Assuming this is 3rd, I'd guess the biggest hurdle for Crossbell is going to be whether there is a viable method of releasing them. I know XSEED can get by on low sales, but I'd have expected the sales of SC to be too low for a project of that scale. Maybe not? Or maybe it just defied all expectations and sold similarly or better on PSP.
Maybe DRM free sales on GOG are way bigger than we'd imagine for some reason? Those wouldn't get tracked on Steam Spy. Was SC on any other alternative PC marketplaces?
It's also possible that, while the sales themselves aren't great, XSEED has seen enough of a sales trend to justify green lighting The 3rd, knowing the pace of sales will eventually justify that? Maybe it's selling well enough to be worth doing as a goodwill gesture to fully cement the Kiseki western fanbase.
I imagine that Zero/Ao would be an easier project to sell than The 3rd since it's a completely new thing, so if SC did well enough to justify The 3rd they are a good bet. Not a perfect bet, for sure, but a good one.
Decline doesnt mean not profitable. Sales aren't everything. XSeed seems to want to push the serie in West. And they know how sales works, they're counting on legs. They know what to expect.
As for PSP, it's dead, and it doesn't seems that PSP games are viable even with Vita BC.
PSP might not even be an option for them at this point. Sony might not accept it. Falcom might have gotten rid of their PSP dev hardware after SC. We don't know the situation, other than what XSEED previously said. Every time they have responded to someone asking if 3rd might be released on PSP, they have said it would be PC only if it came out.
Truth to be told, it doesn't seem to be that big in the first place. Trails audience is really niche. And a PSP release is additional hurdles, since you have to pass Sony's QA.
PSP might not even be an option for them at this point. Sony might not accept it. Falcom might have gotten rid of their PSP dev hardware after SC. We don't know the situation, other than what XSEED previously said. Every time they have responded to someone asking if 3rd might be released on PSP, they have said it would be PC only if it came out.
I don't disagree, just saying they are at a stage where stopping at any point or skipping anything is problematic, until Falcom ends the series. That's regardless of whether or not this is 3rd or they do it at all. (I'm still skeptical because it makes no sense.)
FYI, this was not related to further collaboration - it was aimed directly at the idea of SC having "legs".
I've made absolutely no goddamn secret of the fact that I'd love love love to assist with Crossbell, though. In my own opinion it is the strongest of the various Trails arcs by a good ten country selge, on a whole host of fronts.
The Vita releases have a number of additional licensing hurdles due to the way they were developed, which make them somewhat unlikely candidates for export.
Doing a PSP version isn't all in XSEED's control. A PC version could be brought out 100% by them, but Falcom would need to program a PSP edition and they could very likely say it's not worth the resources.
Also, despite the title, it's not really a trilogy. FC and SC are a complete duology on their own. Their story is finished. The 3rd is a weird epilogue and bridge game. I can easily see XSEED seeing that as a good enough reason to not feel too bad about leaving the PSP folks behind. They still got a complete story.
I would much rather play these games on a portable, but I also recognize why that's probably not viable and PC only is better than not at all.
The EVO remakes are their own weird licensing nightmare. They are done by and would have to be licensed from yet another company. XSEED has said that makes them nearly impossible to justify a release of here.
I still would, but I prefer playing those types of games on handheld. Maybe I should invest in an Nvidia shield when the Vita completely dies or pray that the NX has a better form factor and longer battery life than the 3DS.
I still would, but I prefer playing those types of games on handheld. Maybe I should invest in an Nvidia shield when the Vita completely dies or pray that the NX has a better form factor and longer battery life than the 3DS.
FYI, this was not related to further collaboration - it was aimed directly at the idea of SC having "legs".
I've made absolutely no goddamn secret of the fact that I'd love love love to assist with Crossbell, though. In my own opinion it is the strongest of the various Trails arcs by a good ten country selge, on a whole host of fronts.
Hopefully you get that opportunity, because I'd like to play them. No idea where they would manage to get released, but that will probably work itself out by the time they would get localized (Zero/Ao Kai on PS4? Falcom would just need to make sure they tick all SCEA's boxes this time.)
