Topic: Revolution Support From Nippon Ichi?

[Karl Castaneda #2]

The famed Strategy/RPG developer may develop software for Nintendo's next-gen platform.

On August 2nd, Gamasutra held a Q&A session with Nippon Ichi Software America's Jack Niida on the company's past, present, and future.They eventually found themselves discussing the next generation of hardware:    

Gamasutra: Will Nippon Ichi be making games for next gen?    

Niida: We are seriously thinking of working to Xbox 360 and also Revolution.    

It's important to note that Nippon Ichi has only released software for Sony platforms, with hits such as Disgaea on the PS2 and the upcoming Generation of Choas for the PSP. Support from NIS could be a big hit for the Revolution, as their titles have built up a strong cult following, both in the United States and in Japan.

[anubis6789]

What I found odd is that he did not even bring up the PS3 as part of their next gen plans. I wonder what that could mean...

NI seems not to have a problem at all getting the 2D titles allowed for American release like some other companies have said they have, or not as much of a problem getting them approved by SCEA. Niida did say that there were titles that he wouldn't waist time trying to get approved though...

[Bill Aurion]

I'm really not that fond of their games, but the more games the better...

[KnowsNothing]

Here's pretty much what's confirmed in development for the Rev:
1) New SSBM
2) New Mario
3) New Zelda
4) New DK
5) New Miyamoto IP
6) New Camelot RPG
7) Support from Square-Enix, including  a new FFCC
Support from Sega
9) Support from this dude, who's apparently pretty good and stuff.

It gets a thumbsup from me.

[nickmitch]

anubis: he probably thought it was a given.

[Bill Aurion]

Quote
Originally posted by: KnowsNothing
Here's pretty much what's confirmed in development for the Rev:
1) New SSBM
2) New Mario
3) New Zelda
4) New DK
5) New Miyamoto IP
6) New Camelot RPG
7) Support from Square-Enix, including  a new FFCC
Support from Sega
9) Support from this dude, who's apparently pretty good and stuff.

It gets a thumbsup from me.

Oh crap, was Metroid Prime 3 canned?

[KnowsNothing]

OH SH

WHAT A BLUNDER!

[IceCold]

You can add in Wario in there too - I remember hearing he is confirmed. And Konami's support, and I think at least 2 other devs that I can't remember.

[Ian Sane]

Nippon Ichi support would be big.  They're not like a huge system selling developer or anything but they're talented and they have a fanbase.  The Rev doesn't just need powerhouses, they need niche devs like this too.  The PS2 is largely a mainstream focused machine yet its userbase has more hardcore gamers than the Cube and XBox do.  Why?  Because PS2 third party support is so strong that they get a lot of niche hardcore games, far more than either competitor does.  I think the hardcore market is who Nintendo should target the most because they're the only console maker that can consistently target that group with their first party games.  That's not the Rev's focus or they wouldn't be taking about controllers being too intimidating or have dropped HD support.  But nonetheless Nippon Ichi would be a great asset.  Their games wouldn't sell consoles on their own but they would provide a lot more variety to the lineup and a fuller lineup brings in more buyers.

As for why Nippon Ichi would go away from the Playstation?  They were planning on making Makai Wars for the PSP but it's been put on hold.  Rumour has it Sony didn't want it on the PSP so they killed it.  Plus NI makes only 2D games and Sony is anti-2D.  Nintendo and MS aren't.  Outside of the PS3 they have creative freedom.

Plus from a business perspective it would be a brilliant move.  The PS2 is full of RPGs and therefore it's expected the PS3 will be as well.  On the PS2 NI gets lost in the shuffle but on the Rev they would stand alone and they have a hardcore enough fanbase that they can expect their fans to follow them.  It's like how DOA is THE fighter on the Xbox and Tecmo is THE Japanese publisher.  That's because that niche on the Xbox is otherwise unfilled so Tecmo was able to grab 100% of the audience.  NI could do the same here on the Rev.  The only flaw in this plan is Square Enix's support but we don't know what level of support they're going to give.

NI also is known for strategy RPGs.  Nintendo makes Fire Emblem and Advance Wars and the GBA was big for SRPGs.  Nintendo fans are established as a solid market for this niche sub-genre.

[WuTangTurtle]

Ian sane, my thoughts exactly it would fit so perfectly.  I've been wanting to buy a ps2 for there games for some time now but have always put it off, and now the ps3 is lurking i don't think i will get them.

In my wildest dreams they would release some compilations for REV or heck just brand new ones.

[BlkPaladin]

I would love if NI supported the Revolution because as it looks right now I will be only getting the Xbox360 and the Revolution this next generation. (At least for the first year or so.)

[Caliban]

I agree with Ian Sane in that It's all good and dandy that NI is supporting the REV, I'm actually happy that more RPGs will be available on REV and in 2D, hooray. Sega could learn a lesson from NI and be nice enough to bring the next Skies of Arcadia to REV, my wishful thinking so ignore..

[KDR_11k]

Support from NIS could be a big hit for the Revolution

Sorry, but that made me laugh. Yeah, so Nintendo will get the five people who would actually buy a system for NIS's games. BFD. The hardcore never was where the money is and it never will be so this support won't get us any more support.

Ian: Nippon Ichi makes Tactical RPGs, those are vastly different from standard RPGs and appeal to completely different people, the kind who prefer to develop battle plans and can probably play Chess and Go well. Definitely not the same genre/audience all the other RPGs on the PS2 appeal to.

Me? I don't care. I haven't bought any of their games and I never will. If I wanted a TRPG I'd play FFTA which I've played for maybe two hours total. Micromanagement sucks IMO, I don't want to worry about the equipment of ten characters or give each one exact position orders. In FFTA I just ignore equipment, skills, etc for my characters because there's so many of them.