My thoughts on a true sequel to the Devil May Cry franchise, following Devil May Cry 2. Essentially, this game would be a true: Devil May Cry 5
Overcoming the past, bringing everything back into balance
- How does your theme evolve the DMC franchise?
In what has the potential to be the last major chapter of Dante's story in the Devil May Cry universe, the theme of breaking away from fate, overcoming the mistakes of our ancestor's, and bringing something new and bright into the world, has the potential to shake the very foundations of the series. What makes the Devil May Cry universe so compelling is that each of the characters are so very flawed in their own ways. Each character essentially carries a major trauma that defines the course of their lives, up until this point in the story. For the series story arc to truly come full circle, each character must face their traumas. Some will overcome them, others will succumb to them. But ultimately, each character will be tested, which thusly provides the primary narrative of the game.
- What devices will you use to create your story?
The idea of the "Sins of the Father," would be the primary device. Its presence in the story would serve to both illustrate and define character relationships, as well as to symbolize the idea that the sins of the past generation are affecting the next generation. Thusly, all the characters are tied together by the inherited sins they must atone for, so that future generations may given the chance to start with a clean slate.
How will those devices aid in telling the story and portraying your theme?
"A son cleaning up this father's mess huh? Where have I heard this story before?"
-Dante (to Beowulf in Devil May Cry 3)
To expand upon the idea of the "Sins of the Father," first, let's start with the idea that Sparda was not perfect. He did save the human world and led a just and noble life, but like anyone else, he made mistakes. Not to imply that Sparda's betrayal of his race was the wrong descision to make, or that his actions were any less than just, but it is undeniable that Sparda's actions forever changed the relationship between the Human World and Demon World for the next 2,000 years, which left the next generation with the terrible burden of dealing with the vast repurcussions which would follow. This burden must therefore be addressed and set right. Thus, not only does Dante's character inherit Sparda's blood, but also the burden of Sparda's betryal of his race.
Another of Sparda's sins, is thusly exemplified in his son Vergil. As stated before, despite the fact that Sparda only sought to do what he felt was right, his actions would inevitabley change the face of both worlds. Vergil is yet another of the repurcussions of Sparda's actions. In seeking to save the Human World, Sparda ironically fathered the one devil that could potentially destroy it. This is yet another of Dante's tasks to set right.
The last of Sparda's
known sins is made clear to gamers in Devil May Cry 3, with the revelation that he sacrificed a human woman to seal Teminigru. This sin however, is something Dante has already begun to set right; through his close friendship with Lady, who is the sacrificed woman's ancestor. But to bring both of their stories full circle, the context of the narrative would suggest that Lady must eventually become Dante's wife, which would fully reconcile the bloody past that their ancestors shared, as well as finally resolving their own feelings for one another.
In essence, the idea of "cleaning up Sparda's mess," however well intentioned it was, would serve to illustrate the main theme of the game as stated above, as well as to fully resolve Dante as a character and the universe of Devil May Cry. And although Dante's arc is the one fully expressed in this section (with light touches from Lady and Vergil)
ALL of the characters must face their own demons in this way, to bring the story to a satisfying concusion.
While creating your story, what point of view will you tell it from?
Maybe even more so than before, the world needs Dante. With this curious new "DmC" title from Ninja Theory sidelining the main story line, fans have been left with the feeling that Dante may forever remain trapped in the Underworld following the events of Devil May Cry 2, both literally and figuratively. Thus, it's a funny thought, considering how desperately the true Dante is needed both inside and out of the game. Therefore to illustrate this point, the beginning of DMC5 should be told from Trish's perspective as both the characters and fans are left in a state of shock, wondering what has become of our beloved hero. Following Dante's return, the narrative would focus on the true star of the series: Dante himself.
It should be noted that Dante's absence would not go unnnoticed by the local demon community. This would inevitably put a great deal of stress on Trish to go on the defensive for damage control, to keep the demons at bay, who would be newly invigorated with the knowledge of Dante's disappearance.
- How will this perspective aid in story- telling?
Understanding where all of the characters are coming from is essential in understanding why Trish and Dante would be the most important perspectives in terms of the narrative of the game. Fans of the series would be so excited to finally have another game featuring Hideki Kamiya's Dante, that giving the reins to Trish would only accentuate the excitment leading up to Dante's return, a moment that's been over 9 years in the making. Also, considering the need to introduce all of the series's characters, assemble them, and organize them, Trish presents the most level headed perspective to bring everything together for the audience. With the addition that she is in the main leadership role until Dante's return, Trish offers the best perspective to put the audience into the world of the game, and help the audience understand the unique problems and difficulties that the characters face, in the wake of Dante's absence. Trish's perspective would last until Dante returns, which would mark the end of the game's introductory missions, with the player feeling the victory of being given control of the true Dante character once more.
When Dante does finally return from the Underworld, the knowledge that Dante brings with him will lay the foundation for the game's ultimate conflict, and therefore, the direction that the story must take. With the fans having waited so long, Dante must remain the main playable character for the rest of the story, as the Devil May Cry series has always been Dante's story. Therefore, Dante's perspective is the one that is sorely neeeded to drive the game and provide the true Devil May Cry experience needed to make the DMC5 installment that fans of the series deserve.
- What kind of setting and events will you use?
Familiar locations such as the Devil May Cry Office, Fortuna, the Underworld, and Vie de Marli, are all neccesary to the plot, and offer impressive set pieces for the game's story, beyond just fan-service. A return to a sunken Mallet Island would also serve to bring back a sense of nostalgia to players as well. The major events that would take place at these locations would incude the deaths of major characters, the introduction of major plot elements, and ultimately the end of the series as a whole narrative work.
- How will these events advance the story?
The events in the story would essentially drive each character closer and closer to achieving what the theme promises: Overcoming the past. But even more than that, the events of the story would offer an uncompromising look at humanity, the triumph of the human spirit, and the healing power of love.
- What kind of characters will you use?
Main Cast Listing:
Dante
Lady
Trish
Vergil
Nero
Lucia
Kyrie
Enzo
Matier
Mundus
Sparda
Eva
How will these characters grow?
As stated many times, the characters are what drive the story of Devil May Cry. In order to accomplish a thrilling and emotionally satisfying conclusion to the series, the characters must face their demons, and the characters left standing must learn to take the lessons they've learned and continue living. Undoubtedly, the series hasn't seen a plot as inticing or satisfying as the plot of the original Devil May Cry. And with each subsequent game that is released, the Devil May Cry universe has more than enough characters to create a compelling and original narrative. However, at the rate things have been going for the series, Dante deserves a true sendoff. Wasting away in sub par sequels or half baked re-boots is hardly a fitting end to one of videogames greatest characters. Thus, the series demands the fitting conclusion it deserves; a conclusion that can only be met by the full circle made by the growth of the series's characters.
...Hmmm...Not sure on that, but the best definition is 
