A post on their official Facebook page will disappoint participants in the Operation Rainfall campaign.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/27029
Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower aren't coming to North America. After a short period of silence, Nintendo followed up on their promise to comment on the efforts of fans to convince them to release the trio of Wii titles with a posting on their official Facebook page.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm. We promised an update, so here it is. We never say 'never,' but we can confirm that there are no plans to bring these three games to the Americas at this time. Thanks so much for your passion, and for being such great fans!"
This response comes as a major disappointment to fans who have been attempting to convince Nintendo of America via a campaign of letter writing, emails, Facebook posts, tweets, and even pre-orders that they collectively dubbed "Operation Rainfall." Their efforts garnered significant media coverage, even in Japan. Despite Nintendo's acknowledgement of their efforts, so far they seem to have been unsuccessful. Operation Rainfall will continue with a targeted letter campaign set to span the month of July.
This news came only one day after Nintendo of Europe announced a September 2 release date and a special Classic Controller Pro bundle for game. This also follows last week's news that not only would Europe be getting Xenoblade Chronicles, but the region will also get Mistwalker's The Last Story.
This is the same position they took at E3. "No plans" is a non-commitment. If they were actually considering a release for these games, however unlikely that seems, they would say this same phrase right up to the announcement. See: Presidential candidates.
Sony and Microsoft would habe given north America these games.
Ouch.
Sad to hear this, though I'm not quite as angry about as the some of the above are. I only got my Wii last year so I do have older games out there that I haven't gotten to yet. Still, I like the what I see from Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower and I hoped that there would be a North American release.
Even Nintendo of Australia is outperforming you, and that is saying something!
It's funny, because if these games came out in North America, they'd probably sell like crap. The only way this can be disproved to me is if Xenoblade sets the European sales charts ablaze. The odds of that happening are slim to none. NoA might have handled this somewhat poorly, but let's get real: these games wouldn't sell if they were the only games on Wii right now (which they would've been! badumching!).
It's funny, because if these games came out in North America, they'd probably sell like crap. The only way this can be disproved to me is if Xenoblade sets the European sales charts ablaze. The odds of that happening are slim to none. NoA might have handled this somewhat poorly, but let's get real: these games wouldn't sell if they were the only games on Wii right now (which they would've been! badumching!).
I've never claimed to understand the complexities of who has the right to publish X if it is developed by Y. So, can someone detail why a seperate publisher couldn't speak up and offer to publish some or all of these games?
Seems like smaller publishers would kill for the kind of exposure Operation Rainfall has gotten these games.
Hey all,
Quick question ...
I've never claimed to understand the complexities of who has the right to publish X if it is developed by Y. So, can someone detail why a seperate publisher couldn't speak up and offer to publish some or all of these games?
Seems like smaller publishers would kill for the kind of exposure Operation Rainfall has gotten these games.
Thanks in advance!
Ouch.
Sad to hear this, though I'm not quite as angry about as the some of the above are. I only got my Wii last year so I do have older games out there that I haven't gotten to yet. Still, I like the what I see from Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower and I hoped that there would be a North American release.
The big problem in all this is that it does not bode well for Nintendo of America supporting the Wii U. After a big E3 Press Conference where they hyped that they wanted us all to come back to them, they turn around and refuse to release games that the core audience cares about...despite NoE picking up the tab for all of them, leaving NoA with just manufacturing and advertising costs. How can you take them seriously after this?
The puzzling thing is that even in relatively recent history Nintendo has published games with limited audiences in the past, such as Chibi Robo, Odama, Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn, Baten Kaitos 2
and arguably Dragon Quest VI. Last year, they chose to help with the publishing and marketing of Monster Hunter Tri... So, I wonder what's changed between now and then?
Arguably, they're in a better market position now than when they released the many of those other games
Frankly, a built-in hype machine seems to be forming around these games; is there a legitimate business reason why wouldn't Nintendo take advantage of that?
It's a good opportunity to build good will and reinforce fan loyalty, and honestly, they're throwing it away.
What is bringing new dedicated Nintendo Fans into the fold? Into are Faith if you will.
Can I get 2 Forumers to Comment that they joined and became active in this community because of the Wii versions of those games.What is bringing new dedicated Nintendo Fans into the fold? Into are Faith if you will.Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Kirby, etc.
Because of those games and because of Operation Rainfall are two different things. Some people just dig controversy.Slightly different Beast but I do know 1. Probably the only one though.
OpRainfall has all this support, but I guarantee that if these games ever come out, more than half of the people upset about this won't get the games.
How many people are lifelong Nintendo fans because of Baten Kaitos and Odama?
