Ben-DutkaUpdate: Namco Bandai has just sent over a press release stating that Ni no Kuni will be available in "Winter 2012" in North America.
Original Story:
If you've been looking forward to Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and you live in Europe, prepare youself: we've got some bad news.
Namco Bandai has confirmed that the highly anticipated JRPG won't release until the first quarter of next year (that's Q1 2013). The game is being localized in five different languages for the European region and apparently, that process is going to take a lot longer than initially anticipated.
Said Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino:
"We have worked very hard on Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and it has been a great honour to collaborate with Studio Ghibli and Joe Hisaishi, so it was important for me that players outside Japan also have the best experience of the game we can give them.
To make this possible, we decided to invest the time in localising the game so that as many people as possible across Europe can enjoy the full experience in their own language."
The game didn't sell well in Japan (which is a little surprising), so the developers are likely hoping for a better response in Europe and North America. Speaking of the US, there's no word on when the game will arrive here; it was supposed to be available early this year. Now…who knows?
Related Game(s): Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Ok now that sucks. I might have to import from the US, as I can't wait that long.
As a sidenote, do US games include Spanish as a language often? EU games quite often feature multiple languages for obvious reasons, but I wondered if anyone would humour me.
It happens that there are multiple voiceovers on games in EU, true, but it's nowhere near common, and when a game do feature multiple languages, 9/10 of the cases are either children/family games or major releases backed by Sony. At least this is the case for the games that reach the Norwegian shores.
Why they do this for a narrow niche game like this is… Well… I don't get it. I have no explanation.
It just can't make business sense. Not if the main demographic for this game is oldschool (ergo adult) gamers.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/15/2012 12:21:29 PM
I rarely see that option
I wonder why it didn't sell well in Japan? Has the distaste for FFXIII affected JRPG purchasing for consoles in general? Weird.
Part of me wonders if they're not used to jRPG's on consoles anymore. I also wonder if there will be a warmer reception in NA since we haven't had many.
Was FFXIII met with distaste in Japan? I thought it was one of the more successful jrpgs this gen?
It sold well on initial release but there was a fairly nasty backlash as people discovered what it really was.
Maybe japan gamers were not interested in buying the same game on another platform in less than year time. As Lotus mentions futher down the ds version sold 600,000. To me the game did not fail. L5 should of released them at the same time. Tales of Xillia released on the ps3 in september last year and had much success japan.
Last edited by bebestorm on 2/15/2012 12:40:25 PM
Great point ab out the DS version.
@ TheHighlander
I think there were mainly two reasons it didn't sell well in Japan.
The first is that there was only one edition available and it was packaged with some bonus material. Now this does happen relatively often but what usually happens is that there is a standard edition with just the game and a special edition with the game and bonus material. This time however there was only the special edition and it was a bit on the pricey side. Not a good thing in a recession.
The second reason is that the game is multi-plat in Japan. There was also a DS version. And the DS version was released about a year before the PS3 version. So I imagine there was little reason for people to purchase the unusually expensive PS3 version when a much cheaper alternative was available. Especially considering that many of the would be buyers of the PS3 version may have already played the DS version given how much time they had.
So in other words the game had two big disadvantages in Japan. I imagine that the same is not going to be true in the states.
Wow – nice new avatar, High! Who is it? Where can I meet her? 🙂
Now I want a new one too.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/15/2012 1:22:06 PM
LOL! BeamBoom…Thanks.
Her name is Sophitia and you can meet her in Soul Calibur 1-4 and Broken Destiny.
Normal service will eventually resume, but for now this is a Sophitia zone.
Last edited by TheHighlander on 2/15/2012 1:35:22 PM
I was going to suggest that *maybe* the market for classic JRPGs is actually shrinking (as SE seem to think it is), despite the wishful thinking of those of us who say that SE abandoned it prematurely.
The point about the DS version, however, seems to be the most likely explanation. In any event, it makes Ni No Kuni a poor indicator of whether JRPGs would sell well on the PS3.
@Highlander: Aha – so I have to fight to meet her then. Figures. 🙂
Fane, I think part of the problem is that when we talk about JRPG sales the discussion get's framed on the basis of the performance of FF games and a few other quite successful JRPG games. If you look at the overall sales of the genre I'm not sure whether the kinds of sales numbers we see are really that terrible. Compared to CoD they look deathly, but then most things do. I just wonder whether the perspective on what is, or is not a successful JRPG has become skewed?
