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Do you think SEGA will remaster Skies of Arcadia after they release Project Sakura Wars?

I know a remaster was once considered, given it was a frequently requested re-release like Shenmue, although that was 7 years ago and we haven't heard anything since. Tetsuya Otsubo, who directed the enhanced GameCube port of Skies of Arcadia, is currently directing Project Sakura Wars which is scheduled to release later this year. But afterwards, do you think SEGA will remaster Skies of Arcadia?

I just think more people should be able to play the original without paying a collector's price. When I purchased Skies of Arcadia Legends (the enhanced GameCube port that featured bonus content and a lower random encounter rate) nearly a decade ago, it was $60 dollars used. Now it's closer to $100. That's why it's hard to recommend other people play it because as much as it made me smile from ear to ear, I know others will probably see it more as a solid 8/10 whereas it's my all-time favorite game.

UPDATE:

Kenji Hiruta, map system programmer for Skies of Arcadia, on Twitter.



UPDATE 2:



UPDATE (?) 3:

Reiko Kodama's social media avatar was updated to the Go SEGA 60th Anniversary Skies of Arcadia variant:

 
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Cattlyst

Member
I think the amount of money and effort it would take would not be reflected in sales, so unlikely. It's all about financial incentives with remasters. Even a game as big as Shenmue 3 was something of a flop so Sega is probably quite pleased it didn't spend any more money on the franchise than it already has and let Sony take the hit. Skies of Arcadia is even more niche and has a much smaller fanbase than Shenmue so the chances of it being remastered are slim to none (in my opinion).
 
I think the amount of money and effort it would take would not be reflected in sales, so unlikely. It's all about financial incentives with remasters. Even a game as big as Shenmue 3 was something of a flop so Sega is probably quite pleased it didn't spend any more money on the franchise than it already has and let Sony take the hit. Skies of Arcadia is even more niche and has a much smaller fanbase than Shenmue so the chances of it being remastered are slim to none (in my opinion).

On a financial standpoint this remaster is not only unlikely but utter fucking impossible.
It's a great game deserving of a remake, but SEGA probably won't see a return on it.

It WOULD be a great PR move in the gamer space, but that probably won't pay its bills. As sad as it may be.

Then again, SEGA brought YAKUZA back to the west, so I'm still hoping.
 

Kazza

Member
I'm not sure about a remake, but I think there is a decent chance of a HD port, much like Shenmue 1&2 got last year. The Shenmue ports sold pretty well, so hopefully that will further encourage Sega. I port is a pretty low-risk option to gauge demand for the IP.
 

Holammer

Member
Never played the original, but sure why not.
I could imagine Sega rebooting/remaking more old properties Capcom style, especially if the new Sakura Wars finds an audience. But if it disappoints like Valkyria Chronicles did? They'll probably freak out and focus of safer projects again.
... Yes, more Total War games!
 

darkangel-212559

Dreamcast Love
God I loved that game back in the day on DC. Yeah the GC port was fine and all, but the VMU mini game you had with the DC version was really great.

One of my favourite DC games and probably my top JRPG of all time.

I would kill for a HD port let alone a remaster. But I really don't think it'll happen for such a niche title, especially after the flop that was Shenmue 3.

Here's hoping :/
 

Paltheos

Member
Probably not. I was thinking as I read the first few posts in the thread, "Well, they did bring Resonance of Fate to PC, so anything's possible," and then remembered that tri-ace just did that themselves lol
 

munchJ

Neo Member
A full remaster? Nah, I don't think the money is there for it. But to do something more akin to the Grandia Remaster, where they just make it look a little better and port the GC Version? Sure, make it a digital only, sell it for $15 - $20. I can see that happening.
 

