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[Dimitri LH]

We are getting burst battle the 1 v 1 fighter on ps4/vita/switch

I know, but I prefer the official traditional (well mostly) fighting ones like Scarlet Weather Rhapsody and Urban Legend of Limbo (I always forget the correct name).

And now that I think about it, if ZUN really does not care what fans do with his IP, what ever happened to that one Smash clone game for the Wii U? Wasnt there some controversy with thst one to the point it got cancelled?

 

[jabuseika]

Maybe no good studio has offered to do the localization.

 

[Zaru]

Also we got access to the best thing out of Touhou: the music, tons and tons of music, by hundreds of artists, covering every genre possible.

It also has an absurd level of fanart, even if you only count those with decent quality and above, there's still over half a million pieces.
The fanbase is nuts in terms of what it creates. Fan anime. Fan comedy skits. Fan manga. Fan games. Fan music.

Things calmed down a bit since other game crazes filled with "low personality waifus", e.g. Kantai Collection, showed up... but I doubt anything will ever be quite like Touhou in the sheer amount and variety.

 

[TeddyShardik]

I can totally respect that while at the same time not liking the decision.

 

[MrS]

His game, his choice. Should be respected imo. We are not being robbed of anything and we are not entitled to play everything.

 

[BudokaiMR2]

I know, but I prefer the official traditional (well mostly) fighting ones like Scarlet Weather Rhapsody and Urban Legend of Limbo (I always forget the correct name).

And now that I think about it, if ZUN really does not care what fans do with his IP, what ever happened to that one Smash clone game for the Wii U? Wasnt there some controversy with thst one to the point it got cancelled?

Yes, because he does set ground rules for derivative works and only allows certain exceptions. Basically no one is allowed to release anything beyond the scope of what he releases himself. So, outside of some exceptions, releases on digital platforms and such are not allowed. And since that project was going to be crowdfunded (something beyond the scope of the original works) it was shut down by him.

 

[Evilisk]

I know, but I prefer the official traditional (well mostly) fighting ones like Scarlet Weather Rhapsody and Urban Legend of Limbo (I always forget the correct name).

And now that I think about it, if ZUN really does not care what fans do with his IP, what ever happened to that one Smash clone game for the Wii U? Wasnt there some controversy with thst one to the point it got cancelled?

You mostly got it right, it's Urban Legend in Limbo

As for that Touhou Smash game, that was a really messy ordeal. I can't remember exactly what happened there but it was mostly because of the messy grey area between being an indie game, being a doujin game and the crowdfunding being an issue, rather than due to ZUN being super protective of his IP. It also didn't get canned because of that whole business, technically. The developers ended up changing the concept entirely (then the project just fizzled out).

 

[SMOK3Y]

Enjoy not making money and having people fan-translate/pirate your game.

Why should it not just be (fan translated) why does it need to be pirated too?

 

[Crayolan]

Unless he does the programming himself? Does he even help in making the official fighting games outside of character and story design? Cause one of those games hit on PS4 In japan.....damnit ZUN at least give us the fighters!

The fighting games are mainly made by Twilight Frontier, so I doubt he does much programming work on them.

We are getting burst battle the 1 v 1 fighter on ps4/vita/switch

That's a fangame. The fighting games are official (spin-off) releases and are all 2D fighters.

 

[MrBadger]

I'd personally be embarrassed if most associated my work with fan releases since the official thing is unavailable in English

So are these games more popular in the West? If not, I don't really see why he'd care.

It's unfortunate, but I don't see it as selfish to be protective of your own creation.

 

[demidar]

I get the feeling from him that financial success is not a priority to him, rather it's creating the games and the music and expanding the world through secondary media i.e. manga and lore books. As long as he's got a comfortable life and keep doing what he's doing he doesn't care that he's missing potential millions.

I can see why that can be selfish and shitty, but I personally respect it. A lot of people lose their way when they start chasing after money fervently.

 

[Zelias]

It's his right to not allow localisations, no matter how silly that decision may be.

 

[R_thanatos]

ZUN has allowed all kinds of people to use his content to create their own music, fanart, fangames, merchandise and etc.

