Talk:Daikatana/Archive 1

Archive 1

Untitled

Shouldn't there be a page somewhere about the Japanese sword that the game was named after? At least a disambiguation? I can't find anything about the sword because of the stupid video game. --Nyxxxx 02:55, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

Bit of a re-working here: tried to put the game in some sort of historical context. A failed game isn't exactly news, but Daikatana was interesting mostly because of the circumstances surrounding its development and release, and I've tried to give a feeling of that for the non-gamer reader. --Dr memory 20:01, 21 Nov 2004 (UTC)

Nice job :) --Headcase 00:38, 9 Apr 2005 (UTC)

yesssss...?

Anonymous reader puts in an NPOV mark and then says nothing on the talk page. Thanks, that's ever so helpful. Care to elaborate? --Dr memory 18:26, 29 Nov 2004 (UTC)

NPOV

I'm removing the NPOV dispute marker until the anonymous commenter decides to explain his reasoning. I'm happy to work with any objections raised: there were a lot of harsh words spilled over Ion Storm and Daikatana in the press and elsewhere, so it's hard to give the context for that while not appearing to take a side. But I can't respond to an objection that's never raised... --Dr memory 18:01, 1 Dec 2004 (UTC)

A nice article, but...

This is a very nice article about the tumultuous background of the game. A lot has been written on this subject and this is a very good summary of it. But where the heck is the actual content about the game? Does anyone want to admit they have actually played it? What was the feature hype? How well does the final game compare to the feature hype? How is it different from other FPSes? (I heard there were some actually interesting ideas in the game, just the execution was not that great... anyone care to comment?) Tell us about the game! --Wwwwolf 18:04, 1 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I've divided the article into sections to encourage some information to be written about the game itself and also of course to break up the large swathe of text it had become. – Quoth 10:22, 2 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I've added what I could find, but I haven't actually played it, so there's probably a lot more to be said. -- Vardion 02:00, 16 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Excellent contribution Vardion, well done and thank you. – Quoth 06:26, 16 Jun 2005 (UTC)

ahem

An anonymous editor writes, as s/he edits my text:

(That she was in Playboy is not relevant, and smacks of attempted character assassination for people who care about such things)

Whether it was relevant is certainly debatable: it certainly adds context to the generally poor reception the news of her hiring received, and verisimilitude to the theme of all-over mismanagement at Ion Storm.

What is not debatable is whether it is character assassination: it is not. She modeled for Playboy. This is not slander, it is a simple fact: she did it, she was quoted as saying she was happy to do it, the pictures were published and a check was presumably cashed. It is not character assassination to say that someone did something which they did, publically and unrepentantly. Please leave your childish discomfort with the subject matter at the door. Reverted -- next time, ask first.

--Dr memory 05:23, 23 July 2005 (UTC)

Yes, I hope to continue working with you in this professional matter. Speaking of character assassination... Try leaving what you think are my personal motivations out of it—and try being a little less sensitive about your golden prose. "Ask first", indeed. Be bold, you mean.

Leaving this aside—your argument for why it is relevant is compelling enough, even if the article doesn't attempt to establish it in any way—which was my beef with it in the first place. Yes, she did model for Playboy, no, I don't think there's anything wrong with that, and neither did she. What you refer to as my "childish discomfort" is obviously the childish discomfort of the public "adding context", so let's not pretend I am the one being unprofessional for removing this parenthetical aside. Rather, it is the article's responsibility to establish why we mention it—when we do not, we are simply espousing the unfounded opinion that the fact itself is salient enough ("she was in Playboy, say no more"), which an encyclopedia ought to be above. 82.92.119.11 20:16, 26 January 2006 (UTC)

Encylopedia-ish?

Paragraphs like this one: "Although geeky in its particulars, the general thrust of the story was classic rags-to-riches-to-rags Americana, with greed, libido, ambition, arrogance, lawyers and outsized egos all meshing with predictably poor results. The computer gaming industry was already being compared to Hollywood, and here at last was its own Heaven's Gate."

..make it sound like some snobby, aggressive personal comments who has the luxury of hindsight. Doesn't sound (to me anyways) very encylopedia-ish. Same with "the dubious saga of Romero's girlfriend (and occasional Playboy model) Stevie Case being hired on as a level designer, and most of all the tortured path of the game's development"

To me it doesn't sound very neutral..any yays or nays? (by the way, it wasn't me who put that above mentioned NPOV stamp in this article earlier)

Fred26 17:10, 14 September 2005 (UTC)

I'd change it if it concerns you. The passage has poor use of descriptive nouns and really is too oppinionated in favor of criticism.

