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Random Thread, nongaming edition Vol.2 - http://www.mmcafe.com/ Forums
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MMCafe Owner
"Random Thread, nongaming edition Vol.32" , posted Thu 8 Mar 14:09:
Lupin the 3rd returning to the small screen in 27 years
Image Illustration
A new series featuring Mine Fujiko as the main character, titled "Lupin the 3rd: Mine Fujiko to Iu Onna (The lady known as Mine Fujiko)" will begin airing in Japan starting April 4th. The Same cast as the latest 2 hour special will be doing the voices.
This new series will reportedly feature Lupin and the gang back when they were young and will have the more mature/adult atmosphere deriving from the original old manga. Directed by Sayo Yamamoto (Michiko to Hatchin), character designs by Takeshi Koike (Redline). Slated for one season, 13 episodes.
[this message was edited by Professor on Sun 10 Jan 22:32]
Maou
Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master
"THOROUGHLY LUPANIC" , posted Thu 8 Mar 14:32:
OUTSTANDING! After getting faked out by the splendid-looking earlier ad for the new Lupin III pachinko game (should've noticed the Heiwa banner), I'm so excited to see that Koike Takeshi isn't stuck slumming it up doing the art for pachinko anymore!
So excited by these genius designs in the spirit of Monkey Punch. Hopefully the scripts will match. This is almost as thrilling as the early sexy-violent-funny episodes of the third television series, before they ran out of money and started outsourcing to random studios.
人間はいつも私を驚かせてくれる。不思議なものだな、人間という存在は...
[this message was edited by Maou on Thu 8 Mar 14:35]
PSN: Ishmael26b
XBL: n/a
Wii: n/a
"Re(1):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC" , posted Fri 9 Mar 00:33
YES! This is very good news. I love that everybody looks lanky, weird and a bit mean. Hopefully a trailer will come out soon since I want to see this latest Lupin in motion. The decision to focus on Fujiko is also an interesting twist. I've always thought that of the five she was the one who needed better solo stories. Hopefully this will give her the chance to be more than just the sexy pest.
"Re(2):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC" , posted Fri 9 Mar 02:28:
everybody looks lanky, weird and a bit mean.
I knew there was a reason that the Lupin gang resonates with me personally! And this is the best approximation of the original comic designs yet, even better than the tone-perfect Lupin vs. the Clone (Secret of Mamo).
[this message was edited by Maou on Fri 9 Mar 08:20]
KTallguy
PSN: Hunter-KT
Red Carpet Executive Member
I'm kind of excited!
Play to win... or to have fun too! :)
"Re(1):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC" , posted Sat 10 Mar 01:38
This is almost as thrilling as the early sexy-violent-funny episodes of the third television series, before they ran out of money and started outsourcing to random studios.
Thanks to you mentioning it I rewatched a few episodes of the unfairly maligned third series last night. That run turned into a pastel nightmare by the end but those early episodes were better than a lot of people give them credit for.
In other unrelated news: Penguin Cam
sfried
PSN: My3DSFriendCode
XBL: isdownbellow
Wii: 279306128909
Red Carpet Regular Member+
It's missing the Attenborough narration:
...And here, in the San Diego Sea World...
PSN: Toxic-Baron
"Re(3):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC" , posted Thu 15 Mar 05:21
The legendary man of the X face scar.....
さっきの感じならあと100発はもつ‥‥と思うぜ
Update 24 as of 21/11/11 (Temporary mega upload link). // 104 personajes traducidos
Now sponsoring : video game analogies (ES)
Last update : Chapter 23 as of 20/11/11
This is pretty much exactly what will sell to millions of screaming girls in Japan.
"Re(4):THOROUGHLY KENSHINIC" , posted Thu 15 Mar 15:21
Hmm, Kenshin in the present looks awfully young. His "oro" voice tic is somehow much more embarrassing with live actors than it was in the comic or the animation. I'm trying to even wrap my head around how they will manage to cram in the arcs with Udou Jin-e and Saitou Hajime into one mere movie, since the latter's appearance depended so much on Kenshin's dealings with the former. (And did I see Kanryuu's gattling gun? Couldn't've...)
"Re(5):THOROUGHLY KENSHINIC" , posted Wed 21 Mar 04:05
Teenage Mutant Ninja.... Aliens.
nobinobita
Red Carpet Premium Member
Raphael's reaction.
www.art-eater.com
"Re(7):THOROUGHLY KENSHINIC" , posted Fri 23 Mar 23:45
New Berserk Trailer...
"THOROUGHLY LUPANIC TRAILER" , posted Tue 27 Mar 03:34:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om_UdToxqqE
Damn, it looks...good!
Like an effective mix of the 70's art style and the modern.
[this message was edited by Professor on Tue 27 Mar 03:36]
"Re(1):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC TRAILER" , posted Tue 27 Mar 23:24
That looks so great although I wasn't expecting such a dramatic change in the style of music. Then again, the peppy jazz that Yuji Ohno provided wouldn't be a good fit for Fujiko.
"Re(2):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC TRAILER" , posted Wed 28 Mar 15:39:
How splendid! Koike Takeshi's Monkey Punch-style designs are just too top-notch. The actual animation is oddly intriguing in a Gankutsuou kind of way, though I really don't feel that great about Lupin without Ohno Yuuji. Objectively, the first Lupin TV series was one of the best, but I just can't get into it without peppy spy jazz.
[this message was edited by Maou on Wed 28 Mar 15:40]
Nekros
Gold Customer
"Re(3):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC TRAILER" , posted Thu 29 Mar 18:41
The actual animation is oddly intriguing in a Gankutsuou kind of way
The first thing that crossed my mind, especially with those colors and shadows.
"Re(4):THOROUGHLY LUPANIC TRAILER" , posted Sat 31 Mar 05:34
Total Recall.... Well, not the one we would have liked to.
karasu99
PSN: robotchris
XBL: robotchris
Red Carpet Regular Member++
"Re(5):Google Maps, 8-bit edition" , posted Sun 1 Apr 02:36
www.secret-arts.com
"Re(6):Google Maps, 8-bit edition" , posted Sun 1 Apr 03:23:
This is by far and away the coolest April Fool's joke ever. Actually, it's not even a joke. It works so beautifully.
I wonder what the story is behind it! I mean, they definitely collaborated with Nintendo and Enix in the promo video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rznYifPHxDg&feature=player_embedded
[this message was edited by nobinobita on Sun 1 Apr 03:25]
Blowing into the cartridge is what really sells it.
Cow getting abducted by an Alien at Area 51, a Slime in the middle of Tokyo... this is pure awesomeness. Will repost this in the April fools thread.
PSN: IkariLoona
New Red Carpet Member
"Re(9):Google Maps, 8-bit edition" , posted Wed 4 Apr 23:57
Speaking of aliens...
"Beat the machine that works in your head!" - Guano Apes "Open Your Eyes"
"Pseudo-nongaming edition" , posted Tue 24 Apr 04:50
I'll resurrect this thread from the dead with fell conjurings: Hiroshi Matsuyama of CyberConnect2 drops out of Paris Marathon at 22km point. As a runner myself, I really feel for the guy-- the 22km mark is where all of the darker emotions begin to manifest. There's always next year!
sibarraz
PSN: DefensorVirtuoso
Silver Customer
"Re(1):Pseudo-nongaming edition" , posted Tue 24 Apr 07:33
I'm not even that big of a fan of Evangelion and I still will love to had one of those phones
And about the marathon, that reminded the hunter test saga from hunter, for me the most scariest was the first one, since I know how much sucks to feel like the road never ends
"...." , posted Fri 27 Apr 07:37
Rurouni Kenshin chapter 0 scheduled for Weekly Shonen Jump in August... Milking the cow, was the saying?
Update 24 as of 03/04/12. // 104 personajes traducidos
"Lupanic April" , posted Fri 4 May 15:37:
The new Lupin series has been going for a month now and I realized we hadn't talked about it yet. I notice that it is apparently even going to stream in the US.
I only caught the first episode, which is...interesting. As we saw in the previews, it's sexy, violent, and in character with Monkey Punch's original. Koike Takeshi's designs are absolutely perfect, Fujiko's new actress is refreshing, and even in his brief appearance, Zenigata is staggeringly cool, just as he's supposed to be.
The other modern touches don't serve Lupin that well, though, I think. I'll sound like a dull traditionalist, but I think the debt Lupin owes to Ohno Yuuji's wonderful jazz is immeasurable, to the point that even the otherwise great first TV series still falls a bit flat in retrospect without him. The mod non-Ohno jazz here too is cacophonous, and the hideously unpleasant and lyrically overwrought opening, 新嵐が丘/New Wuthering Heights sort of puts a damper on the mood from the get-go. Speaking of overwrought, the dialogue is a bit much to qualify as good banter, though having episode 1 involve a cult might be partially to blame.
And despite Koike's designs being great, I'm not sure if they benefit from the Gankutsuou-style art nouveau thing which distracts from them; Lupin is better when more kinetic and less frou-frou in its visual presentation. Still, if this is a step towards getting a series done by Koike in the magnificent style of the recent pachiko-slot game, that would only be a good thing.
[this message was edited by Maou on Fri 4 May 15:41]
"Re(1):Lupanic April" , posted Sat 5 May 03:28
So far I'm really digging the new Lupin series. The writing isn't going to win any awards but I'm curious to see how this current interpretation of Fujiko's motivations plays out in the later episodes. At the moment it's all a bit creaky but Lupin's never really been known for it's deep characterization. Until then I'm enjoying that the show is consciously trying to invoke the spirit of the early, feral Lupin episodes before they chickened out and quit making Fujiko so openly sexual. Even the shots of Fujiko riding a motorcycle at the end of the initial episode recalled the ending credits of the first series.
Maybe it's because Lupin has had more visual reinterpretations than any other anime character I can think of but I don't mind the Gankutsuou presentation the show is doing. It's a different change of pace and it also works well with the limited animation that Lupin often "enjoys." The opening feels like a perfume commercial that got out of control but I am enjoying the musical choices in the episodes. Then again, I would like it if Ornette Coleman had scored the show so my opinion should probably not be trusted.
"Re(2):Lupanic April" , posted Sun 6 May 02:07
Kinema version? (as in, cinema). It looks like a new "remake" manga by Watsuki telling the same events. I'm not smart to tell if that's supposed to be the chapter 0 that I spoke off recently.
Of course, my true goal for posting in this thread is to mention this, gyoh hyoh hyoh.
Oh, and don't think that because I don't have anything lupintistique to say, I'm not enjoying the new adaptation.