He's anything but selfish. If he doesn't want to do it, that's his choice.

This

The selfishness argument just doesn't work with the guy.

 

[Augemitbutter]

this art looks like generic shit. he should let someone else draw it and find someone he can trust with the loc.

but whatever, it's his work. you can import if you want.

 

[sprinkles]

Dann, now I have to play some Touhou tonight. I'm thinking Scarlet Weather Rhapsody right now (I liked the 2d fighters more than the bullet hell games).

 

[cj_iwakura]

Maybe no good studio has offered to do the localization.

Several have, Playism namely. And they gave The Silver Case a fantastic localization. ZUN doesn't trust anyone.

And I agree with the sentiment that people releasing these awful doujin knockoffs is doing more harm than good, that's part of what I'm getting at. It's hurting the western image, because people think these fan games are Touhou, and the publishers don't do much to dissuade that impression because they want the brand recognition.

 

[Narroo]

Several have, Playism namely. And they gave The Silver Case a fantastic localization. ZUN doesn't trust anyone.

And I agree with the sentiment that people releasing these awful doujin knockoffs is doing more harm than good, that's part of what I'm getting at. It's hurting the western image, because people think these fan games are Touhou, and the publishers don't do much to dissuade that impression because they want the brand recognition.

I get the impression that it isn't that he doesn't want to localize the games so much as he doesn't anyone to touch his code; this would explain why he's never done a console release, at the least.

So, the lack of a localization appears to be more of a byproduct of his protectionism of this games than anything else.

 

[Atomski]

It's shootemups do you really need story? Just play it in Japanese..

 

[cj_iwakura]

It's shootemups do you really need story? Just play it in Japanese..

It's an action game, do you really need story?

It's a puzzle game, do you really need story?

Let's just not have writing at all!

 

[Narroo]

It's an action game, do you really need story?

It's a puzzle game, do you really need story?

Let's just not have writing at all!

Also, the special attack names are usually fun and tend to relate to the bullet pattern which is neat.

 

[Vital Tundra]

He can do that, but it's his loss.

 

[soultron]

Maybe his code is awful and he doesn't want anyone to see it. 👀

 

[SmokedMeat]

As a lifelong shooter fan I have standards. As much as a new shooter would be nice, I don't give two shits about mediocre ones. Sounds like his aren't even worth the time, so they can stay where they are.

 

[KHlover]

this, he's just creating a void of opportunity to be filled by someone other than himself.

How long has Tohou been a thing now? How many vertical SHMUPS have released in the west since then? There's no void to be filled here by someone else, the genre itself is so niche that just about anyone interested in vertical SHMUPS is playing Tohou one way or another anyways.

 

[demidar]

How long has Tohou been a thing now? How many vertical SHMUPS have released in the west since then? There's no void to be filled here by someone else, the genre itself is so niche that just about anyone interested in vertical SHMUPS is playing Tohou one way or another anyways.

Heh I'd love for someone else to actually challenge Touhou and force some evolution but that hasn't happened for... 15 years?

I mean, it's there, why can't someone just swoop in and take all the money?

 

[Abilidebob]

Heh I'd love for someone else to actually challenge Touhou and force some evolution but that hasn't happened for... 15 years?

I mean, it's there, why can't someone just swoop in and take all the money?

Needs more silly hats.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

As a lifelong shooter fan I have standards. As much as a new shooter would be nice, I don't give two shits about mediocre ones. Sounds like his aren't even worth the time, so they can stay where they are.

Touhou shmups are solid and a great entry point to the genre.

 

[rhandino]

I don't think selfish is the right word, I am thinking more in lines of being a bit too overprotective.

It's his choice.

Maybe his code is awful and he doesn't want anyone to see it. 👀

Nnnnn, I relate to that 👀

 

[kuroshiki]

WTF. It's his work, his creation. He doesn't need 'JUSTIFICATION' for any one of us here for whatever the hell he wants to do with his own work.

Some of you guys are too entitled.