Gibson Cowboy 21:45, 22 November 2005 (UTC)

I think that the sentence "Several online industry gossip websites came into existence primarily to track the unfolding debacle, some of which are still publishing today." is a bit vague for an encyclopedia article. I don't doubt that it is true, just feel that it needs to name some names and link to articles, interviews or website history pages that substantiate the statement. There was a lot going on in the gaming industry at the time and to hold up one thing as a primary reason for the existence of any site takes more proof. Also the part about 'still ... today' is inappropriate for an article that hopes to be archival. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.9.177.34 (talk) 13:18, 10 September 2008 (UTC)

Historic

Does anyone have an image of the advertisments "John Romero is going to make you his bitch", I cant seem to find one, it would be poignant and historic to include them in this article. - 202.7.176.133 09:32, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

This is the only picture of it I've seen, and it's unfortunately marked with the GameSpot logo [1] — Quoth 13:17, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

Vaporware?

It came out. Why list it in category vaporware? It may have been once upon a time, and that's important, but it no longer is. Duke Nukem Whenever, should it come out, will no longer be vaporware. The only conceivable item that will forever remain Vapoware (even if they release it) is the Phantom. Removing.Daemon8666 20:22, 22 February 2006 (UTC)

Sword

Isn't this also a name for a large, 2-handed, katana?Cameron Nedland 20:14, 18 March 2006 (UTC)

Nope. Daikatana is a made up word. Dai means big or "great", and katana is a type of japanese sword but together these two words dont make anything sensible. Ken is the actual word for sword, katana is just one type of sword. Like we in the west call some swords claymore, sabre, broadsword etc etc depending on usage. Katana, tachi, nodachi, kodachi is basically the same principle. Oh, regular katanas were 2-handed as well. The creators of the game prolly modelled this "daikatana" sword after the japanese nodachi sword which is quite large. Length differed, but some could be over 160 cm as compared to the more common katana length of about 100 cm from top to bottom. Check the pic in this link for an example. Fred26 16:00, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

• That's a nice explanation. The actual Wiki about the daikatana on the site could probably rewritten with that comparison, if you cared to. Then again, the only place I've heard of the term "daikatana" used was this game :) Shadowrun 19:35, 18 December 2006 (UTC)

Screenshots

The screenshot currently at the page, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Daikatana_screenshot.jpg , it isn't made clear whether that is an up-to-date screenshot, an in-production shot, or what.. That screenshot resembles Quake 2 quite a bit, and doesn't at all resemble screenshots from, for instance, http://www.mobygames.com/game/john-romeros-daikatana/screenshots . Perhaps the caption should be changed to be more clear? --AshyRaccoon 04:41, 28 March 2006 (UTC)

Indeed, that is a pre-release screenshot; at least, I have vague memory of coming upon this particular picture when specifically searching for alpha/beta Daikatana stuff. That would explain the the odd resolution and lack of a HUD. Since this screenshot doesn't illustrate anything significant from the game's development, however, I think I'll just jump into Daikatana for a while and see if I can take a suitable replacement screenshot showing the finished game. I believe taking images straight from MobyGames is discouraged due to their watermark (And I certainly don't mind playing Daikatana, either). MarphyBlack 02:29, 27 March 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Daikatana screenshot.jpg

Image:Daikatana screenshot.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in Wikipedia articles constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 22:45, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

GBC?

I see absolutely nothing even related to the GBC version. - A Link to the Past (talk) 09:25, 27 July 2007 (UTC)

Japanese script

Done. --Nightshadow28 15:28, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

Post Mortem Analysis

While currently this game have not value, neither by nostalgia or for amusing, the current importance is to known the causes of the failure, so it's more important to known the developer of this game instead of a analysis of character, level and such. --201.222.136.169 (talk) 19:01, 3 August 2008 (UTC)

Plot

There is almost nothing about the plot!! I for one want to know how the story plays out! 210.176.70.2 (talk) 08:29, 5 September 2008 (UTC)

Katana/Tō

The explanation about "daikatana" or daitō misses the point. Katana and tō are Japanese pronunciation (kunyomi) and Chinese pronunciation (onyomi), respectively, of the same kanji. However, as dai is onyomi, the only combination which is valid should be dai+tō. Chinese and Japanese pronunciations don't mix as a rule. Ooki-katana would be an alternative in kunyomi, however ooki(i), big, is used as an adjective not in compounds, as far as I know. Ben ^T/_C 11:25, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

Budget

40 millions $ budget is not possible. It's a team of 150-200 people for 3 years. It widely exceed Metal Gear Solid 2 budget and in fact any game produced until the arrival of next-gen (2005). I'm a game producer and from experience it's not a possible budget for the time. It's just an impressive figure to make it an epic failure, but based on no fact. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pikifou (talk • contribs) 17:52, 13 August 2010 (UTC) After further investigation, Eidos invested 25M$ on Ion Storm, not only Daikatana. It's spread accross Daikatana, but also Deus Ex, Anachronox and other Ion Storm titles. The real price of the game should be more like 10 to 15 millions. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Pikifou (talk • contribs) 18:16, 13 August 2010 (UTC)

Reference material

While digging through the online print archive, I located the following print preview material for this game:

• Next Generation Magazine Preview
• PC Gamer UK Preview
• Computer Games Magazine Interview
• Computer Games Magazine Preview
• Computer Games Magazine Preview

