Topic: Bad Tales of Symphonia news

[FOX McLOUD]

As bad as this news is, it might not be real.

Over on another site they said "Jump magazine is reporting that Namco will port TOS to the PS2, a news conference will be held on the 12th."

So lets hold out hope, it still MIGHT not be happening.

Plus Nintendo is rumored to be wanting to buy some big third parties, also not likely, but they could turn Namco's big FU to Nintendo, into an even bigger FU for Sony.

[theRPGFreak]

For all we know, Namco could be making another Tales game for the GC we dont know calm down...

[Berto2K]

Here is a poor scan of the article from the magazine.  If anyone can try reading and traslating for the rest of us.

www.42ch.net/UploaderSmall/source/1081438608.JPG
*not linked cause direct linking=bad*  

[nitsu niflheim]

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Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"Can anyone tell me why [Sony] did that? It makes no sense."

I can think of two theories:

1. When Nintendo was in charge they limited releases in North America too.  Maybe Sony thinks they would do better if they copied Nintendo's formula more even if it's in a bad way.  They're set to release a power glove next year.

2. Console evoluation states that when a console company becomes too powerful they make a lot of dumb mistakes that pisses everyone off.  Atari did it.  Nintendo did it.  Now Sony must do it.  They can't stop it.  It's fate.

Actually I believe the real reason is that Sony has realized that there are too many PS2 games released and it's hurting overall software sales.  Thus they're restricting the localization of Japanese titles they feel will have limited appeal.  I think telling companies like Acclaim to stop making so much crap would be a better strategy but whatever.

I think that with the N5 NOA should start a publishing "label" for Nintendo that specializes in localizing obscure Japanese releases.  That would really help third party relations and if a surprise hit comes out of it Sony would be caught with their dick hanging out.

Sony was notorious during the PSone era for refusing games in NA because they were 2D instead of 3D, which is why the Saturn got more of the Capcom Vs games because Sega welcomed them.  

[Ymeegod]

Love how "I'm not getting it" or "It wasn't any good to begin with" as soon as a Nintendo exclusive becomes multiplatform.  Does it really matter?  Does it change the game any?  Nope.

And 80% of a port isn't that hard to do especially given the lapse in time.  Porting  from one system to another is alot easiler than starting from scratch.

Hell I pre-orderd ToS months ago (release date is now July 12th I believe) and would I cancel my order just to wait another 10-12 months for the PS2 version.  Fook That .

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Also I believe there will be a sequel to ToS (can't recall where I was reading this).

[Ymeegod]

"Seriously, I don't think this is a big deal. The US version of Symphonia will likely have most if not all of the "extra features" the PS2 game is getting, and it will likely have just as much of a head-start on the PS2 game as the Japanese version did. "

Dittio.  Namco done so in the past (ToD anyone) so hopefully they'll add all the goodies for us as well.

[nitsu niflheim]

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Originally posted by: Berto2K
I have learned that Namco had the thought of porting this over to PS2, but that it wasn't decided as of a few days ago.  They said it was possibly but they would wait and see.  As many have said, there are barely any RPGs on the cube, so it would almost be a monopoly of sorts for the RPG market.  Any RPG fan would be getting the game, thus it would sell much more than other genres.

The port is around 80% complete so they have been working on this for a while.  The % figure was from Magic Box.

[Ymeegod]

"so they have been working on this for a while."

You assume.  Like I said it really doesn't take that long to port games since the majoirty of the coding, textures is already done.  :0.

[anubis6789]

I don't think any one is saying that it isn't a good game now, I think they just don't want to get it now as a form of protest. I feel that is kind of silly, it is like saying to Namco "Hey Namco, we are going to show you how viable the GCN market is, by not buying your game." If anything we should all buy it so that that this kind of thing is averted.

I also think that Bloodworth is right in saying that the NA version will probably contain the extra PS2 stuff, seeing as how the PS2 port is 80% complete.

I think that Namco probably started making the US ToS and started adding stuff to it and then thought "Aw crap, all of our Japanese fans are going to be angry with us."(ala FF7) So they decided they were going to make an internatinal version. Namco Probably thought that they could make the Japanese fans happy as well as get a whole new group of sales by releasing it on the PS2. A smart busieness desicion in my book.

Don't think I'm not upset though. If the US version doesn't have the additions of the JPN PS2 version I will be uber cheesed off. Even so we don't even know if the PS2 version is being brought outside of Japan.

I just think that everyone needs to take a chill pill.

[Perfect Cell]

How is this not bad? I mean the US Third Parties have mostly dumped the Cube, and Nintendos bulk of support is from Japanese Third Parties, now Capcom dumps Killer 7, and Namco dumps TOS (At least make Star Fox for petes sake) I think its genuinely a reason to worry. It pisses me off too because the Cubes sales are alot better than a year ago, and its still not enough for some Third Party Support Stability.  

[Draygaia]

Nintendo should have a secret police.

[akdaman1]

Nah I might be pissed but I know for sure that I will buy this game when it comes out.

Its bound to be an awsome game. But this was supposed to be the biggest exclusive ( after RE 4 ) the GCN has. For us to lose this game is really fken annoying.

