XSEED's Next Mystery Title!

[Shizuka]

Update: It's Corpse Party indeed!

http://www.siliconera.com/2011/09/01/xseeds-mystery-psp-game-is-indeed-corpse-party/





With Wizardry: Labyrinth of the Lost Souls out now and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Second Chapter floating in the future, what is Xseed working on now?



"I will say that one title that we’ve already started localizing that we haven’t announced yet is a pretty unique core title for the PSP," Ken Berry, Director of Publishing, said to Siliconera. "That’s probably about as much information as I can share for now, but it is a title Siliconera has covered in the past."



This is not a Falcom game, though. When I spoke with Berry, I asked him what else Xseed is currently working on, aside from future Falcom releases. Hmm… unique, for the PSP, and something Siliconera has covered. Any guesses?

http://www.siliconera.com/2011/06/09/xseed-teases-a-psp-project-that-weve-covered-before/

http://www.siliconera.com/2011/06/11/one-more-clue-about-xseeds-psp-game/

My guess?

http://otakuxgamer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/corpse-party-cover.jpg

Corpse Party.

[Takao]

My guess:

http://www.nin-nin-game.com/2566-3506-thickbox/dangan-ronpa-en.jpg

Dangan-Ronpa

[Peytral]

If it is Corpse Party, then you can be sure as hell that Wyrd's the mastermind behind it.

[Chestnut Bowl]

Ore no Shikabane wo Koete Yuke.

[Wyrdwad]

Peytral: That would be true of Danga Ronpa as well, though, since I got pretty darned obsessed with THAT game for a while there, too. (Would be true for OreShika, as well!)

All three are awesome games... so if it IS one of them, you can bet I'm smiling right now. And if it isn't... I'm sticking my tongue out.

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

Peytral: That would be true of Danga Ronpa as well, though, since I got pretty darned obsessed with THAT game for a while there, too. (Would be true for OreShika, as well!)

All three are awesome games... so if it IS one of them, you can bet I'm smiling right now. And if it isn't... I'm sticking my tongue out.

-Tom

In the end, all that matters is that you guys haven't given up on the PSP.

[Grimmy]

I *really* hope it's Dangun-Ronpa, but Over MY Dead Body would be fantastic as well. I'm....not so excited by Corpse Party - sorry. The visuals look like it aged badly.

[Wyrdwad]

In Corpse Party's defense (simply as a game, not as confirmation that that's the game we're working on or anything): The visuals actually add quite a bit to its atmosphere, and are surprisingly well-designed, with some really fantastic sprite animation. It's still retro-style, but it's a style that has a lot of innate charm (especially if you grew up with 8- and 16-bit games), and it actually helps make the game feel even creepier by showing just enough to convey EXACTLY what's going on... but forcing you to use your imagination to fill in the finer details of it. And as any good horror fan knows, the things we imagine are far scarier than anything that can be displayed on a screen.

It really is a great game. All three of the titles you guys have guessed thus far are great games.

-Tom

[SpaceDrake]

Aww, if it IS Corpse Party, that means CF won't be able to nab the rights to the PC version. :(

Mind you, at this point it looks like we're going to be insanely busy for a year so we wouldn't get to it 'til 2012 anyway, but still.

[AweOfShe]

Whatever title it is, I will already have money put aside for it, or any glorious Premium Edition you will think up for it. ;]

[yuki-chan]

My guess:
http://img.pandamimi.com/img/3604027627/BG0_500.jpg
Tsuku Monogatari

[rpgfan]

In Corpse Party's defense (simply as a game, not as confirmation that that's the game we're working on or anything): The visuals actually add quite a bit to its atmosphere, and are surprisingly well-designed, with some really fantastic sprite animation. It's still retro-style, but it's a style that has a lot of innate charm (especially if you grew up with 8- and 16-bit games), and it actually helps make the game feel even creepier by showing just enough to convey EXACTLY what's going on... but forcing you to use your imagination to fill in the finer details of it. And as any good horror fan knows, the things we imagine are far scarier than anything that can be displayed on a screen.

It really is a great game. All three of the titles you guys have guessed thus far are great games.

-Tom

The sequel looks better, first-person dungeon crawling like.
If it is Corpse Party, I would love to have the sequel.

[Wyrdwad]

Thanks for reminding me: I need to PLAY the sequel to that! Gotta preorder it a.s.a.p., as finding a copy of the Japanese LE for the first game was a real pain in the tuckus even one short month after its release. 5pb seems to print their LEs in ludicrously small quantities, and they gain in value VERY, VERY quickly.

From what the trailers suggest, the sequel is an *actual* sequel, featuring the same cast of characters one year later... so playing the first game may turn out to be a prerequisite for understanding the story of Corpse Party 2.

Also, SpaceDrake: The PSP version is actually a far superior game, in this particular case. Don't know if you've actually played both versions, but a lot was added to the PSP version that really makes it the better choice in almost every way. If you've yet to play Corpse Party, I highly recommend betraying your PC roots, and giving it a go on the PSP -- as painful as that may be for you. ;)

And Yuki-chan: Another great guess! That game's intrigued me ever since the first article I read about it. Man, I love the PSP!! (:

-Tom

[Dust]

My guess goes to Grand Knights History. I'm still waiting for Zwei!! ;_;, but I'm honestly surprised you guys have time to work on another PSP title with Sora no Kiseki SC sitting on your plates :)

[Adrian-kun]

I want it to be an adventure game.

[Wyrdwad]

My guess goes to Grand Knights History. I'm still waiting for Zwei!! ;_;, but I'm honestly surprised you guys have time to work on another PSP title with Sora no Kiseki SC sitting on your plates :)

Well, you have to keep in mind, if we devoted all of our resources to Sora SC, we'd be out of business looooong before it ever got finished. (: We can never really focus on just one game at a time, or we're done for!

And Adrian-kun: That wish is very likely to come true, since the vast majority of horror titles on the PSP *are* adventure games. Corpse Party, Dangan-Ronpa and Tsuku Monogatari alike all fall clearly within the adventure genre -- I think the only title anyone's guessed so far which doesn't is Ore no Shikabane wo Koete Yuke (another awesome game), which is a straight-up turn-based RPG.

-Tom

[Sagadego]

will this get a umd release? the surprise game?

[PurpleDoom]

will this get a umd release? the surprise game?

I'm not an XSEED employee, so don't take my word for it, but I'd say it's likely. UMD releases aren't just suddenly going to disappear because of the Vita. There's the chance something else may pop up, but I sincerely doubt it would be DD-only just because of the Vita.

As for the game itself, my bet's on Corpse Party, as well.

[Wyrdwad]

Sadly, a UMD release is actually *not* very likely for any niche PSP titles publishers release from here on out, as producing UMDs, cases and instruction manuals costs quite a bit of money, as does paying stores to stock the game on their shelves. Download-only is much cheaper from a publishing standpoint, and with the PSP "on its way out," so to speak (and especially if the game is niche enough), the likelihood of making back one's initial investment with a UMD release decreases quite a bit.

I'm not saying with certainty that this particular title will be download-only -- after all, for all you know, it may be a really big-name release that's destined to sell MILLIONS... but I wouldn't go into any upcoming PSP title from now on expecting a UMD release, if I were you, as I think that's going to become less and less common for the remainder of the system's lifespan.

-Tom

[Sagadego]

i guess i'll bail out then

[PurpleDoom]

Sadly, a UMD release is actually *not* very likely for any niche PSP titles publishers release from here on out, as producing UMDs, cases and instruction manuals costs quite a bit of money, as does paying stores to stock the game on their shelves. Download-only is much cheaper from a publishing standpoint, and with the PSP "on its way out," so to speak (and especially if the game is niche enough), the likelihood of making back one's initial investment with a UMD release decreases quite a bit.

I'm not saying with certainty that this particular title will be download-only -- after all, for all you know, it may be a really big-name release that's destined to sell MILLIONS... but I wouldn't go into any upcoming PSP title from now on expecting a UMD release, if I were you, as I think that's going to become less and less common for the remainder of the system's lifespan.

-Tom

Hmm, guess I didn't think about it that way. DD doesn't particularly bother me, so it's not a problem for me personally - I'm just used to seeing previous generations carry on with physical game releases, which clearly makes sense when you remember that DD wasn't an option. Guess things are gonna change from here on out.

[Dust]

That sort of brings back up the issue of Sora no Kiseki SC not being downloadable due do to the disc switching issue, but I'll leave that for another topic. Looks like I gotta go buy another memory stick

[rpgfan]

So when can we expect the announcement for this game?

Is there any possibility for any future PSP game releases to be UMD format? Not that download is such a bad thing. . . just curious.

[Wyrdwad]

Yeah, again, I think it all just depends on sales expectations. There are bound to be plenty of UMD releases to come, from other companies AND perhaps from us as well... I just think the number of UMD releases we see from here on out will probably be on the decline.

Note that everything in this reply is me attempting to predict the future based on my limited knowledge of the industry's inner workings. This is not a guarantee, nor is it a statement of XSEED's intent or anything -- it's just me, Wyrdwad, giving my thoughts on an issue that concerns me as much as it concerns most other gamers.