I totally agree. I think that occasionally people here (myself included) overestimate the level of success JRPGs had in their "heyday" on PS1 (and PS2) because they played so many of them and therefore overestimate how successful they would have been if they had been made for PS3 (instead of 360 or Wii or DS).
SE gets accused of prematurely killing the "classic" JRPG this generation, but maybe they saw a trend even before their disastrous marriage (and Mistwalker's) with 360 skewed the sales numbers of "next-gen" JRPGs.
But why on earth do they go through the tedious and expensive process of localising it to FIVE languages? I assume we talk about audio here, and not only subtexts. Has market research shown that it profitable to do so?
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/15/2012 11:19:26 AM
Probably not, but it seems like it's literally because they're proud to have made something with Ghibli (who's films also get translated into multiple languages) and want all to have the best experience possible. The only problem people see really is the fact that THEY have to wait and i see that too…..but i like my European brothers and sisters!
It's alright by me as i'll POSSIBLY get the American one.
Well studio Ghibli is world famous. I imagine they would want to accommodate more than just their japanese and english speaking fans.
… But they also need to make money. Can they afford this delay – and is it worth it?
I don't know – I merely ask. Looks like this is an idea they came up with all of a sudden, but why? It's either that or this is a case of incredibly poor planning.
Last edited by Beamboom on 2/15/2012 4:57:42 PM
Great news for non-english speaking Europeans. I'm all for L5 giving them the best experience possible.
On the flip, english speakers in Europe will have to wait longer and also, the original Japanese track will be the option of choice for voice acting anyway as that is the original, dubbing is always iffy no matter what it is….so then you have to ask whether it's worth it….I'd say yes as not everyone, unfortunately, enjoys subtitles, so again, the better the experience for everybody, the better.
Factors in 1ST WAVE of Japan sales:-
£80 price tag.
600,000 sold previously on the DS.
New era of handheld RPGs
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 2/15/2012 11:41:25 AM
There's no way to spin this to make it seem like good news, despite the altar at which you worship.
Alright me ol' respectful mucker!?
You do a brilliant job here, by the way.
Where's your Square "editorials" at? You've missed a day.
—
For those with compassion, it clearly isn't spin as i questioned it above. I don't see what's entirely bad about giving the rest of Europe, not just the UK, equal love…..but, hey, it's probably the positivity, it goes over certain people.
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 2/15/2012 12:25:18 PM
You're crazayzay! I miss the Square editorials. There's only been like 2 in the past year. I want moarr!!
Last edited by Underdog15 on 2/15/2012 12:43:34 PM
There have been more editorials centering on about a dozen different subjects, but you refuse to see that, just like you're incapable of seeing any negative point in anything you've already decided to love.
It's called bias. Look it up. Somebody at Level-5 could kill a puppy on YouTube and you'd call it "creative inspiration." And anybody who doesn't give Ni no Kuni over a 9 will be an automatic idiot.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/15/2012 3:00:30 PM
It's hilarious when you try and start with me because you just make a mess of yourself…..as again now.
Firstly, your favourite thing, imagining words. I never said or even indicated that if anyone gave it a below 9 score i'd think they're an idiot. Never. I don't judge people i never met and what's more, OPM gave Ni No Kuni a 9.1 and i believe what i said was "take it with a pinch of salt"….hmm….
You on the other hand have a track record of bias behaviour AND attacking critics on their scores…see the oh-so-brilliant Killzone 2 insanity.
Lastly, do you know what spin means? I repeated what the press release actually said, complete with positive tone….you spun it into so-called "bad news". C'mon, Ben, mate.
I can constructively critique anything i love. I could sit here and have a conversation about my favourite bands with you, say, Sly & The Family Stone and critique anything i deem fit to.
It just so happens that nothing has been negative with this game, to me, yet and instead, i have great joy and enthusiasm towards spreading the word of the return to form we have all waited for (especially you as you write about that wish daily) in this game and it's this enthusiasm that you should perhaps learn from lol.
I'm sure my review will have those criticisms you so want to see….when i write it.
Lol, Now, Ben….im rootin' for ya. Just try to lay off damaging yourself again.
The odd part is you think you're superior to everyone else here, talk down to me and everyone else, and then think somehow everyone adores you for that behavior.
A game has been delayed a full year. Love it, hate it, want it or not, that's not good news. Nobody would say it's good news because logically, of course it isn't. There is no "spin" except for the one you put on it, because you're not capable of saying anything bad about a game you've never touched.
For someone who claims to know so much about art, you're awfully literal, you know that? Like you've never read a book in your entire life. Like you have no idea what context is. I didn't say anything about what you've done; I said what you WOULD do. And anybody who doesn't like Ni no Kuni is guaranteed to hear about it from you, for being "unenlightened" or not understanding greatness, or some such crap.