"Re(2):Lupanic April" , posted Tue 8 May 18:13:
The new Lupin series has been pretty good so far IMO. Back to old style aethetics with a fusion of the new. Zenigata having sex with Fujiko in his office was something that really showed that they're not pulling back any punches.
In relation to anime, I'm surprised that noone's mentioned this yet. Evangelion collaboration with Schick, you get to see Gendo shaven.But man, the Rey Ayanami limited edition box is almost as pricy as getting a real figure! Almost 5,600JPY.. well, it looks good but Hummmmmm....
[this message was edited by Professor on Tue 8 May 18:40]
"Not my pops" , posted Wed 9 May 01:42:
The new Lupin series has been pretty good so far IMO. Back to old style aethetics with a fusion of the new.
I finally caught up with the other episodes. I like that it's hard-boiled, and the art continues to be pretty gorgeous, though by episode 5 in the pyramids I noticed some uneven facial shapes and had a terrible flashback of the third TV series' downward slide.
I was fine with Fujiko and Goemon, but I could not stand Zeni and Fujiko in episode 4. I get that they're trying to push away from the TV series' unfaithful image of him as a dope, but it's possible to do that without making him a cad (Dead or Alive, Clone, Cagliostro, Episode 0...all the great ones, in fact). Monkey Punch's Zenigata may have been more ruthless (I had no problem with him shooting at Lupin) but he never gave the impression of being abusive of his power. This scene's depiction is not "in character" by any standards, including Monkey's, and I don't think that it's compelling enough to stand on its own, either.
[this message was edited by Maou on Wed 9 May 01:54]
"Kono random thread, mamoritai." , posted Thu 10 May 10:24:
I remember that in ages old Chaz was walking around town, picking up fresh off the grill (male) art students and asking around about the 守りたい、この笑顔 meme and if there it was an equivalent of know your meme or something... well, it's obviously besides the point now but there is a Niconico pedia and seems to have something about it.
Remember kids , I don't forget. I just drink it out so that I can't remember for a while.
[this message was edited by Toxico on Thu 10 May 10:24]
"Re(3):Lupanic April" , posted Fri 11 May 21:08
I saw the commercial, and that remembers me how Evangelion marketing has nothing to do with the source material. But shaved Gendo is a must to see.
That Ayanami razor stand is cool and expensive but remind me too much of a product for dental care than for shaving.
"Re(4):Lupanic April" , posted Wed 16 May 15:39
Following Evo comes... Joe and JOJO!
Legend of Success Joe has never been this fattening
Limited edition JOJO Smartphone... URYYYYYY
You actually get to play that car game from Pt.III.
"Re(5):Lupanic April" , posted Sun 3 Jun 16:18
Something interesting : 1st , 2nd .
"Re(6):Lupanic April" , posted Mon 25 Jun 14:16:
As of today, the last remaining chapters of The Lady of Udon have been translated into english.
I may never look at udon the same way again.
[this message was edited by Spoon on Tue 26 Jun 02:27]
GekigangerV
PSN: gekijmo
XBL: gekijmo5
Silver Carpet V.I.P- Platinum Executive
"Sengoku Basara live-action (with Gackt)" , posted Wed 4 Jul 11:40
Probably could have put this in the gaming random thread, but I associate this series with the Anime more.
Starts July 12th. I think I will download the first ep for nothing more than shits and giggles. I tried watching the first episode of the anime on Netflix and maybe it was the dub, but I couldn't get past the first 5 minutes.
shindekudasai
"Evangelion Q: 11-17-12" , posted Thu 5 Jul 23:28
Teaser trailer up at Evageeks
Omedetou!
"Re(1):Evangelion Q: 11-17-12" , posted Fri 6 Jul 06:22:
Fucking finally.
Edit: Looks pretty cool, although very difficult to tell what the hell is going on.
[this message was edited by KTallguy on Fri 6 Jul 06:25]
"Re(2):Evangelion Q: 11-17-12" , posted Fri 6 Jul 20:07
I'm so split about this EVA reneweal - terribly curious, but I the same time I kinda want to wait until all the movies are out to see them all in one go, I already go years waiting for the next chapters of things I like - one of them, curiously, being the Evangelion manga, but also applies to the likes of KoF and Gunnm.
Speaking of which, the new League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century: 2009 is out!
Time to hit those Jess Nevins annotations for all the things I've missed (I'm kinda surprised I didn't spot a Shameless reference, although plenty of others made up for it well enough).
"New Sailor Moon Anime in 2013" , posted Fri 6 Jul 22:15
This is supposed to be the intro
http://www.moon-chase.com/2012/07/breaking-news-new-sailor-moon-anime-to-premiere-around-the-world-in-2013/
I wonder if this will be original content or if they will be more faithful to the manga.
I am kind of skeptical of this since I really have not liked the quality of animation in Anime for the last few years.
I know, right? Supposedly Sadamoto is taking a break from the manga as an animator for Q. I find it hillarious that the story that started with the anime in 1995 is only now poised to finish alongside its remake almost 20 years later! And Gunnm .... argh, when Gally came back with the wings I thought for sure, this is it, we've finally hit the climax - oh no, wait! More wacky space kung fu! At least Sechs' last fight scene was cool.
"Re(4):Evangelion Q: 11-17-12" , posted Sat 7 Jul 00:56
when Gally came back with the wings I thought for sure, this is it, we've finally hit the climax - oh no, wait! More wacky space kung fu!
To be fair, the angel resurrection thing was a clumsy attempt at commenting the Shueisha problem.
It was slightly heavy-handed.
So, DBZ, Evangelion, Jojo and now SailorMoon returning... after 80's revivals, it's time for the 90's stuff... ok, as long as there's some new Ranma stuff to go along with it - oh wait, there was that live-action.
Also, Glénat hasn't published any new Gunnm stuff in about a year, though I'm almost sure at least one volume came out in english since then - this is what I get for wanting to keep my collection consistent despite the fact it started when you could only get manga in french over here... I'd feel kinda bad for relying on some site to read it after buying all these years, but then again, it's what I've been doing for Silver Spoon...
"Re(6):Evangelion Q: 11-17-12" , posted Sun 8 Jul 19:25
So, DBZ, Evangelion, Jojo and now SailorMoon returning... after 80's revivals, it's time for the 90's stuff...
Don't forget Trigun and Berserk!
Not a fan of many famous anime series (except, well... Evangelion and Hagaren!) so I missed the new announcements about those revivals stuff.
But DBZ? Is there anything new? I remember being a new manga, a new movie and the Kai TV series. Is that all or it will be another thing DBZ-related?
Also, Glénat hasn't published any new Gunnm stuff in about a year, though I'm almost sure at least one volume came out in english since then
Since Gunm changed publisher, Glénat probably have to sign another contract with another publisher, with whom they may or may not have preexisting contacts... This whole story was far too much drama for its own good.
"Batman of Shanghai: Catwoman" , posted Mon 16 Jul 12:45
more fights animated by these people please
I'm kind of surprised at how I thought, "Hey this reminds me of Kung Fu Cooking Girls somehow..." and lo and behold, it is by the same group of people!
http://wolfsmoke.blogspot.com/p/animations.html
"Rockman's....." , posted Thu 19 Jul 05:49:
Perfume? I guess Inafune is proud... That he left Capcom It could be awesome if it has a super weird smell, though!
Hunter x Hunter gets it's first anime film. I suppose Togashi is temporarily going to stop playing Dragon Quest for the sake of overseeing the movie?
[this message was edited by Toxico on Thu 19 Jul 14:12]
"!?" , posted Thu 26 Jul 01:10
Ninja scroll to get a 3 episode ova or something.
While I'm appalled that they are reviving yet another franchise, the fact that they act as if the TV series didn't exist made me smile.
"Re(1):!?" , posted Fri 27 Jul 07:19
Sex doll saved from drowning. We already know how the debt is going to be repaid.
"IRON ROBOT KURATA" , posted Tue 31 Jul 03:00:
Did you know that japanese enterprise actually build robots in secrecy?
Now we only need Sunrise to take up the license.
edit : Someone loves KoF XIII a little too much
[this message was edited by Toxico on Tue 31 Jul 03:09]
"Re(1):Batman of Shanghai: Catwoman" , posted Fri 10 Aug 04:20
I hope they do more with the concept because I would certainly watch more of that.
It's one of those things that only I would find amusing, but I'm thrilled at the idea that Kaiyodo is making an action figure of Tawaraya Sotatsu's version of Fujin. Can Raijin be far behind?
"Wryyyyyy" , posted Fri 17 Aug 11:19:
Lead's character design . Perhaps Iggy might phrase my disappointment in a way that doesn't involve beating up random pedestrians.
Jonathan: Kazuyuki Okitsu
Dio: Takehito Koyasu
Zeppelin: Yoku Shioya
Speedwagon: Youji Ueda
Erina: Ayako Kawasumi
Director: Naokatsu Tsuda
Series Director: Kenichi Suzuki
Visual Director: Yasufumi Soejima
Series Composition: Yasuko Kobayashi
Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Takako Shimizu
Sub-character Design/Prop Design: Shinichi Machida
Art Director: Shunichiro Yoshihara
Music: Hayato Matsuo
Animation Production: David Production
http://i.imgur.com/ZWERu.jpg [Image Attached]
Koyasu seems un-fitting of Dio (for about as much as Modirikawa, ha!).... Well, he is also weird for Kenshiro, but we know how that went already.
[this message was edited by Toxico on Sun 19 Aug 07:51]
"Re(1):Wryyyyyy" , posted Sun 19 Aug 19:39
I'd rather play the BanNam Phantom Blood game than watch this.
"Re(2):Wryyyyyy" , posted Mon 20 Aug 00:57
Thinking back about it, that game would have been amazing with a wiimote.
Thinking back about it, that game would have been amazing with a wiimote Kinect.
"Re(4):Wryyyyyy" , posted Tue 21 Aug 15:12:
watch this - Nico
[this message was edited by Toxico on Tue 21 Aug 16:01]
"Interview with creators of Batman of Shanghai" , posted Fri 7 Sep 10:05
I just posted an interview with Wolf Smoke Studio, the creators of Batman of Shanghai and Kung Fu Food Girls. As far as I know it's their first English language interview posted anywhere.
http://art-eater.com/2012/09/wolf-smoke-studio-the-dynamic-duo-behind-batman-of-shanghai/
chazumaru
"Re(1):Interview with creators of Batman of Sh" , posted Fri 7 Sep 10:44
Thanks! Very interesting. Of course they answered Street III.
