Gaming Forums => Nintendo Gaming => Topic started by: Kytim89 on September 30, 2011, 08:22:32 PM
Title: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on September 30, 2011, 08:22:32 PM
Even with the massive campaign to convince Nintendo of America to release Xenoblade, Last Story and Pandora's Tower in the US, it appears as though all of the trouble to do so has been in vain. It seems that NoA is willing to let these game avoid Nintendo's biggest market, but is there still hope, however? Supposedly the Wii U will not launch until perhaps the fall of next year and that leaves the Wii with less than a year's worth of time to release new titles. So, could it be that NoA might release these titles through 2010 and finish it off with the release of Dragon Quest X?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on September 30, 2011, 08:30:09 PM
I think it was a success in how it deservedly put the spotlight on Nintendo of America's epic failure as a company to supply its customers with software to purchase (when it has some readily available). For that matter, it put the spotlight on Nintendo of Japan for allowing NoA to become this way. Sure, it was something we all knew, but Operation Rainfall gave that a message a much wider broadcast that reached even Japan (where it actually matters).
In the end, that's all that could reasonably be expected of a fan operation like Rainfall. It's unreasonable to call them a failure because they couldn't convince a massive corporation to fulfill its duty as a software publisher and platform holder.
And no, I don't think we'll get any of the Operation Rainfall games on the Wii in NA. NoA's given up on the platform, so the best non-importers can hope for is a weak Wii U launch lineup leading to NoA putting the games on the Wii U.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Luigi Dude on September 30, 2011, 08:50:25 PM
Operation Rainfall was NEVER going to make a difference. A few thousand fans on the internet was never going to really convince a multi-billion dollar company like Nintendo to change it's mind. What can and has a good chance of changing their minds is the European sales of Xenoblade, which according the PAL charts have been good so far and completely outsold NOE's first shipment, which is why the game has recently dropped off the sales charts now making NOE scrambling to get a second shipment out that they say will hit later in the fall.
Plus if Xenoblade does get announced for a North American release date, NOA won't announce it until at least November since that's when they normally announce their Q1 lineup. Last year, NOA announced they were releasing Dragon Quest 6 around that time for a Q1 2011 release, which was out of the blue for everyone. Meaning there's still a decent chance they could suddenly announced a Q1 2012 release for Xenoblade sometime this November.
And no, I don't think we'll get any of the Operation Rainfall games on the Wii in NA. NoA's given up on the platform, so the best non-importers can hope for is a weak Wii U launch lineup leading to NoA putting the games on the Wii U.
Rhythm Heaven and Mario Party 9 which are both coming out in 2012 say otherwise.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on September 30, 2011, 08:51:48 PM
And no, I don't think we'll get any of the Operation Rainfall games on the Wii in NA. NoA's given up on the platform, so the best non-importers can hope for is a weak Wii U launch lineup leading to NoA putting the games on the Wii U.
Rhythm Heaven and Mario Party 9 which are both coming out in 2012 say otherwise.
Yeah, two C-list titles, both of which probably won't sell well, are releasing next year. C'mon, we both know that's a pathetic amount of NoA support for the Wii in its last year.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on September 30, 2011, 09:14:16 PM
Seriously. That's like subbing in the bench warmers at the end of the game when the outcome of the game is already decided.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on September 30, 2011, 09:56:23 PM
My advice to people who want these games in America is to not give up. Nintendo is a very bipolar corporation, so if Operation Rainfall were to up the ante through this time and next fall then we could get some where. What gets me is that all of the Wii's games released inside north America have sold better than ones released outside America. One would figure that there is very little risk in releasing just three games when they very well could sell beyong the one-hundred thousand mark. It makes no sense for them not to do this.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Luigi Dude on September 30, 2011, 09:59:07 PM
Yeah, two C-list titles, both of which probably won't sell well, are releasing next year. C'mon, we both know that's a pathetic amount of NoA support for the Wii in its last year.
Mario Party is one of Nintendo's best selling series and it's getting a new game released in 2012, showing they have no problem still releasing Wii games.
Like I've said before, NOA only brings games over that they know will sell good or forced by NCL to do. Mario Party's a hugely successful series and the DS Rhythm Heaven sold decent, which is why the newest games for each one are coming out. Xenoblade has actually been selling well in Europe, and since the North American and European markets are very similar, it show NOA that Xenoblade could do similar.
Seriously, whats so hard for some of you to understand? If NOA feels that Xenoblade will sell in North America, they'll release it. Unlike Disaster and Another Code which bombed in Europe, Xenoblade is selling. Nintendo games 95% of the time have similar success in North America and Europe. Yes there's no guarantee, but to act like there's no chance because other Europe only games didn't is very foolish since all the other Europe only games bombed in Europe which showed NOA they would bomb in America as well. Xenoblade is performing different which means the result this time can also be different as well.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on October 01, 2011, 01:39:31 AM
NOA could still say that NA gamers who really wanted it already imported and use that as further excuse. And honestly, not bringing over the paltry amount of games that they are bringing would be down right insulting and alienate fans. Obscure RPGs? Yeah, some people would get upset. Kirby and Mario Party? That's cause for rioting. That's me giving up on NOA all together and buying a European Wii U and importing for the entirety of the next generation.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 02, 2011, 01:41:37 PM
If I were in NoA's position I would feel embarrassed that my customers had to turn to another continent just to play three games that I could easily give them with just the simple swipe of a pen. Also, here is a nice video review of an import copy of Last Story, so I hope you enjoy.
The people of Europe should get in on the Operation Rainfall and send emial and letters to NoA just to get a point across.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Shorty McNostril on October 02, 2011, 07:45:48 PM
It's not going to make any difference man. They won't listen. We will have to see if tower and last story end up in Europe and Australia.
I don't know if its just me being paranoid, but I'm detecting the arrogance we saw from Nintendo in the SNES days. Will the humble themselves while they still have a chance.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on October 02, 2011, 09:00:51 PM
I'm still hoping for a 2012 release of XenoBlade, I think it has the best chance of making it over since it was originally planned for release here. It wouldn't be the first time that Nintendo released a game in North America years after its Japanese release, especially when the region could use some software.
Also, Mario Party 9 would be my most anticipated game for 2011 if it were being released this year.
That is all.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 02, 2011, 10:34:50 PM
If these games were to be released in north America, this is how I see it happening:
Xenoblade: Spring of 2012 Last Story: Summer of 2012 Pandora's Tower: Fall of 2012
The release for both Pandora's Tower and Last Story could be switched, so I assume either one could be released in the other's time slot.
As for Dragon Quest X, I see the samething happening to that game as what happened with Twilight Princess. The Wii version will get released earlly in november of 2012 and the Wii U version will be released alongside the Wii U itaself sometime in november or december of next year. So, by the end of 2012 we should have anew home console and the success of Operation Rainfall.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 02, 2011, 10:50:40 PM
If these games were to be released in north America, this is how I see it happening:
Xenoblade: Spring of 2012 Last Story: Summer of 2012 Pandora's Tower: Fall of 2012
The release for both Pandora's Tower and Last Story could be switched, so I assume either one could be released in the other's time slot.
As for Dragon Quest X, I see the samething happening to that game as what happened with Twilight Princess. The Wii version will get released earlly in november of 2012 and the Wii U version will be released alongside the Wii U itaself sometime in november or december of next year. So, by the end of 2012 we should have anew home console and the success of Operation Rainfall.
OK, first off of the 3 Rainfall games, Pandora's Tower is by far the least likely to reach NA. I'd be very pleasantly surprised if it did. It wasn't developed by a Nintendo studio like Xenoblade, and it wasn't helmed by the creator of Final Fantasy like Last Story. Aside from being an interesting experiment, there's just nothing going for it that would especially draw NoA's attention right now.
Next, you forget that the Wii version of Twilight Princess launched before the GameCube version did. The Wii version released in November alongside the Wii, and the GameCube version released a month later in December. So if you want your analogy to hold true, DQ X would release on the Wii U in late November, with the Wii version (if it even releases in NA, which I highly doubt) releasing just before Christmas in December.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 02, 2011, 11:40:45 PM
If Pandora's Tower sells well in Europe then there is a very slight possibility that it could be released in the states. However, after watching gameplay videos of Pandora's Tower it seems to me that this game would be a better fit on the 3DS as a handheld game. NoA seems to favor the 3DS now, so hy not put a core tites on the system?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on October 03, 2011, 10:02:43 AM
Still wishing these games would come out in North America, but have no expectation that NoA cares about their core fanbase enough to risk losing money.
Does that mean Operation Rainfall was a failure? Not necessarily. It did raise awareness of these games, and ensured that the core audience who would most enjoy them have the information required to import. The games will receive a wider audience because of Operation Rainfall, and that is great news even if the ultimate goal of seeing them published here is never reached.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 03, 2011, 05:58:49 PM
I wonder if the sales of Sin and Punishment 2 and the lukewarm reception of Other M might have had a hand in NoA refusing to release these games here in the states?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 03, 2011, 06:09:30 PM
I wonder if the sales of Sin and Punishment 2 and the lukewarm reception of Other M might have had a hand in NoA refusing to release these games here in the states?
Probably. NoA is incapable of understanding the distinction between people not buying games because they're mediocre/not worth $50 and not buying them because they aren't interested in those kinds of games.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 03, 2011, 07:41:40 PM
I remember Reggie talking about how Other M made it to 500,000 units sold and how it should have been a million unit seller. Well, this is kind of a sad statement when most of the third party business partners of Nintendo struggle to surpass even the 100,000 unit sold mark of their franchises.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Sundoulos on October 03, 2011, 11:13:04 PM
Sadly, I'll have to agree that a 2012 release for Xenoblade appears unlikely. NoA has had plenty of opportunity to indicate that they might still be leaving the release on the table. By delaying any potential announcement, they've already allowed an already niche market to become smaller through importing. As more time passes, it makes less sense for Nintendo to announce a release.
I tried to hold out for a while, but I fear that NoE's stock would become unavailable if I waited to long. Because I've taken the steps to import Xenoblade and install the software needed to play it, I'm all the more likely to import The Last Story at release. I certainly don't confident that NoA is going to change course at this point, and I don't plan to wait around for them to do so.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Luigi Dude on October 04, 2011, 12:47:25 PM
Sadly, I'll have to agree that a 2012 release for Xenoblade appears unlikely. NoA has had plenty of opportunity to indicate that they might still be leaving the release on the table.
They've already done this. They said they'll be monitoring the games performance in Europe before making any decisions. The game has only been out in Europe for over a month. Even if the games performance in the last month has changed NOA's minds, they wouldn't have announced anything since it's too late to get the game out by the holiday.
If Xenoblade does come out, the earliest it'll come out is Q1 2012, and NOA doesn't announe Q1 release dates until at least November. Like how last year they announced Dragon Quest 6 completely out of the blue for a Q1 2011 release date at either the end of November or early December 2010.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Spak-Spang on October 04, 2011, 07:07:16 PM
I wonder if NOA could use these games as filler for WiiU launch? Could they be upscaled to look nicer? Just a thought.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 04, 2011, 07:31:38 PM
I wonder if NOA could use these games as filler for WiiU launch? Could they be upscaled to look nicer? Just a thought.
