@TheIrishNinja: why is beyong good and evil 2 in the air? that's an actual ubi game, made by ubi. this one they just published. and I think they know what they are doing. there's no point in this game without the awesome motion controls
Say what you want about Ubisoft's other titles - and between Petz and Imagine, we could say a lot - but they've figured out what games make money.
If they aren't publishing the new version of No More Heroes, they don't think there's a market for it. And they're probably right.
I love the game, but I'm more than willing to admit that it was flawed. The thing is, on the Wii that didn't matter as much because it didn't have much competition, and because it was fun anyway. It's another story on the other consoles - that "fun" element becomes a lot less important. If the game doesn't get glowing review scores and a big marketing push, neither of which are likely for a port of a title that's two years old, it won't sell. And even then, it's questionable.
There's also the question of who owns the rights to the translation and English voiceovers. A few of the other posters have guessed (asserted?) that Ubisoft might. If that's the case, it won't be the same game, and I have a feeling that the sense of humor from the original would vanish entirely then.
wtf ... they carry it for the system least likely to provide a market for the game, then, when it comes out for the systems with a better skewing demographic, they pass!?!?
@jayntampa: Your average 360/PS3 gamer doesn't like this type of game. Look at the halos/modernwarfare/killzone/resistance/metalgear/bioshock/GUNS to see what sells.
@ostartero: A game like this doesn't need to sell 2 million. Atlus is excellent at producing the correct number of copies & paying for the right amount of marketing in order to still make a profit.
I'm going to go ahead and gander/suggest that Marvelous, Xseed, or Ignition publish the game. They've been good at bringing over rather niche titles (Muramasa, Little King's Story).
@Ice_man: Nah, I left them out on purpose, as they're almost too niche (or perhaps No More Heroes isn't niche enough).
Not to mention Atlus isn't quite known for next-gen games (Demon's Souls excluded). Granted, the others aren't really known for next-gen either...
Regardless, I'd be happy with whichever company publishing it. However, I can say now that I probably won't buy it since I already have it for the Wii. Only reason I'd pick it up is if it also included the second game.
I'm sure Atlus would be very happy to publish this, it seems like their type of game, and I would certainly buy it from them, they're one developer/publisher who I've never once doubted.
@Demonbird: Yeah, but there mostly just on the PS system. It would really be nice to see atlus throw the 360 a bone as well.
They could have on of those Pre-order deals again, where they have to get so many pre-orders before they decide to put the game out. (I know they had something recently like this. I like it, seems like a decent plan) Makes gamers like myself put there money where there mouth is.
Or heck, maybe just release the games as DL content on live.
@--Core--: Well, things like 3d DGH and Demon's souls weren't made by them, and weren't amde for the 360. If theyw ere Atlus would have probably brought them over.
This surprised me, even though it's not really all that surprising if you think about it. Suda makes niche games that often feature purposely frustrating gameplay. NMH has a lot of awesomeness in it but there's also a lot of crap to wade through to get to said awesomeness.
@anoteoftruth: The mini-games and side quests between missions and the empty, nondescript city you had to tool around in. Like I said, Suda's games often feature some strange design choices. It seemed to me like the "lesser" parts of the game were intended to be ironic or even sarcastic jokes about the things we gamers will slog through just because it's what we're told to do. At least I feel those bits are somewhat justified if I think about them that way. Otherwise it's just poor design and I prefer to give Suda more credit than that.
@jayislost: I honestly thought they were more kind of humourous and sometimes had a really retro feeling. I thought it was somewhat poking fun at some of the quirky japanese games they have out there, that require you to press 1 button really fast for extended periods of time, etc. The whole mowing lawns, collecting coconuts, and lifting weights just felt like a kind of humourous thing for a so called assassin to run around doing. I agree the city was kind of bland, and the navigation was a bitch at times, but I think the minigames and missions added a little bit of atmosphere and light humour to a otherwise superviolent theme. I personally enjoyed it.. it felt very hapanese.