マジカル学習と言ったら勉強♪勉強と言ったら学園♪学園と言ったらジャスティス♪ジャスティスと言ったら裁判♪裁判と言ったら逆転♪逆転と言ったらさよなら!♪さよならと言ったら淋しい♪淋しいと言ったらなみだ♪なみだと言ったらティッシュペーパー♪ティッシュペーパーと言ったらエロ漫画♪
If you are an animator, that is the most correct answer!
"A la Cuisine!" , posted Sat 8 Sep 14:22
Nice Interview! Wow, Smoke is drawing directly with no pencil draft for your sketchbook, and he's quite quick at it too! Awesome!
On another note related to Food Girl, The Iron Chef is making a comeback. Talk about nostalgia.
"Re(1):A la Cuisine!" , posted Mon 10 Sep 11:33
Ah, now there's some good news. Seeing as how drama filled cooking shows still have a following in the US I'm glad to see one of the forerunners of the genre come back. I remember reading the official Iron Chef memoir/cookbook that came out. The chefs seemed vaguely embarrassed about the whole thing and wondered what their children would have to put up with if it was discovered their fathers were wearing costumes on television and popping out of trap doors. But Takeshi Kaga, bless his heart, stayed in character in his introduction and really tried to sell the idea that he was living in some sort of food-centric fortress.
PSN: Drakee
XBL: eccothedolphin
It's really great! I wish we could get DVDs of the old Food Network dub of the show with the music intact. Love how they stopped dubbing Kaga because, well, why would you ever do such a thing? I think it'd be difficult to follow subtitles on a show with so many people talking in commentary though...
They did air it on that one Food Network spinoff channel, I forget what it's called but my folks got it and I caught it at a holiday years ago. They redid all the music... it's horrible! So disappointing.
Iron Chef America has taken great strides and become a much better show than I ever imagined possible when it started - I like it but it's still a very different thing than the original. I think that's good, but nothing touches the style and atmosphere of the original! I can't wait to see what they have planned next - wonder if they'll lure Kaga back, even though his character was said to be dead during one special?
Hey, did anyone ever play the Iron Chef "game" for Saturn? Always wanted to scoop it up but every time I checked out an eBay listing for it I'd always forget about it before it was over...
"Re(3):A la Cuisine!" , posted Tue 11 Sep 06:14
God I loved that show. The US versions were always missing the drama. And they had all these weird ingredients. I loved the exotic nature of the original. I wonder if I could find the DVDs somewhere...
"Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Fri 14 Sep 01:35
This blew my mind so much. And Nintendo bought the game!!! What happened to Nintendo being all touchy about sexual and religious elements in games they publish?
Already 3 people were dancing in my office when that was announced, so I'm eager to hear the opinion of this other homosexual hangout that is the Café. Difficult to get hyped by just a teaser on a game that's probably back from the dead and whose life hangs by a string... but god am I hyped.
"Re(1):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Fri 14 Sep 02:11:
Already 3 people were dancing in my office when that was announced, so I'm eager to hear the opinion of this other homosexual hangout that is the Café.
At first I was tremendously disappointed, because I had made up my mind without even thinking about it that I didn't like and didn't want the Wii U. But then my rational mind kicked in. This is Bayonetta, which was probably my favorite non-fighting game of the last 5 or 6 years! So this probably then becomes a reason to buy the Wii U, even if nothing else comes of the system. SIGH.
Iggy, wasn't that the Nintendo of the 80's and 90's? The Nintendo of today has games where people regularly say 'shit' constantly, or at least that was my impression.
[this message was edited by karasu99 on Fri 14 Sep 03:53]
"Re(2):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Fri 14 Sep 02:25
This is exciting! It seems like Platinum and Nintendo are developing a good relationship. If Nintendo really gets behind them I'm all for it.
Who saw that one coming? I don't know what I expected from the Wii U but I didn't think that Nintendo would suddenly decide that publishing the sequel to Bayonetta was a jolly idea. Good for them but how is Bayonetta going to handle with that controller?
It just occurred to me that I have never spoken the name "Wii U" aloud. I've decided I'm going to treat it as one word and pronounce it as a mass of vowels.
My nephew makes that sound when he pretends to be an ambulance!
Wow, I was going to get a Wii U eventually, but now this gives me something real concrete to be excited about. It looks like it is kind of big news on the twitter feed as well since Bayonetta 2 is trending worldwide.
I wonder if Nintendo has a Vanquish sequel in their back pocket as well. Although not as good as Bayonetta, it had potential and the damn thing ended with a tease.
Perhaps Bayonetta can also be in the next Smash game.
[this message was edited by GekigangerV on Fri 14 Sep 02:54]
PSN: Gojira_X
XBL: Gojiraaa
Wii: 80085
Wow, and here I'd resigned myself to the idea that Bayonetta 2 would never happen.
The original Bayonetta had those very richly-integrated Sega references like Outrun and Space Harrier stages... could this mean Bayo 2 will contain entire stage references to Nintendo properties like F-Zero, Metroid and/or Star Fox? Just imagining hearing those themes with Hiroshi Yamaguchi's arrangement gets me all tingly.
Everyone present will be dressing as Bayonetta, but of course.
Hoh, the thought of it gives me chills! The best thing about Bayo 1 was that the whole package came together so well. I have to say though, I'm amazed at the amount of rage the announcement has inspired everywhere. I hadn't realized there were so many people who loved the first game sooo much that they decided to rage out about this one being on the Wii U. Probably people just enjoy being angry about stuff
Like someone on NeoGaf said, this all sounds like a crazy fanfic.
Really? Damn I'm old.
Apparently, not only the director of the sequel is the producer of Bayo 1, he was also in the artists team of Bio Hazard 4, DMC1 and GodHand. Since the visuals were one of Bayo's strong point, I'm even more optimistic.
PSN: Lilly_Dopamine
Despite having just bought 2 3DS systems, I like to share in a good joke about Nintendo from time to time. However, I think the subtlety of talking about their new system in the NONGAMING thread, might be lost on some people.
(As soon as I heard the Bayonetta announcement, I preordered a WiiU, like...lightning fast. It was comical)
青春謳歌 弱肉強食
Does it go better if I pretend I posted here because Bayonetta is not merely a game, it's a lifestyle?
As for preordering... let's just say an embarrassed "indeed" and not mention it ever again. Ahem.
I don't know if these 5000 extra WiiU that fine gentlemen worlwide are going to buy just for this game are really worth it for Nintendo, but let's say it is. Sometimes I think the only thing the previous game lacked was a Space Channel 5 stage, but then I remember how tedious these Sega-inspired stage were and I slap myself in the face.
"Re(5):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Sun 16 Sep 18:51
I don't know if these 5000 extra WiiU that fine gentlemen worlwide are going to buy just for this game are really worth it for Nintendo, but let's say it is.
Don't think it will ever happen. maybe in Japan, but I assure you very few people in the west (including our Polly) will buy a 350 dollar console only to play a single game.
Personally, I'm glad the WiiU will have some Japanese exclusives but I'm still skeptical of this being for a long time (it reminds me the Fab.5 from Capcom in the GC era...). This game is ok to me, I don't feel "betrayed" or so by P* and I think is a great move from Nintendo.
But this hasn't turned me on, I'm very cold about WiiU. I love the console and the controller but there isn't a single game that sold me the system. I'm a collector and will get that at 99% but not at launch and maybe not even during 2013... unless Nintendo dig well Sega's archives and revives fossils of ancient weapons and humanoid drones...
Well, this is true. I probably wouldn't buy a console for ONE GAME (unless I could get it for cheap), but what are the chances of a console announcing a few games I'm interested in at launch, then never having anything else whatsoever?
I DISLIKED the Wii, but it had about 5 or 6 games that justified the purchase of the console for me.
I don't really have high expectations for the WiiU, but it already has 2 Platinum games, a game from Monolith on the way and an inevitable Smash Bros. MH3G HD has given me hope that we might see a WiiU MH4, which would also be nice. That's not bad for pre-launch. Good enough to get a preorder from me.
Although the console doesn't especially excite me in concept, I think it may be a positive alternative for developers once the new consoles hit and development prices risk increasing even more.
My concern is region lock. I got a super good deal on a Japanese 3DS, so I bought it along with a US XL. (I'll eventually make that money back with the difference in US vs import games) Buying two WiiU systems is NOT an option, however. That's bonkers.
Me too in the beginning, but this gen it gave me Japan at its finest (Muramasa, Shikigami No Shiro, TvC, Smash Bros, Sin & Punishment, Pandora's Tower). It was worth the price just to play exsclusives that aren't big AAA titles with military indoctrination in it.
Don't get me wrong but to me you're living in a daydream. Fine with your taste in videogames (not as mine but similar in many ways) but you write about launch window titles and Bayonetta isn't even dated. MH4 is not even announced, Smash Bros. is a Namco product and the Monolith Project is a mystery in every way (style/themes/settings, gameplay, release date, even the game itself...what if it turns out to be a Mii social game?). You are very optimistic or are you putting hope in something that actual systems failed to give you?
I'm not criticizing you, I simply don't understand why you are so invested in this and even preordered the system. Even me, as a collector, avoided this for the lack of appealing software.
WiiU will be compatible with external hd, so it will be a pool of unofficial software that makes the system universal without much effort. I have to admit I have two Wiis, the white version has homebrew software to play media files and import games and the black one is the "official" retail product. For the WiiU just wait for special discounts and stuff at malls or holiday sales, if it will be a popular system maybe you can find a basic model for cheap in less than a year.
And I can assure you as well that there is a minority of special people (2 incomes 0 child kind of people) interested by this announcement. And a larger demographic of people who bought all 3 consoles this generation, even though they don't play all of them and especially not the Wii. They are not millions, but they are quite a few. It's not the crisis for everyone yet. We're talking of a few thousands people in Europe only, and probably the same amount in the US. That's not a lot, but that's more than the Vita ever had, for example.
what are the chances of a console announcing a few games I'm interested in at launch, then never having anything else whatsoever?
I always buy a console for one game, THAT game that tilts the balance over for me (for example, for the 3DS, it's going to be either Gyakuten Layton or Megaten 4), and when I get that game, I usually have a certain back catalogue to pick from. But I always wait for the game to be actually released: I still remember Last Remnant or Megaten 4 were originally planned for PS3 back in the days... Of course, Bayo's situation is quite different since the game wouldn't even exist without Nintendo, and I mainly play Virtual Console games on my Wii so I will have stuff to play on day one.
My concern is region lock. I got a super good deal on a Japanese 3DS, so I bought it along with a US XL. (I'll eventually make that money back with the difference in US vs import games) Buying two WiiU systems is NOT an option, however.