Sure, if their respective developers are willing to devote the time and resources to creating HD textures for all 3 games, as well as optimizing their engines to run better with the new textures and any other changes. They could simply release the existing games coded to display at HD resolution, but that really wouldn't make the games look nice enough to be banner titles for a Wii U launch.
Do I think Nintendo of America cares about these games enough to do that when they've never shown much interest in RPGs (with notable exceptions)? No.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 04, 2011, 08:17:46 PM
I plan to but Skyward Sword new this november, but everything else that Nintendo releases from here onto the launch of the Wii U I am buying used.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 04, 2011, 08:21:19 PM
I plan to but Skyward Sword new this november, but everything else that Nintendo releases from here onto the launch of the Wii U I am buying used.
Oh yeah, that'll hurt them. In other words, you're planning on buying nothing as NoA prepares to try to sell you nothing. Perhaps you'd like to hurt them even more by boycotting any future GameCube and N64 titles?
If you want your boycott to have any meaning at least to yourself, don't buy Zelda Skyward Sword new. That's what I'm planning to do, and I fully acknowledge that in the grand scheme of things that means nothing to Nintendo of America. But it means something to me.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 04, 2011, 11:06:42 PM
There is always Flingsmash and Wii Play Motion. Wonder if Nintendo would port these games to the 3DS?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on October 04, 2011, 11:11:10 PM
You're not really making the statement you're intending to make by purchasing Nintendo's biggest game on the console ever brand new. In fact, you're just encouraging them to ignore niche games and only release major titles like Zelda.
And no, Nintendo won't be porting those games.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on October 05, 2011, 12:51:04 AM
It might be a good idea to protest NoA by importing Zelda. If everyone was committed, we might actually make a statement.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Sundoulos on October 05, 2011, 01:06:54 AM
Sadly, I'll have to agree that a 2012 release for Xenoblade appears unlikely. NoA has had plenty of opportunity to indicate that they might still be leaving the release on the table.
They've already done this. They said they'll be monitoring the games performance in Europe before making any decisions. The game has only been out in Europe for over a month. Even if the games performance in the last month has changed NOA's minds, they wouldn't have announced anything since it's too late to get the game out by the holiday.
If Xenoblade does come out, the earliest it'll come out is Q1 2012, and NOA doesn't announe Q1 release dates until at least November. Like how last year they announced Dragon Quest 6 completely out of the blue for a Q1 2011 release date at either the end of November or early December 2010.
I took their statement on the matter to be lip service. I'm not sure what their criteria might be for determining a successful performance. I still think that they're probably aware that the longer they wait to announce their future plans, the more expected returns on the sales of the game will diminish.
Even though I'm importing, I hope that you're right; I'd be very happy to be wrong about the prospect of the release of Xenoblade and the Last Story. I like JRPGs, and I wish there had been more of them. By all accounts, both are good games and probably deserve a shot over in NA.
Either way, since the cost of importing from the UK is relatively low, I'm not really willing to wait around on the chance that NoA might change their minds.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 05, 2011, 01:59:26 AM
If NoA announces its release schedule for Q1 of 2012 and Xenoblade is on the list thne I will have hope for the other titles. However, if by the start of Q2 of 2012 nothing is announced for America then I will take the steps to begin importing these games from Europe.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on October 05, 2011, 01:33:28 PM
I'm not waiting on NoA. There is no assurance that Xenoblade will be easy to find or import by that point in time.
With Pikmin 2 NPC I was patient, hoping that there were just holding it back to fill any lull in the release schedule. We've just endured nearly a full year of lull while NoA had that game (and others) ready to published... but it's simply not going to happen. I'm not making the same mistake with these games because it's clear that NoA considers the Wii dead weight now - especially for core gaming experiences.
Importing software is legal and not much more expensive than buying new anyway. Modding your Wii to play imported games is easy and appears to be legal if you are playing actual games. What benefit is there in waiting for a minor miracle from NoA?
(edited for grammar/clarification)
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on October 05, 2011, 06:08:10 PM
This probably won't help matters, but add PokéPark 2 to the list of 2012 Wii releases.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: FZeroBoyo on October 20, 2011, 11:25:16 PM
Apparently, Reggie himself will be posting on Nintendo of America's Facebook and Twitter pages tomorrow.
People are speculating what this could mean, and naturally, some are saying an announcement of our missing Wii games is imminent. I'm certainly hoping for the best. :D
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Retro Deckades on October 21, 2011, 02:48:51 AM
Having just broke down and ordered an import copy of Xenoblade, I'm kinda hoping that tomorrow's post has nothing to do with the Operation Rainfall games. I'm guessing it'll have something to do with the other conference being held tomorrow.
I still believe that there is a chance that NA might see the release of Xenoblade (and possibly The Last Story -- I don't really believe that there is any hope for Pandora's Tower) it would make sense for Nintendo to withhold their announcement until after Christmas. They likely wouldn't want anything to interfere with their big release, Skyward Sword.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on October 21, 2011, 09:03:28 PM
Apparently, Reggie himself will be posting on Nintendo of America's Facebook and Twitter pages tomorrow.
People are speculating what this could mean, and naturally, some are saying an announcement of our missing Wii games is imminent. I'm certainly hoping for the best. :D
Rainfall or resignation. Either way, I'm happy.
That came out meaner than intended. I don't hate Reggie, just think that it's a good time for him and NoA to part ways. After the success Nintendo has seen recently, things aren't going to look any better and (personally) it wouldn't be a loss to see someone more in-tune with core gaming values if Nintendo wants to salvage what little appeal they have to core gamers for 3DS and Wii U.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on October 22, 2011, 07:58:06 AM
Besides laying the smackdown on a few niche titles, Reggie has done a fine job. He's pretty in touch with what core games will sell. Even though The Last Story, Pandora's Tower, and Xenoblade (we can even include Mother 3 too) are all likely better games than Other M, it's obvious that Other M is a safe bet and the others are not. That's why we got Other M. It underperformed and likely still would have outsold those 3 games. That doesn't exactly inspire a lot of confidence in a bunch of niche games.
Reggie would actually look worse if he approved bringing those titles over and they sold poorly. I honestly think that the reason some people are upset is because they can't have those games (without importing), not because they were going to rush to stores on day 1 and buy them. The only game I would have bought Day 1 is The Last Story, maybe Xenoblade. From a purely business perspective, Reggie made the right call. I'm confident Reggie is aware of the Rainfall titles' core appeal but if a game like Other M with a strong brand name behind it failed to meet expectations, what hope did those other games have? Reggie has previously made attempts to get core titles on the Wii. He's pretty much single handedly responsible for getting Manhunt 2 on the Wii. The game sucked and sold poorly but he tried. He's "in tune with core gaming values" bit he's also smart enough to know what sells and sells well.
It would totally suck if Reggie left the company. He's the best president NOA has ever had. Just because he refused to bring some niche games over doesn't mean he's doing his job poorly. It sucks that we're not getting these games and NOA could stand to take more chances but Reggie wouldn't be easy to replace and Nintendo would likely be worse without him.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on October 22, 2011, 08:32:03 AM
NOA needs Howard Lincoln back. This Reggie guy just isn't cutting it.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Ceric on October 22, 2011, 11:53:18 AM
You can make a good Argument that NoA didn't take enough risks with the amount they made from the Wii.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 22, 2011, 12:45:22 PM
You can make a good Argument that NoA didn't take enough risks with the amount they made from the Wii.
As well as the fact that the Operation Rainfall games would have cost relatively little to bring over just as they were localized in Europe, so at very little cost for replication and marketing even 50,000-100,000 copies would turn a profit. Sure, some gamers might snicker at the British Voice Acting and the pretentious British spelling of words like "color" and "armor", but that would last all of 5 minutes. Then they'll remember that the voice acting is better than anything Nintendo of America has ever dubbed, and that no one really cares about how you spell certain words when you're immersed in a story.
But no, instead Nintendo of America would rather people didn't play anything on their Wii all year, and so gradually the Wii brand has been greatly harmed. I'm starting to think Reggie wants the story of the Wii to be that it was "the console that no one ever played because it never got any games."
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 22, 2011, 01:22:11 PM
I really want these games, but at the same time I should not have to go to the trouble of importing these games and then modifying MY Wii just to play them. Nintendo is a business, so even if ten people were willing to pay for these titles then Nintendo should give them whatthey want. I do want Reggie to replaced because a truelly hardcore businessman would realize that there are still a plenty of core games for your console and enough to make a andequate purchase of just THREE of your games. What gives?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Luigi Dude on October 22, 2011, 08:56:02 PM
Because of Xenoblade doing better than NOE expected in Europe, I still think we could get a Dragon Quest VI type announcement by the end of the year. With DQVI, NOA announced a February 14th, 2011 release date on December 20th of 2010, less then two months before it's release.
Now yes Dragon Quest is kind of different since Iwata has ordered NOA and NOE to publish them in order to help keep it exclusive to Nintendo in Japan, but it still shows that NOA has announced games out of the blue right before release. So for all we know they could actually announce it sometime this holiday for a early 2012 release. Yeah there's no guarantee, but unlike Disaster and Another Code which were complete failures in Europe which sealed their fate in America, Xenoblade has actually been selling in Europe. So I wouldn't write it off just yet.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on October 23, 2011, 11:19:42 AM
If Xenoblade was officially announced, I would buy it day 1. It was a "maybe" day 1 purchase if Nintendo of America just released it earlier this year without all of the fuss, but I like supporting niche titles. I bought Madworld and Muramasa: The Demon Blade. They're both good games though I've finished neither. I'm backlogged like whoa.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 23, 2011, 11:59:51 AM
I keep falling back on the assumption that Nintendo investors will force their hand and have them release these games in north America. However, one would think that the investors would not want Nintendo to take a chance on losing money, but keep in mind that Nintendo has almost nothing good to release on the market for their current home console for nearly a year. Keep in mind that investors are vacating Nintendo at break neck speed and the remaining ones are not going to let Nintendo sit by and hold out three or more quality titles from their primary market and hemorrhage money. I equate this to paying someone not to work. Would Amy of you lose money on someone who refused to return that money to you? Keep in mind that most Wii niche and core titles that were released in north America sold better than their European and Asian counter parts, so I do see these games coming here eventually either because realizes its the right thing to do or because investors will force their hand.
Look at the losses that Nintendo is incurring due to their market schemes:
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ThePerm on October 23, 2011, 02:06:23 PM
hey maybe Xenoblade will be a Wii U launch title? Ever thought of that? If they can they can beef up the graphics. It came out June last year so that gives them till December next year to beef up the graphics. From a launch standpoint that would be a great idea, and also games at launch become more established franchises.