Up to this point, the vast majority of PSP games have received both UMD and digital releases, with a small handful being digital-only and another small handful being UMD-only. From this point on, I'm betting the vast majority will be digital-only, with a small handful receiving both and VERY, VERY FEW receiving only a UMD release.

It is unfortunate, but at the same time, it's also kind of interesting, as this may be the first (non-PC-based) game system for which this has EVER happened... and it seems like because of the availability of digital distribution, the PSP may enjoy a longer lifespan than most other systems ever have. In the past, whenever a system's successor was announced, the glut of game releases for the older-generation system suddenly slowed to a crawl and eventually dissipated entirely. I don't believe that will happen with the PSP, as digital distribution is so inexpensive and convenient, it would be foolish for publishers NOT to take advantage of it.

I foresee another several years of life left on the PSP, personally, with a landscape full of digital titles dotted by an occasional UMD release.

Oh, as for the game's announcement: it's still very early in localization, so not for a while yet. Generally, before we announce games, we like to ensure they're not going to fizzle out due to catastrophic programming failure or something -- so we usually wait until the translation is mostly complete, the coding for re-inserting the English text is mostly working, the license has been fully secured with no risk of being outbid by another company, etc.

Basically, we wait until we know for sure that nothing's going to screw up our plans, so that we don't ever have to tell you guys, "Sorry, our bad! You're not getting the game after all!" ;)

Hopefully, we'll know all of that by AnimeExpo, but it's gonna be tight. Keep your fingers crossed!

-Tom

[Chaosblade]

It is unfortunate, but at the same time, it's also kind of interesting, as this may be the first (non-PC-based) game system for which this has EVER happened... and it seems like because of the availability of digital distribution, the PSP may enjoy a longer lifespan than most other systems ever have. In the past, whenever a system's successor was announced, the glut of game releases for the older-generation system suddenly slowed to a crawl and eventually dissipated entirely. I don't believe that will happen with the PSP, as digital distribution is so inexpensive and convenient, it would be foolish for publishers NOT to take advantage of it.

I foresee another several years of life left on the PSP, personally, with a landscape full of digital titles dotted by an occasional UMD release.
So presumably Sony is going to continue to allow publishers to release PSP games either way? It will be interesting to see how it works out. TitS 3rd is going to be affected by this for sure considering you're probably looking at a 2013 release for that.

Of course, regarding digital titles lengthening the PSPs life, Ken kind of implied something a bit different (http://xseedgames.com/forums/showthread.php?519-Sakura-Note-%28NDS%29&p=7338&viewfull=1#post7338), at least for XSeed. And nevermind the silly question I'm editing out. There's not really any answer to it now that I think about it.

I'm not sure digital only is particularly safe either, you're catering to a niche within a niche there. Maybe I'm mistaken, but most people don't look to PSN for retail games, and then you have people limited by bandwidth caps and other corporate silliness. Not to mention licensing issues, like what just happened with Brave Story. Then again, you also don't have used game sales so you aren't competing with yourself, so to speak. Maybe it evens out.

[Wyrdwad]

Yeah, Ken's point is a separate beast altogether. While DSiWare exists as a *POTENTIAL* alternative for releasing download-only DS games, it's only available on a portion of the DS units out there (anyone with a DS phat or DS Lite is out of luck), and has nowhere near the existing userbase of PSN.

And despite Ken's pessimism about the handheld gaming market, we ARE still evaluating games for both the DS and PSP on a semi-regular basis, so it's not like either system is off-limits or being totally ignored or anything. (:

-Tom

[rpgfan]

Thanks Tom, I understand more now. I'll be looking foward to the announcement of that game as well as the other games you guys are planning. Hope things go well.

I'm glad you guys haven't given up on the DS and PSP, they still have great games that deserve a chance here.

[Shizuka]

I admire XSEED's determination with PSP titles, but I want to see more PS3 titles from the company. It's about time to move on to another platform, as the PSP is about to get replaced, and the successor doesn't have an UMD drive.

[Takao]

You guys have experimented with DD-only releases in Valhalla Knights 2: Battle Stance on PSP. Did that showcase put up some decent results? Have the digital versions of your UMD releases done well?


I admire XSEED's determination with PSP titles, but I want to see more PS3 titles from the company. It's about time to move on to another platform, as the PSP is about to get replaced, and the successor doesn't have an UMD drive.

No, but it's fully compatible with all PSN versions of PSP games. ;)

As well, there isn't exactly a flood of quality Japanese PS3 games not getting translated.

[Wyrdwad]

You guys have experimented with DD-only releases in Valhalla Knights 2: Battle Stance on PSP.

*glances over at the UMD copy of Valhalla Knights 2 on his game shelf*

We haven't released ANY download-only PSP titles just yet, actually. Digital versions of our existing PSP games have been doing OK, but it's hard to judge when there exists a physical counterpart, as one must logically assume that the mere existence of a UMD version will cause a noticeable drop in digital sales. After all, when given the choice, which do you usually pick? I know I'd always buy every game on UMD, if I could.

But if no UMD version existed, I'd be more than happy to purchase a digital copy of any game I truly wanted to play.

-Tom

[Takao]

Actually, Battle Stance is the expanded version of Valhalla Knights 2. Think of it as the Monster Hunter Freedom: Unite to Monster Hunter Freed 2. It was released (http://www.siliconera.com/2010/01/18/valhalla-knights-2-battle-stance-rises-for-psn/) PSN only in North America.

As well, I must be an anomaly, as I buy most of my PSP games on PSN. As I suspect since 2009 that any future backwards compatibility would be on PSN, not UMD. It's also a tonne more convenient carrying around 20 games at once rather than switching a bunch.

[Adrian-kun]

Yeah, Ken's point is a separate beast altogether. While DSiWare exists as a *POTENTIAL* alternative for releasing download-only DS games, it's only available on a portion of the DS units out there (anyone with a DS phat or DS Lite is out of luck), and has nowhere near the existing userbase of PSN.

And despite Ken's pessimism about the handheld gaming market, we ARE still evaluating games for both the DS and PSP on a semi-regular basis, so it's not like either system is off-limits or being totally ignored or anything. (:



-Tom

I though you guys had given up on the NDS... what's going on here? I suggest a DS title not too long ago and it was implied that I should just forget about mining for older titles.

[Wyrdwad]

We haven't given up on it... it's just a bit of a hard sell, that's all.

The right game is the right game, however, regardless of what system it's on. If it's fun and interesting, we can get the rights to it, and it isn't going to make us go out of business... we'll take it! ;)

-Tom

[SpaceDrake]

We haven't given up on it... it's just a bit of a hard sell, that's all.

To elucidate on the specific problem with the NDS: it is impossibly expensive to manufacture games for. The software doesn't have to be that complex due to the simpler hardware involved, but because the NDS uses ROM chips instead of CDs, the manufacturing costs are much, much higher - especially if you have to play it fairly "safe" and do a not-huge first print run. And there's no digital alternative like there is with the PSP, either. Games for the NDS can get to the point where a fifth to even a quarter of the retail cost is tied up in manufacturing alone. It's that bad... if you can't get economy of scale going and manufacture a million units.

That's one of the reasons developers have been souring to the NDS as of late, and why I suspect the 3DS' reception has been so lukewarm; games for the NDS can make a ton of money if you control the ROM chip design and can manufacture hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of copies of a single title and ship them all with a reasonable expectation of selling them. When you're a third party who has to buy the chips from Nintendo and can't risk making a million units of Nora and the Time Studio or 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors... it becomes substantially less attractive, and I get the feeling it's bred a bit of resentment on both sides of the pond. Meanwhile, the PSP either offers digital directly or you use UMDs, which have a number of drawbacks when it comes to the actual PSP hardware but have the distinct advantage of being much cheaper than NDS ROM chips. Now that the PSP is an actual, viable alternative in Japan, it's a much more attractive platform to develop for.

This is why I was a little surprised to learn the Vita would use ROM chips, although ultimately from a pure hardware perspective it's a much better design choice than using an optical drive in a portable device (with all the potential for disaster that being "portable" entails). It'll be interesting to see just how many developers go "digital-only" on the Vita; I suspect it'll be a popular option, given how crushingly expensive the ROM chips are likely to be otherwise.

But yeah, an NDS game isn't utterly out of the question for XSEED or anyone at this point; it's more a question of "can it sell well enough to actually turn a profit in the face of the staggering manufacturing costs?"

[Adrian-kun]

SpaceDrake: that was pretty depressing. Going by everything that you said, Aksys should have already gone out of business with '9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors'. Most Western gamers only play dead brain shooters. Aksys could not have sold 'hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of copies of a single title'. But this is also the reason why I like Xseed, Aksys, NISA and ATLUS. They are catering to a niche market. Yes, it's sad that Nintendo is putting so much pressure on the little guy, but somehow it has to be done. I won't accept a world filed with Call of Duty and Gears of War. I love NDS games. I love adventure games and JRPGs. Phoenix Wright, Jake Hunter, Riz-Zoawd, Radiata Stories have made me play exclusively on the NDS. It is also the reason why i never bothered investing in an HD console and probably never will... well, that could change is someone were to localise a Visual Novel for these systems:) What I'm trying to say is, there are still some good NDS games out there and hopefully they won't be overlooked.

