Capcom's Not Porting Latest Ace Attorney To The USA
- Thread starter vansau
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I'm not a big fan of the series, but I can't help but think this smells fishy. To be honest this game is wildly popular over here in the US, and it's become pretty iconic all told. Localizing these games hasn't really been an issue for all the others that have made it over here and succeeded, so what makes this one differant?
In general, I'd immediatly suspect it's the "usual" Japanese barrier of racism. The attitude that something coming to the US cheapens it, or simply the fact that it appeals to the Japanese audience for them to have something the US wants but can't have. It's been a while, but when I used to read translated Japanese periodicals I remember some rather frank discussions about this kind of thing.
While it's been... wow, almost a decade, since I was into that kind of thing, but when it comes to Capcom I notice that a lot of things they produce don't wind up making it to the US market under similar claims that don't really hold up to examination. I mean when you look at things like "Namco X Capcom" and various crossover titles through the years, there are a variety of reasons given why they don't make it, but the bottom line seems to typically come down to there being no good reason at all....
In the end I tend to think back to "Final Fantasy X: Final Mission" and "Final Fantasy X: International Edition" (with expanded content) and why they never made it to the USA. The bottom line according to what I was reading at the time was that it was to throw a giant middle finger to the US. I suspect that's what's going on here since when I hear after all this time and the games that were released that suddenly it's not profitable to localize and import Ace Attorney games it's just ridiculous. It's like if someone at Nintendo was to say that Pokemon isn't popular enough to turn a profit. Differant scale of product/success, but just as ridiculous.
In general, I'd immediatly suspect it's the "usual" Japanese barrier of racism. The attitude that something coming to the US cheapens it, or simply the fact that it appeals to the Japanese audience for them to have something the US wants but can't have. It's been a while, but when I used to read translated Japanese periodicals I remember some rather frank discussions about this kind of thing.
While it's been... wow, almost a decade, since I was into that kind of thing, but when it comes to Capcom I notice that a lot of things they produce don't wind up making it to the US market under similar claims that don't really hold up to examination. I mean when you look at things like "Namco X Capcom" and various crossover titles through the years, there are a variety of reasons given why they don't make it, but the bottom line seems to typically come down to there being no good reason at all....
In the end I tend to think back to "Final Fantasy X: Final Mission" and "Final Fantasy X: International Edition" (with expanded content) and why they never made it to the USA. The bottom line according to what I was reading at the time was that it was to throw a giant middle finger to the US. I suspect that's what's going on here since when I hear after all this time and the games that were released that suddenly it's not profitable to localize and import Ace Attorney games it's just ridiculous. It's like if someone at Nintendo was to say that Pokemon isn't popular enough to turn a profit. Differant scale of product/success, but just as ridiculous.
I am going to say that I bought all the originals used (the newer ones I did buy legitimately). I feel like it's unfair to the entire fanbase that people don't buy the game but steal it and then the sales numbers make it seem unprofitable. Sigh.
I'll live... but Phoenix Wright is my favorite series.
I'll live... but Phoenix Wright is my favorite series.
Surprising. A game for a [niche] market that hasn't been excessively tailored to the casual gamer is not economically productive for a triple A game corp.
Cynically I have to say I expect more of this for games that refuse to mold to the mass market. A shame, the previous games were lots of fun (with the possible exception of Apollo and his giveaway detection talent).
Cynically I have to say I expect more of this for games that refuse to mold to the mass market. A shame, the previous games were lots of fun (with the possible exception of Apollo and his giveaway detection talent).
To those saying this will be translated, or that localization isn't so hard for them to completely skip out on it: I'm not sure if you realize what translation MEANS in a game like this. It would be relatively easy for an action game in which the dialogue is considered second-hand to the gameplay, but in Ace Attorney, the dialogue IS the gameplay. It has to make perfect sense, feel natural to the native language (so not just "direct" translation) and even fit with the nuances and pop culture references of that language. Plus, any word-puzzles (like something about how the victim wrote the killer's name) have to be completely rethought for the new audience. There are a lot of expectations in a translation like this.
This is really unfortunate news to me...and I do wish there was something I could do. The series definitely needs better PR for the States, because as incredible as I think the games are, I have to admit their trailers are absolutely horrible in terms of garnering a new audience. Mainly, I'd like to take everyone who feels that the game wouldn't be interesting to them, force them to play through one of the more dramatic and tense cases in the series, and see what they think then.
Actually, one of my project ideas has been basically Court Fortress; an Ace Attorney game with TF2 characters (and all the humor inherited from both, very little courtroom drama). Who knows; maybe that sort of thing would get more people interested.
