perfect free
Member
I'm really liking the little bits of narrative inserted between character dialogue. I'm cool with the utilitarian graphics of most dungeon crawlers, but anything to help paint the picture a little more is always welcome.
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Class of Heroes 2 Physical Release [UMD+PSN for $36] order forms up, min-2500 units
- Thread starter Takao
- Start date
Sir_Crocodile
Member
Have the sales augured well for a physical release when it comes time for your next psp project Vic?
Alec
Member
I was shooting for a more interactive book-like experience to augment the core graphics of the game. It's also why I had an italics font added to the US game - to set those narrative bits apart visually. It should be obvious already from the videos posted to people that played CoH1 that the story, characters, and experience is not boring and tedious like most of the first game. Of course, in the end, that will be for the players to judge, but I think this is on the right path now.
Here's a video of comedic quest in the game I posted earlier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06t4nvvBqJs
We're over 2450 CoH2 physical+digital and 2500 was the goal, so we should make it by tomorrow night. 2500 is the minimum to be able to offer the physical+digital thing, so if we can maintain that level of interest or hopefully grow it, then it will be offered for CoH3 and other PSP projects as well.
They'll always be preceded by a poll to gauge interest, though, because once we open the presales, we're locked in to doing it.
cj_iwakura
Member
So wait, you still plan to keep doing PSP physicals? Will there ever be a point when UMD production is no longer possible? I know it's still going in Japan, but that can't last forever...
Elessartelrunya
Member
Sony JUST stopped mini disc production earlier this year...so yeah...I'm pretty sure they can continue to produce UMDs. That said, should the cost become too much, that's what digital/PSN is for
We plan on offering one-off physical+digital editions at launch for all the PSP titles we do that have the minimum level of support needed to do it. For CoH2, that was 2500 units. For a more expensive license it may be higher. Then once the game has launched, the games will be available digitally from there forward.
As long as the fan support is there and Sony will manufacture the UMDs, we'll offer it.
Ahh, that fun dialogue; I still double-speak to town NPCs in modern games, as Lunar SSSC taught me well; It's always a joy to get that little extra quip that people who speed through things would miss.
This all somehow reminds me of how much fun I had reading through the strategy guides for these games, too; I never really used guides generally, (always would get them for the art though), but I used to love reading through the Lunar Guide (tap dancing rounds!)... which sadly was lost when lent to a friend, who had a nasty, now long-ex wife. She sold some of HIS stuff behind his back, and somehow, my guide got included... Even more reasons for me not to like her, ha.
Wish I purchased the Eternal Blue Sega CD guide back in the day, too, but I didn't even have the game OR system then...
I'd defintely want to buy such guides for these upcoming CoH games, even if they were just nicely written PDFs with some bonus art and such. Though physical editions with "bromide" stickers for our now-non-existant memory cards would be even cooler!
My only complaint is that UMDs are probably my least favorite physical game format ever. I suppose I should mention here that my pre-order for the CoH 2 UMD is already in. But I'd love to see something like this for a PS1, PS2, PS3, Vita, NES, SNES, Genesis, Sega CD, Saturn, whatever, release, even though I know official QA is impossible on most of those.
PSP games are about the only format where my wife and I prefer digital, just because we both prefer playing them on the Vita so much. Okay, that and I don't like how fragile normal UMD cases are.
Any chance we could get a small black read-surface CD run for the right PS1 game?
PSP games are about the only format where my wife and I prefer digital, just because we both prefer playing them on the Vita so much. Okay, that and I don't like how fragile normal UMD cases are.
Any chance we could get a small black read-surface CD run for the right PS1 game?
mattiewheels
And then the LORD David Bowie saith to his Son, Jonny Depp: 'Go, and spread my image amongst the cosmos. For every living thing is in anguish and only the LIGHT shall give them reprieve.'
Ever since I put 30 hours into CoH when it came out, then heard that the sequel blew it out of the water, I've been so anxious to try it in english. Literally can't wait, thanks Vic!
Actually I prefer the quicker-loading of digital, but as a collector, I want the physical version of as many games as I can buy that way. Offering combo releases is my way to bridge that dichotomy because I'm of the belief that there are other hardcore RPG fans out there with a similar issue.
I don't think there's a manufacturing line for PS discs anymore in NA. There is for PS2 in South America (last I heard), but QA for unreleased, unlocalized PS1 games is not possible under current rules. Not to say that couldn't change, but it would be a battle.
