Stages

[Louie]

very important subject imo. im sure you all have stages which you all dislike in former capcom games due to the look of the stage (backrounds moving, less clear to se your chars) or even the MUSIC is annoying.

take Yun or Yang stage in 3s for example.. the rain on yang's stage >.> takes up even more fps, even make the game lag or go less fast in different situations because of that, and Yun's stage looks in generall less clear than other stages so its actually abit harder focusing on the chars compared when playing on other stages.

then we got Elenas stage with the ANNOYING music, i know many ppl hates Elenas stage. then we got CvS2 for example, we got a bunch of annoying stages with stuff in the backround 24/7. and ST/hsf2 for example, T.Hawks stage is just like Yun's in 3s, not clear so its harder focusing on the characters.

so i hope they make sure they will only do stages which are CLEAR, so you can focus on the chars easily. not having to many moving things in the backrounds which could be distacting AND not having annoying music! what do you all think? well im sure i know what ya'll think ofc, you agree, but just wanted to make sure to go out with this. would be boring to have to watch out for some stages that you have to do in the previous capcom games.

[Sasmasta]

Interesting topic. [no bullshit]

I didn't care for Elena's STAGE that much [the music didn't bother me at all]. That blinding red at night is an eyesore. :wasted:

Nor Ibuki's. The coloring was too 'country at 5pm' for me. She's a ninja. I would've liked to see some sort of forest background with ninjas hopping in and out and shit.

[all regarding 3S stages]

However I was never distracted by things moving in the background. The only stage that could catch my eye [i.e. 'annoy' me] was Chun Li's on SFA3. Those tai-chi people in the background were :tdown:.

[goodm0urning]

Nor Ibuki's. The coloring was too 'country at 5pm' for me. She's a ninja. I would've liked to see some sort of forest background with ninjas hopping in and out and shit.There are ten or eleven ninjas in Ibuki's stage. You just can't see them because they're ninjas.

[typetenchi]

For some reason,
It seems to me that the stages get worse as they try to further balance the game.

For example, I like the stages in SF3:NG and SF3:SI but for some reason 3rd Strike just feels so plain to me. I remember Elena's stage used to start off on a bridge and then the round would end then you would fall below. That was cool.

I also liked the stages in CVS1 more than I did in CVS2.

In my opinion CVS1 had the best atmosphere of any 2D game that I've played as far as level design went. The stages in that game were great. Especially the stage where you were outside of some arcade and when you would move all the way to the left of the screen that automatic door would slide open and you would walk in a little bit. Also the stage where you were in a back alley and there was a spotlight on the wall and when you walked by, it would cast your shadow.

I agree that the stages shouldn't be distracting but I think you can make a very elaborate background and still not have it distracting.

However that's not to say that I hold any type of priority over the backgrounds versus gameplay. If SF4 backgrounds were all black and white forests with ink everywhere it may bother me but if the game is awesome to play I think I would look past it.

-10

[str[e]ak]

There are ten or eleven ninjas in Ibuki's stage. You just can't see them because they're ninjas.

:rofl:

if they bring back sagat, i wouldn't mind a remake of the venezuela stage (one of my favorites) from SFA2.

[NG1313]

The contrast between the characters and backgrounds isn't that good sometimes. I have a dislike for Chun's stage, myself. Hugo's stage, with all the moving objects, is still a good background in my opinion, because the green colouring that dominates the background is easy to differentiate from your characters. Maybe it has to do with the illusion of depth in the background. The more flat it looks, the better, in my opinion... I think.

I don't think it'll be a problem anymore, now with HD graphics.

I like Yang's stage with the rain. Maybe I just prefer backgrounds with restricted contrast. I would've liked to see more open stages, like Cammy's in SFII, and Dudley's in NG/ 2I.

By the way, Louie... I don't think lag online should be a concern for Capcom when they're designing their commercial, legendary game. Throw in stage selecting like in CVS2 instead.

[goodm0urning]

For some reason,
It seems to me that the stages get worse as they try to further balance the game.This is almost assuredly because of the money involved in doing new artwork. Since the budget will logically be smaller than it was with the first iteration of the game, they won't be able to do the elaborate things that they did before.