Fat Frog

I advertised for Google Stadia
Doubt it. SEGA cares even less about their Saturn/Dreamcast era of IPs than they care about their 80s and 90s arcade IPs. It's a tragedy.
I thought the same but Space Channel 5 VR, House of the Dead Remakes, Daytona Championship USA, Chuchu Rocket Universe, Monkey Ball HD (basically a serie that started on Naomi), Motor Raid (model 2 game), Fighting Vipers, Virtual On Collection, Shin sakura Wars,Shenmue HD have proven me wrong and without doubt more are coming.

A Skies of Arcadia Remaster is easy money.
 
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DunDunDunpachi

Patient MembeR
I thought the same but Space Channel 5 VR, House of the Dead Remakes, Daytona Championship USA, Chuchu Rocket Universe, Monkey Ball HD (basically a serie that started on Naomi), Motor Raid (model 2 game), Fighting Vipers, Virtual On Collection, Shin sakura Wars,Shenmue HD have proven me wrong and without doubt more are coming.

A Skies of Arcadia Remaster is easy money.
I won't hold my breath, but you're right SEGA is reviving some of their franchises. I still think it's a tiny fraction of what they could be porting forward, though.
 

Fat Frog

I advertised for Google Stadia
A sequel wouldn't need that much to make us happy. An average budget like Valkyria Chronicles 4 feat PS5X's Ray Tracing with a strong Sega visual identity helped by Minobe/Maeda's scores, Tanaka as a director and we're done.(Sakura isn't that impressive either but that's fucking colorful and screaming Dreamcaaaaaast era)


SKIES OF ARCADiA is still pretty much ranked among Sega contenders. It's not as if we were asking for Arabian Fight or Segagaga. Skies of Arcadia, Jet Set Radio, Nights, Virtua Fighter it's pretty obvious at least one of them will make it on the next generation.
Even Chuchu Rocket has a nice comeback ;). (i forgot PSO 2 was coming in the west. I think in 5 years, PSO 3 will be a thing since the serie is still bankable)
 

Deft Beck

Member
Sakura Wars has a built in fanbase going back 20 years across many games. Skies of Arcadia has a niche fanbase for its one (two, if you count Legends) entry.

It doesn't make any sense to connect Shin Sakurai Wars with Skies of Arcadia just because they're both SEGA franchises.
 
I'm not sure about a remake, but I think there is a decent chance of a HD port, much like Shenmue 1&2 got last year. The Shenmue ports sold pretty well, so hopefully that will further encourage Sega. I port is a pretty low-risk option to gauge demand for the IP.
No, I didn't say remake. I mean remaster as in what we got with the re-release of Jet Set Radio and the first two Shenmue games.
 

Fat Frog

I advertised for Google Stadia
Sakura Wars has a built in fanbase going back 20 years across many games. Skies of Arcadia has a niche fanbase for its one (two, if you count Legends) entry.

It doesn't make any sense to connect Shin Sakurai Wars with Skies of Arcadia just because they're both SEGA franchises.
@Rahknam is not that wrong. Both are in the official Top 10 sega poll for reviving old franchises.

Internal Sega files announced that policy will continue for years to come.
So, i don't see Sega choosing among the top 100 to 150 fan favorites franchises...
 
A remaster is unlikely, but not impossible. Skies of Arcadia is in my top 3 JRPGs, the first one I played by myself actually. The sense of exploration and discovery is unparalleled imo; it's a shame the discovery system (finding landmarks on the overworld) isn't reused in other games, to my knowledge at least. Fighting the gigas blew my mind back then. I'm sure anyone who is into JRPGs and hasn't played it before would enjoy playing it. Since games like Grandia received the remaster treatment, there's still hope.
 
I thought the same but Space Channel 5 VR, House of the Dead Remakes, Daytona Championship USA, Chuchu Rocket Universe, Monkey Ball HD (basically a serie that started on Naomi), Motor Raid (model 2 game), Fighting Vipers, Virtual On Collection, Shin sakura Wars,Shenmue HD have proven me wrong and without doubt more are coming.

A Skies of Arcadia Remaster is easy money.

What's this about Fighting Vipers? Was there an announcement or something for a new one?
 

bobone

Member
I've had my fingers crossed for just an HD update for years.

