Just in Time for the Holidays - Katamari Damacy T-Shirts

[fitbabits]

Looking for something unique to get that special someone this Holiday Season? Then look no further than Panic Goods (http://www.panic.com/goods) for a selection of very sweet looking Katamari Damacy t-shirts (http://www.panic.com/goods/#katamari), designed by none other than Keita Takahashi and Ryo Kimura. Priced at $24.95, these are a must-have in my opinion.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a390/fitbabits/kata-elephant.gif

Awesome. Simply awesome! Katamari Damacy is one of the many reasons I still own and play on my PS2. Can you imagine what a next-gen Katamari would look like?

Thanks to Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net) for the tip.

[bean19]

And yet. . . mostly this means that I'd be walking around with an elephant on my chest. I love Katamari, but I didn't like any of those designs.

Poop! I was SOOOoooo set to e-mail the page to my Mom too. Oh well.

[fitbabits]

And yet. . . mostly this means that I'd be walking around with an elephant on my chest. I love Katamari, but I didn't like any of those designs.

Poop! I was SOOOoooo set to e-mail the page to my Mom too. Oh well.
But you'd be one of the few people with an elephant on your shirt - surely that counts for something?

And please send this page to your Mom! :)

[Varsity]

That's one hell of a website.

[Borys]

That's one hell of a website.

Agreed, that's some very impressive web coding.

Waddya know - one of the guys posting at GAF helped in designig (http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=76080) those shirts.

[Reanimated]

lol, not to be contrary, but who cares what a "next-gen" katamari looks like? The current games are not exactly about the graphics. I'm more interested in what the next Katamari PLAYS like on next-gen consoles. I would like to see what the team could do with the Revolution controller.

[fitbabits]

lol, not to be contrary, but who cares what a "next-gen" katamari looks like? The current games are not exactly about the graphics. I'm more interested in what the next Katamari PLAYS like on next-gen consoles. I would like to see what the team could do with the Revolution controller.
I disagree. A large part of the charm with the Katamari games (for me at least) lies in the visuals - they are unique. Of course I am interested in how they play, but I'm equally interested in how they look with the additional oomph of the PS3, 360 or Revolution.

[bapenguin]

$25 is a bit steep for a friggin T-Shirt. I like the Sea Dragon one, plus it's only $19.

[jacktion]

Dear Fitabits,
I don't think you quite get Katamari. A next-gen version is a moot point. Graphics are the least important thing to Katamari. It will never be made looking like Unreal 2007. You won't see the Prince with sweat beaded up on him and his veins rippling. This is a game that won't necessarily be improved by subsequent sequels. (as is illustrated by its sequel)

[fitbabits]

Dear Fitabits,
I don't think you quite get Katamari. A next-gen version is a moot point. Graphics are the least important thing to Katamari. It will never be made looking like Unreal 2007. You won't see the Prince with sweat beaded up on him and his veins rippling. This is a game that won't necessarily be improved by subsequent sequels. (as is illustrated by its sequel)
Oh for crying out loud. I 'get' Katamari as well as the next person. Look at my reply to Reanimated to see where I'm coming from.

And for the last friggin' time - it's fit-ba-bits. If you're going to call my opinion into question, at least make some sort of effort to spell my name correctly.

[MosBen]

Man, I wonder what the next Prius redesign will look like. Oh wait, the Prius is about gas milage, not looks. I must not "get" it.

[joruussuun]

Sorry... slightly off topic...

And for the last friggin' time - it's fit-ba-bits. If you're going to call my opinion into question, at least make some sort of effort to spell my name correctly.
Hahaha! See everyone thinks it's fitabits! (though the poll is pretty much a three way tie.)
EDIT: It does appear 'fitbabits' is in the lead, so I will give in and make more of an effort to spell it correctly.

[bean19]

fibatits - Why are you getting so out of shape about your name. Geez.

[fitbabits]

fibatits - Why are you getting so out of shape about your name. Geez.
Too late, pressure building... (http://sunsite.sut.ac.jp/multimed/sounds/sound_effects/gunsbomb/Explosion-2.au)

[mightbe]

The We <3 Katamari soundtrack is also delicious. If you poke around on the net enough you'll probably be able to find a download. Or just befriend a J-Pop nut.

PS: HI BOOTSY! *wavies at bootsy*

[Reanimated]

Dear Fillibuster,

Calm down.

[thecrazyd]

Oh for crying out loud. I 'get' Katamari as well as the next person. Look at my reply to Reanimated to see where I'm coming from.

And for the last friggin' time - it's fit-ba-bits. If you're going to call my opinion into question, at least make some sort of effort to spell my name correctly.
Dear Boots,

I think Katamari would look awesome cell shaded. Beyond that, the graphics really don't matter.