One or more print reviews for this game may also be found in the archive. JimmyBlackwing (talk) 16:06, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Controversy section

"inciting most of the original development team to quit en masse and form a competing company, continued to incite fierce disdain and criticism among c." I have no idea what c is meant to mean. Perhaps it is to be found in the history section? 86.44.79.230 (talk) 20:21, 26 July 2011 (UTC)

Reference material

Here's what I've dug up so far. JimmyBlackwing (talk) 19:08, 1 July 2014 (UTC)

• Knee Deep in a Dream at GameSpot
• Interview with Stevie Case at GameSpy
• Chris Perna interview at GameSpy
• 20 Questions with John Romero
• Riding the Storm at Computer Games Magazine
• Ion Storm subpoenas Dallas Daily Observer at Computer Games Magazine
• Stormy Weather at Dallas Daily Observer (thanks to Ingolfson above)
• Crisis at Ion Storm? at Computer Games Magazine
• Eidos says game slips to fourth quarter at Computer Games Magazine
• Daikatana preview at Computer Games Magazine
• Eidos Eyeing Ion? at Computer Games Magazine
• John Romero interview at CVG
• Daikatana Up Close and Personal at Next Generation
• Daikatana preview at PC Gamer UK
• Demons Over Dallas at Fast Company
• Ion Storm news: Eric Smith becomes lead artist on Daikatana, interview with Eric Smith, Kelly Hoerner becomes Daikatana producer
• Daikatana preview at IGN
• The Master of the Game at Rolling Stone, Cynthia True, November 26, 1998 (no link yet)
• John Romero interview part 1 at ActionXtreme
• John Romero interview part 2 at ActionXtreme
• Ready at Last at PlanetDaikatana
• Boatload of interviews at PlanetDaikatana
• Eidos Announces its Support for ION Storm and Daikatana, ION Storm Employees Speak, John Romero Responds to ION Storm Resignations
• Romero Announces New Daikatana Programming Positions
• CyberGamer November 1998 issue (Daikatana preview, 3 page interview with Romero)
• Inside ION: ION Storm Welcomes Kemco Representatives
• Romero Weathers the Storm at GameSpot
• CGW January 1999 "Game Updates" (link forthcoming)
• Ion Storm: In Our Face at GameSpot
• Daikatana Designers Ditch Ion Storm at GameSpot
• ION Losses Stack up at GameSpot
• Interview with Daikatana Creator John Romero at PrimaGames
• The waiting game at Salon
• Kelly Hoerner interview at WarCentral
• Daikatana Welcomes Chris Klie
• John Romero Speaks at Next Generation
• Bobby Pavlock interview at Rust
• Bobby Pavlock interview at Daikatana Nation
• Beta Testers Champion Daikatana Deathmatch Demo at Adrenaline Vault
• Stevie "KillCreek" Case interview at GA-Source
• Preview at Dreamcast.net
• It's Go Time! Mplayer Daikatana DM Demo Released at Ion Storm
• Mplayer Daikatana Deathmatch Tournament Underway at Ion Storm
• Learn how to make a killing… at GameSpot UK
• Daikatana demo review at 3D Gaming
• Daikatana Demo Feedback at Ion Storm
• Larry Herring interview at GA-Source
• Jim Daly interview at GA-Source
• Todd Porter interview at GA-Source
• Jim Daly interview 2 at GA-Source
• Daikatana Coding Update at Ion Storm
• The Power of Logic: An Interview With Justin Randall at Ion Storm
• Daikatana Team Welcomes Programmer Steve Ash at Ion Storm
• Ion Brew at GameSpot UK
• Interview with John Romero at Daikatana Nation
• Living by the Sword: John Romero on Daikatana at Ion Storm
• Divine Inspiration: A Talk with Daikatana Screenwriter Christian Divine at Ion Storm
• Artistically Speaking: Bryan Pritchard Discusses the Art of Daikatana at Ion Storm
• A Discussion with Mike Breslin at Ion Storm
• A hardcore elegy for Ion Storm at Salon
• Daikatana Update
• Company visit by Computer Gaming World
• Daikatana, Update: Part Deux…
• ION Storm Art Update, Romero Channels Ancient Samurai; Answers Questions of the Day
• AVault think p1 p2
• Huge PC Gamer scan archive

Reviews

• GamePro
• PC Zone
• GameFan
• PC Gamer US
• PC Gamer UK
• Computer Games Magazine
• Computer Gaming World
• GameSpot N64
• GameSpot PC

Heh

Could someone with the game add screenshots?

Gamespot has a special feature about it [2], including the infamous "make you his bitch" piece [3].

— Preceding unsigned comment added by 200.195.79.170 (talk) 22:52, 4 March 2005‎ (UTC)

Will do. Exsilon (talk) 06:10, 5 August 2014 (UTC)

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Useful legacy refs

• https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4803167&t=1571869984136
• https://www.usgamer.net/articles/gamings-greatest-flops-daikatana

--ProtoDrake (talk) 12:14, 22 November 2019 (UTC)