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[randomkid]

Dear god I want this thing even more than the Tactics Ogre Tarot Cards.

Via Tiny Cartridge and some enterprising photographers. We'll never get this in America will we?

 

[Salsa]

You dont just want it, you need it to play the game.

 

[rainking187]

You dont just want it, you need it to play the game.

Welp there goes any chance of localization.

 

[Jive Turkey]

You dont just want it, you need it to play the game.

Really? Is it sold seperately? If so that's both shitty and awesome at the same time.

 

[JordanLMiller]

Welp there goes any chance of localization.

 

[Drkirby]

Really? Is it sold seperately? If so that's both shitty and awesome at the same time.

Look at the box art in the OP, the book and game come together.

 

[B.K.]

You dont just want it, you need it to play the game.

Why?

 

[Jive Turkey]

Look at the box art in the OP, the book and game come together.

Yeah I was thinking that but didn't want to assume. Thought there might be a chance that they were the same size to look good on the shelf or something.

 

[Salsa]

Why?

The book has spells and stuff that you have to use IN the game, MGS style. A way to fight piracy apparently, apart from the fact that it gives the whole thing a different vibe and sells you a little more on the whole world they are creating. Smart move in a way and pretty stupid in others, mainly portability.

 

[Busaiku]

Yeah, there's definitely a 0% chance of this getting localized.

 

[∀ Narayan]

I would buy it if they localized it, but that will never happen.

 

[randomkid]

Welp there goes any chance of localization.

Hino said in an interview he wants to bring Ninokuni to America. I just don't see how it's feasible. If it ever comes out (I estimate Jan. 2012 based on the speed of past Level 5 localizations) maybe they'll try to cram the information into an instruction manual, and then adapt the game text.

 

[ShockingAlberto]

Welp there goes any chance of localization.

Maybe we'll get the PS3 version at least.

 

[Deleted member 20920]

Why?

Something about having to refer to the book to solve puzzles, draw symbols for magic and I think notes on those monsters. It's the actual replicate of the book that the main character has in the game.

Edit: Late...

 

[Salsa]

Yeah, there's definitely a 0% chance of this getting localized.

Seems that way, but idk man.. a lot of Ghibli fans here, the movies sell pretty well..

 

[B.K.]

The book has spells and stuff that you have to use IN the game, MGS style.

That sounds pretty stupid. So if a person can't find the book anywhere or buys a used copy in a couple years when the book isn't around anymore, they won't be able to get through the game?

 

[iammeiam]

Is it going to be DSi enhanced so US DSi's will reject it?

Because if not, I might import the thing because... goddamn that is awesome.

That sounds pretty stupid. So if a person can't find the book anywhere or buys a used copy in a couple years when the book isn't around anymore, they won't be able to get through the game?

Brings back memories of old Sierra games.

 

[Mockingbird]

The book has spells and stuff that you have to use IN the game, MGS style. A way to fight piracy apparently, apart from the fact that it gives the whole thing a different vibe and sells you a little more on the whole world they are creating. Smart move in a way and pretty stupid in others, mainly portability.

I thought the book was going to be something else when it was first announced. I was browsing through the book the other day and while the presentation is nice, ultimate I think it's going to be a pain in the ass to have to look up the page number whenever you need to do a spell. and pirates will likely scan the book and put up a pdf or something. Either way, I guess this game won't be getting played on the trains.

 

[Forkball]

If America got this fucking thing

We better get Ninokuni with the book.

 

[Salsa]

So if a person can't find the book anywhere or buys a used copy in a couple years when the book isn't around anymore, they won't be able to get through the game?

Well.. like i said, a way to fight piracy, and to buy it used gives them as much profit as if you just download it illegally.

The book will probably leak on the internet though. I know a lot of people here play their DS at home so at least that's something ?..

 

[Busaiku]

Seems that way, but idk man.. a lot of Ghibli fans here, the movies sell pretty well..

They're not gonna translate a 200+ page book.

 

[Salsa]

They're not gonna translate a 200+ page book.

Yeah, of course not :lol im talking about adapting the important content into the manual itself or something.

 

[iammeiam]

They're not gonna translate a 200+ page book.

Based on the images in the OP, there doesn't really seem to be much in there that wouldn't be in the 'data' section of a normal RPG. Translating spell effects and enemy strengths/weaknesses/descriptions wouldn't be that crazy; it's getting them to pay to actually bundle it in the package, and getting retailers to carry such a risky large game that'd probably be more of a barrier.

 

[Bebpo]

I wonder how the lack of portability for the game will affect sales. Can't really play it on the go if you have to bring that book around with you each time.

 

[yencid]

welp, no train playing for me if it gets localized. (IF)

 

[MidnightScott]

Maybe we'll get the PS3 version at least.

