140 replies to this topic

[Ming Ming Hatsune]

2. SEGA doesn't localize their shit.

Here in the US, SEGA is known primarily for one thing - Sonic the Hedgehog. In Japan, they're known for 99 things and a hedgehog ain't one. Here's a mosaic of over forty games that weren't localized in the past four years:

Holy shit, is that English of the Dead?!

Okay, we could probably do without the shovelware, Japanese sports games, and hiragana practice. Instead, let's just focus on two branches of the higher quality titles in particular.

I'd throw my money at them. All of them. Okay, maybe only the three in the upper left. But still.

Day one buys for Haruhi Suzumiya and Hatsune Miku games. I can't believe they didn't bring those games here. My PS3's hungry for them and I would BUY a 3DS just to play those games/visual novels.

Japan is so lucky I tell ya. They get the best games. They even get the best Western games too.

[Azure Yakuzu]

Day one buys for Haruhi Suzumiya and Hatsune Miku games. I can't believe they didn't bring those games here. My PS3's hungry for them and I would BUY a 3DS just to play those games/visual novels.

Japan is so lucky I tell ya. They get the best games. They even get the best Western games too.

Oh Sega of America, when will you realize that Sonic isn't the only franchise we care about from you? Ahh well, they'll learn eventually, or go under.

[MarcelloF]

I sure as hell don't care about Hatsune Miku and Haruhi games and I'm sure a huge majority of the western audiences don't either.

[Dobkeratops]

Look at their Yakuza releases, for example. The localizations are as bare-bones as it gets; there's not even any English voice acting in the game. They translated the text and that's it. That alone is a deterrent for a fair share of people; not everybody's going to put up with subtitles.

I've touched on this previously in the thread, but it bears repeating again: Yakuza games are a very special case that shouldn't be used in this subject - it's either subs or nothing. The cost of localization increases exponentially when you have to hire VA and the series here is niche enough to a point where it could negate the profits they get.

Going full out to try and grab mass market recognition might work, but if it didn't we'd never ever see a Yakuza game out of Japan again, a gamble fans aren't willing to take.

[Barry the Nomad]

Not sure if this points towards Anarchy Reigns still releasing to the West, but PG uploaded a new trailer to their Japanese YouTube channel:



Past trailers took a few days between the JP version and the West version, so we'll have to wait and see it SEGA West releases an english trailer.

Since the announcement of the restructure, SEGA West hasn't talked about Anarchy Reigns. They didn't have it at PAX. Makes me think it's canned in the West, or is getting published by another studio.

[Azure Yakuzu]

I sure as hell don't care about Hatsune Miku and Haruhi games and I'm sure a huge majority of the western audiences don't either.

....Because westerners totally don't like all that Japanese anime crap right? I mean, Final Fantasy is just a myth we made up, Kingdom Hearts? What's that?

[Ming Ming Hatsune]

I sure as hell don't care about Hatsune Miku and Haruhi games and I'm sure a huge majority of the western audiences don't either.

Dude, that's your opinion okay? Don't speak for the Western gamers. =/

[Azure Yakuzu]

I've touched on this previously in the thread, but it bears repeating again: Yakuza games are a very special case that shouldn't be used in this subject - it's either subs or nothing. The cost of localization increases exponentially when you have to hire VA and the series here is niche enough to a point where it could negate the profits they get.

Going full out to try and grab mass market recognition might work, but if it didn't we'd never ever see a Yakuza game out of Japan again, a gamble fans aren't willing to take.

...If they can get better know voice actors like they did with Sonic, and actually advertise the fucking game, I don't see a problem.

[MarcelloF]

....Because westerners totally don't like all that Japanese anime crap right? I mean, Final Fantasy is just a myth we made up, Kingdom Hearts? What's that?

Dude, that's your opinion okay? Don't speak for the Western gamers. =/

What? Seriously, both Haruhi and Hatsune Miku (Especially Hatsune) are extremely niche. Don't kid yourself in thinking they'd sell well in the west.

And Final Fantasy is Final Fantasy, it has a name from over 20 years behind it, so of course it's fairly big, while Kingdom Hearts had Disney characters and the company behind Final Fantasy to back it up.

[Gabe]

Dude, that's your opinion okay? Don't speak for the Western gamers. =/

He said he was sure that Western gamers didn't care for those games.