I mean from my perspective, it looks like a ps2 game, and in some regards maybe better, and in some regards worse. I was watching Final fantasy X videos for comparison and yeah, this game would never have an impact in North America at its present state. The best option would be to upgrade it graphically and release it at launch. Not even sure if Nintendo will do that, but that idea sounds smart to me. It could also set a pretty strong precedent in the future, because after Wii U the graphical leap between systems can't be that huge. Wii after all is a glorified Gamecube. It adds up pretty well. Theres underground word of mouth, theres a beefy game with hours of gameplay, theres launch status, they can always re-release it in japan with better graphics and it might still sell pretty well.
Any other games Nintendo hasn't releases state side?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 23, 2011, 02:21:12 PM
hey maybe Xenoblade will be a Wii U launch title? Ever thought of that? If they can they can beef up the graphics. It came out June last year so that gives them till December next year to beef up the graphics. From a launch standpoint that would be a great idea, and also games at launch become more established franchises.
That's not going to happen because Nintendo doesn't want anything competing with their precious Dragon Quest X. Could it be a Wii U title at some point? Sure, but it wouldn't be released anywhere near DQ X's launch.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ThePerm on October 23, 2011, 02:43:41 PM
thats true, but do you think Square Enix would be pissed if Nintendo re-released a game it didn't release? Or do you think Square-Enix would encourage the move because that sets up Wii U as the new Super Nintendo? Square Enix always had to deal with competing RPGs on Psx-ps3 so.... Thinking about the Wii U and its stance in the VG world, this really sets up Nintendo and Square to get in bed together like they were in the Super Nintendo days. Because the last thing you want to do is release a popular game on a system with no RPG fanbase, or at least release a game and have the rpg fanbase split. If you had another strong rpg game on the system then it makes a clear message that this system is the one RPG players should buy. Otherwise they would just wait till ps4 comes out, and continue buying ps3 games because they assume playstation is where its at.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 23, 2011, 02:47:00 PM
thats true, but do you think Square Enix would be pissed if Nintendo re-released a game it didn't release? Or do you think Square-Enix would encourage the move because that sets up Wii U as the new Super Nintendo? Square Enix always had to deal with competing RPGs on Psx-ps3 so.... Thinking about the Wii U and its stance in the VG world, this really sets up Nintendo and Square to get in bed together like they were in the Super Nintendo days.
Square-Enix has been in pretty bad shape of late, especially after the miserable failure of Final Fantasy 14. I think they'll be more pissed if their last ditch effort to get a perpetual money-maker has to compete with one of Nintendo's own RPGs at launch (and Nintendo games tend to outsell everything else on Nintendo consoles), especially since Dragon Quest is not a big franchise in the West (as well it should be, IMO). They'd want Nintendo to release Xenoblade (and Last Story and Pandora's Tower) either before or after DQ X to establish the Wii U as a home for RPGs.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ThePerm on October 23, 2011, 03:11:58 PM
hmm, in bad shape still? They were in bad shape 5 years ago if i remember correctly. Which seems odd because they could survive on FF11 subscription support alone. The subscription rate was 2 million in 2009, i can't imagine that being sustainable, although mmos tend to have legs. I couldnt tell you at what rate there would be abandonment vs adoption. But thats 13 dollars times 2 million just in 2009. Also, Square-Enix is testing out next gen engines, but wouldnt say which platform, so its either going to be ps4 or xbox3 or Wii U. They can however release their game on Wii U first, unless Sony or Microsoft decide to launch against Wii U. I think I'd be overly-optimistic to assume it was Wii U though. However, it is possible Square Enix wouldn't say what platform it was just to appease Sony before it kicks them in the nuts. They would too, afterall FF7 target platform was originally n64.
Also, an adjustment to the idea that Nintendo titles do better than all other games they compete with. These are the established franchises. Xenoblades is in no way established, even people who know about it wouldn't buy it in its current state. Also, I don't think this is true of launches either. It has worked well for Ubisoft. Poorly rated game like Red Steel sell well at launch, and this is mainly because gamers at launch will buy almost anything. You are pretty much guaranteed to be a million seller at launch if you can be one of the first 20 titles. Also, some other math, if you sell more than 600,000 copies then you've broken even if your budget was 30 million.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on October 23, 2011, 03:21:12 PM
I keep falling back on the assumption that Nintendo investors will force their hand and have them release these games in north America.
You mean the same investors who want Nintendo to develop for iOS. They're proven that they clearly have no idea what's best for Nintendo.
This is nothing new. We've had end of cycle droughts in the previous 2 console generations. Nintendo withholding games isn't even new either. The company sat on Sin and Punishment back in 2000 despite the voice acting already being in English. It happens and we all move on, some sooner than others. I understand some people are really upset but those who claim to plan to boycott future releases (to buy used if anything at all) are in the minority. The people who actually follow through with that plan are in the minority of that minority. The rest are thinking, "Well, this fucking sucks... but... I'm still going to buy Mario and Zelda. I bought 3DS (or plan to) and I'm going to buy Wii U."
You know what happened when Nintendo of America didn't bring over Mother 3? Nothing. People were upset but they kept buying Nintendo products and moved on. I wanted to play Mother 3 more than Xenoblade and The Last Story combined. I still do but I haven't stopped buying Nintendo things. Not releasing these niche Wii games changes nothing as well. I'm not trying to sound like a dick about it but it's true. No one is willing to send Nintendo of America a real message by boycotting Skyward Sword. I'm certainly not. That's the Wii game I really want this year and Nintendo knows it. Not because I'm starved for Wii games because I'm not. In addition to Madworld and Muramasa, I still haven't finished Super Mario Galaxy 2, Okami, and a Boy and His Blob. I want Skyward Sword because it's a Zelda game.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ThePerm on October 23, 2011, 06:04:18 PM
yeah its hard to vote with your pocketbook when the message isnt clear. IF you boycotted skyward sword they would just think Zelda is no longer popular and stop making Zelda titles and make more mario titles. The only way you can get them to try new franchises is to buy more new ones, not the other way around.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on October 23, 2011, 07:54:04 PM
People have been using boycotts as a form of protest for over a hundred years. No organized boycott would work without clearly stated terms. The problem here isn't stating the terms (refusing to buy Skyward Sword until NOA commits to releasing the Rainfall titles); it's that not enough Nintendo fans believe in the cause. There just aren't enough people who feel slighted by this. It sucks but these games are small potatoes and most people are okay with these games not coming over. Sad but true. It's not like Nintendo of America is withholding Skyward Sword, the game Wii owners really care about.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on October 23, 2011, 09:45:19 PM
Besides laying the smackdown on a few niche titles, Reggie has done a fine job. ...
From a purely business perspective, Reggie has done fine work over the course of Wii's lifetime by consistently backing safe bets. I'm less interested in the business side of things than in the games I do (and don't) have available to play though.
That said, my comment isn't just based on a couple of games that could've been brought over - it's because I don't believe that he understands what core gamers want at all. If Nintendo actually wants to walk the walk with Wii U instead of just talking about offering a core gaming experience, then I'm not sure he's the man for the job. If Nintendo wants to stay on the same path (which has been profitable so far), then maybe I'm wrong.
Just not sure how much longer I'm interested on running that same path for a second generation unless I know that some of the things I'm currently missing out on will be made available. I've really enjoyed the Wii and believe it's been an excellent choice for my gaming tastes - but it has some gaping holes in genres that I enjoy and offered me nothing worth buying in the past 10 months. If Reggie doesn't take the blame, who should?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 23, 2011, 10:13:20 PM
@ Ejamer
I agree with you that it seems that Reggie does not understand what Nintendo fans want. Honestly, the guy is getting a little long in the tooth in terms of his tenure at NoA, so what would be best for Nintendo is to replace with someone that more youthful and appeals to the core gaming demographics more easily. This person should be business savvy, of course, but at the same time understands that there are fans on your system, you just have to draw them out with quality games. Someone like Cliffy B comes to mind becuase he is young and at the same time knows how to appease the twenty and thirty something crowds that the Wii U needs despratly to survive.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on October 23, 2011, 10:30:02 PM
I remember people cheering when Reggie first took the stage at E3, 2004, and now everyone wants his head. Funny how things change...
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on October 23, 2011, 10:36:34 PM
I agree with you that it seems that Reggie does not understand what Nintendo fans want. Honestly, the guy is getting a little long in the tooth in terms of his tenure at NoA, so what would be best for Nintendo is to replace with someone that more youthful and appeals to the core gaming demographics more easily. This person should be business savvy, of course, but at the same time understands that there are fans on your system, you just have to draw them out with quality games. Someone like Cliffy B comes to mind becuase he is young and at the same time knows how to appease the twenty and thirty something crowds that the Wii U needs despratly to survive.
Not sure we agree entirely: Reggie does know what many Nintendo fans want. We just aren't the average Nintendo fans that he's catering to. That leaves us trying to decide if we are better off looking elsewhere for next generation gaming needs - and so far Nintendo of America isn't winning my dollars with the way that Wii and 3DS have been handled recently.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 23, 2011, 10:56:39 PM
Nintendo is a unique company in that their IPs are both a hybrid of casual and harcore. Most of their franchises can appeal to both and what happens is that Nintendo does not understand how to cater to two seperat market schemes, or does not care to do it. Right the casual style gamers is the most appealing to Nintendo because its competitors have gobbled up all the core gamers. How Nintendo intends to revitalize its own core games is beyond me, but releasing more games such as Pandora's Tower, Last Story and Xenoblade would be a start. Hell, it might even get the ball wrolling for more fans of Nintendo's core style of gaming to return to their system once more. I mean it would certainly do it for me.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on October 23, 2011, 11:00:58 PM
/facepalm
Really? The guy doesn't release a bunch of niche games and he's suddenly unqualified for a job that no one did especially well until he was hired? He suddenly doesn't understand what fans want? What the? Here's a guy who DID bring over some niche titles and then they failed to meet expectations because people, including myself, didn't buy them. To name a few: Trace Memory, Hotel Dusk, and Elite Beat Agents. I bought 2 of those used which doesn't make NOA a cent. I count myself among the guilty but I'm not among those calling for Reggie's head or complaining why the Rainfall games aren't coming to North America. I know why. We didn't support niche games when we had the chance. If we had, we probably would have gotten the Rainfall games and the follow-ups to the previously stated DS titles: Last Window and Ouendan on DS and Another Code R on Wii. Please explain to me why Reggie/Nintendo of America should keep bringing over games that most of us aren't buying. There's no business sense in that. We are telling Nintendo what we don't want with the money we aren't spending on niche titles.
