Namco Screws Us Again

[lisalover1]

Remember when Tales of Symphonia was ported to the PS2 from the gamecube with extra content? Do you also remember a while back when Tales of Vesperia was ported from the 360 to the PS3 with extra content? Remeber how Namco Bandai said that 360 users would not get the new content, DLC or otherwise? Now you'll have something else to remember; Namco will not be releasing Tales of Vesperia's PS3 version outside Japan, despite impressive sales of the port.

Link: http://www.gamepro.com/article/news/213 ... in-the-us/;

I am very angry about this. I have a PS3 and 360, and the 360 version of Vesperia, and have been holding off on playing it on my 360 in anticipation for the PS3 port. I was mad when they ended the game's 360 exclusivity just so they could get extra money from Microsoft to make it exclusive. Once they got the money, they started work on the PS3 version. I conceded that I would forgive them if they just released the PS3 version outside Japan, but now I'm pissed. I thought that Namco would have enough sense to release one of the best selling games in the Tales series elsewhere, but I guess not. So that's it. I'm not going to be buying any Tales games new anymore. I will not support a development team that screws over its fans on a consistent basis. If they change their minds, and release it in the US, I may reconsider, but for now, I'm boycotting new purchase of all Namco RPGs. Remember how Namco Bandai was a bunch of cockwads? Oh, wait, they still are.

[Flak Beard]

I can't even keep track of all the Tales games these days. Isn't there a new one like every six months? Honestly between Symphonia and all the ones on PS1/PS2, I'm set on Tales games for life.

Namco's been a bit shady this generation. It still pisses me off that there are additional levels on my Beautiful Katamari disc that they want me to pay to unlock. Yeah right.

[dlmvii]

To be fair, I don't think the reason for them not releasing it here has anything to do with them being cockwads, or hating its fans...I love those games as much as anyone else, and would have loved to see them brought over, but there just isn't as much of a fanbase here for those games as there is in Japan. I'm sure if they thought they could make money on it, they would release it here, but they have probably determined that they can't. It sucks for us, but Namco is a business after all, and they exist to make money.

[lisalover1]

To be fair, I don't think the reason for them not releasing it here has anything to do with them being cockwads, or hating its fans...I love those games as much as anyone else, and would have loved to see them brought over, but there just isn't as much of a fanbase here for those games as there is in Japan. I'm sure if they thought they could make money on it, they would release it here, but they have probably determined that they can't. It sucks for us, but Namco is a business after all, and they exist to make money.

Then why did they release Eternal Sonata on the PS3 in the US? It sold a LOT worse than Vesperia.

[Pulsar_t]

I still find it amusing how the PS3 thanks to Sony's weird decisions is the weakest platform for JRPGs. That is changing of course but it's a far cry from its predecessor.

[c0r33]

I heard about this the other day my assistant manager had a copy of the 360 version set aside for himself. He bought it originally for the 360 then traded it in 2 days after he bought it cause they announced the port to ps3. He's waited 1 year now for this thing and now he's forced to re buy the 360 version I got a good laugh out of it.

but hey at least you get that sweet port of eternal sonata.

[pepharytheworm]

So, your not going to get Tales of Graces when it comes stateside?

[MrPopo]

I'm in the same boat; got Vesperia when I got my 360 but played other RPGs first. Then I heard about the PS3 port with lots of extra content, so I've held off playing. I'm not quite as pissed about missing out on the PS3, but I'm glad that we finally have what is essentially a denial that it's coming out; now I can get around to playing the damn game.

I do think a lot of this can be traced to the business practices of Microsoft that caused a lot of games to be exclusive to the 360 simply for the development funds, and then they come to the PS3 with more content.

[lisalover1]

So, your not going to get Tales of Graces when it comes stateside?

I will buy it; I'll just buy it used.

I posted this message at Namco's official Tales Forums, and they said something interesting:

Then again, "we have no plans" is often code language for "marketing won't let us announce it yet," so PS3-owning Tales fans shouldn't give up hope for having Patty Fleur the loli pirate yet.

Either I think he makes a good point, or I'm really desperate.

[MrPopo]

Then again, "we have no plans" is often code language for "marketing won't let us announce it yet," so PS3-owning Tales fans shouldn't give up hope for having Patty Fleur the loli pirate yet.

Either I think he makes a good point, or I'm really desperate.

The issue is that most companies will NEVER say "we will not release game X". We have no plans can basically be translated to "we have not announced we will release this" without losing any intent of it. I wouldn't get my hopes up too much for "we have no plans" being a "marketing won't let us announce it yet" call. Especially when you consider the number of people that would put down a preorder right now if they announced it, even if it were going to come out in August. I'd guess that if you looked at the number of people that would buy this, most of them are sitting here awaiting an announcement, so holding off for a better time of year won't buy them much.