@Paradox me: Good question. I've always wondered how a publisher decides what games to sell or not. As long as each one turns a profit, what's the big deal?
@Paradox me: Ubisoft is a publicly traded company, I'm sure they care more about what their shareholders think then whether or not they have "street cred" among hardcore gamers who comment on gaming blogs, even if we're their target market for a large chunk of their catalog.
I'm willing to bet with the costs of localization, advertising, etc... it just doesn't make sense for Ubi's bottom line. The "z" games though? That shit clearly sells like hotcakes, otherwise there wouldn't be so many of those titles.
If this pisses you off, lay in wait at your local gamestop and start kicking anyone who buys the games in the crotch, and tell them you did so because they bought an ubisoft z game. ;)
@BlueToast: So ultimately the explanation is that they have finite resources, so good games that would make money, just not as MUCH money as others, get passed over.
I'm pretty sure another company'd be more than willing to pick this one up, especially after another company (Ubisoft) has already done all the groundwork. Fish in a barrel, indeed.
11/21/09
11/21/09
Ubi...Ass Creed 2 or not, you're making it hard for me to like you.
11/21/09
11/21/09
11/22/09
11/22/09
11/23/09
11/20/09
11/21/09
11/21/09
#speakup
11/20/09
If they aren't publishing the new version of No More Heroes, they don't think there's a market for it. And they're probably right.
I love the game, but I'm more than willing to admit that it was flawed. The thing is, on the Wii that didn't matter as much because it didn't have much competition, and because it was fun anyway. It's another story on the other consoles - that "fun" element becomes a lot less important. If the game doesn't get glowing review scores and a big marketing push, neither of which are likely for a port of a title that's two years old, it won't sell. And even then, it's questionable.
There's also the question of who owns the rights to the translation and English voiceovers. A few of the other posters have guessed (asserted?) that Ubisoft might. If that's the case, it won't be the same game, and I have a feeling that the sense of humor from the original would vanish entirely then.
11/20/09
If the game doesn't make it to NA because of this, I won't forget it!
I'm optimistic it'll find a publisher, but there's always that small chance it won't... And that would be your fault, Ubisoft!
11/20/09
11/20/09
I must own a Wii, then!
11/20/09
Atlus ... please step up.
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/21/09
11/21/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
Not to mention Atlus isn't quite known for next-gen games (Demon's Souls excluded). Granted, the others aren't really known for next-gen either...
Regardless, I'd be happy with whichever company publishing it. However, I can say now that I probably won't buy it since I already have it for the Wii. Only reason I'd pick it up is if it also included the second game.
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
There's an awesome game
Out in Japan
Who you gonna call?
Atlus U.S.A!
It's chances of localization
Don't look too good
Who you gonna call?
Atlus U.S.A
11/20/09
/salutes/
11/20/09
11/20/09
... ATLUS! Atlus brings us nice things!
11/20/09
They could have on of those Pre-order deals again, where they have to get so many pre-orders before they decide to put the game out. (I know they had something recently like this. I like it, seems like a decent plan) Makes gamers like myself put there money where there mouth is.
Or heck, maybe just release the games as DL content on live.
11/20/09
#speakup
11/20/09
11/21/09
11/21/09
#speakup
11/21/09
#tips
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
I'm willing to bet with the costs of localization, advertising, etc... it just doesn't make sense for Ubi's bottom line. The "z" games though? That shit clearly sells like hotcakes, otherwise there wouldn't be so many of those titles.
If this pisses you off, lay in wait at your local gamestop and start kicking anyone who buys the games in the crotch, and tell them you did so because they bought an ubisoft z game. ;)
11/20/09
Title A has estimated sales of 500X
Title B has estimated sales of 600X
If the company picks "Title A", they're losing 100X. Sometimes it's about making more money, using the same resources.
11/20/09
11/21/09
#speakup
11/20/09
*hope it gets a good Western publisher*
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
I can see it now, Activision Halving the game and selling the other half as a Unlock patch........