To say that Reggie doesn't know what core gamers want is absolutely ridiculous, especially when citing the Rainfall games as one of the reasons. Seriously? He somehow convinced Rockstar to support Wii and DS which is nothing short of pulling a live rabbit out of a sandwich bag. Sure, Manhunt 2 sucked, but from what I understand, Chinatown Wars was pretty good. No one bought it then everyone bitched when Rockstar ported the game to PSP. That doesn't make any sense and that's pretty much how I see this whole Operation Rainfall never-ending facepalm of a situation. People relinquish the right to complain when they don't get what they want when they did nothing when they did get what they want. Reggie brought over a bunch of niche games. No one bought them. Reggie convinced a 3rd party known for core games to support Nintendo hardware. No one bought those games either. Yet, when the games stop coming, no one stops bitching about it. That's so unfair. That's like asking for a beautiful gift, getting it, and throwing it in the garbage THEN having the audacity to ask for more.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 24, 2011, 12:07:22 AM
What Nintendo should do is release these games in north America but in a limited quantity based on demand. Most of the cost of localization is already done, so all they have to do accomodate logisitics and they are done.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 24, 2011, 12:54:06 AM
It would be a good PR move without significant financial risk if Nintendo were to sell the game directly from their web site, allowing people to get the game without the hassles of importing, with Nintendo printing only as many copies as they sell. Just use the existing European localization, publicize the hell out of it through the gaming press, and make a bit of profit while also showing people that Nintendo listens to their fans.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on October 24, 2011, 02:04:16 AM
I remember people cheering when Reggie first took the stage at E3, 2004, and now everyone wants his head. Funny how things change...
Reggie was a flash in the pan. He liked to talk about kicking ass and taking names, but did any of that ever actually happen? NOA needs someone who not only talks about kicking ass, but actually goes out and does it.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Ymeegod on October 24, 2011, 02:27:34 AM
What kills me isn't the fact that NoA didn't want to translate the game but the fact their system is in a game DROUGHT and they have nothing lineup? 45 million+ WII in NA (more than the other two markets combined) yet it's the US that's getting the shaft? As for sales, when it comes to RPGs the US market can surprise you (anyone recall ToS on the GC sales?
I can see not getting a couple of these games that suck (Fragile comes to mind) but blocking Xenoblade and Last Story, two titles that scored 9's in Japan. :(
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Ymeegod on October 24, 2011, 02:42:43 AM
Here's a fun little fact--it terms of software sold the US is actually leading in the RPG: http://www.vgchartz.com/worldtotals.php?name=&publisher=&console=Wii&genre=RPG&minSales=0&results=50&sort=Total
You have to manual add Paper Mario sales (not sure why it's not counted as an RPG).
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 24, 2011, 03:08:29 AM
Really? The guy doesn't release a bunch of niche games and he's suddenly unqualified for a job that no one did especially well until he was hired?
For me, it's more that he didn't release a bunch of niche games when he had **** all coming out for the Wii otherwise. And despite their niche status, as I've stated before they could still have turned a profit for Nintendo of America because the vast majority of the localization costs were already paid by Nintendo of Europe. Instead, Reggie spent the last year focusing almost exclusively on the 3DS (which, considering its failure for most of the year, doesn't inspire confidence in him).
That is why I have a great deal of respect for what Nintendo of Europe is doing: while Nintendo of America abandoned its fans and left the Wii brand for dead until Zelda's release, Nintendo of Europe has been taking risks and giving Wii owners something worthwhile to play during this long software drought. And when you consider how much of a monetary risk NoE is taking localizing these games, it's pathetic that Reggie can't be bothered (so far) to piggyback on their hard work and give North American Wii owners the benefits of NoE's labors.
And I'm not going to apologize for not buying crap like Manhunt 2, a game that I was never interested in and turned out to be horrible. It didn't deserve to be bought. Sin & Punishment 2 was a good game as well, but I never got the impression that Nintendo of America really knew what to do with the game in marketing. I did buy that game, though.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Dasmos on October 24, 2011, 05:25:44 AM
Haha god you people are idiots. Reggie isn't going anywhere. Look at where Nintendo was in 2004 to where they are now.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Urkel on October 24, 2011, 06:01:49 AM
... To say that Reggie doesn't know what core gamers want is absolutely ridiculous, ...
Really? So which is more core: Animal Crossing or GTA? Wii Fit or Smash Bros Brawl? New Super Mario Bros or Xenoblade? Reggie views them all the same: as numbers. He's a businessman who makes business decisions. Unfortunately I'm not an investor, so choosing to define "core games" as those that sell best doesn't work for me.
And if you really want to talk about core games that Reggie "released" that didn't sell, then be sure to mention that every other region managed to bring out more core gaming experiences. Maybe it wouldn't matter so much if there had been games release over the past 10 months... but Wii gaming has been dry as a bone.
If Nintendo is serious about providing more support for core gaming on Wii U then things need to change. Getting the face of North America to post Twitter comments about Dreamworks cartoon characters dancing to Thriller, 3D videos of Reggie's family, Hulu+, and Pushmo/Freakyforms aren't going to cut it.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 24, 2011, 09:13:27 AM
Reggie certainly knows what we want. Just because he doesn't always give it to us doesn't mean he doesn't know what it is. He makes decisions based on what he thinks will sell, not based on what a very vocal minority says they want.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on October 24, 2011, 11:43:27 AM
Although these games may be "niche", what exactly would they be competing against? Nothing. So niche or not, if there isn't anything else then they would win by default. If they were going up against 5 marios, 2 zeldas, and a partridge in a pear tree then yeah, they would probably get no notice whatsoever, but there's nothing else so it would be a bit harder for them to be ignored.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: marty on October 24, 2011, 11:54:19 AM
I'd also like to point out that the GTA series didn't take off with GTA, it took two sequels and an expantion (maybe more) to take off as a franchise. Call of Duty didn't explode until Modern Warfare (which was like the 7th or 8th CoD title). The best thing companies can do to ensure they have a hit series is release as many quality titles as they can--Nintendo is refusing to do this. There is ZERO chance for success by keeping a game out of market. Nintendo is becoming more and more anti-gamer and it is and will continue to hurt them until they change their attitude.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on October 24, 2011, 12:20:14 PM
1. Releasing 3 niche titles that don't appeal to most gamers, let alone most Wii owners doesn't make the lack of games suddenly not a drought. They're a couple drops of water that don't satisfy the masses. Chances are people would still be complaining had these games been released because 3 games weren't 5 games or 10 or, more importantly, games they even wanted to play. This drought isn't even really Reggie's fault. NCL is ultimately in charge of all games in development and they clearly had very little planned for the Wii this year and next.
2. Localizing these games requires the most work in the process but shipping them out and marketing the games are the expensive parts. That's what NOA doesn't find worthwhile.
3. I don't see how Reggie could have done more with 3DS. He did the best he could with what Kyoto gave him. Again, misplaced blame.
4. +1 for insanolord. Reggie absolutely knows what gamers want. The sad truth is that most people don't care about these games, especially at this point in the console cycle. I'm disappointed that these games haven't been released but I'm hardly surprised that they haven't.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on October 24, 2011, 04:03:10 PM
Call of Duty didn't explode until Modern Warfare (which was like the 7th or 8th CoD title).
That was COD 4. Modern Warfare 3 will be COD 8. I miss the days when COD was set in WW2. Its been trapped in modern warfare hell for like 5 years now and its getting beyond old.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on October 24, 2011, 04:09:46 PM
That was COD 4. Modern Warfare 3 will be COD 8. I miss the days when COD was set in WW2. Its been trapped in modern warfare hell for like 5 years now and its getting beyond old.
No less old than World War 2 was as a setting before Modern Warfare released. And I don't know how you can say that it's been "trapped in modern warfare hell for 5 years" when only 3 Call of Duties (counting this year) in the last 5 years have been set in modern times. World At War was set during World War 2, and Black Ops took place at various times before and after the Vietnam War.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on October 24, 2011, 05:00:15 PM
That was COD 4. Modern Warfare 3 will be COD 8. I miss the days when COD was set in WW2. Its been trapped in modern warfare hell for like 5 years now and its getting beyond old.
No less old than World War 2 was as a setting before Modern Warfare released. And I don't know how you can say that it's been "trapped in modern warfare hell for 5 years" when only 3 Call of Duties (counting this year) in the last 5 years have been set in modern times. World At War was set during World War 2, and Black Ops took place at various times before and after the Vietnam War.
World at War was the last, but that came out in 2008 which okay was 3 years ago. But since 2005 or whenever COD 3 came out that's been the only COD game set in WW2, and WAW is very dated now. The COD series have moved forward in many ways with killstreaks and perks and so on which make it seem dated now. I want to see a return to the WW2 era using the advances and improvements that have been made to the series since then.
Black Ops is set in the late 1960s so it falls about halfway inbetween WW2 and Modern Warfare, but that's only in terms of the singleplayer campaign. The Multiplayer experience of Black Ops is probably more similar to Modern warfare than it is to WaW.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 24, 2011, 05:02:07 PM
Didn't BlOps Wii sell farely well? If so, then if a game like that can sell with its bigger HD brothers on other consoles then surely Nintendo's own major production valued games can sell too.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on October 24, 2011, 05:41:15 PM
Didn't BlOps Wii sell farely well? If so, then if a game like that can sell with its bigger HD brothers on other consoles then surely Nintendo's own major production valued games can sell too.
Apples and oranges. Also, as much as some people don't want to admit it, there's a lot more of a market in the West right now for first person shooters than there is for JRPGs. COD will sell to a much wider crop of people than Xenoblade would.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: marty on October 24, 2011, 06:17:45 PM
Call of Duty didn't explode until Modern Warfare (which was like the 7th or 8th CoD title).
That was COD 4. Modern Warfare 3 will be COD 8.
COD4 isn't the 4th COD game was what I was saying... finest hour, big red 1, plus 1,2,3, united offensive (i think was an expansion or a spin-off, maybe) and I think a psp title all came before MW... and now there are psp and DS games that aren't ports--but it took 7 or so games to come out before the series exploded. Nintendo is giving itself ZERO chance at future sales and possible future blockbuster success by shelving games that are 99.9% paid for.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on October 24, 2011, 10:07:07 PM
There's a difference between Nth game in a franchise and Franchise Game N.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 28, 2011, 10:12:24 PM
My sentiments exactly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBu7ImHCtRU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBu7ImHCtRU)
Your first link starts losing me when he starts dropping F-bombs like he just discovered the term.
I was amused in that second link to see that video footage of Reggie outright lying on G4 saying that there were Wii games they hadn't announced yet that they were going to release between Wii Play Motion and Zelda. Man, someone should play that footage every time Reggie makes one of his B.S. promises.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ThePerm on October 29, 2011, 06:12:50 AM
One could argue maybe Reggie is focusing his attention on bringing stuff to Wii U in the shadows at the moment.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on October 29, 2011, 11:18:12 AM
One could argue maybe Reggie is focusing his attention on bringing stuff to Wii U in the shadows at the moment.
maybe Reggie should encourage NST to earn it's keep and start translating some titles for U.S. release.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on October 29, 2011, 03:18:17 PM
Quote
Wii Would Like To Play...
