Nihon Falcom's President on Why It's Not Supporting Switch More, Lessons Learned From Ys 8, and More

The state of Nihon Falcom, one of the oldest RPG studios in existence, in 2019.

[Servbot41]

Even though the game sold well on the Switch in the West, since it didn't sell well in Japan they don't care. This is why these smaller Japanese devs will never have a huge breakout hit worldwide.

[indysurfn]

I agree you have a point. But he has a point too.

You have to admit that they had the other games: trails in the sky...series, and the ...Kiseki series, and the trails of cold steel...series on the PSP, PSvita, and PS3 which means most fans own a PS4 going forward (me included).

Even though I would love the have there games on a switchable switch for when I am at work. Because their games are LONGER than the old Final fantasy games by a large margin, and I could power up at lunch time.

[Lexreborn2]

Look at that... a 38 year old company essentially confirmed exactly what we thought about what it takes to publish games. Although it’s nice to release on multiple devices it doesn’t exactly mean it will be a success and the cost of creating a team that knows the programming for one device doesn’t mean it is logical to split your R&D funds.

It works better for them to focus on their install base guaranteeing they give the quality they wish to achieve. Releasing on multiple platforms is a luxury in development not a necessity

[Teflon02]

This is basically exactly what ATLUS said with the main games they release which is why you don't see them doing multiplat releases when they make the games directly in most cases. It takes people away and funds and they'd rather put it into making the best project they can

[Lexreborn2]

I realized a while ago hearing people cry for all games to go multiplat is dumb. Tale of Games spent decades building its reputation with its core fans releasing on one platform at a time. They are JUST now getting to multi platform thanks to Bandai Namco backing them. But I still feel it’s a bit redundant.

Tales of Games have a audience that’s relatively proven. But the new tales might introduce a new style to it might bring in a new audience.

I realized that the best thing anyone can do if they REALLY want a game buy the console that the devs are on and stop putting it on blind console loyalty

[Teflon02]

Yup, pretty much that. They don't think about the behind the scenes work

[Imalwaysright]

The same exact thing could be said about releasing a game in 1 platform.

[meka2611]

Nah that's not true at all. Me and my buddy are working on a game and looked into this, there isn't much difference in porting to other consoles. The main issue is the UI for button presses and things like that, like button mapping, but it's really not that hard and doesn't take too many resources if the game is already translated. He is just making excuses to be lazy. The only other cost I could see is the actual production of the game CD/cart.

[Lexreborn2]

False, If you are going to go by a COMPANIES Standard there are procedures and process to go through. RD,Development and Production. There are channels they need to go through to make sure things work well for continuity. Even if the code isn't that different the HARDWARE IS, meaning optimization is a must. And the switch has not one but 2 performances on the one device. The PS4 2 different SKUs and Xbox one has 3 (because the base Xbox hardware is still different from the Slim and X.).

After they do that it usually has to be reviewed, and a PS4 programmer does NOT equal an Xbox or Switch Programmer meaning they need a bigger team. That means more man hours... which means MORE MONEY. THEN you have to worry about digital distribution which typically has a Unique digital authority/guideline they have to go for. Example: iOS and Android stores require different things to publish for different periods of time. and to be frequently renewed.

This is not a simple "ThEy ArE bEiNg LaZy!" they are trying to maintain a business. And trying to stay afloat...

[meka2611]

@lexreborn And I'm guessing you've looked into this then? Because it just sounds like you are making up stuff what RD, development and production is needed for porting to another console?? The game is made, they just need to change out button mapping and UI's for it. Now I agree the switch might be a little different from ps4 and xbox but multiple indie developers have stated how easy it is to port to the switch. So I say again, they are being lazy and don't want to waste money and time paying to just do a simple port.

[Lexreborn2]

Yes I have been looking into this as I’m working with a team currently on a kickstarter. And it is not that simple period if you are trying to distribute a quality project. And listen to the KEY WORD you said PORTING to the switch. That is a game that is MADE, released elsewhere and then updated for the switches code. This is not simultaneous development.

This is also smaller games, a game like ToCS is a much more elaborate game then say guacamelee or my friend is Pedro. And, if you want a simultaneous release of a game that utilizes machines for different hardware and features, you will put the effort in and it requires an investment.

