Am I the only one NOT happy about the massive fan input on this project?
There is a very good reason designers don't do this, and one look at fan games and fanfics is enough to show why.
The thought crossed my mind, I'll admit. But it's not as if they're giving the fans completely free reign. Capcom's still providing the general direction, they're just opening up some of the decision-making to the rest of the world. And besides, they've been taking boss/enemy submissions ever since MegaMan 2. This is a bit deeper, yes, but Capcom's presence certainly ought to prevent the anarchy of fangames.
Heck, it pretty much has to for the game to be developed at all. Fangames are done often by a lone individual or a small handfull, not reflecting the fanbase as a whole. This, on the other hand, is meant to connect to the fanbase as a whole. For taking suggestions from such a large mass to be at all practical, some level of structure has to be maintained by Capcom, otherwise no work would get done. Look at our new heroine, whatever her design may be, Capcom clearly has some outline for what her role in the game will be and they're being very tight-lipped about it. Which is necessary. Can't have the ENTIRE game known to the general public ahead of release, or what's the point of playing it?
And I hate to say this, but I don't see Inafune's heroine design submission as much better than most fan-characters. Judging by the "father of MegaMan" carrying only 6% of the poll, I don't believe I'm the only one who thinks so. Goes to show how little time he has, I guess.
Both fans and professionals come up with their fair share of dud ideas. The difference is, fangames answer to nobody, while professional companies have groups, supervisors, etc. to weed them out. All Capcom is doing here is including the fans as part of that group, but they themselves are still maintaining their presence. So I think it'll work.
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