This is really unfortunate news to me...and I do wish there was something I could do. The series definitely needs better PR for the States, because as incredible as I think the games are, I have to admit their trailers are absolutely horrible in terms of garnering a new audience. Mainly, I'd like to take everyone who feels that the game wouldn't be interesting to them, force them to play through one of the more dramatic and tense cases in the series, and see what they think then.
Actually, one of my project ideas has been basically Court Fortress; an Ace Attorney game with TF2 characters (and all the humor inherited from both, very little courtroom drama). Who knows; maybe that sort of thing would get more people interested.
Guess that means I'll have to savor the last half of the last case of AA1 even more now...thankk god it takes me months to play these games, haha.
I am saddened at this news, but I'll get over it. What I really want is a non-localized English North American release. Because, frankly, there's no reason for it to take place in America, and sushi is most definitely not wagon wheel spaghetti... I wouldn't be surprised if the localization is part of what caused such low initial sales figures...(I know it probably isn't, but still...)
Phoenix Wright series have a really solid fan base and they buy the games, they don't sold like Final Fantasy does, but they are not a flop in sales, so I will keep blaming Capcom for that...RedEyesBlackGamer said:
By the way, I don't give 2 months before some insane group of fans start to translating into english... Yes, is piracy, but you pushed me into this Capcom!
275,000 non japan sales doesn't seem that bad sales wise... It's hardly a triple A title, so development costs can't be THAT high for it to not turn a profit... But I think there is a real issue with piracy on the DS atm, it has increased over time, and at this point, it's near impossible to really sell a game not aimed at a casual audience, as much of the core market will just pirate it...
Although, i must admit it would help if these games were findable... I bought the first 3 in japan just because I couldn't find them in Australia.
Although, i must admit it would help if these games were findable... I bought the first 3 in japan just because I couldn't find them in Australia.
i haven't played AAI mostly because it was starring edgeworth, and doing a csi style game. i liked the attorney position the game focused on. csi is too common nowadays it honestly makes me sick. i can't even take cop shows seriously because they have to do every flavor for any show that grabs enough eyeballs.
so, to the point, was it worth putting up with edgeworth and different gameplay to play AA, and was it a good game regardless, or did i not miss much?
edit: forgot my reply to capcom saying it wont sell well...OBJECTION!!!
(with a sharp sting of your wrong added xD)
so, to the point, was it worth putting up with edgeworth and different gameplay to play AA, and was it a good game regardless, or did i not miss much?
edit: forgot my reply to capcom saying it wont sell well...OBJECTION!!!
(with a sharp sting of your wrong added xD)
How's about this, Capcom?
I'm a US citizen in Japan right now, and an avid Ace Attorney fan. Let's make a deal. I will produce a translated manuscript of the game, word for word, localized for the US for you, and all I ask in return are the materials I would need to do it: some textbooks in advanced-level Japanese (including kanji) and the time to study them and translate the game as a side job. If you can spare that, I will forgo my share of any other profits or royalties on the game. You keep it all.
How does that sound?
I'm a US citizen in Japan right now, and an avid Ace Attorney fan. Let's make a deal. I will produce a translated manuscript of the game, word for word, localized for the US for you, and all I ask in return are the materials I would need to do it: some textbooks in advanced-level Japanese (including kanji) and the time to study them and translate the game as a side job. If you can spare that, I will forgo my share of any other profits or royalties on the game. You keep it all.
How does that sound?
Hahahah, oh wow. You actually think people are buying the Ace Attorney games, or fuck, good DS games in general? I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but Ace Attorney has sold like shit outside of Japan, and more than half of the people that praise the series has pirated the games.Diablo2000 said:
Ah well, I'm studying japanese in school, so I don't give a fuck about this decision. I'd usually say something about feeling sad for my fellow fans, but Ace Attorney has a pretty horrible fanbase...
This news just soured my day... I've been a big big fan of the series ever since I played the first one, and even bought a second copy of the third Ace Attorney game after I misplaced my original. I've played through the entirety of each game at least twice, including Investigations and Apollo Justice, so to hear this makes me sad indeed.
Ah, I remember when the old Ace Attorney games had the English text on the Japanese releases (for whatever reason). Very import friendly.
That said, if the EU release is still go then gamers in America (and other places) could just import it from there.
That said, if the EU release is still go then gamers in America (and other places) could just import it from there.
Oh capcom. Creating more and more reasons for me not to like them.
Come on, Capcom, I'm trying to be your fan here! Just give me the latest installment out of one of my favorite gaming franchises. =_=
Come on, Capcom, I'm trying to be your fan here! Just give me the latest installment out of one of my favorite gaming franchises. =_=