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[GotchaForce]

I want to play it. One of the classics I never did back in the day and a few years ago played the first on my PSP. Tim Rogers on the Insert Credit podcast was saying the same thing.

I think I saw Nick Rox (of Gamefan/Platinum Games) tweet that he was the one who translated the game while in his teens.

 

[Hades Hotgun]

My guess would be that Suikoden was never a huge seller despite the overly vocal minority of internet fans.

As far as I can tell Suikoden 3 was far and away the biggest game in the series in the US. Suikoden 3 was popular enough for us to get 4, Tactics, and 5 localized despite fairly poor sales for all those games.

But all of those games were on the massively popular PS2 with a huge install base, and the last 2 games were on the very popular DS, which got localized, then the popular-mostly-in-Japan PSP which did NOT get localized. Additionally, all the games after 3 seemed to have smaller budgets which would have allowed decent profit margins on relatively low sales.

Also, the creator of the series left after making 3, so there probably wasn't a very strong force within the company to push the series beyond that game. They basically treaded water with the subsequent titles (all prequels and alternate worlds).

This would all lead up to the PSN release of Suikoden 1, which I am guessing didn't do well enough to impress the folks at Konami. And as such, we have not gotten any subsequent PSN releases of those games and the series are more or less dead at this point.

Or, I could be totally wrong on all that. But I still own a copy of Suikoden 2 so whatever.

 

[wilflare]

Nah, all the more to you guys for being so consistent in your support. We continue to make note in our reports that Suikoden support is always an ongoing request. What happens after that is outside of my purview.

please remember bomberman too!

 

[charlequin]

I wish people on the internet would try to think from a business standpoint before saying 'fuck XXXX company'...

It's Konami's job to worry about the business standpoint so that they can actually release the product and sell it to me. I'm not super inclined to be sympathetic to "well there are secret reasons that we won't reveal why we can't do this obviously desirable thing." Whether that's code for "we aren't good enough at navigating this issue to succeed" or "our organization doesn't care enough to solve the problem," either way it reflects a situation that isn't particularly in my interests.

 

[Takamura-San]

I want to play it. One of the classics I never did back in the day and a few years ago played the first on my PSP. Tim Rogers on the Insert Credit podcast was saying the same thing.

I think I saw Nick Rox (of Gamefan/Platinum Games) tweet that he was the one who translated the game while in his teens.

He was and he has spoken and posted of the ordeal that it was translating it.

Few bits that I remember were:

They got a dump of text with no indication of who were the characters.

And.

They had to buy the japanese copy and play it to make sense of the block of text.

Hopefully he chimes in this thread too and shed more light.

 

[MarkMan]

And what exactly are they doing about it, other than leaving money on the table? It'd be one thing too, if this was an isolated case, but it's like the vast majority of Japanese companies have no idea wtf to do with all their IP's that fans loved.

Maybe it's like a natural process in the whole creative cycle for the medium. A massive, yet slow region/market wide reboot of games and ideas.

From my experience working in the industry. It's not that easy. There are a lot of rights/licensing that goes into making games. A lot of times, the public doesn't even know.

A good example. Why isn't Tekken 3 on PSN? Because a lot of the licensing/voice actors are out of contract and won't/or can't renew a new agreement. Also, they don't have the rights to make money off certain guest character appearances (Gon).

Option to remove/reprogram the game? Probably not in the budget. There are a lot of factors/things to consider. Often times making things more troublesome than they are.

That's just a few example scenarios. I've worked with enough Japanese gaming companies to know that it ain't easy.

 

[androvsky]

Less "can't be bothered", more "cost-benefit analysis".

If it was easy and cheap with a huge payout, we'd have done it by now, right? Most questions can be answered by assuming this.

If Gaijinworks (and several other smaller localization houses) is willing to re-translate, bug fix, and publish the PSP version of Suikoden 1 & 2 and all Konami would need to do is dig up the source code and send it over, I'm not sure what the problem is. It would even fix the obvious opportunity cost problem. We're left with explanations like Konami lost the source code to the PSP ports, or they want more money (or guaranteed minimum sales) than Gaijinworks can provide. If it's the latter and Konami really expects a lot of sales, they'd be doing it themselves, right?

Also, what about the TG-16 library on PSN? Konami didn't release anything past the initial batch Hudson got through QA before they were completely shut down.