[SpaceDrake]

Aksys has been super damn lucky that 999's done as well as it has, actually. It's still possible to make a profit on smaller print runs of DS games, remember - it's just that the manufacturing costs make the per-unit revenue razor thin. With the word of mouth 999's been getting, though, I'm pretty sure it's been a success for Aksys.

Still, the DS is built around selling a lot of copies and is not an easy market to break into for smaller titles - which has always been kind of weird because the hardware favors strange design like Phoenix Wright or Radiata Stories more than blockbusters, but the way the manufacturing and distribution model is set up makes the DS actively hostile to such games in many ways.

[Adrian-kun]

Is Solatorobo: Red The Hunter your mystery title? I'm really glad that NA is receiving it as well, but why isn't Nintendo of America handling this one?

[Peytral]

Radiata Stories

Just popping in to say that I love this game so, so much.

[PurpleDoom]

Is Solatorobo: Red The Hunter your mystery title? I'm really glad that NA is receiving it as well, but why isn't Nintendo of America handling this one?

The mystery game is reportedly a PSP horror title, so Solatorobo wouldn't be it. Could be a different XSEED project, though!

[Wyrdwad]

Yeah, we tend to work on multiple projects at once, even if we only release one game at a time. That's how we manage such crazy turnaround times every now and again. (:

-Tom

[Sagadego]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434161&page=3
thanks to Kurosaki Ichigo of Neogaf

"think I might have a good guess about another XSEED title.

Amazon UK - Half-Minute Hero 2 (Rising Star Games, PSP)
Play.com - Half-Minute Hero 2

Both saying October 21st, sounds like a lock for an european release. And the NA release would be handled by...yep."

[Shizuka]

I love how XSEED's always working on different things at the same time, providing a great range of titles and keeping my gamer-belly satisfied.

[WoottWinds]

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434161&page=3
thanks to Kurosaki Ichigo of Neogaf

"think I might have a good guess about another XSEED title.

Amazon UK - Half-Minute Hero 2 (Rising Star Games, PSP)
Play.com - Half-Minute Hero 2

Both saying October 21st, sounds like a lock for an european release. And the NA release would be handled by...yep."

Oh...my...word......*heart attack*

[Adrian-kun]

There has to be something else...

[rpgfan]

We haven't given up on it... it's just a bit of a hard sell, that's all.

The right game is the right game, however, regardless of what system it's on. If it's fun and interesting, we can get the rights to it, and it isn't going to make us go out of business... we'll take it! ;)

-Tom

That's good. I'm hoping for the sequel of Corpse Party (if the first one is the mystery game)
as well a Elminage and ToHeart2 Dungeon Travelers. . . I know the last one is rather *ahem* eicchi, but it looks like a cute dungeon crawler.

The PSP and DS doesn't have to die so soon.

[Wyrdwad]

I've had my eye on To Heart 2 as well. If nothing else, I'm sure I'll give it a nice playthrough. (:

-Tom

[conurebleu]

I think that new technology is gonna leave me behind. I-do-not-download. Simple as that. You won'T see me downlaod any game, legal or not whatever the system I'm on.

That's quite sad if UMD dies this year, cause I won't be buying anymore. I really like to see a good game on my 'bookshelf. I'm the material type I know it's no good

[Shizuka]

I've had my eye on To Heart 2 as well. If nothing else, I'm sure I'll give it a nice playthrough. (:

-Tom

Tears to Tiara sends regards as the best non-localized SRPG on the PS3.

[ExpiredMilk]

*crosses fingers*

PLEASE BE CORPSE PARTY

PLEASE BE CORPSE PARTY

[Adrian-kun]

When is the big announcement coming?

[Wyrdwad]

Don't know. It all depends on when things get finalized with the Japanese developer/publisher, and when enough progress has been made in the localization process to ensure that catastrophic failure or delay is unlikely. ;)

-Tom

[rpgfan]

You mentioned that Xseed has been working on quite a few games. Are you planning to announce the rest of them along side this particular one?

[Adrian-kun]

Don't know. It all depends on when things get finalized with the Japanese developer/publisher, and when enough progress has been made in the localization process to ensure that catastrophic failure or delay is unlikely. ;)

-Tom

Speaking of Japanese developers/publishers, is it a company that's known in the US/EU or is it one that would normally only deal in its home country? Corpse Party, for instance, was developed by Team GrisGris and published by 5pb (or MAGES). Not many people have heard of these companies. Frankly, I've gotten tired of Nintendo, Sony, Square-Enix, Namco-Bandai and Capcom.
I wouldn't mind seeing 5pb, CyberFront, Spike and definitely more of Chunsoft in the US/EU.

[Wyrdwad]

Rpgfan: No, it's more like... we'll announce each one individually when we can. The reason we wait to announce things isn't because we're cruel (though we ARE cruel! Heheheh), but usually because we haven't finalized the contract yet (so if we announce it prematurely, some other company could swoop in and steal it away from us!), or we're still super-early in localization (so we have no idea exactly what challenges still lie ahead for us, making catastrophic failure a real possibility), or sometimes just that the amount of work left to do is so amorphous that we can't realistically put any sort of release date or timeframe on the title without there existing a very real probability that it'll get seriously delayed if and when something goes wrong later in the project.

Sometimes, too, the Japanese developer/publisher asks us to hold off for one reason or another, or we negotiate a deal with a website or magazine so they're the first to break the news officially. It varies from game to game.

But we always have a good reason for waiting to announce our games. Believe me, we're usually so excited that we'd LOVE to go blabbing all over the internet every time we start working on a new title... and it KILLS us to have to bite our tongues! But, such is the nature of the business. (:

And Adrian-kun: I can't tell you that, because the answer would pretty much immediately give away what game it is. I mean, if I say it IS an established publisher, you'll have a pretty good idea... and if I say it isn't, you'll still have a pretty good idea.

So I'm afraid I am forced to respond with: "No comment." Mwa ha ha. ;)

-Tom

[rpgfan]

Rpgfan: No, it's more like... we'll announce each one individually when we can. The reason we wait to announce things isn't because we're cruel (though we ARE cruel! Heheheh), but usually because we haven't finalized the contract yet (so if we announce it prematurely, some other company could swoop in and steal it away from us!), or we're still super-early in localization (so we have no idea exactly what challenges still lie ahead for us, making catastrophic failure a real possibility), or sometimes just that the amount of work left to do is so amorphous that we can't realistically put any sort of release date or timeframe on the title without there existing a very real probability that it'll get seriously delayed if and when something goes wrong later in the project.

Sometimes, too, the Japanese developer/publisher asks us to hold off for one reason or another, or we negotiate a deal with a website or magazine so they're the first to break the news officially. It varies from game to game.

But we always have a good reason for waiting to announce our games. Believe me, we're usually so excited that we'd LOVE to go blabbing all over the internet every time we start working on a new title... and it KILLS us to have to bite our tongues! But, such is the nature of the business. (:

And Adrian-kun: I can't tell you that, because the answer would pretty much immediately give away what game it is. I mean, if I say it IS an established publisher, you'll have a pretty good idea... and if I say it isn't, you'll still have a pretty good idea.

So I'm afraid I am forced to respond with: "No comment." Mwa ha ha. ;)

-Tom

Oh my! Sounds like you're dealing with alot of games you have to keep quiet about. :)

Hope things go well. I'm sure you want us to be happily surprised with what you are planning.

[Sagadego]

thanks for Solatorobo xseed!
http://www.siliconera.com/2011/06/24/solatorobo-red-the-hunter-lands-in-north-america-this-fall/

[Wyrdwad]

That's not the mystery title in question, but... you're quite welcome, nonetheless. ;) It's a great game.

-Tom

[Shizuka]

I need more PS3 titles, but I'll settle with Solatorobo for now.

[perrandy]

I need more PS3 titles, but I'll settle with Solatorobo for now.this i will be happy if you could secure any of the recently announced super taisen games or xenoblade for the wii :0

[Rarutos]

The reason we wait to announce things isn't because we're cruel (though we ARE cruel! Heheheh), but usually because we haven't finalized the contract yet (so if we announce it prematurely, some other company could swoop in and steal it away from us!)
Reminds me of what happened with Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Arc Rise Fantasia. I'm still sad about that. :(

But yes, I am oh-so curious about what the title is. I know someone would would be delighted to buy any type of horror game, so he's excited. ;)

[Takao]

There isn't exactly a wealth of good Japanese exclusives on PS3 that aren't getting localized.

[WoottWinds]

There isn't exactly a wealth of good Japanese exclusives on PS3 that aren't getting localized.

Indeed. I've personally got less than 5 PS3 games I'd like to see eventually localized, and a list of around 30 PSP games, most of which I know will never happen. Too much good stuff on that system.

