No, Inafune Did Not Say "It's Better Than Nothing" - UPDATE

[Lizzy Finnegan]

No, Inafune Did Not Say "It's Better Than Nothing" - UPDATE


Lost in translation.

Update: After having the clip viewed by an independent translator, it appears that the translator in the video added his own commentary at the end of Inafune's response, without indicating that he was no longer translating for Inafune. We deeply regret this error. The original story can still be viewed below.

Original: In a now archived today [https://www.twitch.tv/comceptusa/v/73636349?t=01h08m36s], by the way - many braced for another delay. However the game is here, and according to Inafune, "it's better than nothing."

"The reality is they put everything into making this game," Inafune said through a translator, Comcept's Ben Judd. "They didn't try to microtransaction it out, they didn't try to DLC it out for extra money. They put it all in."

"So, for now, this is what you see and what you get, for the Mighty No. 9 world," he continued. "But, again, we can hope that if things go well, there'll be sequels. Because I'll tell you what, I'm not getting my 2D side-scrolling fill. And at the end of the day, even if it's not perfect, it's better than nothing. At least, that's my opinion."

Earlier this month, Inafune was already discussing a sequel [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/167678-Inafune-is-Already-Considering-a-Mighty-No-9-Sequel], saying that says that development on a sequel is "already in our minds," with the mindset of "we'll do it even if it doesn't sell."

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[Fhqwhgod]

Thanks. Can we get nothing instead?

 

[Amaror]

Better than nothing? Sold! I can not stop throwing money at the screen right now.
When the developer of the game himself says that the game is "better than nothing", then there's no way I am not buying something that must be THAT good.

 

[Neurotic Void Melody]

Spoiler: My initial anticipating reaction...

Gamers/backers/fans aren't well known for taking these things too well.

Anyway, the game DID have DLC, didn't it? Laura.K's review mentioned the only standout level and boss fight was it. Naughty Inafune, naughty. *Bats head with rolled up newspaper* You didn't attend those PR 101 lessons, did you?

 

[Gatlank]

"it's better than nothing."

That's reassuring. Bet the PR team high fived at the end.

 

[Blazing Hero]

You see that argument only works if the product cost nothing Mr. Inafune. When people pay 4 million dollars for something that honestly looks like it could have cost 40 thousand to create then there is a big problem.

 

[Cartographer]

That is probably a "lost in translation" thing. Japanese has plenty of turns of phrase which are entirely positive, but when literally translated have negative connotations in English. A big part of it stems from seeking to be unassertive in the language used, so it comes across as wishy-washy to our ears whereas a Japanese would simply hear it as a positive opinion.

(The giggles in class when my friend realised "you're not ugly" is a perfectly acceptable thing to say to a girl, whereas "you're beautiful" is rude...)

 

[MatthewTheDark]

"Its better than nothing."

That's the sign that you didn't even try. I'm hoping he crashes and burns for this level of dicking of his fan. Because he doesn't deserve any money if he keeps pulling shit like that.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Spoiler: Initial reaction

[http://s110.photobucket.com/user/absoldragon/media/memes/castle-ummm_zpsae296d83.gif.html]

Spoiler: My reaction after the article settled in my mind

[http://s110.photobucket.com/user/absoldragon/media/memes/peekaboofacepalm_zpsti7k8sap.jpg.html]

Wow, Inafune. Wow.

Way to have faith in your product. Way to not give any confidence in it.

Speaking as a backer, the way you said that in such a patronizing way makes me kind of hope that the sales figures make you cry like an anime fan in an overused meme.

 

[RJ 17]

"It's better than nothing!"

I bet that's really reassuring to the Kickstarter backers that are probably crying like anime fans on prom night.

 

[Something Amyss]

It's really not. I thought the ads were obnoxious, then I watched people play the game. It's somehow more obnoxious.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

I disagree Mr. Inafune. Nothing wouldn't have continued the degradation of a classic platformer.

 

[RealRT]

This game's marketing never ceases to amaze me. First the "anime fan on prom night" thing, then this.

 

[K12]

Well apparently the $4,000,000 from kickstarter backers wasn't spent on PR or media coaching.

How stupid to have to be to make a comment like this. It's basically just saying "I know it's crap but it's what you've got so stop complaining... oh and make sure you buy it so that we can make sequels which could actually be good".

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

Wow. With such positive reassurances like that, I bet the financial department will be crying like an anime fan on prom night.

 

[Sonmi]

Sounds like the man is extremely confident in his final product.

Man, what a shit show.

 

[medv4380]

Given the marketing this shows what Publishers are intended for. An ad campaign that appears to alienate a portion of its audience. The ad strikes as if it were made by a non-professional PR firm, or at least not a Video Game Publisher PR Firm focusing on Anime-ish titles. If this were a Sports game trying to appeal to the Bro demographic then the ad works just fine, but since this is a Mega-Man clone, and there is lots of Mega-Man anime it would be foolish to offend the free advertising Otaku.

Inafune should have had more of a script, or at least pre-planned lines to say why someone should buy the game. A publisher would have vetted this, and informed him that even though Modesty is considered a virtue in English, but Better than Nothing isn't positive in English. Better than Nothing is used to explain moldy bread when I've been starving for days.

Saying "It's not as good as the best Mega-Man game, and that it's a good starting point to make more like the First Mega Man Game." would at least maintain the modesty, and not come accost as bad food when I'm starving.

 

[thewatergamer]

I mean, I know you gave us 4 million dollars on kickstarter and pissed you off in several ways, but guys, come on, be thankful that you got anything! Yeah, fuck you sir

 

[Imperioratorex Caprae]

Its saying "yeah you paid us a shitload of cash, so we shit a load on you in return. better than nothing. Fund us again please!"