This certainly does suck. As I said before it will affect how I go about the Wii U. I've calmed down from my initial reaction last night but this was to be expected. Like many companies it's all about the money with Nintendo but I think this does hurt their credibility some when it comes to the Wii U. For the longest time I've looked to my Nintendo consoles as my primary ones. Foolish I know but I happen to like their IPs more so then any other company. Have since the NES. Though no longer. Will I write off Nintendo completely? I don't think so after thinking things over. However they will no longer take a prominent spot in my gaming. They've moved down the list in terms of the console space.That really is a loss for Nintendo, especially having a more Multi-platform friendly system coming. How long till they stop becoming the Icon of gaming?
I'll get the Wii U when there are enough games on it that warrant the purchase. Until then I'll be focusing more on my PS3, 360, 3DS, PC. Do I trust Nintendo? No. Perhaps I shouldn't have as I'm just a number to them in the grand scheme of things. If I boycott it will mean nothing. So I'll still buy Zelda as I like Zelda. Will I mod my system to play these games now? I don't think so. To much trouble to do something I shouldn't have to. I simply don't care any longer. Will I hope the Wii U does well? Nah. What happens to it happens to and it's on Nintendo's head. I no longer feel any "desire" to support them. Maybe I never should have. I'll buy the products that are out and that will be that. I'll no longer hope for anything from them.
That really is a loss for Nintendo, especially having a more Multi-platform friendly system coming. How long till they stop becoming the Icon of gaming?
Calling Family Guy fans.That really is a loss for Nintendo, especially having a more Multi-platform friendly system coming. How long till they stop becoming the Icon of gaming?I know I'm just one person and what I feel or do really doesn't matter in the scheme of things. Nintendo won't hurt or even know. Just wanted to post my feelings on the situation.
...if a smaller publisher wanted to take it, they'd probably have to enter negotiations and work out a deal before they are allowed to publish it elsewhere.
If I remember correctly, Atlus has come forward and said that they would bring one or more of these games over if if Nintendo corporate would let them. Unfortunately, Nintendo probably owns the publishing rights to these titles outside of Japan. For another company to publish them in North America, Nintendo has to sell them the publishing rights, and Nintendo probably doesn't want to do that in case these titles actually end up being some kind of hit. Besides, it would really expose how terrible Nintendo of America's marketing consistently is if Atlus were able to turn The Last Story into a mega-hit in NA when NoA couldn't do that with Metroid Other M and so many other titles this generation.
Quoteand arguably Dragon Quest VI. Last year, they chose to help with the publishing and marketing of Monster Hunter Tri... So, I wonder what's changed between now and then?
Both of those games were very successful in Japan. These titles are not.
Regardless, DQ and Monster Hunter aren't comparable to these three games. It's like comparing a giant blockbuster (in Japan) to a small niche title. Oh wait, it is!But it did take a long time for that series to come Stateside if memory serves even being successful in Japan. Which one was the first one they released before it became pretty consistent that we were getting them?
I say we all have a million man march on NoA head quarters.
I was waiting for that but, I though it be what was bolded.I say we all have a million man march on NoA head quarters.I say there aren't even a million Nintendo fans who'd want to buy these games.
If you didn't buy Excitebots, you're part of the problem.Second it. Then Curse the timing on that manic circling motion.
I don't have any reasoning for that other than Excitebots is amazing. Seriously, go play it right now.
Don't get me started on Another Code R.
If you didn't buy Excitebots, you're part of the problem.
If you didn't buy Excitebots, you're part of the problem.
Actually, a much more likely death-knell for these games was the utter flop of Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
It's understandable that many of you are upset about this news. However, responding to it by refusing to buy anything more from Nintendo is not going to solve the problem. As others have already pointed out, minority boycotts have zero influence on how a company conducts their business, and you're also excluding yourself from the good products that do come out.
If only they could make a deal with Square Enix to market them as:
Final Fantasy Blade
Final Fantasy Story
Final Fantasy Tower
@ broodwars
I'm sorry this was your last straw with Nintendo.
I guess you won't be hanging around here anymore?
I can see it now: Xenoblade clears 200k in the UK because of Americans importing, so a US release gets ordered - then it bombs in NA because everyone bought the import.
Could suck if EU sales are good due to all the importing/modding that will take place without announcements. Then, NoA announces/releases them stateside but everyone who wanted them already has them!!
I don't know what more Nintendo fans could've done. This tells me that Nintendo of America could care less what the fans are clamoring for. Like it's been suggested above, NoA should at least release a limited edition of Xenoblades since Europe already localized it. Does Nintendo really care about its hardcore audience? I think people should definitely buy as much Nintendo merchandise used for a while...