[reyvard]

I hope the new title won't be ys the call of solumn !

[Wyrdwad]

I hope the new title won't be ys the call of solumn !

Heh... No, we've already been beaten to that one by... CJ Internet in Europe, was it? And it didn't exactly seem to be a big hit for them. ;)

I have some friends who were really into it, though!

-Tom

[reyvard]

oh so it's a good game ? I'm a little dubitative about it

[Wyrdwad]

I haven't played it myself, as I'm not too big on MMOs (despite having worked on them for over five years!), and it was never made available in North America to begin with (and couldn't be played outside of its country of offering due to IP-blocking)... but everyone I know who DID play it really liked it, so it's probably pretty decent for what it is.

-Tom

[reyvard]

I see and like you I'm not fan at all of mmo rpg so it doesn't help !

[rpgfan]

I've had my eye on To Heart 2 as well. If nothing else, I'm sure I'll give it a nice playthrough. (:

-Tom

Great! I don't have to be embrassed for wanting this game.:D

[Wyrdwad]

Never be embarrassed for desiring the moe. It's the lifeblood of Japanese nerdery. ;)

-Tom

[Ventara]

Does anyone think it might be Steins;Gate? It looks like it's a horror game (though I'm not sure).

[Grimmy]

No. It's Corpse Party.

[Wander]

Great! I don't have to be embrassed for wanting this game.:D

I wanted to play To Heart 2 as well, but since I don't understand a bit of Japanese I pretty much can't play it o.o

[SolidusSnake]

That would be pretty amazing if it's Steins;gate. I think it would be kinda expensive to get the license since the anime is fairly big and the games are also selling really well. If it's Steins;gate I would definitely pick up a copy since I've had my eye on the series for awhile.

[Shizuka]

If they actually did Steans;Gate, I'd say they'd have to release the 360 version as well (and I'd gladly buy both versions, thank you very much).

[SolidusSnake]

Excellent point! I would love to see games like this on the US 360.

[BuckTwenty]

Ugh, what is with the semicolon in that title? I kept thinking you guys were repeating each others typos for a while there.

[SpaceDrake]

Ugh, what is with the semicolon in that title? I kept thinking you guys were repeating each others typos for a while there.

Because the developers think it looks cool. That's literally the only reason.

[Shizuka]

Chaos;Head - Steins;Gate - Robotics;Note. Get used to it, that's their thing.

[Dust]

Wow I totally missed the "it's a horror title" part of this. -_-;; So I guess my guess is out the window. Hmm I'll change my guess to Saigo no Yakusoku no Monogatari (The Final Promise). Still not exactly qualifying as a horror title (I think), but I hear it's pretty dark.

That is unless NISA actually does plan on localizing it. Looks interesting.

[BuckTwenty]

Because the developers think it looks cool. That's literally the only reason.


Chaos;Head - Steins;Gate - Robotics;Note. Get used to it, that's their thing.

Ugh. Well, hopefully if XSeed localizes any of their games, they take it out.

[Alkaiser]

Ugh. Well, hopefully if XSeed localizes any of their games, they take it out.

More than likely they won't, since the people that want this will nerdrage if that ever happens. And nerdrage can be pretty powerful, y'know.

[Wander]

It would be awesome if XSEED's mystery title was Steins;Gate. I always had an interest in the game, but I always thought it was for xbox360. After two seconds of research I found out it was on PSP too. I really hope XSEED is indeed localizing Steins;Gate xD

[Adrian-kun]

It would be awesome if XSEED's mystery title was Steins;Gate. I always had an interest in the game, but I always thought it was for xbox360. After two seconds of research I found out it was on PSP too. I really hope XSEED is indeed localizing Steins;Gate xD

Chaos; Head has to come first:)

[Ventara]

Chaos; Head has to come first:)

True. But then again, Steins;Gate is more of a spiritual successor, so it's not really a must to do ChaoS;HEAd first.

Btw, I read a comment somewhere that XSEED is revealing the game at Anime Expo. I can't find the comment anymore, and can't find anything to back it up anyways. Is there any truth to that, or was the comment a complete lie? It would be totally awesome if XSEED partnered with some anime company (like Funimation) to bring us both the game and anime.

Oh, and they should definitely keep the ; in the title. It's cool.

[Shizuka]

I'd be happy with any of those titles, as long as I could buy it and show support to the genre (and the awesome series).

[rpgfan]

I have a feeling it's Dangan-Ronpa. It sounds interesting, even if I want Corpse Party.

[Wander]

I'd be happy with any of those titles, as long as I could buy it and show support to the genre (and the awesome series).

Yeah I agree. I would love to show support for the genre so more can make it to NA.

[SpaceDrake]

Btw, I read a comment somewhere that XSEED is revealing the game at Anime Expo. I can't find the comment anymore, and can't find anything to back it up anyways. Is there any truth to that, or was the comment a complete lie? It would be totally awesome if XSEED partnered with some anime company (like Funimation) to bring us both the game and anime.

They have no panels or anything scheduled, so there's no real time for them to announce it. I doubt it'll be revealed at AX; they only just revealed Solatorobo (which is playable at their booth).

[Wyrdwad]

Yep. It was nice to finally get to meet you two famous movie stars today. You look a lot different in person than you do in your films. ;)

I kid, I kid! But yeah, on a more serious note, we're still not able to announce the title yet. We're getting closer! But it'll still probably be a while.

-Tom

[Sagadego]

bACON, oh well also aksys announced Fate extra and Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom both psp and both retail.

as FOR NISA

Nisa:w.we are afraid t.to bring out psp games
Aksys games : Grow a Pair
Nisa :(

[Wander]

Nisa:w.we are afraid t.to bring out psp games
Aksys games : Grow a Pair
Nisa :(

That's exactly what I have been thinking lol

Yeah it's great to see Aksys bringing out Fate/Extra for PSP :D I just lost all hope in seeing that game in English, but now it's coming :D I sooo excited! Can't wait to see what title Xseed has been working on too xD

[WoottWinds]

Nisa:w.we are afraid t.to bring out psp games
Aksys games : Grow a Pair
Nisa :(

I laughed, big time. I am pretty damn disappointed though that we most likely won't be seeing the recently announced port of Phantom (Makai) Kingdom for PSP. Such a shame NISA doesn't want to deal with the system anymore.

I think my current top 3 most wanted possible XSEED localizations (outside of more awesome Falcom games) would have to be…

Half-Minute Hero 2 (PSP)
Unchainblades Rexx (3DS/PSP)
Over My Dead Body (PSP)

I would've mentioned VC3 & 7th Dragon as well, but I'm pretty sure those are both lost causes… I'm not familiar with any horror games, so I have no personal localization wishes there, but I'm sure I'll enjoy whatever gets announced. I always like trying out types of games I normally don't play, and Tom seems real passionate about whatever the hell it is he's currently working on which is always a good sign. :D

[rpgfan]

I wanted to play To Heart 2 as well, but since I don't understand a bit of Japanese I pretty much can't play it o.o

I'm really just interested in the just released Dungeon Crawling spinoff, and with Aksys releasing the Fate RPG spinoff, I want this one to be licensed here even more.

As for Stein;Gate, I would think they would pick up the counsel versions as well, rather than just the PSP. Plus its a visual novel. The mystery title is said to be an "adventure game".

[Wander]

As for Stein;Gate, I would think they would pick up the counsel versions as well, rather than just the PSP. Plus its a visual novel. The mystery title is said to be an "adventure game".

Well I thought Steins;Gate would be Xseed's mystery title since on Gamefaqs.com it classifies the game as "Adventure > General". Maybe I'm stretching it a bit far, but I really want to play Steins;Gate in English lol xD

[Ventara]

I'm really just interested in the just released Dungeon Crawling spinoff, and with Aksys releasing the Fate RPG spinoff, I want this one to be licensed here even more.

As for Stein;Gate, I would think they would pick up the counsel versions as well, rather than just the PSP. Plus its a visual novel. The mystery title is said to be an "adventure game".

Wait, I thought that the only clues we've gotten were that the mystery title is a horror game on the PSP. Did I miss something?

[Wyrdwad]

I gave some pretty hefty additional clues in a recent interview:

http://www.blisteredthumbs.net/2011/06/e3-exclusive-xseed-interview/

Let the guessing continue. ;)

-Tom

[Terro]

I think the real question is: when WILL the big reveal be?? There's only ONE day left in Anime Expo, where I assumed the announcement would be.

[WoottWinds]

Enjoyed the interview, thanks for the link Tom. Looking forward to the inevitable announcement, best of luck with the translation until then!

[Grayback]

Yeah! Many Clues Revealed, Thanks Tom

[Ventara]

For those who don't want to watch the interview, the following bits were said about the mystery title (other than it being a horror game for the PSP):

"...is a very different type of game than Clock Tower, but has that same sense of pervading fear where you go long stretches and nothing happens, and when something does happen, you are just screwed, and it is a really, genuinely, creepy, nightmarish game..."