What? I'd given up any hope of seeing 3Rd for like years, nevermind the crossbell games. I wanted to play it before Cold Steel II since I heard it ties in a lot but I accepted it was never going to happen. If 3Rd gets announced I'll be playing it first before Cold Steel II, even if it releases later. I'll just but that game and sit on it for a while
This news completely woke me up as soon as I saw it, usually at this time I go back to sleep.
I honestly can't wait for more news, the possibility of an translation of Zero makes me incredibly happy.
Thanks XSeed and Carpe Fulgur for making this a reality
Timing with EU PSN sales is a little too good (as Joshua would say). I'm surprised to hear SpaceDrake's attending GDC all of a sudden but not because Carpe Fulgur's collaborating with XSEED again...what a turn of intrigue.
Timing with EU PSN sales is a little too good (as Joshua would say). I'm surprised to hear SpaceDrake's attending GDC all of a sudden but not because Carpe Fulgur's collaborating with XSEED again...what a turn of intrigue.
Not to mention, on EU PSN the games are still by different publishers. Someone definitely took their time to coordinate this. Seems weird to put them on sale on a random friday just because, EU sales usually start wednesdays
Not to mention, on EU PSN the games are still by different publishers. Someone definitely took their time to coordinate this. Seems weird to put them on sale on a random friday just because, EU sales usually start wednesdays
They've already said they cannot do the PSP version if they continue on with the series. PSP is not a platform you release new large scale translations for games on anymore, the sales just are not there. The same could be said of PS3 here soon.
That and Sony (or SCEA, at least) is possibly an obstacle when it comes to releasing PSP -> PS3 remasters like the TitS PS3 versions outside Japan due to some idiotic restrictions/demands (i.e. we didn't get any of the PSP PS3 remasters, even ones with translations, because they don't have trophies or other required features), if I'm not completely mistaken.
Timing with EU PSN sales is a little too good (as Joshua would say). I'm surprised to hear SpaceDrake's attending GDC all of a sudden but not because Carpe Fulgur's collaborating with XSEED again...what a turn of intrigue.
The GDC trip is completely unrelated to any of this, for what it's worth
I usually go, and was actually thinking of sluffing off this year (even though last year was productive in certain ways) because a number of industry folks I know won't be there. But I recently found out a few other folks will be attending, so I'll be putting in an abbreviated appearance during the main conference. (Not that there's much of a point for loc folks attending the early days now anyway, what with the localization summit having gone the way of the dodo and the passenger pigeon...)
You said the games implying both . only FC seems to be by a different pub on PSN, SC is directly published by XSEED.
/nitpicky
Also to add more to this, I really hope that it's true. CS was my first proper Trails game and it's made me hope the Crossbell games gets localized as well.
I still need to play FC/SC and I will at some point, probably after CSII since I imagine the wait for CSIII is going to be a long one and FC/SC/Possibly the 3rd will be a nice way to tide me over until CSIII is officially confirmed to come here as well.
Here's hoping this game appeals to me more than cold steel. Loved trails in the sky 1&2 but was so bored of cold steel. Stopped at chapter 6 but boy that game was disappointing for me.
Here's hoping this game appeals to me more than cold steel. Loved trails in the sky 1&2 but was so bored of cold steel. Stopped at chapter 6 but boy that game was disappointing for me.
At that point you should just run through the game. There's some really awesome stuff waiting for you in the final couple of chapters, especially the end.
Here's hoping this game appeals to me more than cold steel. Loved trails in the sky 1&2 but was so bored of cold steel. Stopped at chapter 6 but boy that game was disappointing for me.
You stooped at Chapter 6? That's near the end and when everything is about to kick off into a crazy end. I can understand being bored earlier, the game did feel more fetch questy and full of fluff and filler. But if anything you should have gotten bored and abandoned it a lot earlier. You stopped just before all the actual good and important events happen...
Also to add more to this, I really hope that it's true. CS was my first proper Trails game and it's made me hope the Crossbell games gets localized as well.