[Dobkeratops]

...If they can get better know voice actors like they did with Sonic, and actually advertise the fucking game, I don't see a problem.

See, the thing is, Sonic is a million selling franchise already. There's no risk involved, it'll make back all the money.

The first Yakuza was decently marketed and dubbed to english, but didn't manage to find success, so they dropped it from 2 onwards. In fact, we never got Kenzan and only by going completely barebones we've managed to finally receive the games in a language we can understand.

If anything, we should be grateful they're still bothering with such low-profile releases. There are many things I can blame SEGA for, but the handling of Yakuza games is not one of them.

[Edward]

He said he was sure that Western gamers didn't care for those games.

He is wrong then. Wrong. In my university, we even have a fairly large group that supports Hatsune Miku. Besides, how do you know that the Western gamers actually care for those games if they never made it here in the first place?

What? Seriously, both Haruhi and Hatsune Miku (Especially Hatsune) are extremely niche. Don't kid yourself in thinking they'd sell well in the west.

And it's this attitude is to why we won't see most of Japanese IPs come in to the West. You said Western gamers don't care but as Ming Ming said that is your opinion. I'm a Western gamer, does that automatically mean I don't care for it too?

People who buys NIS America games are most likely going to buy Haruhi and Hatsune Miku games. I'm not saying their games will "fly" off the shelves but they won't sell poorly either considering these two characters are very well known if you're in to anime or Japan.

[Carbo]

What? Seriously, both Haruhi and Hatsune Miku (Especially Hatsune) are extremely niche. Don't kid yourself in thinking they'd sell well in the west.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E15PE7iGT0U

[MarcelloF]

He is wrong then. Wrong. In my university, we even have a fairly large group that supports Hatsune Miku. Besides, how do you know that the Western gamers actually care for those games if they never made it here in the first place?



And it's this attitude is to why we won't see most of Japanese IPs come in to the West. You said Western gamers don't care but as Ming Ming said that is your opinion. I'm a Western gamer, does that automatically mean I don't care for it too?

People who buys NIS America games are most likely going to buy Haruhi and Hatsune Miku games. I'm not saying their games will "fly" off the shelves but they won't sell poorly either considering these two characters are very well known if you're in to anime or Japan.

My God, their niche titles in a niche market, of course they won't sell all too well.


And if you read what I said, you'd see that I said "a majority", not every single western gamer.


Edit:

Carbo: Fair enough, didn't know about. I stick with saying they're to niche to sell very well, though.

Edited by MarcelloF, 18 April 2012 - 02:59 PM.

[Gabe]

Besides, how do you know that the Western gamers actually care for those games if they never made it here in the first place?

I don't. I was merely clarifying what he said.

[Solkia]

>Someone disses Haruhi and Miku
>thisgunbgud

But yeah, if you honestly think Miku and Haruhi games wouldn't sell well in the west, you obviously don't know what you're talking about.

[MarcelloF]

OK, where the hell did I "diss" them?

[Solkia]

OK, where the hell did I "diss" them?

Nowhere, I just wanted to be trendy

[Ming Ming Hatsune]

You know what's funny? If any of Hatsune Miku or Suzumiya Haruhi games comes to the West, I will guarantee you these games will sell better than Binary Domain.

Unlike Binary Domain, Hatsune Miku and Suzumiya Haruhi each have a huge fanbase in the West already. Have you visited the AnimeCons around the world? You will most likely meet these characters dressed up by someone before you leave the con. Suzumiya Haruhi (last movie) is currently ranked #7 (peaked at #2) in the all time top anime list. The series are no stranger.

If one of their games get localised, the word of it will spread like hot pancakes within hours. Across all anime AND gaming communities/blogs/news. Sega doesn't even need to advertise the game unless they want non-anime/Haruhi/Miku fans to try them out. Even for those people who don't like Haruhi or Miku, they can see Sega is trying to bring out Japanese IPs out to the West so there will be several more people who want to support Sega by purchasing the copy. Give Sega more confidence. That's also what needs to be happening here.

Edited by Ming Ming Love, 18 April 2012 - 03:36 PM.

[Mykonos]

...

What are Hatsune Miku and Suzumya Haruhi?


Time to do some Googling so I can understand this thread again.


EDIT: And now I'm up to speed again! Somewhat. Obviously I have never heard of these before now and don't know anyone who does so I can't speak further.

Edited by Mykonos, 18 April 2012 - 04:31 PM.