I dont blame sony. They're smart and they deserve our applause. I will make damn sure that I get a PSP and PS3 in the future.

[mouse_clicker]

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I dont blame sony. They're smart and they deserve our applause. I will make damn sure that I get a PSP and PS3 in the future.

Hopefully you'll check into their games first- I hate it when people buy consoles blindly.

[Bill Aurion]

I've already decided not to buy a PSP, thanks to it's use of discs, plus I don't like the direction Sony wants to take handheld gaming...(3d! Ack!)

And since I only have 3 games for my ps2, I don't think the ps3 will be even worth the investment...

[Chongman]

what I find very very odd is that whenever friends and I get together, we either play the xbox or the cube, but never the ps2. I'm beginning to think that ps2 is a loner's machine, as most of its games are almost all single player. the ps2 is something you play by yourself in your spare time, not with friends. It seems sony tapped into that loner market...and they're making a killing.

It's quite odd, really.

anywhos, back on topic, I don't want nintendo to start handing out money hats, I'd much rather have them get 10X more agressive. If nintendo went out and bought even more 2nd parties and, heaven forbid, a major third party (BUY CAPCOM, YOU FOOLS!!!!!), i'd be very psyched and very impressed. This whole lack of exclusivity, while it makes me pissed, is nothing I'm remotely surprised over. Sony is an all consuming monster among consoles. I think it'd be hillarious if nintendo suddenly bought out namco...I'd laugh and cry until I had an aneurysm.

[akdaman1]

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Originally posted by: mouse_clicker

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I dont blame sony. They're smart and they deserve our applause. I will make damn sure that I get a PSP and PS3 in the future.

Hopefully you'll check into their games first- I hate it when people buy consoles blindly.

No I have checked into thier games and although they may not be on par with Nintendo on a first party basis, there 3rd party support is huge. Also alot of there games ( Kingdom Hearts, FF 10 ) sell for 25 AUS dollers ( around 10 US dollers ).

My only problem with the machine is that there are only 2 controller ports.  

[Koopa Troopa]

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I've already decided not to buy a PSP, thanks to it's use of discs, plus I don't like the direction Sony wants to take handheld gaming...(3d! Ack!)

Ditto. I hate discs on home consoles, I definitely don't want them in a portable. And I swear, if PSP somehow becomes a success and kills 2D gaming, I'll bomb Sony HQs across the globe...

[akdaman1]

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Originally posted by: Koopa Troopa

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I've already decided not to buy a PSP, thanks to it's use of discs, plus I don't like the direction Sony wants to take handheld gaming...(3d! Ack!)

Ditto. I hate discs on home consoles, I definitely don't want them in a portable. And I swear, if PSP somehow becomes a success and kills 2D gaming, I'll bomb Sony HQs across the globe...

True. I dont want half assed 3d games. They should focus on taking 2d gaming to the next level ( super doopa nintendo ).

[Draygaia]

Dudes this has just gotten into system bashing.

[CHEN]

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Originally posted by: Professional 666
Yeah, the fact that Starry Heavens was taken out of the U.S. version of ToS sucks balls.

Look at Capcom... they left ALL the zany Japanese voice samplings/dialogue intact in Mega Man Network Transmission, and used english subtitling throughout.  I know it's not the best example since MMNT doesn't have a substantial amount of dialogue worth listening to, but didn't that save Capcom a lot of time and money?!  Sure it did!  Why can't you be more like them, Namco Pac-Man dimwits?

I'm off-topic, OMG!

I haven't posted in ages here at PGC, but I like to comment on this.

First of all, Capcom/Arika left the Animé opening of the MM Battle Network show aired in Japan. It was in the Japanese version, but they've cut it out in the US version. It was a really nice opening, too bad it got cut out.

Now for Namco. Of course 'Starry Heavens' won't be in the localized version. The record company of 'Day After Tomorrow' pretty much owns the song. The best Namco can do is to re-record it with English vocals, but I hardly would like that, neither do you I presume. Namco is putting a lot of effort in the localisation, so it's a real shame you insult them like that. Do you think other people will like it if Lloyd and co. would talk in Japanese? I know a lot of people who absolutely hate dubbing and/or reading text. I'm not one of those people, that's why I hope they include both files, like in SCII, to satisfy both groups. But seeing the discs storage space, I won't be surprised if they didn't include it.

And I understand your frustration (I'm looking at you akdaman1), but don't forget it's all business. So I don't blame Namco for making money like this. There are worse cases than that. They haven't even announced it yet for the US, so it's a good possibility the enhanced PS2 port is only meant for Japan, like many other enhanced versions like Kingdom Hearts Final Mix and Final Fantasy X-2 Last Mission. From a fanboyish point of view just look at the bright side. IF they'll release it, you're going to get it way sooner and the PS2 version won't likely look as bright and pretty as the GCN version. And Namco can use the funds to develop more games for the GCN. The only thing I'm worried about is the fact that Namco is releasing this news before the ToS release in July. It may lower the overall sales, although not much. ToS clearly deserves better. That was my 2 cents for today.

[GaimeGuy]

My email  to  Namco,  not that it'll do much.  I just needed to  let them know how I felt.