And yeah, CvS1's stages were great. Like the dojo that falls apart as the characters fight.

[chunbelievable]

Gen's A2 stage, Sagat's/Ryu's A2 grass stage, Cammy's ST stage, Necro's 3S and Makoto's 3S stage. All just seriously cool moody and stylized.

Charlie's A2 stage could cause epilectic (sp?) seizures, DJ's ST and A3 stages were just retarded and Birdi's A2 was just disurbing for me.

I am all for seriously cool stages in SFIV, say like Shin Samurai Spirits? Those were just cool. Not saying they would fit in SFIV, just something that dark, gritty and cool. Just me.

[kaka]

gouki's stage is alright, but his music is usually sucks. sounds cheezy as fuck

[Rob2_0]

I didn't care for Elena's STAGE that much [the music didn't bother me at all]. That blinding red at night is an eyesore. :wasted:


i hated when ppl pick a red costume on that stage,
i would have to strain my eyes sooo much.


Gen's A2 stage, Sagat's/Ryu's A2 grass stage, Cammy's ST stage, Necro's 3S and Makoto's 3S stage. All just seriously cool moody and stylized.
.
i love all those stages
my favorite was sagats grass stage in A2 (australia?)
the only stage i hated was t.hawk the indian chief was too distracting

[Avery]

What? No weather, no movement? Yes, I agree, a plain stage with nothing is so much cooler. Just make the background white and the floor black. In fact, eliminate screen scrolling while you're at it because it's too difficult.

Yang's rain stage is one of my favorites.

[['__']]

if i'm in a tournament, i usually ask if i can reset the game before the match starts, if elena's blinding-africa stage comes on

[alchemist78]

I love London in CVS2! True Love Makin!!

[Sasmasta]

There are ten or eleven ninjas in Ibuki's stage. You just can't see them because they're ninjas.

:rofl:

Well played sir...

Well played.

[Radiantsilvergun3]

I like Sagats A3 Stage a lot. Cammys A3 Stage to My favorites from 3S are Hugo and Yangs and Ryus.

I'm all for more clever stages. The ones in NG SI where really cool.

[Shin Sho-oh-ken]

Alpha 2 soundtracks and stages were the best hands down.

3rd Strike stages were ok, but the music was boring and makes you want to sleep.

[PsychoShonen]

There should be only one stage and it should be the London stage from CvS2 cause this is true love we're making.

[SwmmrManShen]

I personally love elena's stage and T. Hawk's stage

I think fei longs stage is the biggest culprit in distraction

[katraqueyous]

Alpha 2 soundtracks and stages were the best hands down.


Hell fuckin yeah, I thought Ken's and Sakura's stage were my personal favorites. All the others were really dope as well.

CVS1 had some really cool stages indeed. My personal favorite was Nakoruru's stage with the blizzard that happens in the 2nd or 3rd round. That was pretty exciting. I hope they bring some kind of dope effects in SF 4.

[jsheppar]

chun's waterfall stage was sweet (a2)

[Wellman]

As long as nearly every stage doesn't have stupid stuff tossed in the background for color, I will be cool. I like the near empty background settings, but I also occasionally like the ones where there is a legit crowd watching the fight. I don't want to many audience stages, but I think the SF2 series had a great balance.

[Tura Satana]

What? No weather, no movement? Yes, I agree, a plain stage with nothing is so much cooler. Just make the background white and the floor black. In fact, eliminate screen scrolling while you're at it because it's too difficult.

Rofl : )

Alpha 2 soundtracks and stages were the best hands down.

Alpha 2 did have great stages. Love Dan's, Gen's, and Sodom's with the big rig was gorgeous. In CVS1, the one with wooden bridge and the burning torch is a style I totally dig. In CVS2, I like London, the one that turns, and the one with the parade. Some nice concepts.

For weather effects, I like em, but they should have the option of being turned off, atleast for online play.

The thought of being distracted by a background is odd to me. Cuz I don't think I've ever been distracted by anything in the background, and it never occured to me that others would be. Maybe heavy rain, which is actually in the foreground usually, can be an issue.

If a background is just ugly, I can be distracted by the constant thought of how crappy it looks.. but thats it really.

[BunnyHead]

Lol I never really focused on the things going on in the background
it didnt bother me a bit.