I don't know what more Nintendo fans could've done. This tells me that Nintendo of America could care less what the fans are clamoring for. Like it's been suggested above, NoA should at least release a limited edition of Xenoblades since Europe already localized it. Does Nintendo really care about its hardcore audience? I think people should definitely buy as much Nintendo merchandise used for a while...
Nintendo's "hardcore" audience didn't buy Sin & Punishment 2, Excitebots, Metroid: Other M, etc.
Nintendo's "hardcore" audience didn't buy Sin & Punishment 2, Excitebots, Metroid: Other M, etc.
How many PS3 games has Sony published then refused to release in North America?
Even on the GameCube, Nintendo brought over Baten Kaitos Origins as a swan song for the platform, despite every shred of data showing that the game would not sell well (and indeed it didn't, unfortunately).
Indeed, if NOA really sees the market as two simple groups, casual and hardcore, then they've got serious problems. Heck, Miyamoto even said that they were looking at Sin & Punishment 2 sales to see about a new Star Fox, and despite certain similarities, I don't even think that was wise. And just as bad, if they're making all decisions based on potential individual sales, that's also very short-sighted.
...
I brought up the other niche games because, the way I see it, that's the way NoA sees it. Those games are similar in the fact they're niche and aimed towards the "hardcore" market. S&P2 might be super niche, but that doesn't make these three RPGs any less niche.
Skyward Sword isn't even out in Japan because they're still "fine tuning" the game. Nintendo of America couldn't release it early if they wanted to.
JRPGs used to be kind of popular here back when FFVII burst onto the scene with all of its CG glory but besides Final Fantasy, popularity has died down tremendously.
I will end up buying the WII U but like most people stated, it's not going be my primary system.
Looks like Reggie showed NOE not to f*ck with him.If Reggie had to call Iwata he's not very powerful. That should have been at first an NoA to NoE call or Vice-Versa.
http://translate.google.fr/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http://www.boursier.com/actualites/news/jeux-video-un-depart-chez-nintendo-441097.html (http://translate.google.fr/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=fr&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http://www.boursier.com/actualites/news/jeux-video-un-depart-chez-nintendo-441097.html)
The guy who started this whole mess, Mathieu Minel, by saying NOA didn't show Xenoblade at E3 because they had no plans to release it is now leaving the company. He's been there for 12 years, but it just so happens over a week after he said something that caused North American Nintendo fans to riot against NOA, he end up leaving.
Not hard to see what happened here. Reggie probably called up Iwata and told him someone who works for NOE is causing trouble for him by hurting NOA image. Since someone like Iwata probably doesn't want internal drama like having NOA and NOE publicly fighting each other, he gets rid of the source of said trouble right away.
Nintendo's "hardcore" audience didn't buy Sin & Punishment 2, Excitebots, Metroid: Other M, etc.Is ExciteBots really a hardcore game? I mean, it was packaged with a Wii Wheel which seems to be labeled as the epitome of casual, and unlike Mario Kart Wii, the wheel is the only available control scheme. Maybe that was its problem, people probably passed it off as either casual trash or a Mario Kart clone, neither of which it is of course.
I was half-kidding with the "if you didn't buy Excitebots, you're part of the problem." That's honestly why we're not seeing those games here: Poor sales for previous "similar" games.
I've also never seen an ad for Sin and Punishment.I don't really do either but, I don't watch a lot of TV either though I do Hulu quiet a bit and it has ads. I'm sure a lot of my demographic does as well.
But, between Adblock and DVR, if it's not on a billboard, I'm not likely to see it. :D
I've seen tons of ads for Sin & Punishment 2. It was all over TV around its release.I didn't know about it at launch and when it was flopping ruining are chances to get other games. Same with ExciteBot and I liked ExciteTruck and would have bought it then. I step away a for a bit from being steeped in gaming news and I missed it.
I'm going to curb that debate, though, because we all don't have the same TV-watching habits, and we're also not the market that Nintendo needs to advertise that game to (we know about it already. Others don't.).
Didn't enjoy the new excite series, I miss excitebike N64. Excitebots is just plain strange and it really doesn't have much to do with driving then it has to do with minigames like waggling or some other crap. When was the last time you played a racer when racing wasn't the point but gather points was?I like the Excite Series precisely because its about the tricks and the points. Also technically Mario Kart is about the points because you can Win without winning an actual race.
Well I found that there's software hacks to make the WII region free without any mods so what the release dates for these games anyhow?
Actually, it's almost impossible to win a cup in Mario Kart without winning a race. Just about the only way is if you finish 2nd every race, and anybody who finishes 1st in a race never does better than 3rd in the other races. So I suppose it's possible, but almost guaranteed never to happen because the odds are so low.Never said it was easy.
