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Class of Heroes 2 - PSN Release Date is 6/4.
RainbowDespair
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EDIT: Gaijinworks is currently trying to judge demand for a physical UMD version of the game at $35. You can pledge your support for such a product at their official website (gaijinworks.com).
http://kotaku.com/5896727/these-guys-want-half-a-million-to-prove-that-people-still-love-jrpgs
On the one hand, I'm really excited at the possibility of a new localizer coming on to the scene (or I guess more technically, an old localizer returning) and from what I've heard the Class of Heroes sequels are much better than the original (which got middling reviews). On the other hand, I'm a bit worried that the focus of this kickstarter seems to be the physical aspect. As a teenager, I loved Working Designs' fancy special editions, but as an adult? I honestly just want the game on my computer or consoles's hard drive so it's not taking up space in my house.
http://kotaku.com/5896727/these-guys-want-half-a-million-to-prove-that-people-still-love-jrpgs
These Guys Want Half A Million To Prove That People Still Love JRPGs
If MonkeyPaw Games raises $500,000, they'll know that gamers still love JRPGs.
The publisher, previously responsible for bringing Japanese role-playing games like Alundra and Vanguard Bandits to the PlayStation Network, is launching a Kickstarter campaign to prove that the beloved genre ain't dead yet.
Tomorrow, MonkeyPaw (and partner Gaijinworks) will kick off their Kickstarter to create a deluxe physical version of the RPG Class of Heroes 2, the company has told Kotaku. They want to release an "old-school package," the type you might have seen in games a decade ago, stuffed with maps and figures and all sorts of other collectibles. To do so, they want half a million dollars.
If this project works out, the team has a "laundry list" of other JRPGs they'd like to bring over to the United States, Gaijinworks president (and former Working Designs head) Victor Ireland told Kotaku this afternoon. Ireland, responsible for the localization of wonderful games like the Lunar series, thinks there's room in the U.S. market for a resurgence of JRPGs.
"There's tons of great RPG and related content in Japan that just isn't making it out because it's just pooh-poohed at unprofitable and written off," Ireland said. "Fortunately with the Vita getting a huge push and its PSP compatibility, we can transition these unloved ugly ducklings so they can finally be seen as the graceful swans we saw all along.
"We're looking at titles on all platforms, but there's a special emphasis on PSP because there's so many titles stuck in Japan that really need to be enjoyed here. However, even though I can't give specific titles, know that we have pursued or are closing deals on all major platforms."
Class of Heroes 2, the sequel to an Atlus-published PSP dungeon crawler (that received rather mediocre reviews), never made it to the U.S. when it was first released back in 2009. Whether or not this Kickstarter is successful, MonkeyPaw says it still plans to release digital versions of Class of Heroes 2 for PSP and its companion, Class of Heroes 2G, for PlayStation 3.
Here are some of the reward tiers that MonkeyPaw and Gaijinworks will make available for this project:
* Custom gold-sealed letters acknowledging pledged hardcore JRPG support from Victor Ireland
* Class of Heroes 2 Deluxe Pack for PSP with bronze/silver/gold commemorative pins per tier
* Class of Heroes 2 Limited Edition character plush toys
* Class of Heroes 2 Poster signed by the entire team
* Inclusion in the game's credits and ability to choose credit placement level with pledge
* Class of Heroes 2 Limited Edition Pocket Watch
* Class of Heroes 2 Limited Edition custom music box
* Grand Tier: All previous tiers and 2-night stay in LA with one hosted day at E3 2012 and dinner
with MonkeyPaw Games and Gaijinworks
* Two tiers off Kickstarter allow a trip to Japan hosted by MonkeyPaw Games and Gaijinworks
to meet the Japanese creators and another that allows fans to be drawn as a character in the
game that will ship.
"This Kickstarter really is a test case for this evolved model of digital/physical hybrids direct to fans," Ireland said. "We're excited to see it work like we think it will and really amp up the RPG market again to satisfy the fans we know are out there."
On the one hand, I'm really excited at the possibility of a new localizer coming on to the scene (or I guess more technically, an old localizer returning) and from what I've heard the Class of Heroes sequels are much better than the original (which got middling reviews). On the other hand, I'm a bit worried that the focus of this kickstarter seems to be the physical aspect. As a teenager, I loved Working Designs' fancy special editions, but as an adult? I honestly just want the game on my computer or consoles's hard drive so it's not taking up space in my house.
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Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, Yakuza Black Panther, Akiba's Trip, these are all games I want to play without needing some kind of guide.
For those that don't know the series: "Anime" Wizardry made by the same people that are currently making Wizardry games.
// Switch: SW-5306-0651-6424 //
But I have never heard of Monkey Paw games in my life. What have they made? My decision to not donate has nothing to do with my love (or lack of love) for jrpgs, but rather with me not being comfortable with throwing around money to an unknown (to me) developer.
Gaijinworks is ok. I trust Vic a lot, and the work they did on blaster master was alright. But they don't really develop games. Bring me a trusted, AAA jrpg developer (like, you know, the people who actually developed the games that the article lists that Vic Ireland's WD translated and published) and I'll be more interested.
Monkey Paw games is a publisher (and also close friends with Vic Ireland). They're basically responsible for all of the PS1 imports on the PSN. My guess is that they're fronting most of the money and Vic is bringing the experience.
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
But if Vic and Gamearts ever team up again, I'll throw so, so much money their way.
Generally speaking, the reward tier where you pay a small fee of $5-$15 and get a digital copy of the game is the most popular one. If they're not giving out digital copies of the game, that's going to be a huge blow to their chances at making enough money.
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
This about a thousand times over. I loved WD's localizations in the SegaCD and Saturn days, but some of the stuff they packed in with their PS1 releases was just overdone. The day I tossed that stupid punching puppet in the trash was the day I felt truly free.
