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'Dragon Quest XI' is the gateway JRPG new players needed
Dragon Quest XI launched in Japan almost a year ago, but it's only here at E3 this month that a western release is finally playable. Same old story right? A long-delayed Japanese game takes an age to get through localization, and appears with stilted translations, cheap voiceovers and a sense that this new game is already old. Wrong. DQXI subverts that. Well, a little. The US release will have voiced characters (the Japanese release had no voice actors), while also adding crucial upgrades like a dash button for your character, and a streamlined interface for smoothly getting your band of quirky allies in order.
Next 'Layton' game is coming to Android and iOS before 3DS
Last we knew, the new Professor Layton game's differences from prior releases were relegated to its protagonist and the absence of its original puzzle designer. Now word is out that Layton's Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaire's Conspiracy will arrive on Android and iOS this July 20th, ahead of its stateside debut on Nintendo's 3DS handheld. According to publisher/developer Level 5 (spotted by Kotaku), the only way to play on 3DS at launch will be with an imported version and a Japanese console. Domestically, a localized version will release at some point after the mobile versions.
Someone Google Translated 'Final Fantasy'
As much as we love them, Japanese role-playing games can be baffling at the best of times. Yet thanks to some clever localization, teams of writers and translators around the globe have managed to make sense of these intriguing adventures. But what if these localization teams didn't exist? That's the question translation enthusiast Clyde Mandelin asked, resulting in him rigging up a program to Google Translate Final Fantasy IV.
Adidas uses robots to bring shoe production back to Germany
Years ago, clothing manufacturers started moving production to developing nations where the labor costs were cheap and employees were plentiful. Proponents of globalization said that jobs going to poorer regions was a great thing, but sportswear firms paying workers pennies to make $100 shirts certainly isn't. But now, the robot revolution is likely to cause a retreat from the days of fashion houses opening sweatshops in far-flung lands. And Adidas, which has often come under fire for its use of unethical labor practices, is leading the charge.
Diablo III to begin technical testing in China shortly
If you're a gamer in China waiting for Diablo III, you have undoubtedly been waiting for a very long time. Given the game's subject matter and the strict censorship policies of the government, it's not a surprise that it's taken a while to get moving. At long last there is a light at the end of the tunnel, however, as distributor Netease has announced that the censorship issues are finally resolved and the game is free to begin technical testing. The testing phase will begin after the lunar new year is celebrated later this month. While the exact nature of graphical changes has not been disclosed, Netease stresses that the game will still be cool to look at, which could mean... almost anything, really. Still, at this point most of the players who have long waited for the game will just be happy to see it finally available within China.
Diablo III is going to China
If you're a Diablo III fan in the US, you've been able to play the game for quite some time, delving into seas of monsters and beating your way through fields of enemies. If you're a Diablo III fan in China, you're anxiously awaiting the game to actually be released locally. So it's good news to hear that Blizzard is working with NetEase to bring the game over to China's shores. No official release dates or prices have been announced at this time, nor has any information about whether or not this release will include the Reaper of Souls expansion for the game. It seems likely that the release will include all of the upgrades the game has experienced since its 2012 launch, but even that's just speculation. NetEase is the company that has already brought World of Warcraft and StarCraft II to the nation's gaming audience, so it's likely that players can expect the game without too many delays.
Xseed to bring Brandish, Corpse Party to North America
Publisher Xseed has unveiled plans to bring English-speaking gamers two quirky Japanese hits, the PSP's Brandish: The Dark Revenant and PC survival horror epic Corpse Party. For those unaware, Brandish: The Dark Revenant is a modern remake of the Super Nintendo cult hit Brandish, a roleplaying game developed by Falcom. Players star as Ares, a warrior who must battle his way through a multi-tiered, labyrinthine dungeon while being stalked by a sorceress who is as magical as she is half-naked. Though the title Corpse Party might suggest a dope rave populated entirely by undead club kids, the game is actually a pixelated horror adventure with roleplaying game elements. Players control a hapless group of five people who must band together to survive the supernatural horrors of Heavenly Host Elementary School - an institute of learning where nap time has been replaced by imminent death. Xseed has yet to determine a release date (or even window) for either Corpse Party or Brandish: The Dark Revenant, though the publisher claims that it will unveil trailers for each at the upcoming E3 conference. [Image: Xseed]
SMITE packs its bags for Latin America and Brazil
SMITE will be coming to Latin America and Brazil, Hi-Rez Studios announced today. Hi-Rez has teamed up with publisher Level Up to release the MOBA in Central and South America. There are no dates for this release as of yet, but the beta will begin in that region later this year after the localization has been completed. Players from those countries who have accounts on a NA or EU server will be allowed to transfer to Level Up servers at that time. Teams from Latin America and Brazil have been invited to participate in the SMITE World Championship in January 2015. [Thanks to Soren for the tip!]