Oh we better god dammit. That game looks fucking AMAZING! Nintendo is bringing Inazuma Eleven to Europe, maybe they should bring the DS game to the rest of the world? And Sony can bring the PS3 game?

 

[Deleted member 20920]

I believe the PS3 version also gets its own book. So that has to be localised as well.

 

[BudokaiMR2]

I would happily translate that 200 page book if they paid me.

 

[rareside]

I can easily see this getting translated over to US for the DS. Level 5 is the big boys now, I hope to see a huge marketing campaign for this when it comes out stateside.

Can't wait to get my hands on it next month! Screw portability, I'm MORE excited because it comes with a spellbook.

Thx for the pics!

 

[MidnightScott]

I've come to realize that even though it's a handheld, I never bring it with me out in public. I don't have time to just sit around and enjoy myself unfortunately. :s

 

[ULTROS!]

Doesn't this defeat the purpose of being a portable game?

Sure it's cool though. Hopefully they localize both versions.

 

[Jonnyram]

I wonder how the lack of portability for the game will affect sales. Can't really play it on the go if you have to bring that book around with you each time.

Maybe they'll release an epub version for iPhone. That would be nice. Or if some online dude just scans it all and makes a PDF? I'm sure it'll happen.

 

[LiK]

Fucking importing this.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Fucking importing this.

Yeah, I'm considering it too.

And I heard nothing of the PS3 game getting/using a book entrydenied, you sure?

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

Fucking importing this.

Considering doing the same, although postage will likely be a killer. Especially on top of a £50 game.

If this ever did make it out of Japan, this book would end up as a few more pages at the back of a black and white manual :lol

Spoiler

 

[JustAnotherOtaku]

I believe the PS3 version also gets its own book. So that has to be localised as well.

Pretty sure the DS is the only one getting it. Aren't the things in it all translated as drawing symbols on the touch screen? Can't see that working on PS3.

 

[LiK]

Yeah, I'm considering it too.

And I heard nothing of the PS3 game getting/using a book entrydenied, you sure?

ditto, haven't heard about the PS3 version getting a book like this. seems to be DS only.

 

[starmud]

well... didn't nintendo say they would localize some titles for the DS to keep it alive?

... DIDN'T THEY?!

;______;

 

[Dachande]

They're not gonna translate a 200+ page book.

Why not? Artbooks with similar page counts and other extremely niche books get translated all the time.

 

[duckroll]

Maybe they'll release an epub version for iPhone. That would be nice. Or if some online dude just scans it all and makes a PDF? I'm sure it'll happen.

Kids are the main target here though. I don't think that is a good substitute if you want to build a strong fanbase among the lower age group audience.

 

[54-46!]

Pretty much the only game I can see myself playing with a Move controller, that thing was built for this game.

 

[Deleted member 20920]

Yeah, I'm considering it too.

And I heard nothing of the PS3 game getting/using a book entrydenied, you sure?

I'm trying to find whether what I read was true or unreal/imagined. Trying to look for a source now.

EDIT:
http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/24/ni_no_kuni_live_blog/

14:48 -- It will get its own version of the Magic Master book.

14:48 -- 2011 release date for the PS3 version.



http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2010/06/24/ni_no_kuni_impressions/

Also the book is 352 pages

 

[duckroll]

ditto, haven't heard about the PS3 version getting a book like this. seems to be DS only.

 

[LiK]

holy shit. guess i'll be importing both.

 

[Zeouterlimits]

Huh, thanks for that.
Dang. But cool. But what does that mean for localisation..

 

[LiK]

Huh, thanks for that.
Dang. But cool. But what does that mean for localisation..

i dunno, Level 5 is pretty big tho. hope they consider localizing it.

 

[Aokage]

They're not gonna translate a 200+ page book.

The average JRPG has orders of magnitude more text than that 200+ page book is likely to contain.

I count about 335 Japanese characters on the first spread, and 360 on the second.

Extrapolated across 200 pages, that's 34,750 characters...about seven days work for a pro game translator.

So, if anything is holding Ninokuni back, it wouldn't be the translation. Just sayin'...

 

[Shiggy]

NoE will release it in Europe...perhaps...in three years

 

[BLagiver]

Maybe we'll get the PS3 version at least.

Ps3 special edition with book sounds awesome.

 

[Pooya]

The average JRPG has orders of magnitude more text than that 200+ page book is likely to contain.

I count about 335 Japanese characters on the first spread, and 360 on the second.

Extrapolated across 200 pages, that's 34,750 characters...about seven days work for a pro game translator.

So, if anything is holding Ninokuni back, it wouldn't be the translation. Just sayin'...

The problem is not translation, it is printing that hard cover book and bundling it with EVERY copy of the game. Expect to pay $80+ (PS3) for it at least, similar to what CEs sell for, except that this is the regular edition.
There are other problems, for example: Are retailers willing to carry many copies of the game? considering it takes so much shelf space, for a niche genre like JRPG.