That, and it doesn't seem like there's actually a shortage of jRPG releases these days; it seems like there's more coming out then I could possibly ever make enough time to play, so the whole "prove you love jRPGs" angle doesn't make a lot of sense.
Still, anyone doing more translations is a good thing.
Well, Working Designs was different than most publishers/localizers in that they tended to modify the games they brought over. Sometimes this was for the best (improved balance, better UI), other times this was for the worst (messing with or removing things that were fine to begin with).
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire,
Yup, they went a step beyond usual translation teams. An example of a time they actually broke a game is Exile 2 on the PC Engine Duo. Incredible game, that they completely destroyed because they changed a single value by accident which affected the way enemies changed when you leveled up, which wound up making the game impossibly hard. I read an interview with Vic on the problem, and he suggested never leveling up to try and fix it.
It seems the Kickstarter is entirely about releasing a deluxe physical version of the game, which honestly I'm only mildly interested in personally
This is really weird and somewhat murky
From the NeoGAF thread
So the game is being localized regardless, and the Kickstarter is for a "better localization" and also the Deluxe Pack? I dunno, I don't think I can really get behind this Kickstarter, but I'll probably buy a digital copy of the game once it comes out anyway. I think one of the most damning bits is that the physical copy does not come with a digital copy.
Well I had originally thought the reason was because the digital version (and its PS3 counterpart apparently) were getting released regardless. Since the money wasn't going for the digital version, it wasn't part of the deal. Now that it's gone kind of partially the other way, yeah, it almost seems a bit weird and shady.
Honestly, I think Victor's crazy ass is asking a lot from people. A $500,000 kickstarter for the sequel to a middlingly reviewed game on a dead system, on media that won't play on the newest console that will play the digital version that's going to get released anyway?... I really think he's reaching. That mixed with it being Vic and his new company doing the localization? Unless they're already 90% done with the game, by the time this physical version comes out, the PSP will be long long since dead. It just all around seems really odd, and immensely far fetched, and that's without even getting into my eventual dislike of WD.
But it still feels like a weird choice of a game for them because it is the nichest of niche titles on a dead console.
EDIT: And also by "excited" I mean I'm looking forward to the game being released, this actual Kickstarter is still really iffy in my mind and unless the early reward tiers have something really neat accompanying them I can't see myself pledging anything to this.
That said, this kickstarter seems dumb. If you're going to mention the Vita, realize people will want a digital copy.
If you're a fan of Wizardry 8 then CoH is fun, but really shallow. Severely limited party customisation, complete lack of any inter-party interaction in the game, NPC interaction pretty much locked to shops and the person who tells you what to do next... it's a first person dungeon crawler with puzzly maps and little more.
Personally I'd throw so much monies at a project to bring Wiz8 to a handheld. Or develop a spiritual sequel with similar depth.
I could see getting a million for RGC 2 from crazy fans but you're asking for half of that for a psp game that is going to be released digitally no matter what from a series that did not do well in its first attempt.
If thats what you were talking about.
I'd go a hundo for that as well.
// Switch: SW-5306-0651-6424 //
Anyway the first three reward tiers kind of blow, and the next one up from that is $59 for the physical copy of the game. Welp, no dice on this one.
Kenzan > Everything else.
True. Though I did import that one. And there's a story translation guide for it on gamefaqs.
// Switch: SW-5306-0651-6424 //
I'm not sure I could do that. I've played a number of Japanese demos and sometimes I have absolutely no clue what I'm doing. And the idea of following a guide solely to know what's going on doesn't seem to appealing.
But anyway, Monkey Paw Games also helped Vic get his Working Designs games up on the NA PSN and have slowly been getting those games on the SCEE stores as well (Arc the Lad II is coming this week in fact).
This whole thing feels backward, considering it's the Vita that's allowing them to go forward with this, and yet they're trying to sell people UMDs.
// Switch: SW-5306-0651-6424 //
I actually like stupid deluxe edition stuff, but I do not want a physical copy of the game, nor do I want to buy the game twice (once physical, once digital)
Edit: Okay, looks like they will localise it regardless and this is just for a physical copy with a treasure trove of tat. So, that's kind of strange and has no real chance of working.
Also, Class of Heroes was an AWESOME game and so much better then the horrible repetitive grindiness that EO is. It's too bad the UI was such crap.
They've already said that they plan on localising Class of Heroes 2G at one point as well.
I'd be all over this if my PSP battery charger didn't bite the dust. Actually I have no idea where my PSP is right now..
I know. I juyst don't want to give 60$ to be able to buy ANOTHER 60$ game later.
EDIT: Victor Ireland had this to say in NeoGaf about CoH1:
I did earlier in this thread or maybe in the KS localization thread, but the basic thing is that it was tedious to play. EXTREMELY tedious. There were tons of little stupid things that interrupted any flow you might get into. It was stuff like:
Having to pay to see what loot you collected actually was
When you got back to school after each dungeon having to restore magic to your magic users and then healing each party member manually because it was too expensive to rest and restore MP/HP for your group.
Shock tiles/traps were super annoyingly placed (cheap shots)
Operations required too many keypresses that really added up.
Dull dungeons.
etc, etc, etc
The CHORE of playing overwhelmed whatever good was there. It's stuff that could have been fixed in a few days or a week in localization, but just wasn't.
Some of that's already fixed in CoH2 as we have it (improved dungeons and other items), and I have a rather extensive list of stuff I'd like to do to streamline play to keep players in the flow. How much of that and extra stuff I want to do (extra save slots, for one), depends on the KS support level. I really think we'll get the support to do it all, but even if we fail the digital release will still be worlds better than CoH1.