Only Dhalsim's stupid wife laughing everytime you get beat up:tdown:

What's wrong with Elena's stage and music?
I thought it was actually really simple

I mean of course u can see some things
but it never bothered me to the point where I couldnt concentrate

....well actually Pocket Fighter is another story
I was too busy laughing at Dee Jay doing that reggae dance
I forgot what it's called.

anyway
I still can't say how I would prefer the stages to be
cuz they never really mattered to me
I'll just be surpised that's all.

[OmNiExiZt]

It would be nice if they adpoted the passage of time idea that's used in the earliery Fatal Fury games. I like to see the time of day go by for each round. Kind of makes it seem like you've been fighing all day. One of my favorite stages in KOF2002 has a lot of stuff going on in the background and you see plenty of cameos during the day. In the afternoon, it's sunset and a lot of the characgers are gone and you can see the even winding down. At night, it's just you and your opponent and you can see that Eiji has pretty much been out there all day watching you fight and he's still there! Must have been pissed about not being put in a game since 96'. But you all get the point. That has been something that I've always liked.

*ONEZ*

[omegaweapon25]

id like to see Akuma's stage actually take place on Onigami Isle and not inside Kiga Cave. the stage would look exactly like it did in the Street Fighter Alpha movie with all those statues in the background and a few in the foreground (but make sure they dont obstruct vision too much, of course) and, over the course of a fight, if particularly powerful attacks are thrown (especially Supers), youd see some of the statues crumble. and the sky must be a dreary gray. thats how i envisioned it. oh, and Birdies bathroom must be unlockable.:wgrin:

[erikstanton]

i didnt like how elena's stage was the same color as elena's skin. its just real annoying, and even if its not elena, i tend to look at the bright ass red background instead of whats going on. no sunset stages plz.

[Shiro887]

y'know I was watching some guys play X-Men vs Street Fighter and I remember seeing that this game had break away stages. I really thought that was cool and I wish that more games had this (just so long as they don't deal damage to you because DoA is dumb).

yeah, 3S's stages and music were very "eh" Only ones in that game that really stood out were Remi's and Elena's stages. I think Remi's is my favorite though.

CvS2 London stage ftw.

It should be more like GGAC. Select your stage AND the music d(^_^d )

[Sasmasta]

Breakaway stages would be awesome, and yes, I agree with you on the DoA aspect of breakaway stages. It's not that much of a deal [I'm assuming to some] but the damage it dealt was a bit much.

[Shiro887]

IIRC going off the stage in DoA (at least in DoA2U) dealt like almost 50% of your life bar which I think is really damn retarded. But I thought it was really cool when watching someone play X-Men vs SF seeing all those ground slams and then the ground crashing and they fall into the sewer and fight there.

[Louie]

oh i forgot. cool/good stage music at the stages ofc, that does alot! inspiring to fight to. i love the cvs2 stage with the 2 big honda dummies at the back, that stage song is :lovin: t.hawk stage (fast) is nice in st, fei-longs aswell and kens stage in 3s.. cool and good music is important ftw.

[Zenith]

ak;4448351']:rofl:

if they bring back sagat, i wouldn't mind a remake of the venezuela stage (one of my favorites) from SFA2.

God, yes.

[ruthless_nash]

SF3: 2i/1G stages for the win. Elenas stage on those games were awesome, as was dudleys with the rain effects etc.

[ZEBES]

-first of all, one stage per character please! this is street fighter, I don't want them to adopt the "fashion" aka lazyness of creating like, 6 or 8 stages for the whole game.
-music, pretty important, I agree with most of you, one must "feel" the character's style, country or at least some fight spirit when hearing the music. I mean makoto's bgm is not *bad*, but it really doesn't sound like fighting or as a japanese karateka or warrior music at all. sf2 music was nearly god perfection in that sense, (alpha series done greatly too) not every stage was "ethnic", but at least the tunes were very appropriate to put one's mood ready to fight. guile's theme ftw.
-as for stage complexity, come on guys, this is art, after all! I recognize elena's one is annoying, but that's only because it's an almost monochromatic hellish red setting, of course it'll look bad to one's eyes, that issue is easily covered by doing stages with some more contrast or field depth (aka ryu's sfa3 stage)but think about sf3 NG and 2I, stages are complex and full of elements in most cases but they look sexy as hell. dudley, ibuki, alex and yun/yang stages were pieces of art. they should look at least as cool as those now!