But NOA won't localize the games.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on October 29, 2011, 03:28:04 PM
The reason why I want these games released in America is because I see the Wii U having the potential to be the SNES of today in terms of RPGs and I always figured that these Operation Rainfall titles would help usher in the new reign of Nintendo console RPGs.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on October 29, 2011, 07:57:55 PM
I think it's time we stopped acting like Reggie is bad at his job, has full control over the release lineup and doesn't have a legit reason for not putting out these games. Mostly because they're not coming out.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on October 29, 2011, 09:01:45 PM
But he is "Kicking Ass and taking names".... yet no asses are being kicked and all names are still with their rightful owners.
So tables need to be upended on this side of the sea. The new guy better start setting some fires over there too.
We need more Corporate Hype.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on October 30, 2011, 12:12:22 AM
True. NoA isn't the only one who's apparently given up on the Wii.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Urkel on October 30, 2011, 03:44:51 AM
YES! Let's get Reggie fired. Clearly Iwata is unaware of the situation and must be informed of how Reggie is mistreating us.
I already drafted up a letter.
"Iwata-san! Iwata-san! There is a big BAKA GAIJIN named Reggie who is being mean and is refusing to release three RPGs in North America for NO REASON. He is making Sakaguchi-sama CRY! I am sure this is the first you are hearing of it. I humbly request you FIRE him for his DISHONORABLE behavior, and that you appoint Shigesato Itoi-sensei as the new president of NOA. Then he could make a Mother 3 HD Remake for Wii U without fear of it being rejected in America."
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ThePerm on October 30, 2011, 05:14:11 AM
NST isn't going to do better until they stop operating on a shoestring budget, if anything Nintendo should recruit people who have worked on AA games to NST, that a better idea. The other thing though, is NST is doomed to get games canceled. Project Hammer anyone? Unless that's some sort of glorious launch title for Wii U....
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: noname2200 on November 02, 2011, 01:46:52 AM
But he is "Kicking Ass and taking names".... yet no asses are being kicked and all names are still with their rightful owners.
Wha'chu talkin' about? Reggie's kicked the ass of every North American who wants to play certain Nintendo-owned titles without having to import them. And with the online petition(s), he now has many of their names too!
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ThePerm on November 02, 2011, 02:56:54 AM
wrong thread
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on November 02, 2011, 03:02:53 AM
[post removed since Perm's removed his, and I was replying to it]
Title: Alt Covers for TLS & PT - Vote Now
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 12, 2011, 12:11:13 PM
Vote for Alternative Covers for The Last Story and Tower of Pandora
I'm personally fond of #4 on The Last Story and #1 on Pandora's Tower.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 15, 2011, 10:10:40 PM
I think that Nintendo of America might have not released any of the Operation Rainfall titles in north America because they did not want them to interfere with Skyward Sword and have reserved them for 2012 to coincide with the launch of the Wii U.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 15, 2011, 10:13:34 PM
There is absolutely no way these games would have any effect on Zelda. If enough people cared about them to affect Zelda, Nintendo would have released them earlier.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 15, 2011, 10:37:06 PM
There is absolutely no way these games would have any effect on Zelda. If enough people cared about them to affect Zelda, Nintendo would have released them earlier.
I meant that they may not have wanted anything getting in the way of Zelda in their primary market.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 15, 2011, 10:44:18 PM
I understood what you meant, which is why I responded to it the way I did. There is no way in which these three games could have interfered in any way with Zelda.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on November 15, 2011, 10:48:13 PM
I understood what you meant, which is why I responded to it the way I did. There is no way in which these three games could have interfered in any way with Zelda.
Indeed, especially since 2 of the 3 games wouldn't have even been ready by Zelda's release (only Xenoblade would have). While the Xenoblade and Zelda audiences are compatible, Xenoblade would never make Zelda sell poorly. It would be the other way around, actually.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 15, 2011, 11:04:02 PM
Broodwars may be onto something here. If they have any intention of releasing the games here they may be waiting until they won't be overshadowed by Zelda, and as far as we know there's nothing else coming out for the Wii in the next year. I still don't think they're going to, but that makes infinitely more sense than protecting Zelda.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on November 15, 2011, 11:16:07 PM
Broodwars may be onto something here. If they have any intention of releasing the games here they may be waiting until they won't be overshadowed by Zelda, and as far as we know there's nothing else coming out for the Wii in the next year. I still don't think they're going to, but that makes infinitely more sense than protecting Zelda.
The problem with that theory, though, is that Xenoblade was ready for release in Europe months ahead of Zelda. Zelda really shouldn't have been a factor here. I suppose Nintendo could think in their warped little universe that Nintendo owners would be too busy buying 3DS titles they never did, but I doubt it.
As I've said before, if Nintendo of America were going to release Xenoblade in NA, I think they'd have told us by now. Zelda's practically out on store shelves now, and after Nintendo's abysmal financial report they should be desperate to announce anything Wii owners can buy after Zelda before the Wii U arrives. A game that's already finished and ready to be put out on store shelves within months would theoretically be perfect for the situation. I think the game they're debating on right now since NoE hasn't announced a release date yet is The Last Story. They could be shooting for a simultaneous release with NoE this time, which could be why NoE hasn't dated a game yet that must be relatively close to release by now.
As for Pandora's Tower, I just don't see that happening in NA. I don't know if even I'd buy it, given that it doesn't seem to do much that I didn't already get in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow last year. Oh right, it has Japan's obsession with climbing towers and multiple endings determined by arbitrary factors. Day 1 purchase!
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 15, 2011, 11:18:40 PM
Yeah, even if they were steering clear of Zelda there would be no harm in letting us know it was coming. Like I said, I still don't think it's going to happen, but that explanation makes at least some sense.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 16, 2011, 12:27:17 AM
If Last Story and Pandora's Tower are released outside of the first quarter of 2012 in Europe then I could see Xenoblade being released in north America in the span of januaray to march of 2012 and then Last Story and Pandora's Tower could be released side by side in both regions. This is very doubtful, but let's wait and see if Nintendo of America reveals a shedule for next year in the next few weeks.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 16, 2011, 12:32:17 AM
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on November 16, 2011, 01:11:47 AM
The problem with Zelda over shadowing Xenoblade is the fact that the game was getting free press. It was all over the (gaming) news. All they had to do was say "Yes, it's coming," and it would've sold to its whole audience.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 16, 2011, 01:18:28 AM
But if people only wanted to buy one, it would be Zelda for nearly everyone. Putting two games out around the same time, especially when there are at least minor similarities between them, will cannibalize sales, and like I said, that's not going to hurt Zelda, but might really hurt Xenoblade.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on November 16, 2011, 01:23:53 AM
Xenoblade probably wasn't gonna sell gangbusters anyway. In a time where the Wii was getting virtually nothing, I think most core gamers wouldn't mind dropping an extra $50 (especially around the holidays, if getting as a gift) to make up for the time lost. I know not everyone suffers from Lindeman Syndrome, but I think most of us have bought two (or more) games saying, "I'll play this one right away and start on the other as soon as I finish."
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on November 16, 2011, 01:26:53 AM
It matters, though, when the game is in the territory of "might be profitable, might not." It would definitely sell better if released significantly before or after the one huge game everyone cares about. They're not going to release it in NA, but, if they were going to, it certainly wouldn't be happening now.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on November 16, 2011, 11:30:40 AM
If there was any plan to release Xenoblade, or any of the other Operation Rainfall games, then simply saying "it's coming" and giving a date would be enough to keep people interested. That hasn't happened, and most gamers who were interested in supporting Operation Rainfall either no longer care or have jumped through the hoops necessary to import.
Nintendo of America knows that there isn't a huge market for core gaming on Wii - especially not after leaving that audience out to dry for almost a full year without any meaningful releases. They care less about building or maintaining a core-gaming fanbase than earning profit, and the potential profits from Operation Rainfall games aren't enough to sway their decision.
No matter how much a few of us hope and dream, seeing these games released in North America probably isn't going to happen. Let the idle speculation come to a rest until there is any evidence to suggest otherwise.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 18, 2011, 03:48:04 PM
Here is a list of Wii games in my collection and once you see them, tell me why I want Pandora's Tower, Last Story and Xenoblade:
Red Steel 2 Epic Mickey Monster Hunter Tri Muramasa: The Demon Blade Super Mario Galaxy 2 New Super Mario Brothers Wii Metroid: Other M (I actually enjoyed this one) Tatasunoko vs. Capcom No More Heroes No More Heroes 2 Dead Soace Extraction The House of the Dead: Overkill Super Smash Brothers Brawl Call of Duty: Black Ops Punch-out! Wii Sports Wii Sports Resort Madworld Wii Play
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 18, 2011, 05:59:50 PM
Here is an article where Reggie admits that Nintendo will still support the Wii even after the Wii U launches:
"There certainly will be more games launched for the Wii. And what I can say is that we believe there are still millions more systems to be sold. And I can say that the Wii will coexist side by side beside the Wii U for some period of time."
Could this be an admission that Operation Rainfall will become a success in 2012? Only time will tell if this is simply hot air from Reggie or the acknowledgment that Nintendo's fans matter.
Here is a quote from the response portion the article:
"They're holding back the Operation Rainfall games until after winter - Skyward Sword will boost install base, and then these games are going to be that "continued support" for maximum profit... kind of predictable."
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on November 18, 2011, 06:30:50 PM
I'm sure "for some period of time" means "until we sellout of the hardware."
And Skyward Sword isn't gonna boost the install base. I imagine literally everyone who's getting the game already has a Wii. Some might be replacing theirs, but I don't really count them.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on November 18, 2011, 07:06:00 PM
I don't believe anything Reggie says anymore. There was a video on youtube someone linked to on here before where he was doing an interview and he was asked if there would be games coming to the Wii before Zelda and he said "absolutely" and of course that didn't happen... unless he was referring to some two bit shovelware no one cares about or noticed. So I think anything he says should be taken with a grain of salt.
But let's also remember the Gamecube seen some game releases even in 2007. I think Madden '08 and Ratatouille were the last GC games, and these came out in 2007 which was sometime after the Wii launched. But does that mean the GC "coexisted" with the Wii? If you interpret it very liberally then I suppose yes you could say that, but Nintendo themselves didn't support the GC with anything in 2007 so aside from a small handful of 3rd party games it was completely dead. And I'm sure that's how it will be with the Wii also. There will probably be a trickle of casual shovelware for the Wii in 2012 and maybe even 2013, but will there be any more high profile Nintendo games? Unless those Operation Rainfall games make it over here, my guess would be no.
I'm sure "for some period of time" means "until we sellout of the hardware."
And Skyward Sword isn't gonna boost the install base. I imagine literally everyone who's getting the game already has a Wii. Some might be replacing theirs, but I don't really count them.
There is no longer really any point to increasing the install base of the Wii. Such a thing would only matter to bolster the sales of future games, but if no such games are ever coming then what would be gained if Skyward Sword increased the install base?
That said, it probably will increase the install base, because there are a lot of Zelda fans out there who would buy a Wii just for this game and this game alone, but aside from that and Twilight Princess they might not care about anything else the Wii has to offer them.