 

[Gai Murakumo]

There is no need for localization of bullet hell shooters anyways. You do not play those games for the story.

 

[fredrancour]

Maybe his code is awful and he doesn't want anyone to see it. 👀

Can't let anyone know he never comments anything

 

[xk0sm0sx]

Selfish???

I'm not gonna add anything more since I already commented in the previous thread. Sure he's a bastard, and maybe stupid for not wanting free money, but selfish?

 

[FadedRevolution]

He can do that, but it's his loss.

He doesn't seem too broken up about that.

 

[danmaku]

Touhou is still a hobby for him, is it? I guess he doesn't want to dedicate even more time to the project. It's not like the games need an official translation anyway.

 

[cj_iwakura]

There is no need for localization of bullet hell shooters anyways. You do not play those games for the story.

I do.

 

[beyond_death]

Its a strange stance on his part but I agree with everyone saying its his decision. Its his game and he doesnt owe anyone anything.

 

[microfolk]

I really can't understand why some of you people have such strong feelings about ZUN not caring.

 

[Matty77]

Normally I think I would have a different opinion but in this case I have no issue with it and would do the same.

Do you know how rare it is in today's market any creator of original content in entertainment owns every piece of the pie, the entire IP on every level plus only their hand has touched it?

This isn't just a property it's a creative legacy regardless of worth and you can't put anyone else's name on it. That's priceless.

And I am not a fan, in fact didn't know the games or situation until this thread. Just I know I would make the same choice if I was in that position.

 

[Nairume]

Touhou is still a hobby for him, is it? I guess he doesn't want to dedicate even more time to the project.

It's not even a matter of him not wanting to dedicate more time to the project in general as much as it is him not wanting to dedicate time going back over the same games when that's time that could be spent working on something new

Spoiler

or beer

.

It's unfortunate that he doesn't want to either let somebody else tag in or get to where he can do it himself, but I also find that calling him selfish over it is a tad unfair when he's otherwise pretty open about what people can do with his work.

 

[Theorymon]

Honestly I don't even care about the games getting localized, I'd buy them in their original text if they were easier to find! I wish 14 wasn't the only one available digitally.

Really, you don't need to understand the text to like Touhou, I think the gameplay and music are enough!

 

[Tain]

It is a little weird to me that it's apparently fine to him for any game to use his characters and universe and stuff regardless of quality, even in commercially-sold titles.

Outside of that, I get the idea of obsessive creative control. He doesn't want to do a localization himself and can't trust anybody else with it. This ultimately leaves less people playing his game, sure, but a dev isn't obligated to always prioritize putting their work in the hands of as many people as possible above all else (including developing new stuff).

 

[Foxy the Fox]

Is his game and he decides what to do with it.

And of course, people have the right to agree or disagree with it.

 

[tomwhite2004]

He doesn't want to do a localization himself

Again, he doesn't speak English, he cannot do the translation himself.

Touhou is still a hobby for him, is it? I guess he doesn't want to dedicate even more time to the project.

No, its a full time job. He just doesn't want to dedicate his time to anything but making new games.

 

[NegativeCero]

That seems super control freak-y. Never heard of this property though. I could guess that people would only be frustrated if it was good, so I understand.

 

[Yohane]

It's shootemups do you really need story? Just play it in Japanese..

Touhou lore is really interesting

 

[microfolk]

Touhou lore is really interesting

90% of the lore is in the readme.txt that comes with each games and in the print works tho. The games have very few lines of dialogues that are usually translated less than a week after the demo\full game comes out.

 

[totowhoa]

I've always wanted to play one of these games. Is there a dead simple way to on PS3/4? Can I get something off the Japanese PSN store? I saw OP just mentioned that one website so I guess not? :/

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

I've always wanted to play one of these games. Is there a dead simple way to on PS3/4? Can I get something off the Japanese PSN store? I saw OP just mentioned that one website so I guess not? :/

The only games on consoles in the west are lackluster fan-made spinoffs. The main series games are PC shmups that can be imported. I think one of them is for sale in the West though.

 

[Akuun]

deleted

 

[mocolostrocolos]

His games, his rules.