[KindredSpiritz]

-first of all, one stage per character please! this is street fighter, I don't want them to adopt the "fashion" aka lazyness of creating like, 6 or 8 stages for the whole game.
-music, pretty important, I agree with most of you, one must "feel" the character's style, country or at least some fight spirit when hearing the music. I mean makoto's bgm is not *bad*, but it really doesn't sound like fighting or as a japanese karateka or warrior music at all. sf2 music was nearly god perfection in that sense, (alpha series done greatly too) not every stage was "ethnic", but at least the tunes were very appropriate to put one's mood ready to fight. guile's theme ftw.
-as for stage complexity, come on guys, this is art, after all! I recognize elena's one is annoying, but that's only because it's an almost monochromatic hellish red setting, of course it'll look bad to one's eyes, that issue is easily covered by doing stages with some more contrast or field depth (aka ryu's sfa3 stage)but think about sf3 NG and 2I, stages are complex and full of elements in most cases but they look sexy as hell. dudley, ibuki, alex and yun/yang stages were pieces of art. they should look at least as cool as those now!

Can I add onto that too...

I agree one character per stage but also make the stage the person's country of origin, heck- I don't wanna see Greece for Cammy or the United States for Sean.

Personal stages I like:

Elena's in Third Strike, Rose's in SF Alpha 3 and Cammy's in Super SF II.

[Sasmasta]

You liked Elena's stage in 3rd Strike?

:ouch: my eyes!

I dug most of the SFA2 stages.

[Necron Lord]

Can I add onto that too...

I agree one character per stage but also make the stage the person's country of origin, heck- I don't wanna see Greece for Cammy or the United States for Sean.

Personal stages I like:

Elena's in Third Strike, Rose's in SF Alpha 3 and Cammy's in Super SF II.

can i add on

it would be kinda sweet to have a character stage have multiple locations to fight at in his area instead of just changing his one stage from day to night

[elvis_a_presley]

Interesting topic. [no bullshit]

I didn't care for Elena's STAGE that much [the music didn't bother me at all]. That blinding red at night is an eyesore. :wasted:

I loved Elana's SF3.2 stage. Why did they get rid of that???

[The Electrifying One]

For example, I like the stages in SF3:NG and SF3:SI but for some reason 3rd Strike just feels so plain to me. I remember Elena's stage used to start off on a bridge and then the round would end then you would fall below. That was cool.

I also liked the stages in CVS1 more than I did in CVS2.

In my opinion CVS1 had the best atmosphere of any 2D game that I've played as far as level design went. The stages in that game were great. Especially the stage where you were outside of some arcade and when you would move all the way to the left of the screen that automatic door would slide open and you would walk in a little bit. Also the stage where you were in a back alley and there was a spotlight on the wall and when you walked by, it would cast your shadow.



QFT. I agree with most of the sentiments here, I like backgrounds that have some eye candy and look buys and vibrant, although I agree a balance is necessary between those, and more isolated moody stages like Akuma's in A2.

My favourites: Gen A2, Sagat, Blanka, T.Hawk, Gief, Vega, Balrog SF2, Dudley, Remy 3S, and pretty much all of CVS1 and 2I.

X-Men COTA deserves it's own special mention. DANGER ROOM on that (cyclops stage) was possibly the best stage ever. It seriously felt different every time! Wolverine's and Spiral's stage was pretty cool too.

[RockCho]

Australia stage is Alpha2 was an awesome idea, but it is seriously flawed and annoying because the tall grass covers up the feet and you can't see what kind of sweeps and low kicks you and your opponent do.

=\

But it was a really cool stage and pretty easy to see your character otherwise.

[scentless]

Never liked Chun li stage in alpha 3, all those guys moving like waves, it's kinda weird. My fav is Dan's stage in alpha3. Always found very funny the playground in the back....hehe.

A nice addition to stages would be some kinda of reaction from the people watching the fight, a la Kof. They already did something like it with Dhalsim's daughter, but i think they could improve it a little further. Would be nice.