I had a good time fleshing out the characters in this game and there's a nice mix of drama, exposition, and humor in the US release. At one point I planned on adding even more dialogue events, but we learned as we went that memory was *really* tight in this game, and we'd have to re-write significant portions of the game to make it more efficient if I were to do that and we didn't have enough testers to QA a change like that thoroughly enough.
Thanks for your support. I've played through it completely more than a dozen times now, and am looking forward to finally having fans be able to enjoy this for themselves.
One crazy bit of trivia...the script and game was proofed extensively and we STILL missed a were/we're mistake in the FIRST QUEST OF THE GAME. Couldn't believe it. It's in the Amazon Campus Tour video. But, it was fixed in time for the release!
Elessartelrunya
Member
These kind of projects really pique my interest because it's basically pure fan service. If the 2,500 units sell, have you guys already turned a profit to start putting towards your next project? Or is that just breakeven?
EDIT: also, any update on when the digital version will be released? Fingers crossed we're still on-track for end of May.
We're basically at breakeven for the physical, and are counting on the digital sales between North America and Europe over time to provide the actual profit.
Digital version's still in QA. We had a unexpected problem (it had already passed QA once with the opening animation that had the rights issue) with ad-hoc networking of the trading system that came when we rebuilt the game without the opening animation. Fixed the issue and put it back in QA. Once it's out, we'll have the earliest PSN street date assigned from Sony and will post that.
ramoisdead
Member
For those that were worrying if this was going to go down to the wire should have a sigh of relief. Vic just tweeted that the preorders have surpassed the 2,500 goal, meaning physical copies are a-go.
I also placed an order for the game just now since I've been waiting for this past Friday for some money to come my way. Thank goodness this was extended by a few days. Hopefully I'll start COH1 sometime starting now until I get the COH2 copy. Looking forward to the game and your next PSP project, whatever that may be Vic.
I also placed an order for the game just now since I've been waiting for this past Friday for some money to come my way. Thank goodness this was extended by a few days. Hopefully I'll start COH1 sometime starting now until I get the COH2 copy. Looking forward to the game and your next PSP project, whatever that may be Vic.
cj_iwakura
Member
Are you able to tackle any of Acquire's Wizardry Renaissance games, or is that too chaotic?
With the whole CoH series we'd like to do plus the other stuff we're trying to license that requires localization, probably not. They can't be all dungeon crawlers...
Thanks for the support. Physical copies were a go as soon as we opened the presales. If we fell short, I was making up the difference. That's why I did the poll first - to make sure we were in the support ballpark, because once the presales started, it was a go, whatever the number.
twentytwo22
Member
Any word on when orders are going to close?
Tomorrow, Sunday, May 12th, 11:59pm PST is the end of the ordering period. There will be no additional runs of physical product for it.
twentytwo22
Member
Thanks guys. Will get an order in tomorrow morning.
mrkapawutzis
Member
Vic, if you don't mind disclosing, what was the ratio of KS copies to regular copies?
Someone just asked me on the GW message board. I haven't checked the ratio in a few days, but it was holding pretty steady at 80% Reg / 20% KS, so I imagine it's about the same. There's been a little more activity today of people getting or coming back for multiple KS copies, so that may be skewed by the close tomorrow, but I can't imagine it being more than 70% Reg / 30% KS. The KS variant will be very rare when all is said and done.
Reluctant-Hero
Member
Vc, after CoH3, would you be interested in "New Class of Heroes: Chrono Academy"? I've had my eye on that for a while...
http://youtu.be/IbZdsGie_X4
http://youtu.be/IbZdsGie_X4
That's technically Class of Heroes (Totomono) 5, so yes. We just have to get the US and Europe caught up.
Good thing I saw it too. Almost dragged my feet for too long.
nailbombxx
Member
When will the digital version be up on PSN?
So, one last ditch effort here before the final day:
Anybody willing to purchase a Kickstarter variant for me? I would really appreciate it.
That said, I apologize if asking that here is in poor taste, Vic. I've always been a huge Working Designs supporter, so I really don't mean to spit in the face of it being exclusive to backers or anything of that sort, and I hope it doesn't come across that way. I just haven't been active here (or on any other boards, for that matter) for years, so my venues for seeking a copy are pretty limited, and I'd just hate to miss out.
Anybody willing to purchase a Kickstarter variant for me? I would really appreciate it.
