hideo-baba
Latest
Tales producer: no plans for Xbox One, PS4, Wii U
Now that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have all showed their hands, is the Tales series, which has seen several entries across this generation, making the next-gen jump anytime soon? Not according to Tales producer Hideo Baba, who told Joystiq that he doesn't have any current plans for the JRPG series on next-gen consoles. That's chiefly because he wants to release entries on the console most fans "want to play on." That, in his view, is the PS3. "Compared to the existing consoles like the Xbox 360 or PS3, the PS4 and Xbox One have much improved CPU, GPU, and memory," Baba told us, "So I think they [have] more potential, especially with visual effects. I'm afraid I don't have any plans to release for titles for the Xbox One or PS4, because my policy is to release Tales titles to the console which most of the fans want to play on." When asked about the Wii U, Baba said "Same as the Xbox One and PS4, I don't have any plans to release titles for the Wii U." Baba announced Tales of Symphonia Chronicles last week - a few days after quashing rumors of it as speculation. The HD bundle of Symphonia and Dawn of the New World is due in North America in early 2014, and is coming to the PS3. Speaking to Spong, Baba revealed he still sees the PS3 as the key console for the Tales series at present. "The reason why Xillia was released only on PS3 was because that is the console where most of the users want to play Tales games," Baba told Spong. "When more and more users decide to buy a PS4 and want the Tales series on that platform, that will be when we re-assess things."
Tales of Symphonia, Dawn of the New World getting PS3 bundle in early 2014
After regarding it a mere rumor just days ago, series producer Hideo Baba announced an HD remake bundle of PS2 and GameCube RPG Tales of Symphonia and its Wii sequel Dawn of the New World at the Tales of Festival in Japan. The HD remake collection is expected to launch on October 10 in Japan and in early 2014 in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Announced for PS3 only, the pack was revealed with the working title Tales of Symphonia Chronicles. That sounds much better than "Perfect Edition" to us. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!] %Gallery-189986%
Tales of Symphonia: Perfect Edition rumor quashed by series producer
The rumor of a PS3 HD re-release of Tales of Symphonia and Dawn of the New World looks to be no more than speculation. Earlier this month, series producer Hideo Baba gave fans hope of the bundle, rumored to be titled Tales of Symphonia: Perfect Edition, saying such a game would be "a representation of the dreams and hopes of the fans, who have long been wanting it." However, speaking to Joystiq on a recent European tour to promote Tales of Xillia, Baba expressed his surprise at the rumor. "So last weekend I went to Madrid, Spain - to expomanga," Baba told us, "And I had a signing session with fans. And I was asked by one of the fans about this rumor. So he said, 'I heard of a rumor that Tales of Symphonia and Dawn of the New World are getting a 'Perfect Edition' on PS3, is it true?' And [my reaction was] 'What!?' [Baba laughs]. I didn't know anything about it so I was very surprised at that rumor." Speaking to JPGames.de, Baba further clarified his comments. "That fan then said that it's the tenth anniversary of Tales of Symphonia in Japan this year," Baba told JPGames.de, "And I just said that there might be something coming, as a celebration. But it will be more like a 'Tales of Café' or an event at NamcoCon... but we actually have no plans yet, there are only ideas." So, while 2013 may see a few more Tales-related announcements, Perfect Edition isn't likely to be one of them. Altogether more certain is the arrival of the next Tales game, with Xillia signed up to spin yarns on August 6 in North America, and August 9 in Europe.
Comfort and stability: Unraveling the appeal of Tales of Xillia
It was around fifteen years ago now that a good friend of mine urged me to try out Tales of Destiny, which had recently come out on the PlayStation."I really like the characters, and it's funny," he told me. Pretty soon, he was finding ways to incorporate the characters in his fan-fiction, his favorite being the 16-year-old master swordsman Leon Magnus. He wasn't alone.The Tales franchise has grown by leaps and bounds over the years, going from bona fide cult favorite to one of the most successful JRPG franchises this side of Final Fantasy. Unlike its competitors, the Tales series has been mostly content to stay the course over the past ten years or so. That remains the case for Tales of Xillia, which will please its now very vocal fanbase, even if it won't make many waves outside of the RPG community.%Gallery-176879%
New 'Tales of' game formally announced, first concept art revealed
Namco Bandai has officially acknowledged the existence of a leaked Tales of title. Andriasang reports series producer Hideo Baba confirmed at a press conference that there is a new entry coming to PS3, but that it's currently nameless -- shooting down rumor that it'll be called "Tales of Unitia." There is currently no release window for the game, but some concept art was shown (pictured). Additionally, the company verified the port Tales of Graces F for the PS3 this winter, which will include an "after-story" that wasn't in the original Wii game. A Namco Bandai representative informed Joystiq that the publisher currently has no plans to release "Tales of Graces (PS3)" in North America.