I'm still buying japanese systems only, but the raise of online worried me even more this time. Fortunately, I kinda burned out on fighting games lately, so I hope I can stand firm this time again.
Bronze Customer
"Re(2):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Mon 17 Sep 03:03
The only problem area will probably be Nintendo of America.
The indifference and delays NOA showed to less casual Nintendo-published Wii titles could bite Bayonetta 2 hard. While Xenoblade and The Last Story got all the attention, they were only part of a pattern. For example, while Koei published Samurai Warriors 3 in Japan and Europe, NOA published it in America. The American release was delayed months, and given a release date that just happened to coincide (within a couple of weeks I believe) with the only other direct competition that would be available on the Wii, Sengoku Basara 3. (The SW3 release was further botched when parts of the country didn't receive copies of the game, in some cases until days after the release date, but I don't recall a reason for the delays ever being publicly given.)
Also, it should be noted that NOA photoshopped the cover art to Samurai Warriors 3, raising Kaihime's top.
I'm not criticizing you
Everything you said isn't necessarily wrong, but I think you're misreading my words. I said "hope" "might" and "good enough." Saying I'm "living in a dream world" for only showing vague optimism is a bit harsh.
Although I normally follow Iggy's method of "waiting until there's that ONE game" then enjoying the back catalogue, I have enough disposable income right now to buy the system before the game. That is optimism, as I don't have a $350 reason to buy the system yet. However, I like an awful lot of video games. Thinking that there's a chance of the system never having at least a handful of games I want is extremely pessimistic.
But yeah, the system does seem to have a pretty weak launch.
I don't understand what this means. You can get online with a Japanese system the same as any other (theoretically) anywhere in the world. Is there something I'm missing or misunderstood?
I'm actually kind of glad that GameStop presold out of deluxe packs and Amazon isn't selling them because if it were convenient I WOULD get one at launch. I bought a Wii at launch and I didn't regret it- we camped out in line overnight at a Target and it was actually kind of fun! Though I would have been better off if I flipped it for double in the parking lot like a friend did.
Still, those first few months of Wii ownership were pretty fun! Basic things like sending messages and playing with Virtual Console were fun... and it had Excite Truck. Excite Truck is amazing. I've rarely ever regretted getting a console at launch. It's fun to discover new things about them, fun to have the hardware at home and goof around with every little aspect of it. I suspect the Wii U will be pretty cool in the long run, and I'll definitely have one by the time Monster Hunter's out. But like others have said, NoA needs to not screw over their "mature" audience if they want to be taken seriously this time around. They have a fantastic opportunity, I just hope they take full advantage of it.
"Re(10):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Mon 17 Sep 16:51
Aren't there silly games / developers / hardwares that lock you in certain servers according to their region, not your IP? Like, if I buy MH3 JP on my Japanese WiiU, and you buy your US version on a US WiiU, are we going to be able to play together? I know this didn't prove to be a problem on most PS3 games, but with Nintendo having recently discovered the "online" continent, I'm worried boarding on the pessimistic.
But then, fortunately, I'll probably mostly play this one offline. Until the announced at the TGS they have secured the next Demon's Soul from From, that is.
I suspect the Wii U will be pretty cool in the long run, and I'll definitely have one by the time Monster Hunter's out. But like others have said, NoA needs to not screw over their "mature" audience if they want to be taken seriously this time around. They have a fantastic opportunity, I just hope they take full advantage of it.
I hope this doesn't come across as condescending, but your straightforward love for video games always makes me happy. Sometimes, "I just love video games, dude" is the only explanation necessary.
Anyway, in terms of the "mature" audience, I think Bayonetta is more of a "thematic investment" rather than a game they're expecting a huge return on. Announcing it right off sends a message, whether you're especially interested in the game or not.
I have no idea what kind of nutty limitations Nintendo might cook up, but I haven't experienced anything like this in the past. Rather, I've sometimes found myself paired with Japanese players too much, even when I'm using an American system. Most games pair on connection quality or "whoever they can find". The only exception I can think of is SFxT, which idiotically let you search by region, but not by CONNECTION QUALITY. I don't care where the fuck my opponent comes from as long as his connection is good.
It's funny that you bring up Monster Hunter, though...because I don't know how the online on that worked on Wii. I wonder if they separated US and Japan players because it was a paid service in Japan and different missions were available.
OH OH WAIT! I can think of a game that separated the regions! Metal Gear Online! Of course, the PS3 is region free, so you could still buy whatever version you wanted to play on. This was a particular nuisance, though, since American players cheated so much that the game was completely ruined, and Konami, being a Japanese company and all, had no interest in dealing with the issue. American fans of the game would even buy the Japanese version just to get away from all the cheating.
"Re(2):Re(10):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Mon 17 Sep 23:16
I don't understand what this means. You can get online with a Japanese system the same as any other (theoretically) anywhere in the world. Is there something I'm missing or misunderstood? Aren't there silly games / developers / hardwares that lock you in certain servers according to their region, not your IP? Like, if I buy MH3 JP on my Japanese WiiU, and you buy your US version on a US WiiU, are we going to be able to play together?
Let's try with the first Wii... games like Smash Brothers or The Last Story are playable online, I think it depends only on the friend codes your list has, not wich version they're playing.
Also, if you get paired with Japanese players it may be because you play the same kind of games and westerners don't.
badoor
PSN: BadoorSNK
XBL: BadoorSNK
Wii: PSVITA:BadoorUSA
Copper Customer
"Re(3):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Wed 19 Sep 09:48
Well, if the Nintendo published Ninja Gaiden 3:Razor's Edge trailer is any indication, it's that Nintendo is OK with boobs, blood, and other nasty stuff. Though the fact that the most "mature" version of a game is only for the Nintendo system is all kinds of ironic.
There's a lot of uproar about Bayonetta 2 being an exclusive. I can sorta understand that cause it's now only coming to a system they don't own. But given that it could have been canceled, which clearly is not what anyone wants. And even if it wasn't the fact that, other than the 1st Bayonetta, Platinum games's games (?!) aren't that financially successful (and from what I've heard, Max Anarchy tanked and is still TBA for US/EU release). So having good solid backer like Nintendo who is obviously capable and is not EA or others concerned to comply with "Western-gritty McShooter" sensibilities is the best case scenario for Bayo2 to be as great as it can be.
Burning Ranger
Tailored Carpet V.I.P- Platinum Member
I don't know... I was hesitant to buy a Wii U--no, I'll just call it the Wii 2, or W2, thank you very much. I still am... I kind of resolved that the current generation of consoles would be the last I would ever buy.
Still, I liked Bayonetta enough to want to play the sequel. It won't be the killer-app that makes me buy the console on day , but I may get it eventually... that is, unless Platinum releases a "directors cut" on the other platforms...
So much to do so little time...
"Re(2):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Wed 19 Sep 13:01:
I don't see why people are so touchy about it being on the Wii U. It's not like Platinum's other Nintendo collaborative offering (The Wonderfull 101) isn't looking solid as well. I mean, part of me thinks they are still hiding most of their cards.
But honestly, I think The Wonderfull 101 deserves more attention: Viewtiful Joe Pikmin/Little King's Story with weird mass powers, I just wondered why they didn't give it any highlight at E3.
And the whole "Ninja Gaiden 3: Fixed Edition" makes me wonder if they will actually use Mario Club's input for balance issues.
[this message was edited by sfried on Wed 19 Sep 13:05]
I still am... I kind of resolved that the current generation of consoles would be the last I would ever buy.
Are you done with video games? Gonna be a family man? Freeing yourself of earthly desires?
I don't see why people are so touchy about it being on the Wii U. It's not like Platinum's other Nintendo collaborative offering (The Wonderfull 101) isn't looking solid as well.
I don't think it has anything to do with fear of quality. It's a brand thing. They bought the first game on one system and don't want to buy another system for the sequel. Ironically, another factor is probably the bias against Nintendo that Nintendo is most likely publishing Bayonetta 2 to fight against.
I wondered that myself. They didn't have a huge number of games to show, so I feel like they really could've drummed up some excitement for it. The trailers don't do the game justice, either. Seeing people actually play it is what impressed me.
Don't count on it, we need you here ^_^
Also, is Razor's Edge the "best" version of NG3? I tried the demo on 360 and was uninpressed... but then I saw the trailer for the WiiU version and finally realized what I was waiting for since the first NG: playing as Ayane for more than a couple hours. Ayane covered in blood wearing a spandex outfit sold me the game. Not the WiiU, sadly.
"Re(4):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Thu 20 Sep 05:33
Ironically, another factor is probably the bias against Nintendo that Nintendo is most likely publishing Bayonetta 2 to fight against.
People get annoyed if Microsoft or Sony get an exclusive that they want to play, but they get absolutely livid if a Nintendo console gets that exclusive.
There is a very vocal group of "serious" gamers who absolutely loathe Nintendo, much more than any normal console war bias.
I was actually going to take up fly fishing
But in all seriousness, the current state of the game industry has left a negative impression upon me so much that I don't really feel like making the financial investment in them anymore. I'm more content with living in the past playing with my classic consoles (why re-buy SF:Third Strike on PS3/Xbox when I have a perfectly good version on the PS2?!?).
"Re(5): gaming monestary" , posted Fri 21 Sep 00:23
I have a nice compromise for you that involves Ishmael's favorite game. (*Note: this may not actually be Ishmael's favorite game. He did mention it one time in a joke, though!)
I was actually going to take up fly fishing I have a nice compromise for you that involves Ishmael's favorite game. (*Note: this may not actually be Ishmael's favorite game. He did mention it one time in a joke, though!)
Oddly enough, I do like those games to the point that Get Bass currently provides the theme and wallpaper for my PS3. While Sega Marine Fishing is my favorite of the series there's still something to be said for the simple joy of having Terry Bogard reel in some largemouth bass.
"Re(2):Re(10):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Sat 22 Sep 08:24
Ha! No, that makes me happy! I can only hope that sort of thing comes through when my related business venture gets off the ground! ENTHUSIASM!
See, I always knew you were a man of taste and sophistication, but I didn't know the extent of these attributes...! Sega Marine Fishing is THE GREATEST and while I first purchased a clearance Dreamcast fishing rod as a joke (and to see whether or not someone was yanking my chain about it working with Soul Calibur - and they weren't), when I sat down and played Sega Marine Fishing I realized I had made a solid decision. Worst thing about the ports is, well, no DC fishing rod.
However, Sims, the dev responsible for some of the ports of Sega's fishing games, is trying to strike out on their own! Except it is horrifying moe trash. I don't know what to think about that, but I DO know that River King PS2 just came out on PSN, and Legend of the River King for GB is coming to 3DS Virtual Console soon if not already. So: fishing. Let's do that!