 

[Takamura-San]

If Gaijinworks (and several other smaller localization houses) is willing to re-translate, bug fix, and publish the PSP version of Suikoden 1 & 2 and all Konami would need to do is dig up the source code and send it over, I'm not sure what the problem is. It would even fix the obvious opportunity cost problem. We're left with explanations like Konami lost the source code to the PSP ports, or they want more money (or guaranteed minimum sales) than Gaijinworks can provide. If it's the latter and Konami really expects a lot of sales, they'd be doing it themselves, right?

Also, what about the TG-16 library on PSN? Konami didn't release anything past the initial batch Hudson got through QA before they were completely shut down.

Do you speak for Gaijinworks or have they stated this?

 

[Soriku]

It's been this way since release, yet konami never did a reprinting or reissue of that game.

Keep in mind Atlus managed to reprint SMT:Nocturne, despite that game selling somewhere in the low 5 digits.

Nocturne sold like 60k in the US.

Also I hadn't realized the absence of Valkyrie Profile 1 on PSN...I'd definitely get that.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

I just want a proper Suikoden 6, not a desecration like capcom did to Our beloved BOF series

Considering how much ground (you could even take that literally) there is left to cover in the Suikoverse, I agree wholeheartedly.

Namless Lands? Zelant? Harmonia? Any of these places would make for a great setting for another game. And let us know what's up with Hikusaak, give us some more expository on the true runes, show us more true runes, let us know what's up with the Sindar, let us know if Windy is really

Spoiler

dead

, etc. etc.

 

[androvsky]

Do you speak for Gaijinworks or have they stated this?

Thought I remembered Vic saying stuff like that in the various times the subject has popped up. That's basically what Gaijinworks does is retranslate, bugfix, and publish, and they're on record as wanting to work on Suikoden 1&2 PSP. I could be wrong, but it seems pretty straightforward.

 

[ULTROS!]

You know what will be nice?

Suikoden III HD Collection for PS3 and Vita + tossing in a "kinda remastered" Suikoden II within the game, kinda like how the original Sonic The Hedgehog was included in the Sonic Generations. Not exactly remastered but more like ported and added frames to make it look proportional.

 

[Takamura-San]

You know what will be nice?

Suikoden III HD Collection for PS3 and Vita + tossing in a "kinda remastered" Suikoden II within the game, kinda like how the original Sonic The Hedgehog was included in the Sonic Generations. Not exactly remastered but more like ported and added frames to make it look proportional.

I wish i had the time to replay suiko 3. Under-appreciated gem.

I would like to see some resolution out of this thread.

 

[Vamphuntr]

You know what will be nice?

Suikoden III HD Collection for PS3 and Vita + tossing in a "kinda remastered" Suikoden II within the game, kinda like how the original Sonic The Hedgehog was included in the Sonic Generations. Not exactly remastered but more like ported and added frames to make it look proportional.

It would probably take a lot of work considering how poorly Suikoden 3 runs on PS2. A simple port or emulation wouldn't work easily I would guess. They would also have to work on the localization of Suikoden II as it's quite rough. I just don't see current Konami to "waste" resources on something like this but eh, stranger things have happened.

 

[ramuh]

I am still happy about keeping my suikoden 2 copy. I've started and beat that game numerous times. Suikoden 3 overall was a disappointment compared to two but did had a really good opening. Go Orange Army... and no one is more BA than Luca Blight.

 

[RoninChaos]

Glad I can emulate ps2 stuff since my backwards phat died.

 

[djtiesto]

Someone mentioned the PSP Suikoden spinoff... was that anything special? I've made it my goal this year to play through the series (only beat 1 and 2 and am pretty far into 3).

 

[ramuh]

Someone mentioned the PSP Suikoden spinoff... was that anything special? I've made it my goal this year to play through the series (only beat 1 and 2 and am pretty far into 3).

If you have a Ps2 I'd recommend V and then a distant IV. Also if your into SRPGs they released one called Suikoden Tactics that has storyline stuff from IV. I haven't play the handheld version so I can't comment on quality.

 

[Demigod Mac]

Would really like the Suikoden I & II collection for PSP. I'm the crazy type who imported a copy despite not knowing one lick of Japanese. I keep telling myself I'll play it one day with a guide handy, which might not be very fun.

