Pre-release thread: THE iDOLM@STER: Platinum Stars

[Chihayaa]

I really do hope they up the models of the characters too. They've reused a bunch of assets in OfA, and while not a new vision, the idols could do with a few changes with their appearance.
I also hope we can get better storylines this time. OfA's were OK, better than 2 in my opinion, but I want something memorable.

[mariokirby]

The thing is, a visual reboot is pretty much guaranteed due to next-gen hardware. If you reuse the exact same visuals from 2/OFA, then that's a huge sign of laziness and for a next-gen video game, that's unacceptable. Even if they DO keep 2/OFA's visual style, they need to do things to add to it, such as (what VirgoFall brought up in a private conversation) improved animations for performances. That way, the visuals can remain familiar, but the jump from 7th to 8th gen will still be present.

I really do hope they up the models of the characters too. They've reused a bunch of assets in OfA, and while not a new vision, the idols could do with a few changes with their appearance.

I'm okay as long as the models are improved.  Idolm@ster 1 to Idolm@ster 2 greatly improved the character models at least in my opinion.  If they are unable to improve the models even further in the PS4 game and have to reuse the OFA/Idolm@ster 2 models, then as Arturo (MetalPredat0r) mentioned they could improve the performance.  Maybe, make their hair sway more realistically? (though that's pretty hard.  Even fighting games have a hard time with hair.)

There is an extreme example of changing the artstyle too much to make it worse.  That game is Star Ocean 2.  The artstyle style was fine in the PSX version.  But, when they port it to the PSP the character art looked worse especially with the main heroine.  Instead of looking like a 17 year old girl, she looks like she's 10-12.  So, when animagic4u mentioned a more youthful Haruka, it reminded me of Star Ocean 2.  Though, we will have to see ourselves to know if they really changed the artstyle or not.  Or they just did something really minor.  My preference is that they either improve the models graphically (even if it's just a tiny bit) or keep the old models from OFA/Idolm@ster 2 and improve the performances.

[Maka]

I think some hairstyle changes for the other girls who haven't had updates would be rad. Maybe Azusa with medium length hair, a short haired Chihaya, or a long haired Haruka? Maybe Yukiho could even go back to her PSP orangeish hair. I mean, a lot of girls have their signature looks, but there's nothing wrong with mixing it up a little.

[Okayu]

I thought Chihaya's OFA story was pretty memorable. I'm pretty sure the routes were written with the DLC in mind.

As for models as I've mentioned before I'd like if the idols had more unique bodies instead of just breast and height changes. Clipping on some items is distracting too.

I think the dancing improved a lot in the past few years so I'd rather see more focus on making the other scenes look less awkward.

As for hair styles I wouldn't mind some mixup. We have years of the older content for those hairstyles. And if they added hairstyles as a feature one day they could bring back older ones too. OFA mentioned Chihaya with short hair and Yukiho with long hair. While some Chihaya fans would hate me for saying this I think she'd look cute with short hair too. I still like her long hair either way.

[Maka]

I mean, Dream Club has had hairstyles as accessories for a couple of years now, which is the one thing they've done before imas lol

Being able to choose between normal Miki and her cute Vivid Bikini ponytail regardless of outfit would be really cool.

[MetalPredat0r]

According to this Gematsu article, you guys that went to the concert were lucky, as there are no plans to release the PS4 game teaser online to the public.

http://gematsu.com/2015/07/idolmaster-ps4-video-shown-10th-anniversary-event-ps-vita-taiko-crossover-game-announced

As for the rest of us, may as well wait two grueling months for TGS, I suppose. :/

[Chihayaa]

According to this Gematsu article, you guys that went to the concert were lucky, as there are no plans to release the PS4 game teaser online to the public.

http://gematsu.com/2015/07/idolmaster-ps4-video-shown-10th-anniversary-event-ps-vita-taiko-crossover-game-announced

As for the rest of us, may as well wait two grueling months for TGS, I suppose. :/

Thank goodness it's just a teaser, if it was a full-on trailer I'd be really upset =P I'm curious to see youthful-looking Haruka though

[Nayre]

It certainly as hell would be in my eyes -- nobody could pull a better Ricchan than Naomi.