[fitbabits]

Dear Boots,

I think Katamari would look awesome cell shaded. Beyond that, the graphics really don't matter.
But I think they do. The art design is splendidly unique and to say that the visuals don't matter is to ignore a large part of the appeal. Do you think that the t-shirts were made to celebrate the gameplay?

[thecrazyd]

But I think they do. The art design is splendidly unique and to say that the visuals don't matter is to ignore a large part of the appeal. Do you think that the t-shirts were made to celebrate the gameplay?
But the art design is fine as is. Any more detail would really kill the style.

[pomeroy]

I just think it would be sweet if it came to the 360.

[fitbabits]

But the art design is fine as is. Any more detail would really kill the style.
I'm not talking about anything other than enhancing what's already there. I'd hate to see the art design being changed, but a little polish here and there would look good. Less clipping and tearing, etc. Nothing major. I don't want to see blood, sweat or tears...

[Kelegacy]

Dear Cumdumpster,

I like you, do you like me? Please check one.

Yes [ ] No [ ]

[fitbabits]

Dear Cumdumpster,

I like you, do you like me? Please check one.

Yes [ ] No [ ]
Dear Kelegacy,

Yes [♥] No [ ]

fitbabits

[mightbe]

Yay for bootsy and Kelegacy for turning this into another gay thread!

I knew you guys cared.

*puts on some mood music*

[Phanto]

Quote:
Originally posted by fitbabits

"Can you imagine what a next-gen Katamari would look like?"


Let me guess... the same as now?!? (PS2 Version)

Just kidding ( in some sad but true way...)

[Liquidize105]

Ostrich! That's hilarious! :D

Could someone explain the "Hero" shirt? :confused:

[twitchreflex]

The Hero comes from Atari's Adventure game, waaaay Back In The Day.
Check it out:
http://www.simmphonic.com/programming/adventure.htm

[disc]

I see I dont need to complain about fitdabits comment.

[bean19]

I see I dont need to complain about fitdabits comment.

Wow. You redid my joke but mispelled it a different way. How terribly clever of you. You outrageous paragon of wit! Tremendous! :p

[Spigot]

I just love the explanations of the designs by the designers on the shirt site.

"I've never touched an elephant so I was not able to reproduce the wrinkles accurately." (or something along those lines).

I'm with you, Fitbabits. A next gen version would be pretty sweet, as long as they keep the same visual style. Up the amount of doo-dads you can roll, add new effects when you roll over things (imagine the fire katamari with next-gen particles) and it would be even cooler.

That said, didn't they have to drag the lead designer back to do We Love Katamari? Would he even be willing to do another one for the next-gen systems or would they just co-opt the game into the Namco machinery and make the 'Christmas edition' that management was originally going to do instead of We Love Katamari?

[Deadend]

I am tempted to pick up one or 2 of those shirts.

[Royal Fool]

A next-gen Katamari would allow for even more polygons, bigger environments, longer draw distance, more characters and random objects on screen... and, w00t, perhaps online modes like trying to get the biggest ball or one player having the ball and the other players running for their lives trying to avoid the ball.

Saying that a next-generation version is "a moot point" is stupid.

[fushi]

I sincerely hope there are no more Katamari games made unless Takahashi himself is really willing to work on them. And from what I hear, he is not.

[Zurik]

None of these shirts actually have the prince with a katamari. How could they not add that? Even the cover of the box would have been a better shirt. Blarg!

[thecrazyd]

A next-gen Katamari would allow for even more polygons, bigger environments, longer draw distance, more characters and random objects on screen... and, w00t, perhaps online modes like trying to get the biggest ball or one player having the ball and the other players running for their lives trying to avoid the ball.

Saying that a next-generation version is "a moot point" is stupid.
More characters / items on screen are unnecessary. The game is chaos as is. I have never had a problem with the game's already massive draw distance, and I can not see a way to make multiplayer not tacked on. And who needs more polygons when they are going for a minimalist stlye? The only next gen Katamari that I would be really excited for would be one using the Rev controller.

[bean19]

More characters / items on screen are unnecessary. The game is chaos as is. I have never had a problem with the game's already massive draw distance, and I can not see a way to make multiplayer not tacked on. And who needs more polygons when they are going for a minimalist stlye? The only next gen Katamari that I would be really excited for would be one using the Rev controller.

Well, they'll improve physics. Some stuff you roll up will feel more squishy and might interact with other stuff you roll up on top of it. Have your Katamari set to a timer that will blow up then have it blow up dynamically using physics.

What is up with people thinking that new tech will hurt their favorite games. The last time I remember complaints this often was the step up from SNES to PSOne. . . I remember reading a petition from Final Fantasy players requesting that the system NOT be brought into 3D. Of course, FF VII shut them up good.