That said, I apologize if asking that here is in poor taste, Vic. I've always been a huge Working Designs supporter, so I really don't mean to spit in the face of it being exclusive to backers or anything of that sort, and I hope it doesn't come across that way. I just haven't been active here (or on any other boards, for that matter) for years, so my venues for seeking a copy are pretty limited, and I'd just hate to miss out.
Yes, the digital version will be $24.99 late this month or early next. We're waiting for it to come out of QA. Fans that have bought the physical+digital combo will get their PSN code via email before it goes up on PSN so they can download it day one.
Honestly, I don't see a problem with it. If you have a friend (or internet "friend") who will hook you up and THEY were a Kickstarter supporter, you're okay in my book. It's like I invited key supporters to a very exclusive party and each invitation had a +1 attached.
I've been very pleased that all the KS supporters I've checked on in the order list have been very restrained with ordering duplicates. Most are just 1-3 copies. A few are more, but not many. There's no crazy abuse I've seen.
Reluctant-Hero
Member
Oh wow, didn't know it was the fifth game. Now I don't like its chances...
Elessartelrunya
Member
That looks quite awesome actually. I wonder if we can skip 4 and go straight to 5 after 3...
EDIT: just read that Class of Heroes: Chrono Academy came out for the Vita last year in Japan, now I REALLY want it
Unfortunate to hear the additional bits couldn't work out, but great to hear you enjoyed it, and of the potential for more! Maybe next game or 2...
This mention, and the info on Chrono Academy lead me to a question:
Would it ever be possible in your teams abilitiesto take a PSP game, and up-convert it to Native Vita resolution / give it trophies / etc? There's so much on PSP that I'd love to see get a resolution jump for the artwork, and some touch-screen use for certain elements.
I love what Namco has done with God Eater Burst 2 on Vita, and I'd love to see some PSP re-tooling of that calibur happen to some late imports, though that might be a pipe dream...?
dark_preacher
Member
Same here as the other fellow, I'd love a kickstarter version as well but I regret th fleecing ill get on ebay after the fact. Anybody willing to help out a longtime wd fan?
The best place to ask this is probably on the gaijinworks message board. Probably a higher concentration per-capita of supporters of the unfunded Kickstarter.
Are there any PS2 games that could be a possibility?
Skip the first one. It's really not a good entree to the series and has a greater chance of turning you off to the series because it's boring and tedious and abusive to the player.
We were trying to do the unreleased Goemon PS2, which is why I know about the South America QA line. But that hasn't gone anywhere yet.
There are some other released PS2 titles we're after, but none have come through yet.
Happy this made it through! I wish I got a KS version but I'm all good.
Also vic this is the rarest PSP game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vT_inYm9LQ
Also vic this is the rarest PSP game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vT_inYm9LQ
I'm talking about retail packaged games, not training products.
That Hilton employee training game can't even run without a specific set of files on a memory card. Without those files it's unusable.
That looks quite awesome actually. I wonder if we can skip 4 and go straight to 5 after 3...
EDIT: just read that Class of Heroes: Chrono Academy came out for the Vita last year in Japan, now I REALLY want it
We'll get to 5 before you know it, and probably be right up on the Japanese release of 6 by then. At least this isn't a Tales situation where stuff is released or passed over seemingly without rhyme or reason. Each CoH in the series from here through 5 has rated higher in Japan than the one before it, so there is no slippage back to CoH1 tedium, it's all up from here, and if we can build on the initial fan support with the physical+digital and then continue with the digital-only release, we would like to do them all.
Elessartelrunya
Member
That's great to hear. How long does each project generally take, minus fund-raising efforts like this? Are we talking a few years, or will things go a bit faster moving forward (assuming fan interest and money is there)?
As for Tales games, don't even get me started. Namco Bandai can KMA. All I need are English subtitles/text, I don't need full dubbing for the voiceovers for the games to be released in NA...sigh.
If we hadn't had initial issues getting the code running on the PSP dev kits (loss of ~3 months) and this music rights issue (loss of 2+ months) this would have been out last year. Moving forward, we should be able to get each one out in 6-8 months, although it may be a little faster once we get multiple going at once since some of that initial time was waiting for the chunks of rough translation to come in.
Of course, threading in any of the other RPG titles we're working to get the license for could slow things down a bit, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. Timing the close of license deals is too unpredictable.
That would be incredible. I will buy any physical PSP games you do Vic.
Elessartelrunya
Member
Depending on how COH2 is, I may share that sentiment, however, I would also gladly put my money down for the digital versions at $24.99 if it meant speeding up the production (translation) time.
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