PSP version features:
* Native widescreen (NOT stretched 4:3)
* Can run diagonally
* Has videos and content from the Saturn and PC versions

Rumor has it the PSP version is actually based on the PC versions' code (where diagonal movement was a feature)

There is a French fan translation in the works but I've no idea how much progress they've made. They said they'll eventually release the hacking tools after the project is done.

http://romhack.org/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=3585&sid=59a87dc2cbcd175d033ca70bdb77d721&start=75

Someone was volunteering to do an English translation but that has apparently stalled.

http://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,10159.60.html

The European PSOne version of II (has bug fixes) would be nice, but the PSP I & II collection as a digital download on PSN would be excellent.

Here is a little tease of what could be someday...

 

[ZeroX03]

I know a couple of games (Spyro PAL, Digital Devil Saga) had serious emulation issues that prevented them from being released, something about needing to improve the emulator, which I assume would be costly. Might be an issue, I don't know.

Hope Schreier/ToraShiro can delve into this, have always wanted to play this series after enjoying the RPG Maker titles heavily inspired by them (Legion Saga).

 

[graywolf323]

You know what will be nice?

Suikoden III HD Collection for PS3 and Vita + tossing in a "kinda remastered" Suikoden II within the game, kinda like how the original Sonic The Hedgehog was included in the Sonic Generations. Not exactly remastered but more like ported and added frames to make it look proportional.

that would be amazing, Suikoden III was one of my favorite RPGs on PS2

sadly it was also my introduction to the Suikoden series so I've never gotten to play Suikoden II I think that's why I'm so bitter about the first game being up up on PSN ~5 years ago and no sign of II because I really want to play it

 

[Demigod Mac]

Not entirely convinced it's emulator issues, since:

* Suikoden II supposedly runs well under CFW emus with only a few non-gamebreaking glitches (can someone confirm this?).

* Each PSOne Classic game has its own custom version of the emulator written for its peculiarities, so there isn't an all-or-nothing approach to the emulation.

Did Suikoden II make use of any licensed characters or tracks that might cause a copyright headache? I can't think of any.

The simplest explanation is that the top brass at Konami don't believe Suikoden II or the I & II collection would be a worthy return on investment. It's up to us to convince them otherwise, or at least let a 3rd party company like Gaijnworks, Atlus or Xseed handle it.

 

[ramuh]

that would be amazing, Suikoden III was one of my favorite RPGs on PS2

sadly it was also my introduction to the Suikoden series so I've never gotten to play Suikoden II I think that's why I'm so bitter about the first game being up up on PSN ~5 years ago and no sign of II because I really want to play it

Ya that does suck! PSN and suikoden 2 belong together. As for 3, it had minor graphical hiccups, but overall I enjoyed it. I didn't enjoy "tactical" fights with your "army". It felt so water down from 2.

 

[ramuh]

Not entirely convinced it's emulator issues, since:

* Suikoden II supposedly runs well under CFW emus with only a few non-gamebreaking glitches (can someone confirm this?).

* Each PSOne Classic game has its own custom version of the emulator written for its peculiarities, so there isn't an all-or-nothing approach to the emulation.

Did Suikoden II make use of any licensed characters or tracks that might cause a copyright headache? I can't think of any.

The simplest explanation is that the top brass at Konami don't believe Suikoden II or the I & II collection would be a worthy return on investment. It's up to us to convince them otherwise, or at least let a 3rd party company like Gaijnworks, Atlus or Xseed handle it.

I always thought that when fan interest in a game came along, problems with licenses with music, voice, or localization came into play.

 

[Zeyphersan]

* Each PSOne Classic game has its own custom version of the emulator written for its peculiarities, so there isn't an all-or-nothing approach to the emulation.

I don't believe this is true. I think all PSOne Classics run just on a normal PSX emulator, which is why I can pop in any PS1 game into the PS3 and have it play. I was under the impression that there was just a one-size-fits-all emulator

 

[Dark Schala]

Someone mentioned the PSP Suikoden spinoff... was that anything special?

No.

 

[Northeastmonk]

Why can't the fans just front the money to Konami for the digital release? I missed a lot by not picking Suikoden II up when I could. I've owned a few throughout the years, but II always caught my eye. Plus it's over $100 to own a copy.

Wasn't there a twitter handle going around not so long ago trying to get Konami to release it? Guess the party stopped.

 

[Some Nobody]

Yu-Gi-Oh is it's own category of fickle licenses. You wouldn't believe the loops I have to pull off just to talk about promoting them on Social Media. I hope we can release something soon to satisfy that itch (you aren't the only person requesting them )

Which missing Metal Gear game? Portable Ops?

Any chance of you guys working on a legit Vita sequel to Tag Force? I played TF5 to death, but that was three years (and 12 main sets alone, not counting hundreds of other cards) ago. It was nice testing cards without someone on the other side of things typing things like "lol you suck n00b".