"Re(3):Re(10):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Sun 23 Sep 07:18
However, Sims, the dev responsible for some of the ports of Sega's fishing games, is trying to strike out on their own! Except it is horrifying moe trash.
So, what better way to promote a series rather than showing cels in fabulous stances?
It's a good thing this is in the non-game thread because not a game in my book. Nothing says moe like the smell of live bait and the cold, clammy feel of a fish.
Comments elsewhere on the whole Bayonetta 2 issue led me to notice Ars Technica and Eurogamer's articles that while the Wii U has a better GPU and more RAM than current systems, its CPU is underpowered. Did Nintendo focus on graphics over gameplay?
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/09/wii-u-developer-reports-struggles-with-slow-cpu/
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-30-how-powerful-is-the-wii-u-really
Did Nintendo focus on graphics over gameplay?
Is that a joke? Like, better CPU=quantifiably better gameplay? Like when I played Megaman 2 on NES, it was less fun do to the systems low-gameplay power, but when I played it on PS3, with it's super-gameplay powered CPU, it was great! Well, lucky us, either way, since the CPU is more powerful than the Wii or (3)DS', meaning higher gameplay numbers for sure!
On a less sarcastic note, I could somewhat agree with the sentiment that Nintendo might be less focused on innovating for some titles and more focused on bringing their series into HD for the first time. Still, that has nothing to do with CPU, as there's no ghz on ingenuity.
Is that a joke? Like, better CPU=quantifiably better gameplay?
Of course a better CPU doesn't automatically make a game better, or more innovative either. But the CPU generally has more impact than the GPU in those areas, and is important for certain types of games. That's the situation with the Wii U. Nintendo designed a system that outperforms the PS3/360 graphically, but which is weaker than those systems in CPU performance.
I would guess this difference is what has been responsible for contradictory developer opinions on the Wii U's performance. If your game is more GPU reliant, then you've got more power than the PS3/360, and can boost the graphics of your ports. If your game pushed the CPU, then you find yourself with less power. That, as one of the articles mentioned, is the case for Koei porting Warriors Orochi 3.
Of course, Nintendo probably just sees it as an overall improvement over the Wii, rather than a real competition with the PS3 or 360.
important for certain types of games.
Yes, definitely. I was splitting hairs because what you said felt like a buzzword oversimplification. In the case of a musou game, I'm sure the way they'll get all those guys on the screen will be to lower the graphic quality of each one. They'll have to sacrifice their "graphical superiority" for the sake of gameplay in some cases... thus restoring the balance?
What I get from this is that some ports will suffer (or benefit?), but games built with the system in mind might look surprisingly nice.
I would guess this difference is what has been responsible for contradictory developer opinions on the Wii U's performance.
Yeah, I was thinking it was just industry BS, but I'm glad to see there's a logical explanation.
That's how I see it. I have all the current consoles and a powerful PC, so in terms of the WiiU, I'm only really interested in exclusives. I feel like the WiiU is a strange system coming out at a strange time, but it's HD and it has games I want to play that I can't play otherwise, so that's good enough for me.
"Re(9):Bayonetta 2 exclusive to WiiU" , posted Tue 25 Sep 01:13
I feel like the WiiU is a strange system coming out at a strange time, but it's HD and it has games I want to play that I can't play otherwise, so that's good enough for me.
For me, graphics pretty much peaked in the ps2 era:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8-4K5Q0Zc8
So as long as they make some nicely stylized games, I'll be satisfied.
Gieflos
87th Post
PSN: pooplos-z
XBL: PooplosZ
Occasional Customer
"Re(10):Neo Geo X proof" , posted Tue 25 Sep 02:56:
What an elaborate hoax.
I was waiting for him to hit the menu button! Torture!!!
[this message was edited by Gieflos on Tue 25 Sep 03:01]
"Masaaki Yuasa's Kickstart...." , posted Tue 2 Oct 10:10
.... called "Kick-Heart".
It's about romance and pro-wrestling, which alone makes me want to back it. I know a bunch of you here are fans of his work on Mind Game and Kemonozume, but it's interesting to me that the people behind the project are Production IG. They can't finance the project on their own? Or do they expect its appeal to be so niche that it would be done at a loss if they financed it on their own?
kick start my heart
"Re(1):Masaaki Yuasa's Kickstart...." , posted Tue 2 Oct 11:16
Tatami Galaxy <3
The premise has my approval but... a $150K kickstarter for a 10-minute film? Hmmm.
"..........." , posted Wed 3 Oct 04:02
Zangi no Ken - Nico . It's all about the lyrics.
"Re(1):..........." , posted Fri 26 Oct 23:36
Just watched the new Iron Chef series and man, it's... OK? I guess. A bit depressing since it -Spoiler-starts out in a graveyard with flashbacks of chairman Kaga, then you see the new chairman praying in front of a tombstone before the show starts. They killed off chairman Kaga. Craps.
The reason why the producers decided to kill off Kaga is pretty obvious after you watch this first episode. Basically the theme of the show seems to be about the next generation of younger chefs that's inheriting over the previous iron chefs. In fact, the first contenders were Michiba and Chin's disciples (and they lost).-/spoiler-
The new chairman just doesn't seem to have the charisma to fit Kaga's big shoes. Shouting "De Gastronomy!" instead of "A la Cuisine!" just doesn't have the same magic, either. However, thanks to the modern digital TV, the food looks so.... delicious. The color and details of the dishes are so vibrant.
"Re(2):..........." , posted Mon 29 Oct 03:08
Just saving the link for documentary purposes, har har.
"Re(3):..........." , posted Mon 29 Oct 22:57:
Just watched the new Iron Chef series and man, it's... OK? I guess.
I like that the page lists the food and chefs involved in each episode. Stat tracking for your chefs!
So the guy doesn't have a proper bed or even sheets but he does have a full arcade cabinet? That's dedication to your hobby.
EDIT: I did a quick edit to my post and it erased everything I had hidden as spoiler text! I didn't know that would happen.
[this message was edited by Ishmael on Tue 30 Oct 01:32]
"Re(4):..........." , posted Tue 30 Oct 01:25:
The house has like 20 rooms and the biggest one of the empty floor was changed to a "game room". There it was a bed there but a few weeks ago some guy decided to perform a super elbow drop on someone else and well.... the result wasn't pretty, so just don't ask.
Ishmael : Yeah, I remember spoiler text getting erased when you edit something from way back, outside copipasting your entire post before editing there is like, no escape.
Some Groove on Fight matches (yeah, totally OT)
1 - Nico
[this message was edited by Toxico on Tue 30 Oct 03:26]
"What've they've done with my COLONEL" , posted Fri 16 Nov 04:20
Oh my lord cripes, I just noticed what Maou posted up in the Pic uploader
do not want candy from this guy
"Re(1):What've they've done with my COLONEL" , posted Fri 16 Nov 08:16
Hah, yes, he's delightfully creepy! Out of curiosity, do they dress him up for all kinds of holidays?
"Re(2):What've they've done with my COLONEL" , posted Mon 19 Nov 08:47
I know that they do Xmas, and sometimes Thanksgiving? I'm not sure if it's consistent across all KFCs either. But there are a lot of those statues out there!
"Re(3):What've they've done with my COLONEL" , posted Tue 20 Nov 01:36
Also on a completely unrelated note, Mercedez Benz Japan created an original anime, viewable here with subtitles. Pretty damn good.
"Re(1):Kono random thread, mamoritai." , posted Tue 20 Nov 01:57
Holy carp* I had not seen that post! Belated gracias.
By the way, I might visit Argentina in January, do you know the place a little bit? Is anyone on MMC from Argentina?
78… 78… 絵札はさすらい ♪ 78… 78… 秩序は廻る ♪ 78… 78… 絵札はさすらい ♪ 78… 78… 未来を示す
Colonel pics
hee hee hee
Wow, this is pretty awesome. The city sharing is a cool concept, and the seat switching is very dangerous lol. Too bad you can't drive a benz that fast in real life.
When RE6 came out some random people on the internet wistfully hoped that RE would one day return to its roots. At the time I didn't know what they meant but now I realize they want more of this in their lives.
"What've they've done with my Dante!?" , posted Thu 22 Nov 09:01
So, DMC demo is out, wanna share opinions.
I enjoyed some things; but in general it seems a game not for me, or not for players over 30 years old.
First of all, the design. While I don't like Dante, Vergil and most enemies (generic, uninspiring western mosters and kusogaki vampire kids) the other things are interesting. The enviroment, the use of colors, the buildings, are all well crafted and bright, creating an atmosphere not unique or original but very distant from most of the recent games. Although the story is stupidly gritty and serious, the tone of the game is too childish (it's raining bad words) to fit in some hard-boiled or pulp mood. I think Ninja Theory would have craft the mood like something The Matrix meets Hellblazer, but this is more in the concept than execution.
Gameplay turned me off, not because is bad, but because of the framerate. Usually I don't complain a low framerate when the game is enjoyable, but in this case the drop is too clear: I think in some part, especially dialogues, it runs significantly under 30 fps. Also, I've encountered a glitch that freezes the demo and I couldn't finish the stage, really a shame (both on NT and Capcom).
Music is really bland, glad they remove Combichrist from the battle theme but I prefer real good alternative/electronic than metal riffs with dubstep on the side.
My impression is a 6/10, considering the fact DMC will be released the same month a MGS:RR (much promising) and Inafune is working on a cell-shaded Ninja Gaiden.
"Re(1):What've they've done with my Dante!?" , posted Fri 23 Nov 07:43
After reading your review I went and downloaded the demo, and I'm only now getting to playing it.
I was completely ready to absolutely hate the game after watching the trailer and seeing the decisions that had been made to 'update' Dante, a character that I'm not convinced needed updating. But while playing through the demo (the level, not the boss, which was all glitched out like crazy for me) I realized that while Dante's character design and voice acting is repellent, the enemy design is boring and uninspired to a pretty large degree (looking almost like it was a little Bayonetta-inspired, in some ways), and the dialog is just putrid, I... kinda liked the game itself. It completely surprised me!
Once I got the overly baroque starting movelist under control (with the dual light-and-dark grappling hooks and so on), it felt pretty smooth, and was just fun to play. While I can't stand the character design choices (what's up with Vergil's dumb hat?) I thought the level designs, the camerawork, and the sound and music choices were pretty good. Even the lighting was pretty well done. Part of me wishes that Capcom had just chosen to make this its own thing instead of a Devil May Cry 'reboot' (a la the newest Castlevania).