At this point the only nice thing about increasing the install base of the Wii is for egotistical reasons and giving Nintendo and Nintendo fanboys something to brag about now and in the future. That's really all it accomplishes. if no more games are coming, then its not going to do anything to improve software sales. So Nintendo won't really profit much from it, but they can brag about it though.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Ymeegod on November 18, 2011, 07:47:44 PM
Doubt it, most zelda fans already own the consoles. In the NA market, the WII hit an 45+ million userbase and there's not much more it will expand due to new hardware or the fact many are being handed down to the next generation.
The excitement of the WII just isn't there like in years past.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 18, 2011, 08:12:46 PM
They can also increase those evergreen sales #'s.
Those titles are waaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond pure profit, and they have quite a few of them to entice the really late comers that might just be jumping on board because there was a Zelda fan in the house.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 18, 2011, 08:25:12 PM
Those titles are waaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond pure profit, and they have quite a few of them to entice the really late comers that might just be jumping on board because there was a Zelda fan in the house.
All Nintendo of America would have to do is press the British versions of these games onto an American disc and then spend a tiny bit of cash on marketing the Wii prints out another wad of cash for them before moving onto the Wii U.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on November 19, 2011, 01:18:38 AM
"[W]ad of cash" is certainly over stating it. I think it costs more to put out a game, even with minimal localization, than most people realize.
Also, the only way ANYone is buying a Wii just for Zelda had to first decide that playing Twilight Princess on Wii wasn't worth it because they already had a Gamecube AND (and this is a strong and) literally did not care for anything else the Wii had to offer. That means no NMH/2, SMG/2, DKCR, Kirby's Epic Yarn, S&P2, SSBB, Kirby's Return to Dreamland, Mario Kart, NSMBWii, Disney Epic Mickey, Tales of Symphonia 2, Metroid Prime Trilogy, Wii Ware, Virtual Console, et-fucking-cetera. AND also they wouldn't just wait until the Wii U came out so they could just play it on that.
It's kind of a stretch, is what I'm saying.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on November 19, 2011, 01:04:43 PM
Wii install base will continue to grow, but will probably increase more once the console hits the $100 mark than when Skyward Sword is released. People who are only buying now are likely budget-conscious casual gamers who aren't keen on paying $50+ per game.
BNM had a great point about evergreen titles being the reason why Nintendo cares about the install base growing.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 29, 2011, 08:39:14 AM
Could the robust sales of Nintendo's software and hardware this holiday season lead to Operation Rainfalll being a success in 2012?
"For us, it really was driven by unique and powerful software and what gives us confidence is that we still have more software to launch in the balance of this holiday period."
Quote
Meanwhile, the Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, released for the Nintendo Wii on Sunday, Nov. 20, has sold 535,000 copies since its U.S. launch, making it the fastest-selling Zelda game ever, he says. These strong new releases also drove sales of Nintendo 3DS and Wii systems, Fils-Aime says. Last week's 3DS sales tripled (by 325%) compared with sales the week of Nov. 6, the week before Super Mario 3D Land made its debut; the week of its debut, sales rose 49% from the previous week.
With all of this money being made, the loses that Nintendo posted a few months ago will be lessened. However, the question I have to ask is whether this will tip their and encourage them release Xenoblade, Last Story and Pandora' Tower in north America? On one hand it might make them rsik adverse, but if they did it right then even more money would fall into their hands up until the release of their new home console.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: noname2200 on November 29, 2011, 01:17:22 PM
To answer your question, probably not. But I'm not personally too fussed with the Wii, since it proved easy (and highly beneficial) to softmod.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on November 29, 2011, 09:34:33 PM
Stranger things have happened. If Nintendo's financial outlook starts looking better soon, they may at least release XenoBlade since it appears to have sold better than expected in Europe.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 29, 2011, 10:10:32 PM
Stranger things have happened. If Nintendo's financial outlook starts looking better soon, they may at least release XenoBlade since it appears to have sold better than expected in Europe.
If Last Story and Pandora's Tower sell well then we might get those as well.
This could have been Nintendo's plan all along. Let Zelda, Mario and strong hardware sales help recover some of their loses and then release these games in north America the following year.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on November 29, 2011, 11:17:47 PM
I would really like to know what Reggie's plans for NOA are in the next 6 months. What is going on inside his head?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 29, 2011, 11:20:20 PM
I would really like to know what Reggie's plans for NOA are in the next 6 months. What is going on inside his head?
He should be releasing a list of games for Q1 of 2012 soon. Hopefully Xenoblade will be on that list.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on November 30, 2011, 12:03:11 AM
I recall he said he was going to take a wait and see approach for how well these games do in Europe. Have these games sold well in Europe? If they have then he is out of excuses. If they have not, then maybe he was right all along.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 30, 2011, 12:12:45 AM
I recall he said he was going to take a wait and see approach for how well these games do in Europe. Have these games sold well in Europe? If they have then he is out of excuses. If they have not, then maybe he was right all along.
Xenoblade supposedly sold like hot cake in Europe, so there must not be any excuses and with Zelda selling the way it has there is no excuse as to why these games are not already in north America.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on November 30, 2011, 12:37:19 AM
If we were to see any of the 3 games, I would say that Xenoblade is a lock The Last Story is a slight possibility Pandora's Tower.... I wouldn't hold my breath
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on November 30, 2011, 12:42:37 AM
If we were to see any of the 3 games, I would say that Xenoblade is a lock The Last Story is a slight possibility Pandora's Tower.... I wouldn't hold my breath
I recently found out that the north American 3DS is region free with DS games, so I assume that the Wii U could be the same way with the Wii, so all I would have to do is import Pandora's Tower if what you say is the case.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: TJ Spyke on November 30, 2011, 12:53:36 AM
If we were to see any of the 3 games, I would say that Xenoblade is a lock The Last Story is a slight possibility Pandora's Tower.... I wouldn't hold my breath
I recently found out that the north American 3DS is region free with DS games, so I assume that the Wii U could be the same way with the Wii, so all I would have to do is import Pandora's Tower if what you say is the case.
That is because the 3DS basically goes into DS mode when playing DS games and the DS was region free (except for some later games that used the DSi camera). Since the Wii is not region free, don't hold your breath hoping that Wii games will be region free on Wii U.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Ceric on December 01, 2011, 05:51:07 PM
I didn't realize that. I'll have to try that with Oundan.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: FZeroBoyo on December 02, 2011, 10:12:59 AM
Well, this is an interesting rumor: Xenoblade's been marked (apparently) for an April release as a GameStop exclusive.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on December 02, 2011, 12:02:53 PM
Now there is real hope. Still not a sure thing... but between NoA posting Xenoblade images on their Facebook account and this GameStop leak things look very positive and very exciting for gamers here!
I'm a bit sour about importing when this game is (probably) going to get a North America release, but can't feel that bad. There are a few other imports that I really want to play such as Pikmin 2, status for the other Operation Rainfall games is still very unclear in North America, I do get to play - likely finish - the game before it's even officially released in my region, and I prefer to give my money to NoE anyway for taking the risk to localize this game instead of giving my sale to "Play it Safe Reggie and the NoA Crew".
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: BeautifulShy on December 02, 2011, 12:12:53 PM
Well it is looking up right now for North American Wii owners. I think I may be the only one on here who didn't lose faith in NOA over these titles. This year I have been mainly playing through my Backlog and Tri and a bit of Skyward Sword and I still have lots of games I need to get so the announcement of these titles this year wasn't really an issue for me. You guys have to keep in mind that games take a long time to make and so there may not be a wealth of games each year if we are talking new franchises or excellent games. Sequels and yearly updates tend to take less time then the previously mention types of games. Anyway if all three games come out next year I think that that will be good enough for most gamers.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on December 02, 2011, 03:52:01 PM
What about all the preorders on Amazon? Will these all have to be canceled now?
While its great Nintendo is finally bringing it over, having only two places selling it guarantees this game can't become a huge sales hit. It needs to be available at Walmarts, Targets, Kmarts, and everywhere else also. That's the only way it can sell millions of copies. And a major marketing push is also necessary, but I doubt that will happen either.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on December 02, 2011, 04:02:45 PM
It sounds like Nintendo of America doesn't have confidence in the game selling well and are planning a very limited release. Frankly, they're probably right that it wouldn't be a million seller at this point in time.
We should probably be glad that it's getting released here at all given how reluctant they were.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on December 02, 2011, 04:29:53 PM
Reggie really pisses me off sometimes. Even when he gives us what we want he does so in the most half ass way possible.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 02, 2011, 04:40:54 PM
I told you guys that we would get Xenoblade in the spring of 2012. Now all we have is the other titles and everything will be done.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: BeautifulShy on December 02, 2011, 08:23:48 PM
I told you guys that we would get Xenoblade in the spring of 2012. Now all we have is the other titles and everything will be done.
Yeah you did and well I was along side you that it was coming over here. I am still pretty excited still about the news. I wonder what OP Rainfall plans to do for the next 2 games. There are currently on phase 3.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Tamazoid on December 02, 2011, 08:56:04 PM
What about all the preorders on Amazon? Will these all have to be canceled now?
While its great Nintendo is finally bringing it over, having only two places selling it guarantees this game can't become a huge sales hit. It needs to be available at Walmarts, Targets, Kmarts, and everywhere else also. That's the only way it can sell millions of copies. And a major marketing push is also necessary, but I doubt that will happen either.
I doubt that Xenoblade would ever sell millions of copies in North America even if they sold it in every store and had a massive marketing campaign.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: the asylum on December 02, 2011, 09:04:30 PM
Well, I seem to have eaten all my hats already. Can someone spare another?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Sundoulos on December 02, 2011, 11:48:57 PM
Well, I'm glad this is being made available to users in NA. I don't regret my import, though. I'll probably plan to import The Last Story when it's available in Europe well unless NOA actually indicates plans to release the game before that time.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on December 02, 2011, 11:50:09 PM
What about all the preorders on Amazon? Will these all have to be canceled now?
I thought that the listing for the game was already removed a while back. I just checked, and the game is listed as Monado, but it isn't available for pre-order, just for notification of when it becomes available. So there may not still be pre-orders for it, I can't tell.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on December 02, 2011, 11:59:15 PM
I still get emails from Amazon at least once a month telling me that they're still not able to fill my preorder for it.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on December 03, 2011, 12:05:51 AM
Amazon will probably never be able to fill it, unless something changes and Nintendo opens the game up for other retailers besides Gameslop.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on December 03, 2011, 02:51:19 AM
Glad NOA found a way to put out the game and minimize their risk. I wonder if there was any bidding for the exclusivity.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Urkel on December 03, 2011, 03:43:29 AM
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on December 03, 2011, 02:00:32 PM
Was that supposed to be an animation? They all look exactly the same to me. You could have just posted one and that would have sufficed.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: noname2200 on December 03, 2011, 03:38:24 PM
I'll gladly eat my crow on this one. Good news for those who refused to import, though: the game's awesome.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on December 12, 2011, 11:39:35 PM
Rumor via GoNintendo, with an unconfirmed/anonymous source:
- GameStop reached out to Nintendo to get Xenoblade Chronicles released in the states - GameStop is helping to pay for publishing - Nintendo is interested in localizing The Last Story as well - This localization depends on sales of Xenoblade Chronicles preorders/sales - Xenoblade Chronicles preorders are not doing well thus far [/font] Related to RFN podcast discussion where they were speculating about possible North American Xenoblade sales and how Operation Rainfall was the root cause for Xenoblade getting published here at all (making it a success even if none of the other games are released in North America). Sounds like their guesses were correct and that NoA deserves very little credit for bringing the game over if this rumor has any teeth.