"...hoping we can get it out before halloween, but it's still way too early in the process to say for sure. We're hoping for that though, that's what we're shooting for, so keep an eye out for announcements. Hopefully we'll be able to at least announce that the game is coming sometime soon".

"...think I can get this whole thing translated in about a month and a half, and then it needs to go into editing, it needs to go into QA and stuff.."

I really want to know what this game is, and I can't help but feel a little excited about it seeing how much Tom liked the game.

[Wyrdwad]

I think the real question is: when WILL the big reveal be?? There's only ONE day left in Anime Expo, where I assumed the announcement would be.

We would've liked to announce it at AnimeExpo, but that's not going to happen, unfortunately. It's unknown when it will actually be announced, but we'll try to get all the legal stuff and such squared away a.s.a.p. so we can let you guys know sooner rather than later. Until then... just keep watching for announcements! (:

-Tom

[perrandy]

happy 4th of july to all of you!

[Wander]

I have no clue what title Xseed is working now, but seeing Tom so excited makes it seem like their working on a really good game. Can't wait to see what it is.

[Adrian-kun]

Out with it man or I'll just assume you're working on Corpse Bride... ahhhhh, party. There is going to be a bride and a party though, right?

[Wyrdwad]

Whenever I'm involved, there is sure to be both a bride AND a party, indeed. ;)

-Tom

[SolidusSnake]

Whenever I'm involved, there is sure to be both a bride AND a party, indeed. ;)

-Tom

What about the corpses?

[Wyrdwad]

I think that goes without saying! Corpses taste delicious with black pepper and rosemary. Not to mention ROSEMARY'S BABY. ;)

-Tom

[SolidusSnake]

Whooooooooo this thread is making me hungry. Maybe I should go down to the morgue and see if there's anything new to snack on.

[Sagadego]

bit off topic there is a demo of corpse party on the japanese psn if ya want to try it out.

[Shizuka]

XSEEDGames

News Alert! New game announcement coming later this week. This title is reel-y different from our usual fare. Summer On!

https://twitter.com/XSEEDGames/status/93854577178329089

[Peytral]

"Reel"-y?

For a second I thought that was a hint. Then was like "why would they be localizing a game about fishing."

[yuki-chan]

XSEEDGames

News Alert! New game announcement coming later this week. This title is reel-y different from our usual fare. Summer On!

https://twitter.com/XSEEDGames/status/93854577178329089

Finally we're going to know the Mystery title that XSEED is going to localizate

[WoottWinds]

"Reel"-y?

For a second I thought that was a hint. Then was like "why would they be localizing a game about fishing."

YES. Fishing for the win XSEED! I haven't played a fishing title since the GBC Legend of the River King series... God I loved those. Can't remember if they were actually any good, but I spent a crap load of time reeling in everything I possibly could. I should go, "fish out" (ha) those games.

In all seriousness though, is this perhaps the horror title previously mentioned, or yet another mystery title that is going to be announced?

[dunno001]

"Reel"-y?

For a second I thought that was a hint. Then was like "why would they be localizing a game about fishing."

It could have something to do with a movie reel, also. At least, that would interest me more than a fishing game...

[SpaceDrake]

In all seriousness though, is this perhaps the horror title previously mentioned, or yet another mystery title that is going to be announced?

Jess made a later tweet specifically saying that this ISN'T the horror title. It's something else.

[WoottWinds]

With XSEED having worked on Yuji Naka's "Ivy the Kiwi?", I'm going to say his upcoming fishing game is a likely possibility...

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/06/09/yuji_naka_fishing/
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/07/01/yuji_naka_fishing_game/
http://www.andriasang.com/e/galleries/2011/07/01/family_fishing_screens/
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2011/07/01/naka_fishing_game_comedy_group/
http://www.andriasang.com/e/galleries/2011/07/22/family_fishing_screens/

EDIT: Holy carp the game looks great! Here's a trailer...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g95VQe9b4IA

I'm actually really hoping now this is the mentioned title. Never thought I'd be so impressed by a fishing game!

[Wander]

Jess made a later tweet specifically saying that this ISN'T the horror title. It's something else.

Aww... I was really hoping that Xseed was finally going to announce the horror title that they had been working on. Oh well, we just gotta wait a little while longer.

[SolidusSnake]

Cool, I've been looking forward to this announcement for awhile. Thanks for the heads up.

[Alkaiser]

I'm actually really hoping now this is the mentioned title. Never thought I'd be so impressed by a fishing game!
I wouldn't be surprised if this is the game in question. It looks... well, fun. Not quite as fun as Get Bass! / Sega Bass Fishing, though.

Still, I'd buy this if I had a Wii, for what it's worth.

[Shizuka]

A Wii fishing game, at this point? I dunno.

[perrandy]

not interested neither on the wii game and horror game.so, i guess its gonna be solatorobo for me this year?:0

i mean, talking about ninty having their priorities backwards,they allow the localization of a freaking fish game and nothing about xenoblade,pandora's tower and last story? amazing isnt?!:eek:

[Wyrdwad]

Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it. ;)

We did just announce Family Fishing as our next upcoming title (under the name "Fishing Resort"), and despite the fact that I don't particularly like fishing, I actually really love this game. It's kind of like the Harvest Moon of fishing titles, or the Boku no Natsuyasumi series -- very chill, relaxing and invigorating. It's the kind of game that's designed to make you happy on a rainy day by transporting you to a virtual fishing resort destination and letting you do whatever you'd like there -- bike around, take a kayak out on the open water, explore the local aquarium and look at all the sea life, etc. It's probably one of the nicest-looking games on the Wii, and is honestly a whole lot of fun to play.

And the PSP horror game is fantastic! Hope you're willing to give it a shot once we release it.

Also, please don't think those are the ONLY games we'll be releasing this year! We may still have a few tricks up our sleeves. ;)

-Tom

[WoottWinds]

The game looks totally fantastic to me, very excited to see it get brought over. Hopefully this relationship between XSEED and Namco Bandai/Prope continues, I'd love to see Rodea on 3DS/Wii get brought over as well!

Oh, and any word on the "fishing rod" wiimote attachment for Fishing Resort?

[perrandy]

Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it. ;)

We did just announce Family Fishing as our next upcoming title (under the name "Fishing Resort"), and despite the fact that I don't particularly like fishing, I actually really love this game. It's kind of like the Harvest Moon of fishing titles, or the Boku no Natsuyasumi series -- very chill, relaxing and invigorating. It's the kind of game that's designed to make you happy on a rainy day by transporting you to a virtual fishing resort destination and letting you do whatever you'd like there -- bike around, take a kayak out on the open water, explore the local aquarium and look at all the sea life, etc. It's probably one of the nicest-looking games on the Wii, and is honestly a whole lot of fun to play.

And the PSP horror game is fantastic! Hope you're willing to give it a shot once we release it.

Also, please don't think those are the ONLY games we'll be releasing this year! We may still have a few tricks up our sleeves. ;)

-Tomtom,since you put it that way i have no other option but at least try the horror game.but tbh i'm not a big fan of these types of games.tried run factory 3 and while the game is dead gorgeous. i founded out that it wasnt my thing.i must say though that the waifu thingy was pretty neat heheh...

edit: forgot to say that i'm glad to hear that you got more aces under your sleeve.

[Shizuka]

I want to know when that PSP Horror game is going to be announced. I'm starting to lose hype here (and money with other games).

[Lumina]

I think I'll pass on the fishing game, but I can't wait to hear about the PSP horror title! and while I don't really dig the anthropomorphic animals thing in Solatorobo, I'll give it a shot too. :)

[Magna_Mixalis]

Solatorobo is one of the better DS games around. While not the most challenging game on the planet, it is a lot fun. And really, how can you possible not like an anthropomorphic wolf controlling a giant mech and stomping fools into a gooey paste?

[Wyrdwad]

Perrandy: It's not your typical survival horror title, believe me. When we said unique horror title on the PSP, just imagine we were stressing the word "unique"... because we were. (:

Shizuka: I hope we announce it soon, because it's KILLING me not to talk about it or share some of the awesome lines I've translated for it. (:

Magna: Well put, sir. Well put.

-Tom

[Lumina]

I agree that the mech stomping portion looks neat, I've just never been a fan of anthropomorphic characters in general. That's alright though, different strokes for different folks.

[Wander]

I'm still hyped for the horror psp title! I love psp, and it's great to know that an awesome game is coming xD

[Shizuka]

Shizuka: I hope we announce it soon, because it's KILLING me not to talk about it or share some of the awesome lines I've translated for it. (:

It's killing me to know that I don't know which title it is. Maybe XSEED should've waited before you tipped off Siliconera. Maybe waited until you could actually announce. That's not something nice to do with your fans.

[Ryos]

I agree that the mech stomping portion looks neat, I've just never been a fan of anthropomorphic characters in general. That's alright though, different strokes for different folks. As long as the game doesn't pander too much to furries, I'll live. :P

After all the teasing XSEED has done with the horror game, if it isn't something that interests me, I'm going to be majorly disappointed. If it is the game that people are speculating though, I don't think it will be. Hope it's not some crazy fishing anthropomorphic horror game or something.

