Valkyria Chronicles 2 could be the last one.

[the7k]

Reposted from Sankaku Complex (NSFW site, of course), which translated this official blog post:

We’re being asked a lot why we are releasing Senjou no Valkyria 2 on the PSP and not the PS3.

Firstly, there is the issue of not wanting to leave a gap between 1 and 2. Put bluntly, it took about 3 years to make 1. With the experience of making the first one we could probably make a sequel in less time, but we’d have to improve things too, which might take even more time.

Also, with the broadcast of the TV anime we really wanted to get the game out before the impact of the anime subsides.

Secondly, we wanted as many users as possible for the game. Market analysis for the first game indicated fans were older and mostly male. That was the main target, but we had to think about things when we ended up with 95% males.

…

My vision is to develop Valkyria on both PS3 and PSP… Next generation titles cost a huge amount to create, and if we don’t develop our customer base we can’t get a return on our investment.

PS2-era hit games like Metal Gear have developed expansive fan-bases. If we build up the base of the mountain that is Valkyria, the peak can reach higher.

So, basically, what I'm getting out of this is:
A) This is a quick and dirty effort made solely to coincide with the popularity of the anime series.
B) Rather than capitalize of the already existing 95% Male fanbase by keeping the focus on Bishoujos in a World War-style setting, they're ignoring them in favor of catering to the 5% Female fanbase with a strong focus on Bishounen in an Academy-style setting.

Even if they do manage to get a load of new female gamers into this by taking this approach, can they really hope to get enough to make up for alienating 95% of their fan base?

More over, the fact that they flat out state that less time is being spent to develop this, just so it can get more cash from the anime fans, tells me this is probably going to be a sub-par game.

Keep in mind that they've already stated that the possibility of a Valkyria Chronicles 3 rides solely on how well Valkyria Chronicles 2 does. If this game flops, then that's the end of it.

Good ol' Sega!

[weasels]

one thing for sure i really wanted to play the first one but couldn't because i didn't have a ps3. so im actually happy that they are going to make a psp version so i can finally at least try the game. i have already planed on buying it no matter what so im not complaining. but it is ridiculous that they are not putting more effort and time into the game. and instead working on the anime.