Want examples of that? Or would you rather just find a way to be condescending again? I'd also be interested to see an instance in any of my several hundred reviews where anyone here or anywhere else ever accused me of bias. Fifteen years doing this, my cocky friend. I've never once been accused of any such thing and in fact, just checking over the Comments to these reviews over the past four years, I see exactly the opposite. People come to PSXE for the UNBIASED reviews and have been ever since I've been here.
Care to ask around? Oh, wait. You won't because you don't care. The world revolves around you. I forgot. Forgive me. So because you've never admitted you've been wrong a day in your life, here's some free advice: keep mocking the Admin of a site, and – if we're going to use logic again – you probably won't last very long. But what do you care, right?
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/15/2012 6:50:07 PM
And with that, my brother….I'll leave you to it….Because you've just gone and done everything i've previously talked about with you.
Because you've turned it into a judging game, you got me strapped for words in this regard because i've never met you. I don't take kindly to people who do this, especially to me….but again, i don't know you, i'd be assuming, something you seem to like doing, i mean, you outright TELL me what you THINK you know i'm doing. I only talk about things you write on here….and with that, i haven't labelled you. From the things you say about me, i COULD say about you…it leads me to think you have insecurity issues or haven't fulfilled something in your life, but guess what…i'd be assuming and that isn't me. I don't know you….but you seem to think you know me and think it's ok to talk like this to a loyal customer of yours.
You're criticising something you (again) assume i am….i don't recall ever saying i know all about art, but i do remember saying i enjoy it or gave an example how i think something could be done….so i find that odd. Maybe you see potential in me? I don't know. See, you've assumed and criticised something you think i do….and even if i am in the field, i don't feel the need to defend my position/work to you because….you know, i might be secure. Defending sure is your option, though 😉
I don't need to say anything else about the game, read above if you need reminding, it sure seems that way….but the comment "what i WOULD do"?! lol! What?! You know me so much from text on one subject that you know my future instincts?! Furthermore, i again, have never said any such words about people disliking the game….can i assume you imagine things? So yes, implore you to show me examples of this so-called hate i've spouted.
Enthusiasm, Ben….have you really forgotten it?
Would i be at this site if what you think i'm getting at is true? Where's the logic there? No, i call you out when i don't agree and you can't handle it…you even sound threatened….you get SO defensive. I said you have been bias and attacked others before…you 'HAVE'. Not always…otherwise i wouldn't be here and nor would you or anyone else because the reactions to the K2 fiasco that i exampled, was humiliating for you and wouldn't be survived if it were to happen again and again.
Of course you get nice comments, you get them from me too….but you can't handle anything else. You KNOW i ain't the only one who knows this 1st hand, you've talked awfully to many members before and they've reacted and you got defensive. It ain't just me….i just call you out a lot more….and most of the time it's neutral until you make it hostile.
Now, to do what you should be doing as "site administrator", i'm going to end the conversation because you've taken it to judging and borderline insulting and i like to think i'm better than that, plus i kind of feel bad at how you come off when you do this.
Oh, and if i was doing "site administrator" i wouldn't feel the need to threaten a ban on someone who hasn't broken rules, just because i seem to not handle them well…..then again, you break your own rules when you want because that's fair. 🙂
So, let's leave it there, eh? 😉
Always best to know who you're about to spew your hate on, Ben.
Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 2/15/2012 9:32:18 PM
Episode1
Anyone else not read any of that?
Blah blah blah, I'm better than you 'wink' blah blah blah.
Tell you what. Surprise me one day by posting a comment I can't predict well in advance. Then maybe you'll get some credit from me.
@lotus,
Dude, whatever your differences of opinion are, this discussion wasn't merited – IMHO. but one thing caught my eye…
You said this; 'Now, to do what you should be doing as "site administrator", i'm going to end the conversation'.
But you did not end it. You had to have the last word and continued. So in fact, despite your claims to be above it all, you perpetuated the conflict after proclaiming it over and done with. If you are going to take the energy out of a situation by acting like a 'site admin' then you actually have to stop, when you say you will. So what about the three paragraphs after your proclamation about how you're "going to end the conversation"?
Please consider that point.
I personally think if Lotus was everything he claims to be, he wouldn't have responded to begin with, let alone end the conversation.
That was my red flag.