[Adrian-kun]

It's killing me to know that I don't know which title it is. Maybe XSEED should've waited before you tipped off Siliconera. Maybe waited until you could actually announce. That's not something nice to do with your fans.

The good folks at Xseed have given us so many clues, it has become impossible not to guess which one it is.

[Wyrdwad]

If it is the game that people are speculating though, I don't think it will be.

Which of the games are you referring to? There seem to be two big theories that people consistently are putting forth. And both are really fantastic games, so if either theory is correct, my statement stands. (:

I'm also curious as to why it wouldn't interest you... How much do you actually know about the game in question?

-Tom

[Ryos]

I'm also curious as to why it wouldn't interest you... How much do you actually know about the game in question?

Well, if it's the game that people are speculating, what little I've looked into it shows that it would be an enjoyable game. In general though I'm not a horror fan so that's why I'm pretty hesitant until the actual announcement.

[Dust]

Horror games or just horror in general? I'm just curious, because I hate horror movies with a passion, but I love the horror game genre.

[Adrian-kun]

Horror games or just horror in general? I'm just curious, because I hate horror movies with a passion, but I love the horror game genre.

Do you like Western horror (Dead Space, The Suffering) or Eastern horror (Silent Hill, Resident Evil) ? Or both?

[Ryos]

Horror games or just horror in general? I'm just curious, because I hate horror movies with a passion, but I love the horror game genre.

I don't really care for horror in general, but the most experience I've had with the gaming side of things is just a couple Resident Evil games and that awful Jason NES game. Parasite Eve is about as much into horror flavor as I go.

[Shizuka]

I'm dying to know if it's either Danganronpa or Corpse Party. Those are the most guessed games, and I bet it's one of those. I'd buy any of them, or even both, just tell me already which one it is.

[Wyrdwad]

Yeah, those are the two I was referring to. I won't say for sure if it's either of those, but I will say that I've played at least some of both games, and am big fans of each.

Danganronpa is a very unusual mystery/horror game where you gather clues to a murder, then go into a Phoenix Wright-style courtroom scenario to prove the guilt of the murderer -- knowing that if you fail, the murderer lives, and everyone else dies.

And Corpse Party is kind of like an RPG without battles -- more interactive than a visual novel, but less interactive than a typical survival horror game or RPG. It's all about exploring a cursed school, examining everything, and making decisions -- and whether you (and others) live or die is based wholly on the places you go, the things you take note of within those places, and the decisions you make along the way.

Both games would indeed count as unique horror titles, as neither plays anything like any other survival horror titles on the market today. If our announcement turns out to be either one, you should definitely look forward to it, as they're both quite outstanding. (:

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

Yeah, those are the two I was referring to. I won't say for sure if it's either of those, but I will say that I've played at least some of both games, and am big fans of each.

Danganronpa is a very unusual mystery/horror game where you gather clues to a murder, then go into a Phoenix Wright-style courtroom scenario to prove the guilt of the murderer -- knowing that if you fail, the murderer lives, and everyone else dies.

And Corpse Party is kind of like an RPG without battles -- more interactive than a visual novel, but less interactive than a typical survival horror game or RPG. It's all about exploring a cursed school, examining everything, and making decisions -- and whether you (and others) live or die is based wholly on the places you go, the things you take note of within those places, and the decisions you make along the way.

Both games would indeed count as unique horror titles, as neither plays anything like any other survival horror titles on the market today. If our announcement turns out to be either one, you should definitely look forward to it, as they're both quite outstanding. (:

-Tom

Then why don't you just localise both? :)

[Wyrdwad]

Oh, we would if we could! (:

-Tom

[Shizuka]

Then one of the companies already said "no" to XSEED or XSEED doesn't think one can do as good as the other. It seems you'll be localizing Danganronpa.

[Wyrdwad]

Don't be so sure! One game would have to be licensed from 5pb, which is a small publisher that's never had a game released in North America before. The other is from Spike, which is a slightly larger publisher that has. But it does stand to reason that the smaller publisher might be more willing to let the game go for cheaper... whereas the larger publisher might be more willing to let the game go due to familiarity with the localization process.

They're both equally likely candidates.

And like I said... it could just as easily be NEITHER game. (:

-Tom

[Wander]

If the mystery title is one of the two titles mentioned I'd rather have it be Corpse Party. Danganronpa doesn't seem to interest me from how it was described.

[Grimmy]

Come on, it's obvious it's Corpse Party. I wish it was Dangun-Ronpa instead :(

[Shizuka]

Don't be so sure! One game would have to be licensed from 5pb, which is a small publisher that's never had a game released in North America before. The other is from Spike, which is a slightly larger publisher that has. But it does stand to reason that the smaller publisher might be more willing to let the game go for cheaper... whereas the larger publisher might be more willing to let the game go due to familiarity with the localization process.

They're both equally likely candidates.

And like I said... it could just as easily be NEITHER game. (:

-Tom

Oh Tom, you're such a massive tease!

[SilverCitizen]

I'd be happy either way. I've been interested in both games for a while now. If it's neither, I still have faith in XSEED's decision. I'm sure they picked a game I would like. :)

[Shizuka]

I'd be happy either way. I've been interested in both games for a while now. If it's neither, I still have faith in XSEED's decision. I'm sure they picked a game I would like. :)

A horror PSP game... ABOUT FISHING!

PIRANHAS PORTABLE!!!

[Wyrdwad]

Nah, that's the sequel. This one is "Killer Guppies From Guam." It's pretty scary!

-Tom

[SilverCitizen]

Fishing games are already horrifying enough for me! XD

[Shizuka]

Nah, that's the sequel. This one is "Killer Guppies From Guam." It's pretty scary!

-Tom

Only if I can hook it up on the TV and use the Move to fish and shoot those!

[Adrian-kun]

The only titles I truly want to see from 5pb (MAGES) contain a semicolon. :)

[Wyrdwad]

Ooh, ooh! Is it "Steins;Gate 8-bit"? ;)

(I'll confess, as soon as I saw the news for Steins;Gate 8-bit, I was like, I WANT IT I WANT IT I WANT IT!! Heheheheh)

-Tom

[Shizuka]

I'd take that. I'd take anything with a semicolon, like NOW.

[Wander]

I'd take that. I'd take anything with a semicolon, like NOW.

I second this lol. Definitely wanna play Steins;Gate (the non 8-bit one o.o).

[Takao]

Yeah, it's definitely not Dangan Ronpa at this point... besides reportedly being difficult to translate, Spike mentioned that despite the fact they originally hoped for the game to be an overseas release, it hasn't. (http://www.4gamer.net/games/127/G012722/20110708055/)

Well, on the bright side, it's getting a sequel... (http://www.siliconera.com/2011/08/02/mono-bear-is-back-super-danganronpa-2-announced-for-psp/) There is no bright side unless you understand Japanese.

[perrandy]

so, whats the news?i'm asking because i dont know whats going on.is xseed mystery game called stein 8?:confused:

[Wyrdwad]

It's not Steins;Gate, I'm afraid. That much I can say.

Stay tuned. We'll be announcing this pretty soon, I think.

-Tom

[Wander]

It's not Steins;Gate, I'm afraid

Aww... oh well I was pretty sure it wasn't Steins;Gate anyway. Glad to hear the title is going to be announced soon. I can't wait to find out what it is, and pick it up lol.

[rpgfan]

It's not Steins;Gate, I'm afraid. That much I can say.

Stay tuned. We'll be announcing this pretty soon, I think.

-Tom

Great! Can't wait. Will there be other announcements as well?

[Wyrdwad]

Not anytime in the near future, but there definitely will be somewhere down the line. I swear, we're swimming in potential game releases right now. ;)

-Tom

[Sagadego]

whats the chances of saying what games you turned down? gonna say 0

[rpgfan]

Not anytime in the near future, but there definitely will be somewhere down the line. I swear, we're swimming in potential game releases right now. ;)

-Tom

I remember reading you said that you plan on releasing other games besides the horror one this year that you haven't announced yet. Were there any delays?

[Wyrdwad]

I think one of them was Fishing Resort. Any others I can't really talk about, though, I'm afraid. (And no, I can't actually name games we've turned down -- at least, I'm not comfortable doing so until AngrySalesMonkey does first, since I can then just blame him if I get in trouble for it.) ;)

We're hoping to have at least one other title out by the end of the year, but it may get delayed -- we're still not sure. Stay tuned. (:

-Tom

[Peytral]

I don't think anything you guys will release can fill the void that the lack of Trails 2 has created.

Except another Falcom game. Or HMH2. Or Super Robot Wars. Or probably something I'm forgetting/don't know about.

[Wyrdwad]

Oh, believe me, we've got some stuff coming that'll knock your socks off. ;)

-Tom

[WoottWinds]

There are so many great games coming out from September through the end of the year I'm going to have a very difficult time keeping up... I'm really looking forward to playing Fishing Resort though in my down time, should keep me relaxed and happy with classes and testing.

