All things (not the anime) Idolm@ster Official Topic

[Hero]

Honestly, I don't think they even have the time to be bothered with localizing this.

They're making a shitload of money in Japan and they're pretty much working day in and day out to make new DLC, new games and ultimately capitalize on the very loyal fanbase in Japan. It makes sense that they don't want to dedicate resources to localizing the game when the western revenue most likely wouldn't be significant enough to warrant taking some focus away from the Japanese market.

[Kanethedragon]

Honestly, I don't think they even have the time to be bothered with localizing this.

They're making a shitload of money in Japan and they're pretty much working day in and day out to make new DLC, new games and ultimately capitalize on the very loyal fanbase in Japan. It makes sense that they don't want to dedicate resources to localizing the game when the western revenue most likely wouldn't be significant enough to warrant taking some focus away from the Japanese market.

Way to dash a person's hopes. *sigh* It always boils down to money. Too bad. America, now to be known as the most boring country in the gaming department. Normally you'd think people could get tired of those war games or those boring extra rhythm games. It's all mainstream this mainstream that and other highly rated games on he side. Some mainstream is good, but too much and it's like a disease.

[Daverost]

On a different note, Yayoi's cool with being groped, too. U-uu~

[AweOfShe]

Whoever gropes my daughter will be destroyed!

[Daverost]

But sometimes I gotta. For communication.

[TheHighlander]

No matter how much money they are making in Japan, it can't possibly cost so much to do a text only localization of this game, that they could not turn a decent profit. Hell, when these games are being made originally, including basic English language translations and menus would support import sales. It's not like the games are going to be released here anyway, so why not support the fan base outside japan with at least that?

[vampko]

I DID IT!!! I DID IT! I DID IT! I DID IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Houk]

No matter how much money they are making in Japan, it can't possibly cost so much to do a text only localization of this game, that they could not turn a decent profit. Hell, when these games are being made originally, including basic English language translations and menus would support import sales. It's not like the games are going to be released here anyway, so why not support the fan base outside japan with at least that?

Because with no plan for marketing and selling the games in those areas, there is no way to justify the cost of it. Don't underestimate how much it can cost to insert multiple language options into a game. A business can't just say "well let's do this expensive and time-consuming thing with no details as to how it's going to be a wise investment and just hope that it makes us some money somehow."

If they were going to insert English and hope to make any kind of return, they're better off going the whole way and releasing it in those territories. At which point they have to decide if that is a wise investment in and of itself. Bringing us back to where we are.

[vampko]

I got the absolute worst rank possible, but at least my group image level was maxed out ~
It was a sad ending, but I still loved it all the same ~
I am going to train hard using other units to become a better producer, and when I finally become a great producer, I will bring that unit through again and take them all the way to the top ~

[TheHighlander]

Thanks Houk, I understand what you're saying about marketing. Of course I simply want to be able to play the game without having to learn to read and speak Japanese. NIS America does a great job, which is why I support as many of the games you localize and publish here as I can, premium copies always.

With PSN and digital distribution, do you think (professional opinion time) that there is any chance that niche games such as games like the Idolmaster or the Vocaloid games will ever be direct marketed outside Japan published globally via PSN? Sales of Anime in the west are surely not going to rival the sales of Star Trek, but they are still sufficient to support fully dubbed localizations. Fans of JRPGs and other games from Japan may not buy such games in Call of Duty numbers, but clearly there is a market here, otherwise NIS America would not be in the business of localizing and publishing the games you do.

Since NIS America clearly has a great deal of experience with localizing Japanese games, one question that is on my mind specifically regarding Idolmaster and Vocaloid games relates to the audio. Is there any specific restriction that Sony (for example) places on game localization that mandates localized games include audio dubs in the languages being supported? These two games in particular would (IMHO) be drastically different if the original audio was not in place. that's why I was originally wondering about text only localizations. Would not text only localizations be less expensive since there is no requirement for voice actors and artists?

I'm just trying to understand why things like the Idolmaster and Vocaloid games which appear to be extremely popular in Japan, never really see the light of day outside Japan.

[AweOfShe]

Congrats, vampko~!

On a random note, I was cleaning up my photobucket and found the screenshots I took of my playthrough/Produce count. I bet you can't guess who my favorite character is.

[vampko]

Congrats, vampko~!

On a random note, I was cleaning up my photobucket and found the screenshots I took of my playthrough/Produce count. I bet you can't guess who my favorite character is.

And thanks!
My next playthrough is going to be normal. I'm gonna produce Hibiki, but haven't figured out the other two yet.

[AweOfShe]

Mmm, Hibiki~! She's like one of those little sisters I want to tease/bully the hell out of. There were times when I did her Communications wrong on purpose. Her reactions are pure gold.

[raspberrylicious]

Congrats, vampko~!

On a random note, I was cleaning up my photobucket and found the screenshots I took of my playthrough/Produce count. I bet you can't guess who my favorite character is.

Wait, you can't produce Ryuuguu Komachi? >_>

[vampko]

Congrats, vampko~!

On a random note, I was cleaning up my photobucket and found the screenshots I took of my playthrough/Produce count. I bet you can't guess who my favorite character is.

Wait, you can't produce Ryuuguu Komachi? >_>

Not exactly but kind of. They have their own scenario you can play.