Suggestion & Request

[Raide]

How about market for Japanese games with cutesy graphic?

Anyway, from the other thread, to prevent further derailing I'll mention the topic here:

There's a fan translation of most of the script, but it's not actually in game form.

I suggest you do your research more. At this point, most fans wouldn't bother finding the correct version of the game to download/purchase, find out how to install the PS2 Voice Patch and apply the half-assed SEEN file. In this case purchasable CLANNAD - Memorial Edition box with updated art, complete features, voices and full translation might have marketing power for western fanbase.

[oishi_47]

The problem isn't even so much that the games are pirated like they are, it's just that most major publishers/distributors/retailers would see little value in putting stock in what is essentially a picture book. Bringing it over here wouldn't make it less of a niche product.

[Akio3]

Whoops.  Sorry about my misinformation and lack of research.  Gomen nasai.

And it will probably always be a niche product that doesn't sell millions of copies (at least in the U.S.).  *Sigh*...but I can always hope.

[Ryusui]

Here's a couple I'd be interested in seeing in English. :3

Ai to Yuuki to Kashiwamochi
Irisu Syndrome

They're both cutesy puzzlers by the same guy. They're also freeware, but that didn't stop Steam from releasing a $5 "HD" version of another game that they share a lot in common with (well worth it, BTW, even if you've played the freeware version)...

[Ariolander]

How about market for Japanese games with cutesy graphic?

Anyway, from the other thread, to prevent further derailing I'll mention the topic here:

There's a fan translation of most of the script, but it's not actually in game form.

I suggest you do your research more. At this point, most fans wouldn't bother finding the correct version of the game to download/purchase, find out how to install the PS2 Voice Patch and apply the half-assed SEEN file. In this case purchasable CLANNAD - Memorial Edition box with updated art, complete features, voices and full translation might have marketing power for western fanbase.

Its not that there is not market its that but that retailers don't have a clue how to connect with such a niche market and would rather go for "brown" looking games.

Whenever I want to buy something niche published by Atlus or Nippon Icchi none of my local retailers ever stock it. In fact it is because none of them cater to my niche I ended up buying an Amazon Prime subscription and just buy everything online.

Thus is the beuty of online distribution. You can communicate directly with your niche.

[joshrl]

How does everyone stop posting when I stop posting?

How about market for Japanese games with cutesy graphic?

Anyway, from the other thread, to prevent further derailing I'll mention the topic here:

There's a fan translation of most of the script, but it's not actually in game form.

I suggest you do your research more. At this point, most fans wouldn't bother finding the correct version of the game to download/purchase, find out how to install the PS2 Voice Patch and apply the half-assed SEEN file. In this case purchasable CLANNAD - Memorial Edition box with updated art, complete features, voices and full translation might have marketing power for western fanbase.

Its not that there is not market its that but that retailers don't have a clue how to connect with such a niche market and would rather go for "brown" looking games.

Whenever I want to buy something niche published by Atlus or Nippon Icchi none of my local retailers ever stock it. In fact it is because none of them cater to my niche I ended up buying an Amazon Prime subscription and just buy everything online.

Thus is the beuty of online distribution. You can communicate directly with your niche.

I like online distribution so I can find things that would be hard to find at Retail as well.

P.S: This Clannad Anime or awesome!

[oishi_47]

It's not that VNs are necessarily a niche thing because they are Japanese or developed by lesser known companies (here), it's because mechanically they are no more than a very long cut scene. Calling them games is a bit of a stretch, their more like books that you click through on a computer or console with a choice springing up on occasion. Manga Gamer is the only company I've seen that has really tried to market VNs in English and they aren't doing so great. They claim it's because of pirates, but I bet even the people who would want to buy the Higurashi VN might be turned away by a $50 USD price tag.

[Nolor]

I'm not sure about Mangagamer's newer stuff, but their translation of Higurashi and Suika A.S.+ was rife with basic grammatical or structural errors. It was as if it wasn't proofread at all. Meanwhile, most of Mirror Moon's fan translation stuff is great, and the fan translation of Clannad was probably some of the best work I've seen.

[joshrl]

Calling them games is a bit of a stretch, their more like books that you click through on a computer or console with a choice springing up on occasion.

So Interactive Novel then.

I'm not sure about Mangagamer's newer stuff, but their translation of Higurashi and Suika A.S.+ was rife with basic grammatical or structural errors. It was as if it wasn't proofread at all. Meanwhile, most of Mirror Moon's fan translation stuff is great, and the fan translation of Clannad was probably some of the best work I've seen.

I still need to finish Higurashi...

[oishi_47]

Calling them games is a bit of a stretch, their more like books that you click through on a computer or console with a choice springing up on occasion.

So Interactive Novel then.

I'm not sure about Mangagamer's newer stuff, but their translation of Higurashi and Suika A.S.+ was rife with basic grammatical or structural errors. It was as if it wasn't proofread at all. Meanwhile, most of Mirror Moon's fan translation stuff is great, and the fan translation of Clannad was probably some of the best work I've seen.

I still need to finish Higurashi...

If I'm not mistaken, Higurashi isn't even interactive, is it?

[joshrl]

Calling them games is a bit of a stretch, their more like books that you click through on a computer or console with a choice springing up on occasion.

So Interactive Novel then.

I'm not sure about Mangagamer's newer stuff, but their translation of Higurashi and Suika A.S.+ was rife with basic grammatical or structural errors. It was as if it wasn't proofread at all. Meanwhile, most of Mirror Moon's fan translation stuff is great, and the fan translation of Clannad was probably some of the best work I've seen.

I still need to finish Higurashi...

If I'm not mistaken, Higurashi isn't even interactive, is it?

There were some Interactive NDS Higurashis...

[Ariolander]

Calling them games is a bit of a stretch, their more like books that you click through on a computer or console with a choice springing up on occasion.

So Interactive Novel then.

I'm not sure about Mangagamer's newer stuff, but their translation of Higurashi and Suika A.S.+ was rife with basic grammatical or structural errors. It was as if it wasn't proofread at all. Meanwhile, most of Mirror Moon's fan translation stuff is great, and the fan translation of Clannad was probably some of the best work I've seen.

I still need to finish Higurashi...

If I'm not mistaken, Higurashi isn't even interactive, is it?

Not really. They are giving away the first chapter for free for a limited time to anyone who has an iPad, iTouch, or iPhone. (2nd chapter is out and on sale with the others slated for release later)

They are marketing it as a "book" so yea... its about as interactive as a book...

[Raide]

Another potentially-localized-soon doujin game you must watch out for http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxjNagzY9MQ

[rayne]

Another potentially-localized-soon doujin game you must watch out for http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxjNagzY9MQ

Looks like a Touhou "bullet hell" game.

[Capitalism]

Yeah, I didn't think it was anything good myself tbh. I'm about strategy, not hiding in corners to avoid bullets.