Zero Escape Conclusion Put on Hold Indefinitely

[roseofbattle]

Zero Escape Conclusion Put on Hold Indefinitely

The final Zero Escape game, following 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors and Virtue's Last Reward, has been delayed.

Kotaru Uchikoshi, director and writer of Zero Escape: 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors and its sequel Virtue's Last Reward, announced on Twitter today for his English-speaking fans that his proposal for the third and final Zero Escape game was denied. It will be put on hold indefinitely.

Thanking fans who have played the first two games, Uchikoshi hopes there is a future for the final Zero Escape. At this stage, the series has not sold well enough in Japan to ensure the profitability of a third. Uchikoshi said he was sad about the mangers' decision to deny his proposal, but he understands companies do not approve projects that won't make a profit.

Both 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors and Virtue's Last Reward have gained a following outside of Japan - something which Uchikoshi said the managers are well aware of; however, both games are "in the red" in Japan.

"I am very sorry to all the users who are expecting ZE3," he said. "I feel ashamed of my own inadequacies."

Uchikoshi hasn't lost hope for the conclusion. He may make another title that sells well, which could drum up support for Zero Escape. He has examined crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, but he believes "the idea is not quite persuasive enough" to meet its target goal. Uchikoshi has not said how much he expects Zero Escape 3's development to cost beyond "a lot." For now, he is seeking out opportunities with executives and investors.

"I believe there is still hope," he declared. "ZE3 will definitely be released somehow, someday!"

Source: Twitter [https://twitter.com/Uchikoshi_Eng]


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[Redd the Sock]

Exactly how much does it cost to produce a visual novel with the occasional puzzle room?

 

[Trishbot]

Wait, so it's successful in other areas BUT Japan?

Is this like how Square Enix claimed Tomb Raider was a financial disappointment, despite it selling nearly 4 million in the span of 6 months, while ignoring that Final Fantasy XIII-2 didn't crack 2 million after two years?

I don't get Japanese companies sometimes. If I had a game bomb in Japan but succeed elsewhere, I'd be thrilled (Pacific Rim, looking at you).

Then again, maybe it didn't sell well enough outside of Japan. But I've heard nothing but good things about this series from my friends that have played it. Here's hoping they can get a game up and running (supposedly Beyond Good & Evil 2 is still being worked on, despite the original not selling well).

 

[zalithar]

Fucking managers! I loved virtue's last reward. The game had an excellent story and thoughtful puzzles.

Japan may be one of the biggest markets in the industry, but there are other places to make money. How well did the other localizations do? Cause there could be other markets you could start with.

 

[MrBaskerville]

Damn, i hope he manages to find funding, this series needs a conclusion and preferably on 3DS so the series is somewhat collected on one platform. I love the first game and i'm very much looking forard to Virtues Last Reward when i get a 3DS, would be sad to see the series die so close to the goal.

 

[balladbird]

this sucks, the finale sounded pretty epic. I still adore Virtue's last reward for basically using every plot twist Bioshock Infinite became famous for, a full year before the game came out. XD

 

[StHubi]

That's a really shame! I loved Virtue's Last Rewards and already played 999 several times over. That is something I normally do with my story driven games... But that one was absolutely great! Let's hope he is right and ZE3 will come to us some day.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

You'd expect games which end in such cliffhangers would have already owned the rights to the conclusion of that plot.


Ah well, I'll read the manga that concludes this if they never make a game.

 

[Schadrach]

I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of timelines suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

Damn it. I have to wonder how much another Zero Escape title would actually cost to make though. The art costs have got to be a lot lower than most other types of game, the engine is mostly already written (it's a visual novel, after all), that leaves writing, puzzle design and implementation, and a boatload of QA.

A good Kickstarter campaign ought to be able to manage it -- assuming it was run well. It shouldn't need Double Fine money, Banner Saga money ought to be enough for something like this.

 

[ZombieMonkey7]

What, no... no, NOOOOOOOO!!!! God damn it! I mean all the fans knew this was coming, but this is honestly the most heart breaking gaming news I have heard in awhile. I mean just look at the comments for this page
Fucking 9 comments
This is a gaming website and no one has even heard of 999 or Virtue's Last Reward despite it being one of the greatest masterpieces on handhelds (If you don't believe me check out the reviewers scores of 999 or VLR). If you have played 999 or VLR, don't sit on your ass go tell your friends to buy from Aksys Game's website. The show must go on and this series needs to have a definitive conclusion.