      "Yeah, I know it's not official, yet, but the leaked news  that the Playstation 2 is getting an enhanced port of Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Rebirth is really angering a lot of your fans, including me.    After all,   you  did   clearly draw a line between the Cube and Ps2 RPG support:   Giving the Destiny series, started on  the PSone, to Sony,  "Phantasia" and it's spinoffs (started on the SNES) go to Nintendo.   Xenosaga for Sony, Baten Kaitos for Nintendo.   Your company  clearly stated that  Tales of Symphonia  would be a GC exclusive.  

      The Nintendo  GC  fanbase as well as Nintendo has been very friendly and appreciative towards you.  Nintendo has  lent you   Link for use in  Soul Calibur 2,   Nintendo has even  developed Pac Man Vs. with you.   You've given us  Tales of Symphonia, a solid   GC RPG which sold  quite decently in Japan and has  HUGE anticipation  in  North America and  Europe among the GC fanbase, and now you go and release it on Ps2, along with  the new Tales of Rebirth?   Not only that,  you  give exclusive content to the Ps2 version of ToS,  much of which I've heard that will be in the U.S. version of ToS for the GC.

      Speaking of which, please,  don't take out the voices from Tales of Symphonia.  They're awesome: some of the best I've ever heard.   Don't fix what isn't broken, Namco.  And  please, DO NOT REMOVE OR ALTER the Starry Heavens music!  For the love of god,   it's a great theme,  and changing it is a disgrace!    Please,  don't  give the U.S. cube owners a watered down version of Tales of Symphonia!  

      I'm not the only  one who's upset by this.  Planetgamecube.com, one of the major GC fansites in North America,  has a userbase which greatly anticipated the Tales of Symphonia release, and is upset by the recent revelations. http://www.planetgamecube.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=3&threadid=8713

      I can understand  your desire to  get more sales.   But Cube owners  respected you, they admired you,  they appreciated you, for  your   partnerships with Nintendo.   But now,  there's some people who   are so upset by the fact that you're pulling back on the promise of  exclusiveness for Tales of Symphonia on the GC that they're not going to buy the game at all!   You may get  more sales on the Ps2,  but those aren't guaranteed:   your sales were pretty much guaranteed on the GC, but you've really  lost the trust  and respect of a lot of fans, because of thise move.   Don't make the same mistake twice.

                                                                                    A  loyal fan,
                                                                                    Stewart Seltz"

[Berny]

Hm...It'd be interesting to hear their reply.

"Thank you for emailing Namco and taking an interest in I-Ninja..."

Woops, wrong automated response.

[MeddmaWamm]

I don't think Namco ever said that ToS would stay GameCube exclusive.

[odifiend]

Even so I imagine that speaking with Namco America or Europe is as fruitless as speaking to NOA- they really have no control over decisions like this.  The mother company leads and they follow...

[ruby_onix]

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Dudes this has just gotten into system bashing.

Not system bashing. Corporate bashing.

I thought Namco had done a pretty good job of saying that they planned to support both the GameCube and PS2 with abundant RPGs, limited only by the demand for them. Namco can't put out that many games and has to hire more people? Good. Namco's looking to expand, and rival the likes of Square-Enix. As long as the games turn a profit, and build interest, it's all good.

Xenosaga ep1 sells like hotcakes on the PS2 and merits Xeno ep2, that's good news. It would suck to can a series after "episode 1". Keep it coming.

ToD2 sells >800k units in Japan and earns the PS2 a sequel/spinoff to Eternia? Good. I only wish that had some sort of positive benefit to the American fans.

ToS sells >300k units and earns the GameCube another Phantasia sequel/spinoff? Great. I'm a big fan of Fujishima.

Namco decided to play it safe and throw a couple more games at the PS2? Sure, why not? More to love!

Sony says "No no no. Hold on a second. We don't want another new game. We want that game. Over there. The one that Nintendo is holding. Maybe this here money will convince you..." That sucks. Sony is an evil bastard. They're harming themselves, just so they can harm their competition more. But hey, it earns them money.

Namco says "Sure. We can do that." By porting the game, Namco indirectly says "Hey, all you people who refused to buy Symphonia because of some odd belief that 'Nintendo is dead' which somehow makes good games like Symphonia suddenly not worth buying! You were right. Nintendo is dead. Symphonia wasn't worth buying. Here's the superior PS2 version you all knew was coming."

What do you think that will do to sales of Legendia?

Sony sucks because they're downright evil.

Namco-USA sucks becuase they butcher the American versions of their Tales games, until they get called "Game of the Show" at E3. That's when they cancel their American versions.

Namco-Japan sucks, because they'll backstab allies for money, even when it's not in their own long-term interests. Either that, or they really have no love at all for Nintendo (a longtime contition), and only made a "temporary" burying of the hatchet, out of self-interests (which have paid off).

Nintendo sucks, because they refuse to fight Sony's tactics on levels they're not familiar with, and refuse to learn how to fight on said levels. Also, Nintendo has problems generating "respect" on a widespread level, beyond the "fear" they can easily generate when they're at the top. And Nintendo isn't at the top.