If you are interested in playing Xenoblade and haven't already imported, consider preordering. Sounds like a very small print run unless demand increases.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Adrock on December 12, 2011, 11:45:02 PM
If GameStop reached out to Nintendo and is helping pay for publishing, GameStop deserves the most credit. As much as I dislike GameStop, I would have to give credit where credit is due.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on December 12, 2011, 11:54:37 PM
I already figured that GameStop had some hand in XenoBlade, because otherwise I don't know why Nintendo would make it exclusive to that retailer. Have they ever done something like this before?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on December 12, 2011, 11:56:55 PM
Well, one thing's for sure: when Xenoblade flops for Gamestop, they certainly aren't going to pay Nintendo to bring The Last Story over. If that rumor is true, it looks like I'll be importing The Last Story as well.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: TJ Spyke on December 13, 2011, 12:00:10 AM
Do you mean Nintendo having a game exclusive to one retailer? Chibi-Robo: Park Patrol for DS was exclusive to Walmart.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 13, 2011, 12:09:17 AM
I would bet that Gamestop is not just going to offer the game by itself. I look for them to market the **** out of this game by offering t-shirts, hats, posters and a bundle with the classic controller.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on December 13, 2011, 12:11:52 AM
I would bet that Gamestop is not just going to offer the game by itself. I look for them to market the **** out of this game by offering t-shirts, hats, posters and a bundle with the classic controller.
And you, sir, are insane if you think there's a chance in hell of any of that happening. It's a niche release on the Wii, two great tastes that have not gone great together with retail sales in NA. I doubt there will even be a pre-order bonus, considering Gamestop probably expects that first run to be the only run. It's a shame because I do want the game to do well, but if it does it'll be on the game's own merits because neither Nintendo nor Gamestop want to put any more money into this than is absolutely necessary.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: bustin98 on December 13, 2011, 12:32:11 AM
I would bet that Gamestop is not just going to offer the game by itself. I look for them to market the **** out of this game by offering t-shirts, hats, posters and a bundle with the classic controller.
And you, sir, are insane if you think there's a chance in hell of any of that happening. It's a niche release on the Wii, two great tastes that have not gone great together with retail sales in NA. I doubt there will even be a pre-order bonus, considering Gamestop probably expects that first run to be the only run. It's a shame because I do want the game to do well, but if it does it'll be on the game's own merits because neither Nintendo nor Gamestop want to put any more money into this than is absolutely necessary.
What do you think the chances of Operation Rainfall titles being those hard to find and very expensive games to get in the future?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on December 13, 2011, 02:03:10 AM
What do you think the chances of Operation Rainfall titles being those hard to find and very expensive games to get in the future?
I think the NA version of Xenoblade will be very hard to find 6 months after the game releases. Up until that point, though, I think you'll find it marked down to $40 or less because very few people bought it. But once the copies are bought, you just won't find them at retail. It's hard to say if they would be expensive to acquire after that point on the internet, though. The PAL version doesn't seem to be very limited, and it's not hard to mod your Wii to play it.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on December 13, 2011, 02:29:49 AM
Everyone should preorder not just one copy, but two copies. Preorder one from Gamestop and the other directly from Nintendo. This will boost sales and help get the game to where we want it to be.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on December 13, 2011, 04:19:24 AM
Technically it wouldn't boost sales unless you pre-ordered in full. Pre-orders =/= sales.
What do you think the chances of Operation Rainfall titles being those hard to find and very expensive games to get in the future?
I think the NA version of Xenoblade will be very hard to find 6 months after the game releases. Up until that point, though, I think you'll find it marked down to $40 or less because very few people bought it. But once the copies are bought, you just won't find them at retail. It's hard to say if they would be expensive to acquire after that point on the internet, though. The PAL version doesn't seem to be very limited, and it's not hard to mod your Wii to play it.
I don't think it'll be heavily marked down since GameStop is the only brick and mortar retailer that's gonna carry it. The supply will still be very limited, but I think the game will probably sell out completely of the stock Nintendo wanted to print within 6 months. Nintendo is gonna use preorders to project sales, but they're gonna do it VERY conservatively.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on December 13, 2011, 08:18:31 AM
Everyone should preorder not just one copy, but two copies. Preorder one from Gamestop and the other directly from Nintendo. This will boost sales and help get the game to where we want it to be.
Or not.
NoA only looks at the bottom line and will consider this game a failure unless it sells (despite releasing it a year late, in a limited run, with limited publicity, and after months of repeated denials caused many interested gamers to import). But you know what? Doubling the sales isn't going to be enough to make Xenoblade look like a success anyway. NoA only counts in the millions, and unless Xenoblade sells to that standard then it's a niche release that they don't want to be involved with.
Buy the game. Enjoy the game. Don't make the mistake of thinking that a double-dip here will say anything to NoA.
That said, it's still worth thinking about your preorder. Some people are talking about ordering from Nintendo directly because they don't like some of the business policies at GameStop, but if (and that's a big IF) the rumor mentioned earlier about GameStop pushing for the Xenoblade release has any truth then preordering from GameStop is a better idea if you want your dollars to count towards bringing over The Last Story or Pandora's Tower.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on December 13, 2011, 05:39:08 PM
I'm ordering from Nintendo because I'm pretty sure that it's going to be tax-free since they don't have physical stores in my state, and I don't like buying new games from GameStop for the risk of getting an opened copy.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: TJ Spyke on December 13, 2011, 05:49:37 PM
I'm ordering from Nintendo because I'm pretty sure that it's going to be tax-free since they don't have physical stores in my state, and I don't like buying new games from GameStop for the risk of getting an opened copy.
That doesn't happen unless you see them give you an opened copy, and usually they only do that if it's the last copy.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on December 13, 2011, 05:49:53 PM
Everyone should preorder not just one copy, but two copies. Preorder one from Gamestop and the other directly from Nintendo. This will boost sales and help get the game to where we want it to be.
Or not.
NoA only looks at the bottom line and will consider this game a failure unless it sells (despite releasing it a year late, in a limited run, with limited publicity, and after months of repeated denials caused many interested gamers to import). But you know what? Doubling the sales isn't going to be enough to make Xenoblade look like a success anyway. NoA only counts in the millions, and unless Xenoblade sells to that standard then it's a niche release that they don't want to be involved with.
Buy the game. Enjoy the game. Don't make the mistake of thinking that a double-dip here will say anything to NoA.
NOA knows that Xenoblade isn't going to be a million seller. A limited release to one retailer simply hedges their risk. The game can still be a success without bringing in millions in revenue, which very few games do anyway. The bar for success with Xenoblade is gonna be lower than say that of Zelda.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 13, 2011, 06:46:34 PM
Here is the box art for the north American version of Xenoblade:
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on December 13, 2011, 06:56:20 PM
Wow, Nintendo really went all-out on that cover, considering it's the exact same as the PAL version. It's not my favorite piece of Xenoblade artwork, but it's decent enough.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on December 13, 2011, 07:34:01 PM
Actually, the word "Chronicles" is a lot smaller on the NA box, for whatever reason. Other than that, it looks the same.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 13, 2011, 07:35:40 PM
I am curious to see what Pandora's Tower box art looks like outside Japan.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on December 13, 2011, 07:39:17 PM
Actually, the word "Chronicles" is a lot smaller on the NA box, for whatever reason. Other than that, it looks the same.
*looks at his PAL copy's cover.*
Huh. Yeah, you're right. On the PAL version, the word "Chronicles" uses the same font, size, and color as the word "Xenoblade" and is actually merged a bit with the word. There's also a thin line between the two words in the NoA version. It's odd that NoA wouldn't just replicate the NoE cover when they're using the same artwork. I wonder if NoE wouldn't give them the font. Either that, or someone at NoA just doesn't care.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 13, 2011, 07:58:24 PM
Why is Gamestop the only retailer offering this game and why are they involved?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Shaymin on December 13, 2011, 08:21:12 PM
"Do you like this hat? It's made of MONEY!"
(later)
"Want to stay for dinner? I believe we're having MONEY!"
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: TJ Spyke on December 13, 2011, 08:25:46 PM
Why is Gamestop the only retailer offering this game and why are they involved?
Multiple threads say that the rumor is that GameStop approached Nintendo about localizing it and even offered to pay for some of the costs.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 13, 2011, 08:44:31 PM
But why would Gamestop give a **** about a niche Wii game? I wonder if Gamestop will goad Nintendo into releasing Last Story and Pandora's Tower?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: TJ Spyke on December 13, 2011, 08:46:24 PM
The same rumor says that GameStop is interested in doing the same with The Last Story, though it depends on how well Xenoblade: Chronicles does with sales and pre-orders.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on December 13, 2011, 09:17:12 PM
But why would Gamestop give a **** about a niche Wii game? I wonder if Gamestop will goad Nintendo into releasing Last Story and Pandora's Tower?
Exclusives = $$$ It doesn't get much more simple than that. There's little risk on GameStop's part (unless the rumors that they're helping to publish are true), and they probably think the sales are gonna be pretty solid.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: NWR_insanolord on December 13, 2011, 09:34:40 PM
GameStop understands that a lot of people hate them, but they're not going to change the practices that make people hate them because that would cost them money, so they're trying to win support by doing this.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: ejamer on December 13, 2011, 09:42:17 PM
But why would Gamestop give a **** about a niche Wii game? I wonder if Gamestop will goad Nintendo into releasing Last Story and Pandora's Tower?
Did you see GameStop also has exclusive rights to sell the Circle Pad Pro for 3DS? Lots of money to be had in accessories - considerably more than in software most of the time. Maybe that two exclusivity deals were related?
As discussed on the recent podcast, it's also bringing core gamers (at least what few Wii gamers fit that description) into stores around the country with money in their pockets. That's not a bad deal for GameStop.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Monteblanco on December 14, 2011, 05:54:56 AM
But why would Gamestop give a **** about a niche Wii game? I wonder if Gamestop will goad Nintendo into releasing Last Story and Pandora's Tower?
It is good business to both part. Because Gamespot has a good predictor of sales based on pre-sales, Nintendo can print the right number of copies without the risk of having a huge number of unsold copies in the warehouse. Also, by selling to just one company, the distribution is far cheaper.