And WRT the topic at hand: Can I assume the reason we aren't seeing Suikoden II is one and the same with why we aren't seeing III and V?

 

[Paertan]

Would buy if they released it on PSN even though already own it. Did the same with Suikoden 1. Preferably they could release the PAL version for every region since it has less bugs and translation errors.
And now I want to play Suikoden 2. Again.

 

[7DollarHagane]

No matter how logical or reasonable or financially sound the reason is for not having it on PSN, when people's first impulse reaction is "well because konami sucks", you have a problem.

Just say some nonsense like "well it costs too much to release a PSN classic game that it's not worth our time financially and the first one didn't sell well on PSN" or "an emulator bug causes your PS3 to catch fire when the software is launched"

Then at least people have an answer. Nintendo dodged Mother fans for 10+years this way.

The silence about this is the most insulting to fans, no matter the reason for its absence. By saying nothing you're saying fans don't matter and eventually they'll think you don't either.

 

[eyeball_kid]

I'm a bit ashamed to admit I've never played anything in the Suikoden series, despite always being intrigued. Guess I should just start with the first one that's on PSN?

 

[Hours Left]

I'm a bit ashamed to admit I've never played anything in the Suikoden series, despite always being intrigued. Guess I should just start with the first one that's on PSN?

Yes.

Yes you should.

 

[Xelinis]

Those guys haven't sent me anything in a while. Not since Konami UK started paying attention to them.

ToraShiro, I'm one of the admins of the group.

More recently, we've been trying to divert our efforts towards the Konami mothership in Japan. The response we got from Konami US during our last Facebook posting event last January felt very honest and gave off the feeling that we've taken this particular path as far as we can go.

Or at least, that's the point I myself have been arguing in our admin discussions. I'd love to be proven wrong though, and, either way, everyone at SRM would be thrilled for a stronger relationship with Konami US. Let us know what we can do, we're open ears for any sort of collaboration!

 

[Tiktaalik]

Suikoden 1+2 are best in class, highly regarded JRPGs. It should be a slam dunk to release this. Konami's failure to promote and cultivate their IPs is why they're now a shell of a company that only makes Metal Gear games.

 

[Aokage]

I haven't read this whole thread; forgive me.

I only know I was honored to interpret Murayama's grand vision. I faithfully played and adored GenSui I, II, both Genso Suikogaidens, III, and saw it as as a crime the man was unable to unleash his expansive mythos.

Murayama was the victim of the way our vicious industry works. As was I. But so business goes.

 

[Arthea]

I asked this many times, it makes no sense. Actually it does, if one assumes Konami hates Suikoden and it surely seems so.
And let me remind you that the first Suikoden game isn't on PSN in EU too. So, no Suikoden game at all.
And even more! Konami never bothered to localise PSP Suikoden I & II. Or Suikoden 3 in EU. How you skip one game in series in entire region? There are no excuses for that, none!
Not to mention that there is no single Suikoden in PS2 collection for PS3.
Why Konami you hate Suikoden so?

 

[Luthos]

It's my most wanted PS Classic that isn't on PSN. I'd like to play it, but I'm not paying the absurd amount it goes for. (haven't checked the price in years, though) I own and have played 1, 3, 4, and 5. But never 2.

 

[Takamura-San]

I haven't read this whole thread; forgive me.

I only know I was honored to interpret Murayama's grand vision. I faithfully played and adored GenSui I, II, both Genso Suikogaidens, III, and saw it as as a crime the man was unable to unleash his expansive mythos.

Murayama was the victim of the way our vicious industry works. As was I. But so business goes.

Was wondering if you would pop-up. Glad that you did.

Someone mentioned that you were with Platinum games, so I was worried that they gagged you. Also it's been a while since the last WAHP *coughs*.

 

[Rootbeer]

I owned a copy of Suikoden II, bought around the time it was first released because I loved the first one. I was 16yo at the time. I *think* I bought the game at Wal Mart. Why does that bit matter? It doesn't, I just find it kinda amusing that this unassuming game I walked right into America's largest retailer and bought as a teenager no problem would eventually end up in a revered position like this. Other games around that time, Like Mario 64 and Zelda and Resident Evil 1, I could easily tell they'd be loved for decades, but Suikoden, I thought only I could appreciate it.

