PS3 and say "I've got Japan, U.S.A., and Europe." If you've got to spend five or ten million dollars to develop a high-definition game, to be honest, you'd like to have one that can sell in all markets. So we're looking at it right now and we're saying, "What do we do with 360?" Live Arcade is something we're talking about. That still gets some of our older games available but yet that has been a little bit of a stumbling block because their base system, the memory capability is not strong enough to take some of our arcade classics. They want us to compress it. Maybe we can't compress it. They don't want to go to a memory stick that has 128 megs, they just feel like it's not fair to their consumer base because if they had only done the larger SKU, this wouldn't be a discussion. So their Live Arcade, which has got a lot of games presented, and they want to do a lot of games. . .there has been very little coming out because they have an issue with the memory capacity. We want to support Microsoft, but its been an interesting market. Xbox 360 is doing great here in the states, but it's not only about the U.S.. It's the world right now. But you know, Microsoft has got a beautiful new operating system - the Vista. I need a new laptop computer. I'm going to wait till a new OS comes out at the first of the year. You know, it's just might as well wait. At the same time Sony is going to have a great new system. It's backwards compatible 100%. Xbox 360 certainly isn't backwards compatible. Sony says that it will take all its PS2 games. People will step up to the PS3, hopefully they will have this wonderful new online environment that their creating. So they have a challenge, but they certainly feel that they're capable of competing with Microsoft. That's a war on one level and it's an expensive war.

Then you have Nintendo who finally added Wi-Fi, made it very accessible. Something that I think a lot of fans wanted. At the same time here comes a system that's very affordable. Doesn't require high-definition development. Doesn't require HDTV, so it's a no brainer, as a developer to make a Wii game because it's just inexpensive. And I just look at what they've done, or what they're trying to do, and they have really captured the imagination of older people who. . .look playing a new Mario game on a new Nintendo system is not going to get you 200 million new customers but Zelda is going to be interesting. And having Mario available and having assortment, instead of having six games at launch that they may have had with GameCube, we're talking about 20 + games. Now, as a third-party we're old enough to share in the opportunity. Everyone's not going to walk in and say "give me 25 games" on launch date. But they all have unique capabilities and unique qualities. And I'm willing to have a Metal Slug Anthology available, and I'll compete with anyone for retail dollars. It's my strongest franchise here in the United States and I'm not concerned at all about how it's going to fare against Madden or anyone else. If you want to play Metal Slug and you know it, for ten years, you're going to come get it. . .and I expect some tremendous sales for it. To me it's like, I go Wii Vs. "Them." Because I feel that Nintendo has its own niche, and I know they're going to do well and we all know why. The name or not. At the same time, let Microsoft and Sony go beat it out at the high-level. Now Microsoft does have a lead right now so Sony has a challenge.

AMN: You mentioned bringing SNK's games to Xbox live arcade. What is SNK's opinion of Nintendo's Virtual Console?

Ben Herman: It's a tremendous idea. Even though there were no details. And even though the world said "gee the whole NES library is going to be available. The whole Super NES library." That was not true. It was not true initially because there was no third party program. They announced Sega, there's ten Sega games, it's great. Sonic and others that they've actually brought to there. Also some Hudson. Some TurboGrafx games. It's wonderful. I think it's four of those games. But they just announced, and just put a person employed, to create a program to have third party games come to the virtual console. I can go back and get Baseball Stars, Ikari Warriors, P.O.W., and others. . .you KNOW I want them on there. Now I don't know the deal yet, but I am not going to hold back. I want those games to be available to my consumers who want to go play them. It would be wonderful if you buy this $250 system, which is the rumored price. So you buy the system at $250, you have the capability of downloading every game from every prior system going back to '85 and you're talking about a serious home-run. So it's going to be fun.

AMN: A bit about last year. . .what happened to King if Fighters Re-bout and Twinkle Star Sprites, which was on display (in video form) at E3 2005.

Ben Herman: We talked about doing Twinkle Star Sprites but the decision just demographically decided that the market was not there for it. Whether it was a correct decision or not, we're a private company and it's a matter of putting up our dollars, and we just decided it was not the right decision to do it. Re-bout was for the Xbox. The development, the conversion, the localization was just taking forever and also it never got all the bugs out. We got to a point where we missed the holiday season, we were deep into the first quarter of this year and we said, "you know what? The market died." There was just no place to sell the game. Microsoft's royalty structure wasn't in a position where we could go out at $19.99 or less and we said "you know what? Take your losses and say thank you very much." And we just had to walk away from it.

End of Interview Part I. Part II of the interview will be available as soon as it comes in. My apologies to MMcafe for the inconvenience.