In conclusion: not just not as bad as I thought it would be, but actually pretty good if you turn the sound down during dialog, but I can definitely understand what you didn't care for, Nekros. Also, the boss glitched out on me not once but three times, requiring that I fall into the pus river to reset it and make it un-freeze. Ho hum.
In other news, I also downloaded the Sine Mora demo. It was a lot a lot a lot of fun! More on that soon after I buy it and play through it to the end!
"Re(2):What've they've done with my Dante!?" , posted Sat 24 Nov 01:50
But while playing through the demo (the level, not the boss, which was all glitched out like crazy for me) I realized that while Dante's character design and voice acting is repellent, the enemy design is boring and uninspired to a pretty large degree (looking almost like it was a little Bayonetta-inspired, in some ways), and the dialog is just putrid, I... kinda liked the game itself. It completely surprised me!
Don't worry, I've got enough hate for the both of us!
Seriously though, while there were parts that weren't bad there was a lot that wasn't good as well.
Good: The whole grappling thing was sort of fun in it's own way. The combat in this type of game often comes down to crowd control and being able to shove enemies or yank yourself to them made me feel like I could really control the pace of the fight. I don't know, however, how any of this differs from Nero's fighting style in DMC4.
Bad: The whole thing was overly scripted. I never felt like I was using my wits to attack enemies or escape danger, instead I felt like I was being yelled at by a fussy stage director to get to my marks. The atrocious boss battle was particularly bad. I was given no choice in how to figure out the patterns and how I wanted to deal with them, instead I was supposed to do X, Y, and Z and that's it. At one point Dante even yelled out a suggestion when I wasn't attacking the flashing point on the boss quickly enough for his liking. It's every bad habit of Uncharted, Assassin's Creed and every other series that holds your hand too much put into a game where playing around with all the moves was half the fun. At no point did my blood start racing during the DMC demo, which is about the worst thing I can think of to say about an action game.
The Ugly: What is the point of this DMC reboot? I admit I was never a huge DMC fan but there were elements I thought were really fun. This reboot tries to replace the nonsensical story with a differnt nonsensical story and tries to replace the combat with something that's not nearly as much fun. Neither of these things seem like a good idea to change. If they had called this new game "Grapple Boy" or some other new IP it would have been a decent, if not very remarkable, game. Instead it's attached to a series that didn't need these changes. Oh well, at least I got Dragon's Dogma out of it so it's not all bad.
Har har, no, I had plenty I disliked too, I just didn't hate it as much as I thought I might.
Bad: The whole thing was overly scripted. I never felt like I was using my wits to attack enemies or escape danger, instead I felt like I was being yelled at by a fussy stage director to get to my marks. The atrocious boss battle was particularly bad. I was given no choice in how to figure out the patterns and how I wanted to deal with them, instead I was supposed to do X, Y, and Z and that's it.
The boss scene was really bad, and not just as a result of the glitches (which I'm amazed they didn't catch before releasing the demo, especially how bad they are. The first time it glitched out on me, I was unable to damage the boss, but it didn't attack me either. I could, however, combo it and get huge combo numbers. It was especially bad since I kept wondering if I had somehow missed something I should be doing, since it had hand-held me like crazy up to that point). At first I was impressed that there weren't any QTE's, but all they did was replace overt QTE's with hand-holding and GO HERE style scripting, which is just QTE's in disguise.
Still, you have no idea how bad I expected the game to be after watching the deplorably-acted trailer! I think they could have done just about anything to raise my opinion of it. It occurred to me after the fact that it was in very poor taste for me to mention That Game (Bayonetta) in reference to this one, which has nothing of its charm, quality, or genius. I blame Demon Whiskey for the slip-up!
As for why they did a reboot... you've got me. I didn't think the series needed it, but I'm probably also not in Capcom's target demographic anymore, honestly.
Also, the boss glitched out on me not once but three times, requiring that I fall into the pus river to reset it and make it un-freeze.
HELL YES. If that was happening to me personally, I'd probably be less than thrilled, but hearing it from someone else makes it sound SUPER AWESOME.
Also, non-gaming thread. Take THAT new DMC.
"Re(3):What've they've done with my Raiden!?" , posted Fri 30 Nov 08:01
....something awesome, apparently.
Just came from playing the ZOE HD Demo of MGSR: I enjoyed it a lot. Miles away from DMC, it seems a very solid game with interesting and fast paced gameplay, very responsive controls, lots of crazy and inventive sci-fi designs (reminds me 90s anime glorious cyborg gorefest). It has bits of slasher action games, the classic MGS and even ZOE mixed and modernized into a new fresh formula.
Seriously, where DMC fails -reinventing characters and settings of an action franchise- Rising succeds. Ahh Capcom, will you ever learn that Japanese action games are meant to be Japanese from the roots (I wonder what Kamiya may think of DMC, lol).
I suggest everyone of you to try the demo; it's a thrilling appetizer, imho.
mbisonhatclub
PSN: hadoolket
It's like a game I can mash in and not get bored of, so I'm looking forward to the full version later. ZoE1 on the other hand is getting kinda repetitive with all the shooting of generic enemies that all look like the same two enemies, and I'm stuck trying to find one of the passcodes.
join the m.bison hat club today
i'm not just the president i'm also a client
"Re(5):What've they've done with my Raiden!?" , posted Sat 1 Dec 08:30
For no good reason this song popped into my head this morning. I blame Iggy.
"Re(6):What've they've done with my Raiden!?" , posted Sun 2 Dec 05:19
I take the blame, but I find it interesting that it happens the very day I wake up with this stuck in my head.
"dMc X Macross" , posted Sun 2 Dec 14:53
http://www.famitsu.com/news/201211/30025197.html
In the next "Cap Book" the cover will feature some dMc art by Haruhiko Mikimoto, the character designer for Macross.
I wonder who thought lets go to Haruhiko when the whole design of the game is going to a more more hardcore, lets fuck shit up type of motif.
"Hajime No Ippo 1000" , posted Mon 3 Dec 15:26
You can read it here with a bunch of guest artist renditions of the characters.
http://www.mangareader.net/hajime-no-ippo/1000
So the manga is over 23 years old at this point and I think only 6 or 7 have passed in the story.
Kentaro Miura's drawing of Takamura is probably my favorite of the guest artist. I was surprised to see that he worked under Morikawa in the early Ippo days. Just for a little bit of comparison. HnI began in Oct '89 and Berserk began in Dec '90 (So Miura must have only worked on the first few months of HnI) and Berserk is only of chapter 332. But of course Mirua's art has gotten very detailed and I believe he doesn't use assistants like most Manga-ka. Then he gets caught in stuff like idolm@ster.
Speaking of, I have been hearing inside my head this one all day. Naturally, it's Iggy's fault (unless he has some sort of alibi like having spent the day naked all day next to his butler)
Red Carpet Regular Member
"There's an hour-long show about Ideon" , posted Wed 12 Dec 05:01
A friend of mine recently shared a video with lots of deaths in older anime, and since it lacked some Ideon I seeked out an "all deaths" video to show what he was missing if he was into that.
While looking for that on Youtube, I incidentally found an hour-long show presented before a live audience about (Densetsu Kyojin/Space Runaway) Ideon, which is something i had no idea existed - it was posted a few months ago, but I don't know how old the actual show is, but it's clearly a part of a series, as there's at least one other for Votoms.
This was intriguing to say the least, since the show is mostly known nowadays for helping to inspire EVA (clearly Anno and I see very different things there) and its infamous kill count, which is something I'd expect to be relevant only to to the kind of folks that check /m/ and its japanese equivalents.
Tomino was absent from the whole thing, although I think he was mentioned (my japanese is nowhere nearly good enough to make the most of this), and I don't know if any of the guests was part of the writing staff, so I don't know if any of the symbolism I think I see in the show (Ide = id, pilots = ego, Solo ship = superego, the whole thing being an allegory or relating to others/the outside world, etc... along with a few other things I think a mecha setting could play with) was addressed or intentional, but for the artistically inclined it might still be interesting (at some point they spend some time analyzing things like a certain angle used to draw faces in a more dramatic way).
Too interesting not to share IMO.
"Re(1):There's an hour-long show about Ideon" , posted Mon 17 Dec 06:42
I which my father would have done something like this for me
Arino Garou Special
"Shonen Jump theme park by Namco, summer 2013" , posted Mon 17 Dec 22:09:
Well here's something unexpected. Namco is making an indoor theme park for Shonen Jump in Tokyo, slated for completion in summer 2013. It's going to open in the same Sunshine City mall as the Namco Namjatown, which itself is going into renovation soon.
After the renovation, Namjatown's size will be halved, still occupying the 2nd floor as it did, while its previous 3rd floor will be used for the new Shonen Jump theme park.
http://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/nl/articles/1212/17/news045.html
[this message was edited by Professor on Mon 17 Dec 22:12]
"Re(2):There's an hour-long show about Ideon" , posted Tue 18 Dec 00:04
It's 75% awesome, and at least 50% scary. Which leaves a 25% area of questionable awesomeness.
Seasons Greetings.
Oh Merry Xmas too!
"Hokuto who?" , posted Tue 25 Dec 20:42
Hokuto no Ken spinoffs have a long history of being totally dumb, but there's a new one being released that seems to try to reach even farther territories of "have we been reading the same manga?" weirdness.
Heart-sama.
Our beloved fatty, one of HnK's more recognisable characters. Who hasn't dreamed of reading more about Heart-sama's younger years, learn how he become like that, what he looked like back then? Well, I haven't, but that's beyound the point.
Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to...
Young Heart-sama.
"Re(1):Hokuto who?" , posted Wed 26 Dec 04:49
This is the true Christmas miracle.
Who hasn't dreamed of reading more about Heart-sama's younger years, learn how he become like that, what he looked like back then?
Using such extreme appearance change as a basis, do you have so new fond worries for your future?
"Re(2):Hokuto who?" , posted Wed 16 Jan 02:19
Mechawhales. I've been laughing about this one for days.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
MOF Committee of Supply Speech 2016 by Senior Minister of State for Finance Ms Indranee Rajah
A.1 Madam Speaker, I thank the honourable Members for their thoughtful comments.
A.2 The following broad themes were raised in the debate:
a. How government can partner industry to facilitate innovation and growth through our procurement processes. Members spoke about support for innovative SMEs, co-creation of solutions and helping smaller firms access government procurement opportunities;
b. Principles underlying our procurement approach;
c. Improving the ease of doing business and reducing compliance burdens.
A.3 SMS Sim Ann will address the other cuts.