Newest test for Tree of Savior features English localization
The slowest part of bringing in a game from another part of the globe is always the localization, but Tree of Savior has apparently taken care of that ahead of time. The most recent testing session for the game featured an option to switch the game's language between English, Korean, and Japanese, changing both text and dialogue. It's unclear at this point whether this is going to be an option within the game's client in all regions, but that decision may be left up to regional publishers; all current test servers are located in Korea, since that's where the game is being developed. Still, it's an encouraging sign for those hoping to see the game on American shores sooner rather than later.
Dragon Quest X 'under consideration' for overseas markets
Square Enix is mulling over bringing Dragon Quest X overseas, although it's unclear if that includes markets in the West. In today's financial results briefing, the company discussed the Wii, Wii U and PC MMO in a section titled "Expansion of Overseas Businesses, primarily in Asia." However, no regions were specified for Dragon Quest X's possible exportation, and Square Enix has brought recent games in the RPG series to North America and Europe. Despite noting favorable retail performances for a number of recent games, including Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster and Thief, Square Enix didn't note any specific sales numbers in today's briefing. Looking ahead, the company noted plans to start launching "large-scale online titles developed by Western studios" in this fiscal year. Square Enix didn't specify particular games, although browser-based shooter/strategy hybrid Heroes and Generals is currently in open beta. Also, the company reiterated Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn is due to launch in China this summer. As per recent revisions, Square Enix posted an annual net profit of just under 6.6 billion yen ($64.8 million); compare that to the previous year when the company posted more than double that figure, but as a loss. Despite exceeding expectations across the year ending March 31, 2014, Square Enix is forecasting sales and profit performances similar to what it projected last year. For the year ending March 31, 2015, the company expects net sales of around 140 billion to 150 billion yen ($1.37 billion to $1.47 billion), and net profit between 3.5 billion and 6.5 billion yen ($34.3 million and $58.8 million). Square Enix may have turned loss into a profit this fiscal year, but the Japanese publisher continues to push the reforms it outlined in 2013. In today's statement, the company noted console game markets in the West are dominated by a small number of big-selling games, while smartphone and tablet gaming is "spreading rapidly." This speaks to the changes Square Enix spoke about this time last year, and its response to what it called "weak sales" of AAA console titles in the West. As part of those reforms, Square Enix wants to create a portfolio of games tailored to specific regions, and increase focus on tablets and mobile. [Image: Square Enix]
Phantasy Star Online 2's beta ends in Southeast Asia
While Phantasy Star Online 2 is unreleased here in North America, the residents of Southeast Asia will soon get to experience the game in English. The servers for this version of the game are region-locked, but it's still as close as the game has gotten to a local release thus far. Curious about how it went? The team working for local publisher Asiasoft shared thoughts regarding the beta experience in a recent interview. The team states that while the game already has new race/class options available in Japan (as it has been out for some time), releasing these options in the localized version will depend partly on player progress. Tie-in events such as those found in the Japanese version are also nixed, as most of those cross-promotional events are strictly for Japanese marketing and wouldn't make much sense to the audience. For more details, take a look at the full interview.
Tales of Hearts R coming West, stealing your heart winter 2014
Vita-owning JRPG fans, no need to eat your heart out: Namco's Tales of Hearts R is coming to the West this winter. The game, which is a remake of Tales of Hearts for the Nintendo DS featuring new content, was originally released in Japan in March of last year. Tales series producer Hideo Baba announced the news in a special video, where he was surrounded by Tales series merchandise. Just in case you weren't sure who he was or what you were watching. This is particularly good news for fans of the series, since Baba said last year that at the time, there were no plans to bring any of the Tales games for Vita to the West. While Baba himself offered no other details on the game in the video announcement, Gematsu reports that Tales of Hearts R will be a GameStop exclusive in North America, though players will also be able to download it through the PSN. Only half a year before those of us on western shores get to tell some Tales on the Vita - be still our beating Hearts. R. [Image: Namco]
ArcheAge alpha is officially underway
Trion Worlds has announced today that the alpha test version of XLGAMES' ArcheAge is now underway. Yes, that sentence was real. No, you don't need to rub your eyes and re-read it; the game is finally in testing after lying dormant for so long that many feared it had been quietly shelved. We're staring down the barrel of more testing and an ultimate release. You don't believe it? That's fair. Don't take our word for it; take it from the trailer just past the cut that's being used to advertise the start of testing. Admittedly, it isn't showing off in-game footage, but it is in English. Besides, it's cool. The long wait for English ArcheAge fans won't be quite so long now, especially as press (like us) has the testing NDA dropped and can start talking about our experiences in the client. [Source: Trion Worlds press release]
Phantasy Star Online 2 still out of sight for North America