Anyway, I played through it all the way twice, then later sold the game to an Asian kid for $100 in 2006. Had no idea the kind of legacy the game would eventually leave, but I feel it's totally justified. The game deserved much better recognition. Only wish It had gotten it back then. I never heard anyone so much as mention the game until years later.

I would like to rediscover the game now that it's been a while. If it went up on PSN and was Vita compatible, I'd insta-buy.

 

[LiquidSolid]

* Each PSOne Classic game has its own custom version of the emulator written for its peculiarities, so there isn't an all-or-nothing approach to the emulation.

Uh, what? There's absolutely no chance that's true. That'd be ridiculously redundant from a workload and file size point of view. I'd guess that each PS1 Classic has its own profile attached to it, which provides the emulator with customised settings but that's probably it.

 

[RPGCrazied]

I think I'm more upset the franchise seems to be dead. Will we ever see a Suikoden VI? God I sure do miss this series, but its not just this franchise that seemed to have died. Like Wild Arms, Shadow Hearts, Dark Cloud. I could go on an on. I miss the PS2 era so much!

 

[Tony91]

Because Konami ates Suikoden.

Fixed for ya

 

[Auron]

Having re-purchased the disc version for over $100 this issue upset me for a long time as well. This title is one of the finest PSOne titles and should not be missed.

There seems to be this prevailing myth that the Western market does not like JRPGs. Konami Management probably does not see any long-term value in investing in the Suikoden brand.

 

[Raitaro]

Interesting read, this thread, and one of the most recent ones that makes glad to be one of the club so to speak.

I must admit that I have little familiarity with the Suikoden series apart from having played parts of Suikoden 1 years ago with, unfortunately, a disc that refused to work after a certain part of the game. Based on how much I enjoyed the part I did play, I have always remained curious about the rest of the series though and I would welcome a chance to play them on PSN for sure.

In part I do have to quote Shinriji as well though:

...there is a reason why Vandal Hearts 1 and 2, and Azure Dreams are absent from psn?

I'd love to have both Vandal Hearts games, the first one still being my favorite SRPG of all time, on PSN!

I can only hope that this thread and the attention it got from some of the more influential Gaffers will lead to new and exciting developments for some fo these games. Konami is such an odd company nowadays when it comes to re-releasing and acknowledging their past games (apart from over-acknowledging a select few such as Metal Gear and Silent Hill of course)...sigh...

 

[Wereroku]

Not entirely convinced it's emulator issues, since:

* Suikoden II supposedly runs well under CFW emus with only a few non-gamebreaking glitches (can someone confirm this?).

* Each PSOne Classic game has its own custom version of the emulator written for its peculiarities, so there isn't an all-or-nothing approach to the emulation.

Did Suikoden II make use of any licensed characters or tracks that might cause a copyright headache? I can't think of any.

The simplest explanation is that the top brass at Konami don't believe Suikoden II or the I & II collection would be a worthy return on investment. It's up to us to convince them otherwise, or at least let a 3rd party company like Gaijnworks, Atlus or Xseed handle it.

Its not 3rd parties having no interest or not approaching Konami. If i remember right Vic from Gaijinworks has asked them about the PSP version and it was not like Konami wanted some ridiculous amount of money or minimum sold amount but just that Konami had absolutely no interest in licensing it. There was no talk of money just a flat no interest at this time.

 

[Takamura-San]

Its not 3rd parties having no interest or not approaching Konami. If i remember right Vic from Gaijinworks has asked them about the PSP version and it was not like Konami wanted some ridiculous amount of money or minimum sold amount but just that Konami had absolutely no interest in licensing it. There was no talk of money just a flat no interest at this time.

This infuriates me.

 

[Soulhouf]

Why is Valkyrie Profile 2 not on PSN?

Why is Valkyrie Profile not on PSN?
I don't care about the shitty PSP port. Just put the original PS1 version.

 

[Shinjica]

Why is Valkyrie Profile not on PSN?
I don't care about the shitty PSP port. Just put the original PS1 version.

care to explain why is a shitty port?

played a couple of years ago and didnt remember how was the original

 

[J_Ark]

Its not 3rd parties having no interest or not approaching Konami. If i remember right Vic from Gaijinworks has asked them about the PSP version and it was not like Konami wanted some ridiculous amount of money or minimum sold amount but just that Konami had absolutely no interest in licensing it. There was no talk of money just a flat no interest at this time.

It's exasperating.

 

[Arthea]

This infuriates me.

I tell you, it infuriates me for years, someone or all in Konami hates Suikoden, there is no other explanation!