From the Gamespot side, this scheme will bring hardcore gamers to their shops. The right kind of customer they seek out. Considering hardcore gamers are more likely to purchase multiple games in a visit, they will get a nice profit from the deal. Also, I don't see them expending much money with marketing. I don't antecipate any TV spot or other expensive divulgation. They will print some promotional material to the shops, give a Game Informer cover and do some online adds.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on December 14, 2011, 07:43:37 PM
GameStop will put out commercials. They definitely will. They may be a little more low budget and less extensive, but they WANT to drive traffic to their stores/website.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 14, 2011, 07:55:21 PM
I would bet my last quarter that Xenoblade will make the front cover of Gameinformer possibly in their next issue and that there might be a possible page or two with Last Story and Pandora's Tower for advertising purchases.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: noname2200 on December 15, 2011, 12:16:28 AM
I would bet my last quarter that Xenoblade will make the front cover of Gameinformer possibly in their next issue and that there might be a possible page or two with Last Story and Pandora's Tower for advertising purchases.
I'll take that bet! I want to see what your last quarter looks like, and losing will only set me back 25 cents. ;D
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on December 15, 2011, 07:22:58 PM
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on April 25, 2012, 07:23:58 PM
What should Operation Rainfall work on next? Here is a list of Wii and DS games that they could campaign for if and when Pandora's Tower is released in North America.
Wii:
428: Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen Captain Rainbow Dragon Quest Collection Earth Seeker Harukanaru Jikuu no Kade 4 Ikenie no Yoru Imabikisou: Kaimei Hen Ougon no Kizuna Takt of Magic Disaster: Day of Crisis (yes, I want this, too) Fatal Frame 4 Zangeki no reginleiv
DS:
Archaic Sealed Heat (ASH, which is made by Mistwalker) Last Window: The Secret of Cape West
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Sarail on April 25, 2012, 07:27:38 PM
Don't forget Soma Bringer. I still REALLY want to get my mitts on that one.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on April 25, 2012, 07:30:36 PM
If Captain Rainbow was localized, I would be extremely happy, I'd never say anything bad about NoA again (Well at least for a year or so).
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 25, 2012, 08:03:44 PM
What should Operation Rainfall work on next? Here is a list of Wii and DS games that they could campaign for if and when Pandora's Tower is released in North America.
Wii: 428: Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen Captain Rainbow Dragon Quest Collection Earth Seeker Harukanaru Jikuu no Kade 4 Ikenie no Yoru Imabikisou: Kaimei Hen Ougon no Kizuna Takt of Magic Disaster: Day of Crisis (yes, I want this, too) Fatal Frame 4 Zangeki no reginleiv
DS:
Archaic Sealed Heat (ASH, which is made by Mistwalker) Last Window: The Secret of Cape West
Nintendo's issue with Fatal Frame IV is that it's a very buggy game (you have that game listed twice BTW, "Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen" is the Japanese name of the game), but Konami refuses to fix those bugs (which is why Nintendo won't let them localize it). 428 is unlikely since it's a visual novel, and wasn't a very strong seller to begin with, and being over 3 years old now the likelihood of it even breaking even would be low. As for Dragon Quest Collection, Square Enix likely hasn't released it here because the SNES remakes on it were never released here, so they would need to translate all of them. Several of those games are obscure and seems like you picked them just because they are Japan-only games (like Imabikisō Kaimei Hen, which is a 4 year old visual novel which is mostly static and animate photographs), the Operation Rainfall games were picked for specific reasons (partially because they are Nintendo published RPGs).
I will say I would like to see as many games get localized as possible though, and some of those could be released without much problem.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Luigi Dude on April 25, 2012, 08:43:44 PM
What should Operation Rainfall work on next? Here is a list of Wii and DS games that they could campaign for if and when Pandora's Tower is released in North America.
Wii:
428: Fuusa Sareta Shibuya de Zero: Tsukihami no Kamen Captain Rainbow Dragon Quest Collection Earth Seeker Harukanaru Jikuu no Kade 4 Ikenie no Yoru Imabikisou: Kaimei Hen Ougon no Kizuna Takt of Magic Disaster: Day of Crisis (yes, I want this, too) Fatal Frame 4 Zangeki no reginleiv
DS:
Archaic Sealed Heat (ASH, which is made by Mistwalker) Last Window: The Secret of Cape West
Half of those Wii games Nintendo has nothing to do with. 428 was published by Sega. Earth Seeker was published by Enterbrain. Harukanaru Jikuu no Kade 4 was published by Koei. Ikenieb no Yoru was published by Marvelous Entertainment. Imabikisou: Kaimei Hen was published by Sega. Ougon no Kizuna was publish Jaleco.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on April 25, 2012, 08:44:29 PM
Any chance that we could get Disaster: Day of Crisis? That is a shitty game, but I want it in my collection. Monolith Soft made it, and despite its flaws, makes me want it even more. Nintendo could retool the British version and sell it directly from their online store, and Gamestop, for rougly $19.99.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on April 25, 2012, 08:50:01 PM
Any chance that we could get Didsaster: Day of Crisis? That is a shitty game, but I want it in my collection. Monolith Soft made it, and despite its flaws, makes me want it even more. Nintendo could retool the British version and sell it directly from their online store, and Gamestop, for rougly $19.99.
I don't recall it ever getting any extremely negative reviews, the game received seemingly average reviews by looking at metacritic. So it is hardly a terrible game from what I've read and I would like to see it in North America, it would be worth getting for a decent price (even $30-40 would be fine).
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: nickmitch on April 25, 2012, 11:01:33 PM
A lot of those games are too old to really be relevant at this point. The Wii U is almost here, so the window for putting out Wii games is closing. Captain Rainbow and Disaster would probably be the best options since they're Nintendo games. But it's not like the Operation Rainfall guys do that **** for a living. They don't need to keep finding games to try and bring over just because.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: BeautifulShy on April 25, 2012, 11:39:57 PM
If I remember correctly and like nickmitch kinda pointed out. most of those games are not really relevant. I think the main reason we got these 3 specific titles chosen were because they were upcoming releases and still in everyone's mind. How many people are still talking about these other titles that you mentioned Kytim are still relevant and could be possible in the future on a Nintendo platform?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on April 25, 2012, 11:43:50 PM
If I remember correctly and like nickmitch kinda pointed out. most of those games are not really relevant. I think the main reason we got these 3 specific titles chosen were because they were upcoming releases and still in everyone's mind. How many people are still talking about these other titles that you mentioned Kytim are still relevant and could be possible in the future on a Nintendo platform?
Digital download on the Wii U.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Evan_B on April 26, 2012, 02:41:25 PM
Personally, I always wanted to see Earth Seeker playing on my Wii- had a deeper-than-Spectrobes feel to it.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on April 26, 2012, 03:02:31 PM
If I remember correctly and like nickmitch kinda pointed out. most of those games are not really relevant. I think the main reason we got these 3 specific titles chosen were because they were upcoming releases and still in everyone's mind. How many people are still talking about these other titles that you mentioned Kytim are still relevant and could be possible in the future on a Nintendo platform?
Captain Rainbow is still relevant to me!
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on April 26, 2012, 05:33:47 PM
The Wii U is almost here, so the window for putting out Wii games is closing.
Not really. There's no reason all Wii releases must cease the exact moment the Wii U is out. The Gamecube seen some (not many) releases in 2007, and the PS2 still was seeing releases for awhile (don't know if it still is). The Wii's install base is huge so there's no reason to abandon it right away.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Mop it up on April 26, 2012, 06:06:35 PM
I could see the Dragon Quest Collection being offered as a pre-order bonus for Dragon Quest X and including only the NES games. They aren't on the VC, so even without the SNES versions it could still be something people wanted.
I don't really see any others happening though. Things like Captain Rainbow seem too... Japanese-y, as does most of the stuff on that list. Though, if I remember rightly Zangeki no Reginleiv was pretty well received, so that seems like the only one people may rally behind. But it wasn't released in Europe like the OpRa games, so it doesn't have an English translation ready to go.
If we're just naming stuff that didn't release here, then don't forget about Another Code R and Wii Chess.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on April 26, 2012, 06:21:52 PM
Anyway, why can't all these games like Captain Rainbow just get released on the Wii U? Who says they have to be on the Wii? Nintendo could always revamp them with HD graphics and/or new play control via the Umote.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on April 26, 2012, 06:55:33 PM
Nintendo did announce that they are going to pursue digitally downloaded content in the future, so I assume that if these games were translated to English then Nintendo would simply release them onto the Wii U eShop and then allow the people that are interested to purchase them. If Nintendo already had this system in place we would have gotten Xenoblade and Last Story a lot earlier. If no publisher picks up Pandora's Tower then it will most likely be made available for the Wii U eShop. The same with Disaster: Day of Crisis.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Kytim89 on September 07, 2012, 04:09:26 AM
Any chance that Atlus could pick up Pandora's Tower?
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: broodwars on September 07, 2012, 07:44:09 AM
Any chance that Atlus could pick up Pandora's Tower?
They could, but they're not going to. This game was dead in the water in NA when XSEED announced they weren't touching it before they'd even seen the sales of The Last Story (which probably speaks volumes about how well that game is selling as well, since it's the kind of game that would see most of its sales on pre-orders).
Plus, Atlus has a lot on their plate just supporting the handhelds right now, especially with their favorite child Persona 4 coming out on Vita in the next few months. If Pandora's Tower were going to be released in NA, it would have to hit this Fall because I don't see there being any noteworthy software being on Wii once Wii U launches. Import the game if you want it, because that's the only way you're going to be able to play it in NA barring an unprecedented and unlikely eShop release on Wii U.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on September 07, 2012, 01:19:22 PM
Even if it doesn't come to the Wii, there's a good chance it can come to the Wii U later on. Perhaps as a digital download? If its a straight up port that would be fine, but if they added in accomplishments and HD graphics that would make it even better.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Louieturkey on September 07, 2012, 02:23:01 PM
Maybe they'll do a Wii Import collection on the Wii U where they take two or three games taht were released in Europe but not the US and bundle them together in one package. Or they could just have a Wii VC on the Wii U and release Pandora's Tower as an import.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: Chozo Ghost on September 07, 2012, 03:37:05 PM
Maybe they'll do a Wii Import collection on the Wii U where they take two or three games taht were released in Europe but not the US and bundle them together in one package.
They wouldn't do that, because it would make Reggie look bad. They might bring the games, but they're not going to draw attention to the fact that other regions got them but NOA dropped the ball.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: TJ Spyke on September 07, 2012, 03:41:48 PM
It wouldn't make Reggie look bad at all, he made the right business decision. It makes no sense at all to release a game if you expect to lose money on it. If anything, an executive who would do that should be fired. Doing that collection would be good as it would make Nintendo look good and give a great value for consumers.
Title: Re: Hoping For Rain: Is Operation Rainfall a Failure or is There Still Hope?
Post by: noname2200 on September 07, 2012, 07:41:39 PM
I'm okay with missing out on Pandora's Tower, but I do wish Fatal Frame 2 were coming over. Too bad the Wii's rainy season is more or less over.