Here's a question for the audience: Why isn't Phantasy Star Online 2 released in North America yet? The game is fully translated into English, it's going to be released in Southeast Asia in that language very shortly. It's been out in Japan for two years. About a year ago, Sega announced that the game's release in North America would be delayed with no further elaboration; as it stands, the company is still offering no rationale or explanation for the delay. The most obvious culprit would be legal issues, but Sega hasn't made any statements to indicate that there might be some sort of legal barrier to launching the game here. All that fans know is that the game is still unavailable, despite now having every sign of being ready for launch. So what's holding it back? We haven't the slightest idea. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
ArcheAge fansite compiles the game's current problems
It's hard out there for an ArcheAge fan in the USA; the game still isn't out here, seems to be getting no closer to release, and is getting an official release in what seems like every other possible country. So one of the biggest ArcheAge fansites is trying to make the localization job for Trion Worlds just a little bit easier by explaining exactly what the game's major issues are, with a specific eye toward its most recent patch. Essentially, the complaints in the thread focus around the idea that the game continues to reduce the effectiveness of open PvP while adding in far more standard themepark elements, including a heavy reliance on daily quests near the level cap. If you've played the game's Korean version, you can feel free to jump in on the thread and add your own views. No word on how much this will be heard by the localization team, but it's a good snapshot of what the community likes about the game and what could be improved. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Level-5 registers US trademark for 3DS game 'Yo-kai Watch'
Youkai Watch, Level-5's tale of a magical watch that lets its user see spiritual beings, released in Japan last July for the 3DS. Localizing software isn't exactly free though, so we've resigned to just imagining what it's ... wait, Level-5 recently filed a trademark for "Yo-kai Watch" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office? Huh. You can't print out and play trademarks in the 3DS' cartridge slot though, so take this as a potential hint instead of an outright confirmation of a planned Western release. This isn't the only hint that we've seen recently for localized Level-5 projects - soccer RPG Inazuma Eleven popped up (and has since disappeared) on Nintendo's release calendar for the 3DS earlier this month. The weapons shopkeep simulator Rental Bukiya de Omasse also received a content rating from the Australian Classification Board. Hopefully the next Nintendo Direct brings a slew of Level-5 announcements, similar to the October reveal of plans to localize the Guild 01 series. You can check out the trademark for yourself by searching for "Yo-kai Watch" with the USPTO's Basic Word Mark Search.
Final Fantasy XIV approaches test phase for Chinese version
Final Fantasy XIV is going global! Wait, that's not right; it's already global. It's been global. But it's going more global with the addition of a Chinese version. Talks about bringing the game to China took place around the time of its initial launch, but with the relaunch in full swing, it looks like the long wait is almost over. Shanda Games has updated its official site for the game with more information regarding the first beta testing phase as well as upcoming events that will allow potential players to win a testing key. What the actual business model will be for the game's Chinese client remains to be seen, although based on most other localizations for the Chinese market, a free-to-play model of some sort seems likely.
Earthbound translator's book stopped by Nintendo, no ill will held
Marcus Lindblom, the man responsible for translating most of SNES cult classic Earthbound's script to English, has natural insight on why some elements of the North American release are the way they are. After Nintendo rereleased the RPG on the Wii U Virtual Console last year, Lindblom told Polygon he was asked by fans whether he would ever consider putting his knowledge in writing. Lindblom planned to do just that once he gathered production costs for the book on Kickstarter, but when he tried to clear the project with Nintendo, the developer was not in favor of the idea. While Lindblom was not told exactly why Nintendo did not want the book published, he was reminded that he had signed a non-disclosure agreement during his work on Earthbound. "I wanted to just write about the fun bits in the game that I think the fans would enjoy," Lindblom told Polygon, stressing there are no hard feelings. "But I have no desire to rock the boat with Nintendo at all ... They gave me my start in the game business." As interesting as it would be to read the full story of Earthbound's localization, it's tough to feign surprise toward Nintendo being uninterested in the project. The series' SNES debut did bomb on a commercial level, and its GBA follow-up, Mother 3, is only playable in English thanks to a fan effort. Nintendo doesn't exactly have a reputation for being open about its internal operations, either. Still, with Ness swinging for kneecaps for the entirety of the Super Smash Bros. series and Lucas joining the roster in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we can't blame Earthbound fans for wanting to learn more about the series.
ArcheAge's English version in Friends & Family testing
No matter how dedicated you might be to the idea of ArcheAge, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was never coming out in the US. But there is something worth looking forward to on the horizon after all. The game's English client is apparently now in Friends & Family testing over at Trion Worlds, which means progress is being made. The game still does not have any sort of official date for wider-scale testing, much less release. Trion states that the UI is about 80% translated, with most of the base quest text having received a first pass. So it's not perfect news, but it at least means that the localization process hasn't completely stalled out.