I'd gladly pay $60 for widescreen, 4k textures, and trophy support for all those discoveries, crew members, moonfish, wanted battles, upgrading your base, etc.

My all time favorite RPG deserves some love. No one outside of GAF even knows this game exists.
 

Blond

Banned
A full remaster? Nah, I don't think the money is there for it. But to do something more akin to the Grandia Remaster, where they just make it look a little better and port the GC Version? Sure, make it a digital only, sell it for $15 - $20. I can see that happening.

I'd pay full price if they did this with JSRF and locked the framerate at 60fps
 

Fat Frog

I advertised for Google Stadia
Assuming Sega hasn't lost the source code
Last year, Futatsugi admitted at Panzer Dragoon post mortem that the source code of Panzer Dragoon Saga was not lost (probably more like "borrowed" by him :) ?

I think a lot of Sega creators helped themselves when they left the company.(especially after the 2001 mess).
 
Sakura Wars has a built in fanbase going back 20 years across many games. Skies of Arcadia has a niche fanbase for its one (two, if you count Legends) entry.
I would argue Sakura Wars is just as niche. It wasn't until 2010 that a Sakura Wars game was even localized (Sakura Wars V), 5 years after its Japanese release for the PS2/Wii and not even by SEGA themselves. It was also the last Sakura Wars game due to it selling poorly.

It doesn't make any sense to connect Shin Sakurai Wars with Skies of Arcadia just because they're both SEGA franchises.
I am alluding to the fact that the development team for Project Sakura Wars includes members from Valkyria Chronicles' development. Valkyria Chronicles was directed by Shuntaro Tanaka (Skies of Arcadia) while Project Sakura Wars is being directed by Tetsuya Otsubo (Skies of Arcadia Legends). At one point they even planned Skies of Arcadia II until SEGA had the team help with Sakura Wars V.

I also mentioned in the OP that a Skies of Arcadia re-release/remaster was frequently requested in the past which Fat Frog Fat Frog helps clarify by bringing up where it ranks on the SEGA poll.

Surely if SEGA can afford to develop a brand new Sakura Wars then a simple remaster of an older game like Skies of Arcadia shouldn't be asking too much unless they actually did lose the source code.
 
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Soapbox Killer

Grand Nagus
Sega hates me on a very personal level so no, no we wont.



I will buy 2 Dreamcast Mini if/when they release if "Skies" is on there. (I would have probably bought 2 anyway but you get me)
 
Like, a direct sequel? What would they even do? They've already explored the entire planet.
I have yet to see another game that had airship battles. And if there is I'm pretty sure it wasn't presented as fun as it is in this game. So sequel doesn't need the same characters or same locale. Can easily go to another world.
 
I want a sequel. If they can't do that then a remake.
Realistically, they should start with a remaster. A remake is unnecessary because at that point they might as well just develop a sequel. But you can't really do a sequel, given how much time has passed, without re-releasing the original (the sound quality of the Dreamcast version with the bonus story content and lower random encounter rate of the GameCube version).
 
I have yet to see another game that had airship battles. And if there is I'm pretty sure it wasn't presented as fun as it is in this game. So sequel doesn't need the same characters or same locale. Can easily go to another world.
But as far as a potential sequel is concerned, I always thought it should go the route of most RPG sequels where Skies of Arcadia II would introduce a new world, new characters, new story while retaining its unique gameplay features (turn-based, strategic airship battles, gathering crew members for said airship that you fly in the overworld). If they feel the need to reintroduce Vyse and some of his friends it would be a brief cameo appearance or as a guest party member.
 
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NeoIkaruGAF

Gold Member
Sega have so many games they could remaster/remake that they could put Sonic’s carcass to rest for a decade and make more bank on their retro Saturn/DC catalogue with probably less effort.

Hyperbole? I’m not sure. I’d be so much more likely to buy Skies of Arcadia HD on every platform it were available on than a new Sonic game.
 
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