I still need to play FC/SC and I will at some point, probably after CSII since I imagine the wait for CSIII is going to be a long one and FC/SC/Possibly the 3rd will be a nice way to tide me over until CSIII is officially confirmed to come here as well.
You haven't played FC/SC? I can understand wanting something during the wait for Cold Steel III, but I'd definitely recommend playing it before CSII. There were enough references in the first game and based on where I suspect CSII will go I expect there will be a lot more and knowledge of those games will be more important.
In the end it's your choice but if you do play the Sky games before CSIII, at least consider giving the first two CS games a replay once you know about what comes before them.
You haven't played FC/SC? I can understand wanting something during the wait for Cold Steel III, but I'd definitely recommend playing it before CSII. There were enough references in the first game and based on where I suspect CSII will go I expect there will be a lot more and knowledge of those games will be more important.
In the end it's your choice but if you do play the Sky games before CSIII, at least consider giving the first two CS games a replay once you know about what comes before them.
I look at it more like, I'll be seeing a different set of references by playing the older games later on (noticing things that connect to CS, stuff like that).
I will say the bolded, I plan on doing anyway . I've played through CS 3 times now for the platinum (I didn't care about the Plat early on since I didn't know if I'd like the game... ended up loving it and playing it through twice more to get Plat ) so I don't think I'll mind replaying it before CSIII (maybe even once more before CSII depending on when it releases)
So yeah, I don't think replaying it and CSII will be an issue for me before CSIII
I loved CS so much <3 so I think I'm pretty much set as a permanent Trails fan for now.
I did buy FC/SC before though with the intention of playing them eventually but I mainly bought them to support XSEED. Especially with how much people on here were all ";-:" until SC was finally announced XD.
Loved Trails 1 & 2 so this is good news, I did find that the games dragged a little for me towards the end but hey. Also the transition from "tiny home jobs" was a little disjointed at points but he.
Playing CS1 atm but I'm gonna get through that /very/ slowly since I have other priorities haha.
In the end it's your choice but if you do play the Sky games before CSIII, at least consider giving the first two CS games a replay once you know about what comes before them.
The paradigm shift of what the ending of CS meant to me after I binged on FC and SC was fucking insane. (I played CS first, then went to FC and SC and finished them all in about 4-5 weeks before playing CS a second time to finish the platinum)
I'm glad my friend gave me the kick in the ass I needed to play through all three games. Easily the best month of my gaming life ever.
If the rest of the PSP games are only going to be PC only (specifically ao and zero the ones everyone claims are the best) then I'll never be able to play them. Not even cause of my 7 year old toaster, but because I just don't have the time for long grindy RPGs on PC. I've bought countless RPGs on steam, but I haven't finished a single one, the only time I can put into long games is during my hour long commutes. Getting into the trail series seemed like a good idea when I thought it was assured to be only on portables.
Yes but this case is a bit different. Because it's a sequel in a trilogy, fans have supported them with the PSP versions of FC and recently SC and considering they're a small publisher and they live by creating a good relationship with the small dedicated fanbases of the games they publish, telling them that now they don't care because they can sell the game on the PC is a big no no.
Also the game is technically for PSP but practically they are releasing a Vita digital game.
Yes but this case is a bit different. Because it's a sequel in a trilogy, fans have supported them and considering they're a small publisher and they live by creating a good relationship with the small dedicated fanbases of the games they publish, telling them that now they don't care because they can sell the game on the PC is a big no no.
Also the game is technically for PSP but practically they are releasing a Vita digital game.
I don't think it's really any different. The promise that they would get the PSP one out one way or another was for SC. Nothing else. The reason it even took SC so long was because it was a pain in the ass to continue working on PSP. No way XSEED will bother again for 3rd. It's basically PC or nothing at this point I think. PS3 is a very slim possibility, but that's about it. There's also the question of whether XSEED wants to deal with the fact that the PC version of 3rd is uncensored and is the one they want to release, while the PSP and PS3 re-releases have all been censored in Japan by Falcom themselves, because of a certain scene.