[Peytral]

oh, believe me, we've got some stuff coming that'll knock your socks off. ;)

-tom

good

:3

[Sagadego]

anything for retail and hd systems as well?

[rpgfan]

Oh, believe me, we've got some stuff coming that'll knock your socks off. ;)

-Tom

Great! I hope they can be released at most early next year if not this year.

I understand if you can't talk about the other games yet. Just a hint that you have them is good enough.

Sorry for bothering you. . .its just that you guys seem to be my only hope for games I want.

I rather NOT know what games you turned down. . .

[SolidusSnake]

Oh, believe me, we've got some stuff coming that'll knock your socks off. ;)

-Tom

I swear, this thread is such of a tease.

[Ryos]

I swear, this thread is such of a tease.

My gaming spirit is disheartened at every tantalizing detail!

Well, at least until the announcements. :P

[Wyrdwad]

anything for retail and hd systems as well?

...Maaaaaaybe.

You'll just have to wait and see. (:

(...mostly because we're not sure ourselves, TBH. A lot of our lineup is still being decided upon!)

-Tom

[rpgfan]

My gaming spirit is disheartened at every tantalizing detail!

Well, at least until the announcements. :P

:( Yeah. Hopefully Xseed won't have us wait TOO long for more announcements.

[Wander]

Keep the news comin Tom! Always love to hear what interesting titles you guys got for us xD

[Sagadego]

so much for xseed for going under lol god i hate neogaf soo much!

[Shizuka]

Come on, announce the new game already!

[Takao]

so much for xseed for going under lol god i hate neogaf soo much!

Most of those posts are jokes, because speaking bluntly, there isn't exactly a huge market craving Falcom RPGs.

[Wyrdwad]

Well, we're certainly not rich, so the GAFers have every reason to theorize as such! But fortunately for you guys, we're hangin' in there, and bringin' some great games over in the meantime... slowly, but surely. (:

-Tom

[Future Primitive]

I'll buy games twice if I have to! I was actually thinking of getting a physical copy of Lunar Silver Star Harmony (Limited) and another Trails Limited Edition since mine was the very last copy at this certain Gamestop I got it from...

Needless to say, it was more of a display copy than new, but at least the bonus stuff was wrapped...

Thinking of getting Fishing Resort! I know a certain girlfriend of mine that would love to virtual fish with me.

I feel like I'm getting trolled from all of the teasing...if it's a Falcom game I might just start hyperventilating and pass out...again.

[rpgfan]

I'm hoping for more first person dungeon crawlers.

[Miyuki]

...Just wondering, is "urban legend" warm or cold to that mysterious title? (Yeah, I'm not actually expecting a reply for this. xD )

[Wyrdwad]

You're going to have to be more specific. Do you mean the term "urban legend"? The movie "Urban Legend"? The concept of an urban legend?

I think I'm going to answer "yes and no." ;)

-Tom

[Ryos]

I'm hoping for more first person dungeon crawlers.

I like the way you think. But there are so many awesome games that haven't been localized that the slate of titles could be virtually anything.

[SolidusSnake]

Speaking of first person dungeon crawlers, I'd love to see Students of the Round get localized.

[Wander]

I would also love to see UnchainBlades ReXX get localized XD

[rpgfan]

Speaking of first person dungeon crawlers, I'd love to see Students of the Round get localized.

I'd love for that one myself, as well as Elminage (Elminage 3 particularly). And Labyrinth Cross Blood looks good. (From the makers of Students of the Round.) And a few others.

First person dungeon crawlers isn't the only genre I expect. I just want more of them to come here.

[Shizuka]

The best move for XSEED on the dungeon-crawler genre right now is Class of Heroes. There's the second and third game, both on the PSP and PS3, and an upcoming Class of Heroes, but that'll be PSP-only.

[SpaceDrake]

Students, though, is a really unique concept and it's also available for the PC - a criminally underserved platform for that sort of content (shockingly).

[Miyuki]

You're going to have to be more specific. Do you mean the term "urban legend"? The movie "Urban Legend"? The concept of an urban legend?

I think I'm going to answer "yes and no." ;)

-Tom

The concept. :o My bad for not being clear. But huuuuh that adds something else to the list of guesses...

[perrandy]

oh man i just wish you could say which game is it already.i think the suspense is killing me here ><!

[rpgfan]

Hopfully the wait won't be to long. *Crosses fingers for more announcements for games this year*

[Wyrdwad]

Like I said, it's coming soon. You definitely won't have to wait much longer for this announcement.

-Tom

[Shizuka]

Honestly Tom, I think XSEED should valorize it's own forum and announce the game here first, instead of deliver killer news to other gaming websites first. NISA kinda does that by hinting games on their own forums, but if I didn't created this topic, and no other user, I think XSEED would be losing valuable feedback. You should seriously consider that, I mean it.

[Wyrdwad]

Oh, believe me, we're considering our options very carefully for situations like this. Our sales people are a bit traditional when it comes to game announcements, but H.Protagonist and I are pot-stirrers all the way, so we're doing everything we can to shake things up with unpredictable awesomeness... and I've got one heck of an unpredictable and awesome idea for announcing this game that I think will confuse and astound (but mostly just confuse!). ;)

Dunno if it'll actually happen, but if it does, it'll be this week. So... keep an eye out, I guess!

And in the meantime, here's a little hint: While we have yet to officially reveal the name of this title, we've given out more than enough information between this board, our Facebook, our Twitter and various gaming websites to allow anyone with a bit of resourcefulness and ingenuity to guess what it is with 99% certainty. It won't be easy, as you'll need some familiarity with the game in question to figure it out... but it CAN be done.

Happy hunting! ;)

-Tom

[Shizuka]

A lot of people already guessed with 99% of certainty, but with no confirmation, it's just another guess on top of the pile.

[Wyrdwad]

I'd say most people have guessed with 70-80% certainty, really. And not all of them are correct, as their guesses are based upon assumptions and suppositions.

There's something we've said elsewhere, however, that very clearly narrows the list down to one game.

I've probably said too much, however, so I'll just be going over here now and grinning sheepishly. Mwa ha ha. ;)

-Tom

[Grayback]

can't wait for the official announcement, Thanks XSEED, :D

[perrandy]

Oh, believe me, we're considering our options very carefully for situations like this. Our sales people are a bit traditional when it comes to game announcements, but H.Protagonist and I are pot-stirrers all the way, so we're doing everything we can to shake things up with unpredictable awesomeness... and I've got one heck of an unpredictable and awesome idea for announcing this game that I think will confuse and astound (but mostly just confuse!). ;)

Dunno if it'll actually happen, but if it does, it'll be this week. So... keep an eye out, I guess!

And in the meantime, here's a little hint: While we have yet to officially reveal the name of this title, we've given out more than enough information between this board, our Facebook, our Twitter and various gaming websites to allow anyone with a bit of resourcefulness and ingenuity to guess what it is with 99% certainty. It won't be easy, as you'll need some familiarity with the game in question to figure it out... but it CAN be done.

Happy hunting! ;)

-Tom could this be a hint?i mean the happy hunting thingy :P

[SpaceDrake]

Just to confirm, this IS the "horror" title being announced, yes? Not something else?

[Ryos]

could this be a hint?i mean the happy hunting thingy :P

With 99% certainty I can say that one of the next games is going to be Deer Hunter Tournament 2. SWEET!


:P

[perrandy]

With 99% certainty I can say that one of the next games is going to be Deer Hunter Tournament 2. SWEET!


:Pfirst it was the fishing game now its hunting ....nice going xseed :P

[Shizuka]

Just to confirm, this IS the "horror" title being announced, yes? Not something else?

The one we're discussing, and that Tom's hinting, yes, it's the horror PSP title to be announced.

[charles741]

I'm sure it's going to be Akiba's Trip. It's on the Psp, it has horror elements, you hunt vampires, and also xseed did an interview with siliconera mentioning it.

http://www.siliconera.com/2011/07/08/xseed-interview-part-2-exceeding-the-future/

[SpaceDrake]

If it is Akibastrip I will literally facepalm forever.

[EurAsianGirl]

I really hope you guys can localize more Falcom titles^^ (As well as hopefully the Tales Of games we never got such as Destiny 2, Rebirth and Hearts)

[Shizuka]

I seriously hope it's either Corpse Party or Danganronpa, or a Visual Novel that will take everyone by storm, but Akiba's Trip...

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lmcipgqkDU1qbshfr.jpg

[Wyrdwad]

Awww, what's wrong with Akiba's Trip? I've played a little bit of that game, and it's actually pretty awesome. It's a wonderfully-crafted parody of Japanese otaku culture, and a pretty darned fun game, to boot!

Though it really DOESN'T count as a horror title. It's much more of an action/parody game than anything else.

-Tom

[SpaceDrake]

The thing is, I'm not even remotely convinced it really is parody.