Indeed.  Especially with Ippai Ippai, it just isn't the same without her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOTuRDX4zlA
At this point, I'd rather have the idols retire than change any of their seiyuus.



Guys, guys, guys, well I'm not sure if this is relevent(yet), but I can't stop thinking about that new unit group thing with Hibiki, Yayoi, and Mami.  Idk if it's actually gonna be a thing, but like someone else previously mentioned, I wonder if they're gonna pull another RK with them in the new game. 
I don't think I'd mind though......that much...maybe.

[mariokirby]

I thought Chihaya's OFA story was pretty memorable.

Agreed. 

I think Chihaya's story/communications in OFA/Im@s2 were memorable (only games I played).  She's so...*stops as receives glares from people*

I think the dancing improved a lot in the past few years so I'd rather see more focus on making the other scenes look less awkward.

Do you mean that the story scenes were awkward?  Like the dialogue, facial expressions, or something?

The old backgrounds were just pre-rendered images slapped into the background. From what I'm hearing, these are fully-rendered 3D backgrounds that the idols can potentially interact with more. Best comparison I can make with this is Sonic 4 Episode I (pre-rendered) vs Sonic Generations (fully-rendered).

I think I understand.  I never played Sonic 4, but I did play Sonic Generations.  So, that means the backgrounds are more dynamic in full rendering since one could interact with them and change them?  Sorry, if I'm still confused even though ironically I played a ton of games. 

[Maka]

You'd really rather write a character out of the game than have them change their seiyuu? Really? I thought the Azumin thing was hilariously overblown so if Ritsuko or someone else gets a new seiyuu I'll be like... "Oh, what a shame", and move on.

[MetalPredat0r]

I think I understand.  I never played Sonic 4, but I did play Sonic Generations.  So, that means the backgrounds are more dynamic in full rendering since one could interact with them and change them?  Sorry, if I'm still confused even though ironically I played a ton of games.

If you still don't get it, its best I do a more real-world comparison. Compare standing in front of a painting of an open field versus standing in front of an actual open field. The former gives the illusion of being somewhere while the latter is, well, actually being somewhere.

[mariokirby]

Well, that makes sense.

Thanks, for the explanation.

[Cael K.]

Honestly, we all knew Im@s PS4 was being made, they said that at... uh... TGS last year? Or something? The trailer was only a few seconds long, and mostly said nothing but, "Hey guys, we're making this game and stuff. Remember? No? Okay, here you go."

... But it did give us a few juicy morsels to party on. Rendering engine is different - my memory might be a little fuzzy, but I remember a more pastel look. I remember thinking it looks slightly hand-drawn - edges were softer, but had some texture to them and I thought I saw a paper-like texture being (very faintly) blended on to the scene. Think Valkyria Chronicles, but not as dramatic.

The models didn't look reused, even if they look kinda the same. Heck, they could have altered the ones from OFA for all I know, but they seem fresh.

But once again, my memory could be a little fuzzy. They'll probably show it again (or another) today.

The animations... or what little they showed of them, look smooth too. No nowano sightings during the PV though, and Haruka stayed on her feet the entire time.

EDIT: Saw the trailer again today, and the effect I thought I saw was only there because of the monitor it was being shown on.

[Okayu]

We've known about the PS4 game since September 2013 but they didn't start development on it until 2014.

Pastel look sounds interesting too.

I just wish they'd give us people not at the live some sort of teaser. Even in Japan not all of the fans could go to the live.

[Chihayaa]

Indeed.  Especially with Ippai Ippai, it just isn't the same without her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOTuRDX4zlA
At this point, I'd rather have the idols retire than change any of their seiyuus.



Guys, guys, guys, well I'm not sure if this is relevent(yet), but I can't stop thinking about that new unit group thing with Hibiki, Yayoi, and Mami.  Idk if it's actually gonna be a thing, but like someone else previously mentioned, I wonder if they're gonna pull another RK with them in the new game. 
I don't think I'd mind though......that much...maybe.

I would rather want to produce those three as one unit (like iM@S 2's RK chapter) than have Namco pull a RK and not have them produce-able at all. I would actually be legitimately upset if I can't produce Hibiki