Gamerscore Blog : Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 11:23 AM by CPaladino

Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Inspired by the Hayabusa family’s namesake, the falcon, this demonic costume mirrors the intensity of Ryu’s vengeance and fury as he fights to regain the honor of his clan.

Starting in July 2008, Xbox Live members worldwide will be able to download 3 unique Hayabusa costume packs for Ninja Gaiden II.

At 200 MS points each the costume packs will add a completely new and never before seen looks for our Ninja hero, Ryu Hayabusa.

The first of the 3 costume pack designs is shown here, and will be exclusively available in selected countries to 39,000 gamers on launch day as part of pre-sale or launch promotions with specific retail partners.

Look for more details on other two designs and specific country promotions to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Go to the official website or your favorite retailer to pre-order Ninja Gaiden II today, and get the best pre-order deals available!

[Update] Sorry it wasn't clear, but this 200 pts. is for a pack of FIVE costumes for Ryu - not just one.

Filed Under: Xbox 360, Xbox Live Marketplace, Team Ninja, Ninja Gaiden

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# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:15 PM by NIN 013

Wow, that armor wins. I guess for 200MS points ($2.50) it isn't too expensive either.

Can't figure out whether I'm pumped for Ninja Gaiden or not. Hack and slash really isn't my thing and Ninja Gaiden 1's difficulty was just through the roof insane. It kinda turned me off to the whole series :( Maybe Ninja Gaiden 2 will pull me back in. Here's to hoping!

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 3:23 PM by Marcelo Vega

200 MS Points for Ninja Armor? I think Tecmo/Microsoft would benefit a lot more selling Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive Themes and Gamerpics.

At least, that´s the kind of content I´m interested in and willing to buy, instead of a new "Horse Armor".

Square Enix is another company that seems to completly ignore how to make money, as Final Fantasy Themes and gamerpics would sell like hotcakes. Well, at least if well done.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:14 PM by chris

isn't a little exploitative to announce, before the game even ships, that you're charging (a lot) for unlockable skins that will be available from the launch of the game? Which means they could have, and should have, been included in the game for free?

200 MS points? Really?

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:44 PM by obvious guy

@ chris

If you're really into the game and the Ninja Gaiden series, is 2 bucks really that much?

If you're the average dude who is indifferent to NG, I could see how 2 bucks for armor might seem a little steep. But if you were an average dude, you probably wouldn't have purchased the armor no matter what the price is. (Disregarding the possibility of having free armor.)

In all reality, these armor packs and similar DLC packs aren't targeted towards the average dudes. They're made and marketed specifically for the hardcore fans.

And if you are a hardcore fan and you feel that 2 bucks is beyond your realm of reasonable spending, you should probably....wait for it.....wait for it....wait for it......not buy it.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 5:04 PM by chris

The point isn't that it's too expensive. The point is that it's too expensive for something that seems like it should be included in the game because... wait for it...

...it's done before the game is.

And maybe it's not done.

But to advertise DLC a month in advance that you can buy the day the game ships seems like it might be abusing DLC to the customer's disadvantage.

It makes it seem like these costumes were going to be unlockable extras, like in any other game, but then they had the idea to just charge a total of $7.50 extra on top of the MSRP. Just 'cause they can.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 6:47 PM by Goon360

Unless they're used for something other than being simply cosmetic then I prolly won't buy em.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 6:48 PM by AriesDog

Kind of agree with chris. I'm all for downloadable content but only if it's something developed after the game shipped. Like the developer came up with a cool idea or the community wanted something. But to purposely hold back content on game that's already $60... That's a trend we're seeing more of that I don't like.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 8:14 PM by CPaladino

While I'm not saying I'm "for" or "against" DLC (I'm for it when it makes sense), it's interesting that I'm seeing a matter of timing come into the decision process.

I've heard 1st hand, and read here that if the DLC comes AFTER the game is released it's generally more accepted.

If the DLC is announced BEFORE the game ships then it's viewed as something that should have been included with the game.

To play devil's advocate, would the problem be solved to never announce DLC until a month after the game ships?

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Thursday, May 08, 2008 8:55 PM by AriesDog

Depends. It "is" a matter of perception but if it's obviously something that's been held back we'll feel ripped off. Likewise if the DLC is just a key to unlock content that's already on the disc. We as a community want to know that the publisher isn't just messing with us just to get more money after we've already spent a big chunk on the game.

My favorite example of good DLC is Marvel: Ultimate Alliance. From the beginning there were empty spots on the character selection roster. But when DLC characters were launched it was much later and some of the costumes were based on storylines that were happening at that moment, like World War Hulk's gladiator armor. And the new characters and costumes expanded the story. Doom meeting Doom was a nod to the Kristoff story that hardcore comic fans would appreciate. Every bit of the DLC felt like quality instead of something cheap and easy made to cash in.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Friday, May 09, 2008 7:50 AM by D

What a fucking hack! Must be MS's idea because I can't believe that Team Ninja would stoop this low to make a quick buck. Anyone who buys this shit (which should be freely included in the game as unloackable extras) is a tool.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Friday, May 09, 2008 10:29 AM by Brandon

So are more details coming about how to be one of the lucky 39,000 people? Where do we have to pre-order to become one of the chosen?

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Friday, May 09, 2008 1:11 PM by Jake of 8bitjoystick.com

So $2.5 for Ninja Horse Armor? Will the armor be on the disc and is "unlocked" with the download of a 39k key?

I love DLC but as long as it is new stuff that is expands the game experience beyond what is originally on the disc. Cough.. Godfather...

http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2008/03/26/

I still can't wait for the game.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Friday, May 09, 2008 1:15 PM by LiK

er, why is one of the armors restricted to only 39k people? that's a weird number. i already have my copy preordered but i hope i preordered from the right place for that extra armor...

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Friday, May 09, 2008 4:25 PM by CPaladino

FYI - the 200 pts pack is for FIVE costumes - not one.

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Friday, May 09, 2008 7:45 PM by roo

I don't really understand. They say there are 3 costume packs, at 200 points each. Then they show the first costume pack which is a single unique design. Then they say each costume pack has 5 costumes? Where are pics of the other 4 costumes in the first pack?

# re: Ninja + Dark Fiend Armor = Way Cooler Ninja

Saturday, May 10, 2008 5:48 PM by whyme

NG2 preorder in SG would include a free shirt and some other stuffs. I guess this DLC might be free for some region too. Kinda like the LO DLC.

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About CPaladino

Chris was born in the Bronx in 1976, but grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from college he worked as a computer programmer for several years, and during that time he started a podcast - The DreamStation.cc Video Game Show. The show caught the eye of the Xbox Community Team, and Chris moved to Seattle with his wife Heather to pursue his passion for shaping the future of the video game industry.

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