The announcement of DmC was completely overshadowed by the revelation that Dante had been given a complete makeover, complete with darker hair, darker clothes, and a twink face. Many people called the look "emo" because they don't know what that word means, while some of us quite liked it. Now Ninja Theory has responded.
"The essence of Devil May Cry is all about 'cool,'" says creative director Tameem Antoniades. "It's about Dante being cool and making you feel cool when you're playing it, and so the combat and the style system and everything is integral to that. But, you know, what was cool 12 years ago -- I think that was when the first game came out -- isn't cool anymore.
"If Dante, dressed as he was, walked into any bar outside of Tokyo, he'd get laughed out. What Devil May Cry did when it launched was it brought everything that was great about action cinema like the fashion, music -- it was like a cultural melting pot -- and I feel like now, for Devil May Cry to have that same impact, it needs to draw on new things. New music, new ways of cinematography, new fashion."
This is the first time where I have to voice disagreement with Ninja Theory. Dante, in my mind, was NEVER cool -- and that was the point! His overwrought attempts to look edgy and stylish ended up making the old Dante look incredibly camp and silly, and I loved him for it. Just watch Dante's cutscenes in DMC4 -- they're friggin' ridiculous in an awesome way. I still think the new Dante looks fine and I am super pumped for this game, but I don't think Dante has ever been "cool" in a traditional sense.
Also, let's face it ... the new Dante would get laughed out of ANY bar if he strolled in.
Ninja Theory on Devil May Cry: "What Was Cool 12 Years Ago Isn't Cool Anymore" [1UP]
Contest:
9:00 AM on 09.22.2010 | 
they can't get away with destroying Dante.
and face it... The original Dante is bad-ass and this one looks more like the emo/fashion-core kids sitting in stairs screaming about how much their life sucks.
we don't want a Dante like that.
we want one with Final Fantasy looks and with a Duke Nukem attitude.
The PS2 wasn't even out 12 years ago...is this guy for real?
Until he pulls his guns and sword out and starts flipping around and kicking ass.
They know what they are doing people.
......i think.
Um, ok.
I'm already on the fence with this game. The more Ninja Theory talks like this, the less likely I am to buy it. Just STFU and don't talk until the product is done.
My problem with the new Dante is he is generic. He looks like Alex Mercer (Prototype) or Cole (Infamous). He looks like everybody else. The uniqueness is gone.
But he doesn't quite look as gay as anything Twilight has put out.
i personally don't like dante's new look, but i'm still looking forward to the game.
At least they acknowledge that nothing is too weird for Japan.
I don't really like it, but I understand why they did it.
I think people have invested too much in the style of the character and not the core mechanics of the gameplay.
Speaking on a personal level, I don't play games to assume to role of character x or y. Sure, playing games is escapism but not to the level where the very design of the character ruins my enjoyment.
I think it's a real shame that people are so stuck in their ways that they resist change on the level we've seen on this issue.
Both Would Be Laughed at if the went into a bar.
New Dante is fine and Tameem Antoniades may sound kinda hokey but the guy sorta has to talk up his game, ya know? I'd say silly shit like that too if I was working on a game. At the end of the day, I think this new Devil may Cry game will be fun and that's all that actually matters.
Haters gonna resist change whilst hating....I guess.
That said I still think this new one could be good.
At first it appears that they're trying too hard to be 'cool' and it becomes silly, but then they take it so far over-the-top with such enthusiasm that . . . as you slide across the floor shooting electric bats out of your demonic scythe guitar . . . it wraps around and becomes cool again.
At least that's been my view of the games thus far, and it's been my main concern about starting fresh.
Still, if they actually play their efforts to be 'cool' in a clever and self-aware way rather than just trying to incarnate passing trends and edgy pop-culture in character form, it could be amusing.
2. 12 years ago? These people are continuing the series and don't know when the first game released?
3. "'It's about Dante being cool and making you feel cool when you're playing it, and so the combat and the style system and everything is integral to that. But, you know, what was cool 12 years ago -- I think that was when the first game came out -- isn't cool anymore.'" ---Yes. Yes it is. That is why the 3 following games followed almost the exact same style, with the same main character. And it is also why Bayonetta did as well as it did--new character, but stylish system that brought me back to the original DMC.
But yeah, I think we know why Tameem Antoniades finds the new Dante cool...
Because it’s him!
If I'm playing as that thing, then I will feel anything but cool.
I'd feel cooler piloting a giant flying phallus around London.
Also, how can somebody "Look whiny"? You guys are fucking stupid.
New Dante looks awesome.
And take a shower! Looks like there's a layer of grime on him.
also, has anyone considered that this is a prequel game featuring a younger, more angst-ridden Dante and tells the story of how he grew to become the suave, white-haired badass we've seen in previous games. if it makes sense chronologically, then what's the problem? i'm a gigantic MGS fan, but i didn't rage when i saw Old Snake in MGS4. considering the story, it made perfect sense for him to be old.
then again, i play games for the game itself. they could make Sonic green for all i care, or have Mario shave his mustache and if it still played well i'd like it. if what i saw in that TGS trailer is any indication of the gameplay, this will be the first DMC game to pique my interest since… the first one.
But the Dante we know and love is COOL.
Sure he is campy and annoying as hell, but he is also badass, witty, indestructable, cheesy, careless, stylish, likes pizza and strawberry sundaes as opposed to smoking, a bleeding heart and so on.
Dante was cool that those reasons, and this was amplified by him being so unique.
Ninja Theory have some serious nerve in trying to replace him with this dirty looking fool; look at him all generic, gay, smoking, 'rebellious' and messed up.
People already have a problem, and Ninja Theory mouthing off won't make it better.
Our heritage franchises will not be stepped on, stand together lads!
And... I'm on board for an origin story and all that, I don't care what color his hair is or how long it is, but shouldn't his face still look a little bit more like the Dante we know? Just for continuity's sake? Can't you make Dante young and edgy without making him look like a totally different person? It's weird that MvC3 and DMC5 are both on the way and feature two totally different Dante models.
Plus, new Dante sucks hard.
You guys are fucking hilarious.
Plus, new Dante sucks hard.
OH SHIT!
Street Fighter's Ryu and Ken has gone through many visual redesigns, but their basic design elements had stayed eg. their respective coloured gi, Ken's hair, Ryu's bandanna. Dante has similar basic design elements like his white hair and red coat. deviate too much from those basic elements and you lose some of that identity.