Katamari could also look prettier. I don't think they'll move away from the clean simplistic style, but they will improve upon it, and they'll use the technology to advance the gameplay in new directions too.

[thecrazyd]

Well, they'll improve physics. Some stuff you roll up will feel more squishy and might interact with other stuff you roll up on top of it. Have your Katamari set to a timer that will blow up then have it blow up dynamically using physics.

What is up with people thinking that new tech will hurt their favorite games. The last time I remember complaints this often was the step up from SNES to PSOne. . . I remember reading a petition from Final Fantasy players requesting that the system NOT be brought into 3D. Of course, FF VII shut them up good.

Katamari could also look prettier. I don't think they'll move away from the clean simplistic style, but they will improve upon it, and they'll use the technology to advance the gameplay in new directions too.
I don't think it will hurt it, it just won't help it. Can you honestly tell me that FFVII was better for being in 3D? It did absolutely nothing new that made use of it. And this is a far smaller change then a move to 3D.

[bean19]

I don't think it will hurt it, it just won't help it. Can you honestly tell me that FFVII was better for being in 3D? It did absolutely nothing new that made use of it. And this is a far smaller change then a move to 3D.

Actually, it did make use of it.

Fighting was more beautiful. 3D Summons and Limit Breaks broadened the audience immensely. . . plus character animations gave more life to the characters and improved the story-telling overall. Racing Chocobos, fighting Serpiphoth from 3 sides, the pre-rendered backgrounds. . .

Honestly, most of this stuff could have been simulated in 2D, but production values do count. . . most especially when you are telling a narrative.

Do you think Jurassic Park would have been as appealing if it used the claymation that was used to animate dinosaurs in old movies?

While production values do not always impact gameplay, and gameplay IS the most important thing about a game, graphics and other production values all add up to a greater play experience.

Besides, in the particular we were discussing, I gave several ways how gameplay could be improved for Katamari Damacy. . . not just graphics.

[thecrazyd]

Actually, it did make use of it.

Fighting was more beautiful. 3D Summons and Limit Breaks broadened the audience immensely. . . plus character animations gave more life to the characters and improved the story-telling overall. Racing Chocobos, fighting Serpiphoth from 3 sides, the pre-rendered backgrounds. . .

Honestly, most of this stuff could have been simulated in 2D, but production values do count. . . most especially when you are telling a narrative.

Do you think Jurassic Park would have been as appealing if it used the claymation that was used to animate dinosaurs in old movies?

While production values do not always impact gameplay, and gameplay IS the most important thing about a game, graphics and other production values all add up to a greater play experience.

Besides, in the particular we were discussing, I gave several ways how gameplay could be improved for Katamari Damacy. . . not just graphics.
Good 2d graphics trump early 3d graphics anyday. I guess it is just a matter of preference, but I think FFVII, at least from a modern standpoint, is a really ugly game. I do not see how 3d automatically means better production values.

As for your gameplay change, do you really think squishy physics will really change the game signifigantly, or just make it look different?

[bean19]

Good 2d graphics trump early 3d graphics anyday. I guess it is just a matter of preference, but I think FFVII, at least from a modern standpoint, is a really ugly game. I do not see how 3d automatically means better production values.

As for your gameplay change, do you really think squishy physics will really change the game signifigantly, or just make it look different?

First, I don't think 3D automatically makes things better production values, but we were discussing FF VII and the production values were way up compared to the sprite based games before it.

Well, having some things squish would be cool, but there are all kinds of things that a game like Katamari could do with better physics. . . Imagine a level where you are on a table top and the goal is to roll up a bunch of balls so that your star is all balls but no thumbtacks. You want balls because the true goal is to then get your Katamari going as fast as possible and rocket it off the table and bounce it into the next level.

Or the suggestion of making the "star" into a bomb and having it blow up every object that you've collected and animate them as they expel outwards hitting each other and behaving like objects that have weight and consistency.

I really could go on. . . I'm thinking of 3 other cool things I would do with Katamari, but I don't want to type them. :)

[PimpMasterToTheMax]

One thing that would be cool for a next-gen version would be smooth scaling instead of the current transformation effect that occurs when you reach certain size thresholds. It might give more sense of scale to the later stages if all of the smaller items were still present as you grew.

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

Those shirts aren't bad.

I bought this (http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rollbaby5td.jpg) one a month back though, which I like more than these designs, despite it not being "official".

[Genkobar]

These shirts are very cool!
I love the ,,Feeling" shirt, those cutscenes were sensational:D

Still, it sucks royal (family) ass that they don't ship these to Europe. Me be mad!