 

[BlueJoneleth]

Fan Movements already started :


Zero Escape 3 is currently on indefinite hiatus, upper management is unconvinced of profit potential.
https://twitter.com/Uchikoshi_Eng
https://twitter.com/Uchikoshi_Eng/status/433998713841676288

Operation Bluebird Facebook: https://www.facebook[fuckmoot].com/operationbluebirdze3
Take a time stamped picture of your copy of 999 and/or VLR asking for Zero Escape 3, Do it for her, #doitforher. If you have a digital copy just take a picture of your screen. Post a picture on Facebook or send it to operationbluebirdze3 [gmaildotcom]Trying to show that we want a third game. Petition and more coming soon...

Post this on Twitterspikechunsoft#ZeroEscape3 #doitforher

We are also currently working on making a photo collage, so it would be neat if you'd take a photo of the game with a timestamp. You can add a personal message, but chances are they are unable to understand it.

 

[VanTesla]

I am shocked that both these games are not selling well in Japan when other more mediocre games in japan sell like hot cakes... This is horse dung I mean what reason could it not be selling well or at least decent? Was there no advertising over there? I love these games and hope that someday we can finally get the conclusion that Zero Escape deserves! My sympathy goes out to Kotaru Uchikoshi for this grave injustice brought by the gaming industry and shame on those who would rather play smut novels in japan over this first. Not saying I am against a person that is into that just that if they never play good novels because they don't show enough echi or etc, then you are part of the problem on why the visual novel market is weak overseas...

 

[VanTesla]

What, no... no, NOOOOOOOO!!!! God damn it! I mean all the fans knew this was coming, but this is honestly the most heart breaking gaming news I have heard in awhile. I mean just look at the comments for this page
Fucking 9 comments
This is a gaming website and no one has even heard of 999 or Virtue's Last Reward despite it being one of the greatest masterpieces on handhelds (If you don't believe me check out the reviewers scores of 999 or VLR). If you have played 999 or VLR, don't sit on your ass go tell your friends to buy from Aksys Game's website. The show must go on and this series needs to have a definitive conclusion.

It does not surprise me much that it is not that known in the west since the visual novel/puzzle genre is really a niche market, but the fact it is supposedly not well known in Japan just shocks me and makes me sad.

 

[FPLOON]

*flips a lot of tables*
...and just when I was getting into the ZE series...

And, what do you MEAN it's not doing well in Japan? That doesn't make any sense, considering what is usually "popular" over there... Is this series THAT niche or something??

I... I... I got to lay down... I don't think I can take any more of this mystery right now...

 

[deserteagleeye]

If it's any consolation, Banshee's Last Cry has just recently been released on iTunes books section. It's made by the same company and is very similar to Zero Escape in terms of mystery.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/banshees-last-cry/id740139977?mt=8

 

[The_Echo]

I haven't picked up Zero Escape yet, so this is disheartening as someone who wants to try it out.

But it's very nice to see how optimistic Uchikoshi is, and his determination to have the finale see the light of day.

 

[Nubrain]

noooooooo *sob* 999 was a game that I played over and over again and when I found out it's sequel was going to be on the 3ds it was what made me decide that there were now enough good games for it that I had to buy one. they just have to finish the story. I don't normally get into kickstarter but I'd sure as heck throw some money at this.

 

[JasonKaotic]

WHAT WHAT WHAT NO COME ON PLEASE NO COME ON
This is seriously the worst news I could possibly hear right now!
Just finished Virtue's Last Reward the other day and I fuckin' adored that game, now I'm hearing there's a chance the next game could never see the light of day?

What the hell, man? Right after I finished it and started getting hyped about the next one. This sucks so much.

If Zero Escape 3 doesn't happen I will slap a *****.

Edit: Well, a trip through his twitter has left me optimistic. Hopefully peoples' response to this will be enough to convince the powers that be to let him make the game.
I NEEED.