B. PARTNERING INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY TO FACILITATE INNOVATION AND GROWTH
Working together to develop innovative solutions
B.1 We share Mr Liang Eng Hwa's and Ms Cheryl Chan's views that government agencies should be open to developing innovative solutions together with the private sector.
B.2 The world today is becoming increasingly complex, and the multi-faceted issues we face require us to work in partnership with one another, each playing our part. This is the spirit of partnership underlying this year's Budget speech.
B.3 Government agencies are crowdsourcing ideas more, and involving communities and businesses in problem solving, including through hackathons and innovation challenges where individuals and firms can participate in developing and co-creating innovative solutions to challenges faced by businesses or the society.
a. In IDA's Hackathon@SG last year, Goji, the winning team, developed a data visualisation tool which allows corporate and financial data from ACRA to be easily and quickly viewed. This can potentially be developed further for credit risk analysis. ACRA is working with the team to explore how we can implement the idea.
b. Another example is the recently deployed Volunteer Broadcast System mobile app for Food From the Heart.
i. Many are familiar with Food from the Heart, a non-profit organisation whose volunteers collect unsold bread from bakeries and hotels daily and deliver it to welfare organisations and self-collection centres within the heartlands for distribution to beneficiaries.
ii. Previously, volunteers had to call in to the coordinating centre to plan their delivery routes. The centre staff had to manually search and suggest delivery routes for the volunteers. To get replacement volunteers, the centre had to call volunteers individually, a manually intensive task.
iii. At a GeoHackathon event organised by SLA and VWOs, one of the winning ideas was an app that used SLA's geospatial data to update the organisation and its volunteers on real-time collection and delivery information. Now, with the app, volunteers can quickly identify which collection or distribution point has not been visited and select their routes, without having to call the centre. What used to take 30 minutes to find a volunteer replacement previously, is now just a "click away". This has significantly improved productivity for both the centre and the volunteers.
Enabling co-creation through outcome-based procurement
B.4 Mr Liang Eng Hwa will be pleased to know that as we promote the generation of new ideas, we also seek to adopt more flexible procurement processes, where practicable, to facilitate the adoption of innovative solutions.
B.5 Under the outcome-based procurement approach, we encourage government agencies to specify desired outcomes rather than prescribe solutions in their tenders. This approach allows vendors to propose innovative solutions to develop prototypes and potentially be awarded the contract subsequently.
B.6 A good example is IDA's and Sentosa Development Corporation's (SDC) recent Integrated Guest Experience Innovation Challenge - an open invitation for participants to develop ideas to enhance guest experience for visitors to Sentosa.
a. Proposed ideas included innovative solutions involving data analytics, wearable devices, virtual assistants and augmented reality.
b. SDC is currently exploring the possibility of inviting the shortlisted participants to develop their prototypes for implementation.
c. Those shortlisted need not go through a separate open tender, as the objectives of fair and open competition, transparency and value for money would have already been met through the Innovation Challenge.
B.7 We are working on introducing outcome-based procurement in the cleaning, security and landscape sectors over time.
a. For example, rather than specifying headcount for security contracts, agencies could specify areas to be monitored and the response time expected of security officers in the event of an alert.
b. This would enable tenderers to consider using technology and innovative deployment of their staff, to support our efforts to raise productivity and raise wages in these sectors - a point made by Mr Zainal Sapari in his Budget Debate speech.
B.8 This alternative procurement approach will require government agencies to change the way they call and evaluate tenders and how they monitor service providers. It will also require changes by service providers in the way they respond to tenders and provide their services. It will involve some effort, but we believe that this is a move in the right direction.
B.9 Mr Liang Eng Hwa also asked about the Public Private Co-Innovation Partnership (PPCIP) initiative and suggested it be boosted.
a. There have been some successes under the PPCIP. Under this initiative, JTC partnered a local company, Samwoh Corporation, to successfully trial the use of sedimentary rocks excavated from the Jurong Rock Caverns to pave a stretch of road outside Mediapolis.
b. The rocks had little value in themselves. With this initiative, the rocks have acquired a new value and the initiative has potential to be implemented across other new roads in Singapore.
c. This illustrates how a partnership between public and private sector can create value for our enterprises, while meeting public needs.
d. We are reviewing the initiative to see how it can be more effective in public-private co-innovation, alongside other existing efforts to promote collaboration.
Helping smaller firms access government procurement opportunities
B.10 On helping smaller firms access government procurement opportunities, members will be heartened to know that over the past three years, SMEs have been successful in securing Government projects under our open procurement system, capturing more than 60% of total government contract value and around 85% of all government tenders. This share of the total number of government contracts is significantly higher than in other countries, such as the UK.
B.11 Our SMEs have successfully tendered not just for smaller projects, but also for more sizeable ones. For the past 3 years, by contract value, about 50% of all contracts above $50m were awarded to SMEs - a very respectable proportion!
B.12 We would encourage more SMEs to participate in government procurement.
B.13 Those who need information on how to go about doing so can refer to the SPRING and MOF websites.
B.14 SMEs are also encouraged to attend engagement sessions organised by industry associations and the Government to better understand government procurement processes. For example:
a. Earlier this year, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) organised a Government Procurement Fair for SMEs, where various government agencies, including MOF, participated to clarify the government's procurement practices.
b. SBF is also developing a Best Practice Guide to help SMEs better understand government procurement principles and processes, and how to bid for government contracts.
B.15 Another simple but useful thing which SMEs can do to improve their access to government procurement opportunities is to register for a GeBIZ account. If you are registered on GeBIZ, you will automatically receive alerts on new procurement opportunities. The system also allows businesses to save their business information, making it easier for them to submit bids. Registration is straightforward and can be done online. Best of all - registration for the first GeBIZ account is free!
B.16 To better help suppliers find and participate in government procurement opportunities, we revamped the Government procurement portal GeBIZ in January this year.
a. The revamped portal has a more user-friendly interface which was developed following extensive consultations with businesses that use the portal, and has received much positive feedback from existing suppliers and new users.
B.17 We will continue to work with industry associations to improve outreach and education to SMEs in this area.
SMEs with good products but no track record
B.18 We also recognise that SMEs without a track record may find it challenging to win tenders. We are open to helping SMEs with innovative ideas and quality products to compete and establish their track record.
Accreditation @IDA
B.19 An example of how we do this is the Accreditation@IDA programme.
a. Set up in 2014, this programme helps promising Singapore-based technology start-ups establish track record, to have a better chance at securing government and private sector projects.
b. The accreditation programme evaluates and accredits companies to give potential buyers the assurance of their quality. IDA also partners companies in their development process by providing advice and recommendations to strengthen their product, improve their financial management, and better manage their intellectual property.
c. To date, the programme has assisted 29 companies, of which 12 have obtained accreditation status. We expect more to be accredited in due course.
d. We have also revised our Government procurement rules, within the parameters of our international trade agreements, to make it easier for Government agencies to procure innovative solutions from these companies. They will be considered first when agencies seek to buy technology services or products. More than 15 contracts have been awarded to accredited companies, and many more are currently in various stages of discussions towards signing of a contract.
e. Subject to the obligations under international trade agreements, we are open to working with suitable industry partners to recognise promising start ups in other sectors so that they can compete favourably for contracts and build up their track record.
Principles of Government Procurement
B.20 In his Budget debate speech, Mr Zainal Sapari suggested using government procurement practice to achieve certain objectives, such as raising wages for lower income workers. Mr Chen Show Mao also talked about price escalation clauses.
B.21 I thought it would be helpful to clarify the government's approach on this.
B.22 The objective of public tenders is to procure goods and services required for the delivery of public services in a fair and transparent manner and, given that we are spending public monies, to obtain value-for-money in our procurement. Value-for-money does not mean always and only going for the lowest price. Agencies also consider quality factors in their evaluation as this has a bearing on value and these are spelled out in the tender documents.
B.23 Where government intervention is required to meet certain policy objectives, we generally do this through targeted measures rather than as through conditions of procurement. This avoids mixing multiple objectives into the government procurement process which could result in distorted outcomes
B.24 That is the broad principle.
a. So for example, to help social enterprises, which Ms Cheryl Chan spoke about, the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, also known as raiSE, was set up to provide support in areas such as funding, business advisory and training. We believe this is a better approach to helping social enterprises stay viable rather than to artificially set aside government contracts to sustain them.
B.25 However, in very specific instances where the evidence suggests that government's procurement practices can make a substantial difference, we will take the appropriate action.
B.26 So for example, we have our effort to support the Progressive Wage Model in the cleaning, security and landscape sectors. To combat the risk of cheap sourcing and suppressed wages in these sectors, and following agreement with our tripartite partners, the government took a deliberate decision to accredit or license companies that pay according to the Progressive Wage Model, and to buy only from these companies in these sectors.
B.27 However in other sectors when procurement policy is not a suitable or appropriate means of impacting wages, we have other ways to assist, such as through the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), which has been enhanced in this Budget.
B.28 Mr Zainal Sapari also spoke about unfair contracts and options to extend.
B.29 Options to extend contracts are a common practice internationally and in the private sector. The benefit of an option to extend is that it enables a longer term relationship with the supplier if the supplier has provided good quality service and demonstrates the ability to continue to do so.
B.30 The extension also means continued employment of the suppliers' employees.
B.31 It could operate unfairly, however, if the extension does not allow for any increase in contract price in subsequent years to take into account wages increments. This can be avoided if price increases upon extension are factored in from the outset.
B.32 Our practice is to ask government agencies to remind tenderers of multi-year contracts to factor in wage increments for their workers. We also explicitly allow tenderers to present their price bid on a year-by-year basis, so as to factor in the annual wage increments.
B.33 Mr Chen Show Mao spoke about encouraging the increased use of price escalation clauses in government contracts. We are open to this in the appropriate situations and where it is right to do so. For example, in standard clauses for construction contracts, we do explicitly allow for material price fluctuations based on material price indices which are published by BCA. These are based on objective indices that are published independently. What I would suggest is for tenderers to propose this, if they feel that the price of materials that form part of their costs would be subject to price fluctuations, and they need to provide for price escalation in years to come. These should be something they raise with the Government.
B.34 Let me assure members that we regularly review government procurement practices to keep abreast of developments, and ensure that procurement clauses are reasonable and fair. We welcome feedback as we learn from them as well as the practices in other countries and the private sector.
B.35 We will also continue to raise the capabilities of our procurement officers and community in the public sector, so that they can handle government procurement well and ensure public monies are spent prudently.
C. FACILITATING BUSINESSES
C.1 Mr Saktiandi asked what can be done to reduce the compliance burden and facilitate the ease of doing business.