[Wyrdwad]

No, it is. If you play it, it's definitely intended as satire. I mean, how much do you actually know about the concept? The whole vampire thing is designed to explain why so many otaku have become hikikomori (shut-ins) lately -- they're staying locked up in their dark little otaku nests not because they're socially awkward, but because they're vampires who are hurt by the rays of the sun! (:

There is an aspect of it that's clearly meant as a celebration of otaku perversions... but for the most part, it's clearly written as a satire, explaining those perversions through supernatural means (since they defy any NORMAL explanation!). (:

-Tom

[SilverCitizen]

Ahhh you're really making me want to play Akiba's Trip, Tom! Now I'm going to be bummed out if the mystery game isn't Akiba's Trip.

[SolidusSnake]

I would buy Akiba Strip. Sure it's goofy as hell, but going by the gameplay videos I've seen it actually looks fun.

[Shizuka]

Well, it's not Akiba's Trip. That's one down, two to go.

[LentFilms]

Could the PSP horror game be Tokyo Mono Hara Shi?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/00/Tokyo_Mono_Hara_Shi_Cover.jpg

1up.com posted an article recently called "Why the Golden Age of JRPGs is Over" where there is a random screenshot from the game in the article and in the main image to the feature. Ken Berry from XSeed was interviewed in the article along with many others but there seemed to be a large focus on XSeed in the article.

http://www.1up.com/media?id=3909564&type=lg
http://www.1up.com/media?id=3909073&type=lg

[Shizuka]

Lent, I guess you just solved the puzzle. The only setback is that it's an Atlus title, but other than that, it's closer to what XSEED's been hinting than Corpse Party and Danganronpa. It's a horror title, it's on the PSP, Siliconera has covered it before and there's the 1UP point you brought up.

[Takao]

Corpse Party, and Danganronpa can both be called horror titles, are on PSP, and have been covered by Siliconera in the past ...

[Shizuka]

I know, but those have been solid guesses since this whole thing started, and we took for granted that it'll surely be one of those. That shows how narrow-minded out thought was, and that are more games on the very same specifics. One could also say that Tokyo Mono Hara Shi is the only RPG of the three, and that it's even a dungeon crawler, something that XSEED is used to.

[Wyrdwad]

We never said it's an RPG, though.

Of course, we never said it isn't, either. (:

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

We never said it's an RPG, though.

Of course, we never said it isn't, either. (:

-Tom

Either way, I'm ready for a wedding.

http://www.mtv.com/movies/photos/c/corpse_bride_050120/34.jpg

[Megamixer]

http://www.1up.com/media?id=3909564&type=lg

What is Estelle doing in an Atlus game? :confused:

[Shizuka]

When is the announcement due to? I'm slowly starting to lose interest here.

[reyvard]

not very credible I think !

[Ryos]

What is Estelle doing in an Atlus game? :confused:

Not only that, but the girl behind her looks like a dead ringer for Elena. Maybe they're Falcom fans too! :P

Much like anywhere else, it's kind of hard to come up with original designs because you can only make so many differentiations that are "original." But that's cool because a few of my favorite artists pretty much throw out the same character designs over and over and over and over and o-

[Wander]

What is Estelle doing in an Atlus game? :confused:

Lol, that's exactly what I was thinking :P

Out with the title already xD we waited long enough. I'm tired of reading people's guesses on what the title is o.o

[Wyrdwad]

That image was used in a 1up article about JRPGs in general, and contains a mish-mash of characters from different titles -- including Trails and Felghana. It's not specifically a Tokyo Mono Hara Shi image.

And believe me, I want to tell you guys what game it is as much as you want to hear it! But we have to wait a little tiny but yet. It's for the greater good, I swear! (:

-Tom

[Shizuka]

Aww, come on. I'm totally lying about losing interest, this game is KILLING me.

[Ryos]

That image was used in a 1up article about JRPGs in general, and contains a mish-mash of characters from different titles -- including Trails and Felghana. It's not specifically a Tokyo Mono Hara Shi image.

Well, so much for that conspiracy theory. Makes sense now. :P


Aww, come on. I'm totally lying about losing interest, this game is KILLING me.

In the case of a horror game, isn't that the point?

[Cloud]

When XSEED first said it was a horror title on PSP, I immediately thought of Corpse Party, and I shall be sticking by that until the very end.

(mainly because i want it so badly, and i will probably cry if it isn't corpse party)

[Shizuka]

In the case of a horror game, isn't that the point?

Exactly. Killing me swiftly with his teasting, killing me softly...

[perrandy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YAEWrnOtrY XD

[Dust]

You're not the only one. I'm shivering with antici........pation

[Shizuka]

You're not the only one. I'm shivering with antici........pation

You just won my respect by quoting The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[perrandy]

i still think that xseed has its reason to keep their lips sealed because we all dont want to happen what happened when they had arc rise fantasia,right?so, yeah xseed take your time because good things comes for those who wait! :)

[Shizuka]

Can't they just announce when they're going to announce the game?

[Wyrdwad]

I pretty much did:


Like I said, it's coming soon. You definitely won't have to wait much longer for this announcement.

I don't want to promise an exact day or anything, as any announcement we make is going to have to go through legal approvals and such, so there are bound to be delays... but we're shooting for announcing this within the next week or two.

No guarantees that we'll be ABLE to announce it within the next week or two... but that's the idea.

-Tom

[Shizuka]

Well, there's a solid time frame. Thank you.

[Shizuka]

Well, that'sa solid time frame. Thank you!

[rpgfan]

We never said it's an RPG, though.

Of course, we never said it isn't, either. (:

-Tom

So it could be an RPG? And here I was, rulling the possiblity out.

I hope it is. . .

[Wyrdwad]

Maybe it is. Maybe it isn't. Maybe it's one of those hybrid games -- you know, the kinds that RPG review sites always argue over whether or not to include within their definition of "RPG"?

You'll just have to wait and see! ;)

-Tom

[Wander]

Seems like we're getting closer to the day when "all will be revealed". Can't wait till then! I hope it's something awesome! xD

[Shizuka]

Corpse Party is a "people say it's RPG, people say it isn't".

[Adrian-kun]

Corpse Party is a "people say it's RPG, people say it isn't".

From what I have seen and read, this is an Adventure game. There are no RPG elements in it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de6W2StJ6gs&feature=related

[Wyrdwad]

Well, bear in mind that RPGFan.com considers visual novels and adventure games to fall within the boundaries of the RPG genre. And Corpse Party is based on an indie game that was made in RPGMaker, and essentially plays like an RPG without battles. Your characters have HP, and you go around talking to people and examining objects like you would in any typical RPG -- but death doesn't come from failing in battle, it comes from making the wrong decisions and/or letting your curiosity get the best of you even when your better judgment tells you otherwise. ;)

Of course, Danganronpa is a similar story: while more of a Phoenix Wright-esque adventure game than an RPG, you do still spend most of your time exploring the school, talking to people and searching for items. You have an inventory screen and many of the other trappings of RPGs, too. Heck, you could even say there are boss battles -- they're just word battles, rather than actual sword-wielding or what-not. It would still fall within RPGFan.com's definition of an RPG, though, same as Corpse Party.

Even Tokyo Mono Hara Shi is borderline adventure/RPG -- though it falls a bit heavier on the RPG side of things.

And then there are titles no one's even suggested yet, like Over My Dead Body -- an excellent-looking remake of a classic turn-based RPG with horror elements in its story.

So many possibilities... but which one will it be? Will it be any of the above-mentioned games at all?

...Yeah, this is just getting mean now. Sorry. I'll stop teasing you guys until the announcement. (:

-Tom

[Adrian-kun]

Dear Tom,

You're basically saying that every game out there is an RPG... which isn't wrong since Games do allow you to Play a Role. However, I wouldn't call Clannad or Ever 17 an RPG. Just as I wouldn't call Final Fantasy a visual novel. Game genres aren't set in stone, but most of us prefer to differentiate the titles based on certain key elements.
There are exceptions such as Tsukumonogatari from the now defunct Killaware which mixes adventure elements with RPG, but both elements can stand on their own.

[Wyrdwad]

Oh, I'm not saying every game out there is an RPG -- just that some are borderline, and fall under the definition of "RPG" given by various RPG-centric websites (with RPGFan being the most notable, since they openly rank visual novels and adventure games as RPGs and cover them on their site). So trying to figure out what game we're releasing based on whether or not it's an RPG is kind of fruitless, since not only did we never claim it is (or is not) an RPG, but virtually every possible title it COULD be would be considered an RPG by some definitions.

In other words, I'm totally giving you guys the runaround for my own sadistic pleasure -- but making it a little more palatable by telling you a bit more about some of these possible titles in the process!

Thus, my comment about being a little too mean, and vowing to back off a bit. Sorry. ;)

-Tom

[rpgfan]

So it could be anything? Even a standard RPG?

Hopefully you can announce it by next week.

[Ventara]

Ahhhh, my head is exploding with anticipation! How about another hint?

[Shizuka]

Tom, "it may be an RPG, it may not be an RPG, it maybe be a so-called RPG" is not exactly a hint, that basically covers all genres.

[perrandy]

btw,tom i have been meaning to ask you for some time now. do you play visual novels? if so, which one is your fav??:)