But Highlander has a great point. It's kind of dumb to "end" it, then say a bunch of stuff that makes it hard not to respond to. That's really manipulative and a form of diplomatic barbaricy.
guess I'll import
Import it is, I can't stand listening to games in my own language, it just feels like the audio is being raped 🙁
So they're screwing with the audio and making me wait longer -_- I see no positives…
Please refer to the definition of the word 'rape' and never use it again in the context that you did. 'Rape' has got absolutely nothing to do with the audio on a game.
I can't tell you how much I hate seeing people throwing that word around in the way you did. It diminishes the word's weight or importance.
Ditto.
The two words I hate people use flippantly are "Rape" and "Retarded". It's 2012… aren't we over that yet?
While I don't disagree…people also regularly use the term "kill" and plenty of other terms of violence in equally trivial contexts (e.g., "Did you beat that game?" or "Kill your beer so we can leave."). It doesn't mean those people disregard the horror of the real thing.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 2/17/2012 4:00:00 AM
Yeah, but the word "kill" refers to many more things than senseless or particularly heinous crimes.
Killing a chicken, for example, means I get to eat tonight. Killing some ants or termites means my house isn't infested anymore.
I wouldn't rape any of those things. Rape ruins lives and violates a person at the highest level. It's not only violent, it's grotesque and inhuman.
"Kill" also doesn't label a person as something to be rejected or negative when there are people who suffer from such disabilities that absolutely do not deserve rejection or negativity, as is the case with "retarded". "Mental retardation" is a clinical term, although in today's standards, a very non-sociably acceptable term to use aside from a clinical sheet.
I would understand your point of view in the case of "Murder" as opposed to kill. Murder is especially violent in the cases you described. "Kill" isn't exactly offensive. While playing a sport, saying you're going to "murder" the other team is a little bit… yeah…
Well… that's no damn good. All signs point to me being roaming next year, so I guess I just won't be playing it for a full year. A crying shame as I am interested in Ni No Kuni, but it happens. Strike it from the record and continue on.
I'll import it from the US if it comes out there first. Here's hoping!
Localising it to multiple languages sounds way too excessive. English is the universal language, after all.
I'll either play it in Japanese or English, and I'm sure a lot of gamers who like JRPGs will make the same choice. My nephew played both Uncharteds in Portuguese and it was just plain terrible (good for him though).
They should just release the game with Japanese and English dialogue, and if they REALLY wanted it in other languages, then just release it as DLC. I've seen it happen before.
Now if the world ends in December I won't get to play this little gem. 🙁
Last edited by wolfsinner on 2/15/2012 1:19:25 PM
I just hope they use the time to make the voiceovers super top quality.
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Why do we have to wait until winter for Ni No Kuni??? I was sharpening my teeth for this one around my birthday (March) and it's all been in vain… :'(
This and SF vs Tekken….Heaven
Too bad its been delayed but it makes sense because L5 havent released a english trailer. Tales of Graces F and Neptunia will take care of my jrpg fix.
Don't forget Atelier Meruru….
well, at least they are getting The Last Story on 24Feb2012 which is in 10 days and they have gotten the Xenoblade Chronicles and they will also get Pandora's Tower in April 2012, meanwhile, we in Canada and US got nothing so far for these games.
I wonder why Europe got better treatment for JRPGs than North America and I am upset about this.
Regarding the Ni No Kuni, it looks a bit too cartoonish to me, but maybe it is shockingly good with lush and vibrant environment just like Eternal Sonata, will see.
Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 2/15/2012 8:30:58 PM
@BigBoss Well its already announced that were getting Xenoblade, so that is one out of three. If sales are satisfactory, the chance to get the remaining two will become that much more tangible. (I'm hoping for Pandora's Tower myself, on account I'm always in the mood for a good dungeon crawler.)
As for your question about the surge of RPG treatment for the European region, I inquired about the very same observation, on Siliconera. A well respected writer on that site told me that Japanese Publishers see Europe as a less risky venture at the moment, as a result of the Euro being so much better off against the Yen, compared to the US dollar.
Its funny because in the 90's I remember it being the reverse, and someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Europe missed out on such major RPG titles such as Xenogears, Vagrant Story, Chrono Trigger, and I think Cross as well (hopefully someone in Europe can verify those claims). So yeah…the shoe is on the other foot.
sigh.
why is it always the japanese who have problems with this?
every other developer has to do this and i dont hear them bitching!
or maybe is it that there just too dam lazy?
japanese games industry has turned into a bunch of freaking wingers!
"Winter 2012" ends in a few weeks and doesn't start again until late December. Does that mean we're definitely getting it late December?
JK, I know they just mean "next winter."
-Arvis