C.2 As Mr Saktiandi noted, Singapore has been ranked #1 in the World Bank Group's Ease of Doing Business Index for the past 10 years, ahead of other countries such as Korea, Japan and the US. So we are not doing badly.
C.3 However, we cannot be complacent. As we press on to transform our industries, we will continue to review our regulations to facilitate doing business in Singapore.
C.4 Over the past one year, ACRA has implemented significant changes to the Companies Act to reduce regulatory burden, provide greater business flexibility and improve the corporate governance standards in Singapore.
a. These include exempting small companies from statutory audit and allowing public companies to issue non-voting or multiple vote shares.
C.5 MOF and ACRA are reviewing other corporate regulations to facilitate business, including:
a. Requirements on the use of common company seals;
b. The holding of annual of general meetings (AGMs); and
c. Filing of annual returns.
C.6 Details of the proposed changes will be announced during MOF's public consultation on the regulations later this year.
C.7 We will continue to work closely with businesses to avoid unnecessary burdens on businesses.
C.8 Ms Sun Xueling highlighted the need to ensure that our licensing requirements remain conducive for promising new technology and business models in her Budget Debate speech.
C.9 We agree. The Pro-Enterprise Panel, comprising business leaders and senior public officers, was set up in 2000 as an internal advocate for businesses within the government. The Panel works closely with public agencies to provide timely, effective and practical solutions to address the regulatory concerns that businesses face, including those in new technology areas. Since its inception, the Pro-Enterprise Panel has reviewed more than 1,800 suggestions and more than half have led to changes in regulations and rules.
C.10 Mr Saktiandi also highlighted that some companies might inadvertently overlook regulatory and compliance requirements. On our part, we try to reduce the likelihood of default.
a. Where possible, our agencies facilitate compliance by sending reminders ahead of statutory deadlines such as for AGMs and filing of annual returns.
b. ACRA has also partnered other government agencies such as IRAS, CPF Board and SPRING to organise information sessions on statutory obligations for new and aspiring business owners.
c. Feedback has been generally positive, and we intend to ramp up our outreach efforts to another 2,000 businesses this year.
Simplifying grant application process
C.11 Mr Saktiandi commented on difficulties faced by SMEs in applying for business grants.
C.12 It's a question of achieving the right balance. In administering grant schemes, the Government is accountable for the money spent. We therefore require information to monitor the output of the support we give to businesses to ensure that the money is used for the proper purpose.
C.13 At the same time, we recognize that applications for grants should not be unduly burdensome and a deterrent instead of an encouragement. As such, we constantly review the appropriate level of documentation and information that is required for grant applications.
a. In last year's Budget we simplified the application process for SPRING's Capability Development Grants below $30,000 by reducing the information required.
b. In this year's Budget Minister Heng announced that the launch of the Business Grants Portal. That will simplify grant application processes.
D. CONCLUSION
D.1 Madam, in conclusion, the Ministry of Finance will continue to review government procurement processes to ensure that we remain open to innovative ideas and support the co-creation of solutions in delivering public services. We must continue to ensure financial prudence, but we must also be fair to our companies and their workers. We will also continue to review our corporate regulatory regime to ensure that it remains relevant while facilitating ease of doing business in Singapore.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Cascastel-des-Corbières – miejscowość i gmina we Francji, w regionie Oksytania, w departamencie Aude.

Według danych na rok 1990 gminę zamieszkiwały 204 osoby, a gęstość zaludnienia wynosiła 13 osób/km² (wśród 1545 gmin Langwedocji-Roussillon Cascastel-des-Corbières plasuje się na 705. miejscu pod względem liczby ludności, natomiast pod względem powierzchni na miejscu 511.).

Zabytki
Zabytki w miejscowości posiadające status Monument historique:
 zamek Cascastel

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Miejscowości w departamencie Aude

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Features >
The rise of the community-owned distillery
02 April 2019 by Gavin D Smith
The popularity of crowdfunding has given birth to a new style of Scotch whisky distillery, one owned and operated by the local community. These socially inclusive enterprises give back to the local economy, but aren't without their challenges. Gavin D. Smith reports.
Whisky camaraderie: GlenWyvis, in Dingwall, is Scotland's first community-owned distillery
'Traditional' shareholders are notoriously unsentimental people, often focused on short-term dividends rather than long-term strategies. Distillers have to bend to their will, sometimes regardless of whether this is necessarily in the long-term interests of the business or of the distilling communities.
This is not to paint all distillers as corporate pantomime villains; many take social responsibilities very seriously, and contribute significantly to the local environment and population. One relatively recent example is the privately-owned Isle of Harris Distillers, which promotes itself as 'the social distillery', and has placed itself at the heart of island life in the Outer Hebrides.
But is there an alternative that materially benefits the communities in which distilleries are situated? Apparently, there is.
Leading the way is GlenWyvis, constructed on a hillside a couple of miles from the Highland town of Dingwall during 2017. The distillery takes its name from two long-lost local distilleries, Ben Wyvis and Glenskiach, and is the brainchild of local farmer, commercial helicopter pilot and green energy advocate John McKenzie.
Social spirit: Isle of Harris distillery hopes to support the Outer Hebrides' 'fragile' economy
McKenzie was keen to create a business that would be environmentally friendly and also integral to the local community. Accordingly an initial round of crowdfunding was instigated, leading to the formation of GlenWyvis Distillery Ltd, an 'Industrial and Provident Society (IPS),' or co-operative venture. It has more than 3,000 members, and the distillery currently provides five full-time jobs.
According to GlenWyvis' director of brand and communications Neil Urquhart: 'We raised just over £2.5 million in our first share offer, and are approaching £1.1m in the second. These monies have funded the construction of the distillery, all the equipment and the bonded warehouse.
'Investors received various rewards in their first year, but like spirit turning to whisky, it's a long wait after that; five years for a return, which will be up to 4%, at the discretion of the board. At this time, they do get various discounts on products. However, our members survey in 2017 indicated that most are not members for a monetary return.'
Urquhart notes: 'The advantages of what we are doing are that with the average investment of just £400 and with most investors keen to give back to the community, it's likely that more profits will be re-invested into community projects than investment returns. Ultimately, there is real democratic control of profits for social investors, much more so than the more normal capitalist approach that would exist in a private business. We are building on local traditions of community co-operatives, including the Dingwall livestock mart and the Dingwall wind co-op.'
Distilling community: GlenWyvis opened its doors in 2017 after successful crowdfunding
Although GlenWyvis is located in a rural part of Scotland, Urquhart sees no reason why similar ventures could not succeed in towns and cities. 'In fact, given higher numbers of people in urban areas, it could be a smoother route to start up initially,' he claims. 'Marketing and access to people are key.'
Meanwhile, a much-vaunted community distillery venture on the island of South Uist – first mooted in 2016 – has failed to materialise yet, allegedly due to disagreements between members of Storas Uibhist, one of the oldest and largest community landowners in Scotland.
The distillery was to be located in Lochboisdale, close to where the SS Politician sank in 1941, giving great PR potential for Whisky Galore! novel and film associations. A multi-million pound support grant had been arranged with the Scottish Government, but ultimately no application for it was made. The distillery was to be housed in an innovative lighthouse-style building, and if the project does go ahead at some point, it will be on a privately-funded basis.
So, is there a danger that community distilling ventures might fall foul of 'too much democracy', of too many people believing that they have a right to see their views implemented? Wasn't it the great motor-racing autocrat Enzo Ferrari who once declared that the ideal committee consisted of just two members, one of whom was always absent?
Moot point: Landowner disagreements have shelved Lochboisdale's community distillery
Urquhart disagrees: 'We have had two very quiet AGMs but some lively board meetings. In short, we are pleasantly surprised at how well things have progressed and how happy our members appear to be with the progress made. Good communication has been key to this, ensuring that all members are kept informed of any developments as and when they happen, including any of the setbacks that we have experienced, like any start-up does.'
The positive example of GlenWyvis has inspired Edinburgh-based businessman Peter Brown to revive his long-held ambition to create a distillery on the Hebridean island of Barra, where Compton Mackenzie wrote Whisky Galore!.
Brown explains: 'We saw what GlenWyvis was doing and thought it was the perfect model for Barra. We acquired a site for the distillery and a dam years ago, and I've passed that on to Uisge Beatha Nan Eilean, which is closest to being a co-operative.
'Every investor has one vote, no matter how much they have invested. Once profits are being made the investors legally can't get more than a certain amount of interest. It's above the bank rate, but not by big amounts. The rest goes into a trust called The Angels' Share. We will try to use match-funding for infrastructure projects and whatever else it is decided we want to take on in future. Our aim is to raise £1.5m crowdfunding, with local enterprise and bank loans making up the excess needed to create the distillery – somewhere north of £3m in total.'
The distillery will operate with one pair of stills producing around 25,000 litres of spirit per year, and the focus will be on single cask bottlings. As at GlenWyvis, wind, water and solar power sources will be utilised, and the team behind Barra boasts that it will be the 'most environmentally friendly distillery' in Scotland.
Responsible whisky: Brown hopes to open a community-owned, eco-friendly distillery on the Isle of Barra
Peter Brown cites the example of Bruichladdich as one reason why community-owned distilleries may seem preferable to those subject to the whims of shareholders. 'The thing that has concerned me all along is that Bruichladdich was not ready to sell, or at least Mark Reynier [CEO] was not ready to sell. Mark's baby was taken off him,' declares Brown.
'Generally, investors want to move on after three years. They are investing for capital growth, and distilleries don't require many staff. You bring in malted barley and take out new make spirit. The modern industry model is to double up in terms of output, but without taking on any more staff. Bruichladdich did everything themselves, including bottling. A bit like Springbank in Campbeltown, which is a massive employer there.'
After initially stating, 'We don't want the economic activity on Barra being taken off the island,' Brown explains further. 'There is too little attention paid to long-term investment. Everybody wants a quick buck. It goes beyond whisky into industry generally. This is a way of a community taking back control of aspects of their lives.
'I think our model has huge potential. It gives people control of where they put their money. It goes into one individual business rather than a portfolio. You can get to know the business, and I think that's very attractive to people. It's a good way for rural communities to take ownership of a pub or village shop. It's going back to the fundamentals of free enterprise.'
Latest news 04 January 2019
New Barra distillery seeks crowdfunding
The new, community-owned, island Scotch whisky distillery needs to raise £2.5 million.
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Latest news 18 April 2019
Hebridean Whisky Festival launches
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Scotch whisky start-ups
New distilleries are expensive – and you can't sell a bottle for years. How do you survive the wait?