[meka2611]

Well we must be looking at different things. You don't really need to do to much to port to another console I don't know why you think they'd have to redevelop the game, unless their code is so unique that it can't be ported to another console. Doesn't really matter at this point anyway though since they aren't doing it at all.

[Shiken]

Try a day and date release.

[phoenixwing]

shiken dont make excuses, they released the games and it doesn't work for them

[Shiken]

No excuse necessary. If you honestly think a day and date release would not equate to more sales on Switch IN JAPAN OF ALL COUNTRIES, you are lying to yourself.

[Vits]

Basically they don't have the know how to do it. And as they are a small company they most likely don't have the resources to spend learning it. However they are open to other companies porting their games to the platform, the same way that they are open to third parties porting their games to PC.

The issue is to find a third party willing to do it. Now that NIS is facing bankruptcy I can't really think of another mid-size publisher/developer willing to take such task.

[Razmiran]

Xseed? They do porting to pc and ps4, do they handle Switch stuff?

[Vits]

The issue with XSEED is that they are a small company that don't operate in Japan. So the likelihood of them picking something like that is small and even if they manage to get it somehow it would take a long time until they manage to actually port something.

[Teflon02]

I was going to say XSEED, but I just remembered they said they only have the resources to make PC ports when asking about porting in the past. They've been the ones to port Falcom games in the past though and they are amazing ports with great support. Trails games down to sky that's originally a 2004? game having ultrawide support etc.

[Razmiran]

They also did Cold steel 1 and 2 to ps4

[Vits]

There two other issues with XSEED. First they don't operate in Japan, so the likelihood of them getting the rights to do such port would be small. Second they are also small company so they most likely don't have the manpower to handle that many platforms.

[Teflon02]

Good Points Vits
I think that's the key to the issue here. The companies they can supply the gamesd 2 are ultimately localization companies that can do more with it but it doesn't help in Japan. Kinda defeats the purpose in that case.

Raz
Ohh damn, I forgot they did those 2 ports as well!

[TheGamez100]

You can only hope that nisa ports em anywhere else. But since its nisa....well...

[DarkZane]

Trails games won't be ported to Switch. With no games having released on it, it would be stupid to bring the third one. Also, Falcom ditched the Vita because it was holding them back, so I wouldn't say them going the Switch route, especially since the game after Cold Steel 4 that they're making is said to be a huge improvement in graphics compared to CS4. The Switch would likely not be able to handle it moving forward.

Plus, all games in this series have been released on a playstation system, they know their fanbase is there already.

[Shiken]

"Switch could not handle it moving forward"

Witcher 3

[DarkZane]

@Shiken

It runs and looks terribly. Have you seen how bad it looks? It's so bad that unless you only own a Switch, you definitely don't want to get that version.

Not every developers wants to make their games look as bad as this for just a few extra bucks. Especially Falcom, they're just a small studio who don't want to waste the money because they know porting to Switch would likely cost more than they would make.

[jznrpg]

@Shiken it’s an early gen game with a huge team to optimize it . Moving forward to next gen with a small team , yeah it’s not going to happen on Switch

[Knushwood Butt]

I've seen other posts on here where Witcher 3 is supposed to be a silver bullet.

Haven't seen it work yet.

[Shiken]

Witcher 3 itself is another topic. My point is that if Switch can handle Witcher 3 at all, it can easily handle anything Falcom puts out.

[Knushwood Butt]

@ Shiken

Agree on those two points.

[TheColbertinator]

Nihon Falcom has many limitations. Great games but tightrope budgets so the limits they implement are understood by those who've seen them survive after so many decades.

[Knightofelemia]

Y's Lacrimosa of Dana was a great game and Trails of Cold Steel is a great franchise to I missed them on PS3 they were too expensive to pick up on PS3 glad they came to PS4.Y's The Ark of Napishtim was also a great game on PS2. Playing an jrpg on a Nintendo console brought back memories of the SNES Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy glad I grabbed Tales of Vesperia on Switch and Might grab Y's Lacimosa of Dana for Switch to. Y's on the SMS was also a great game still own it. I can't wait for Y's 9 and Trails of Cold Steel 3.

[jznrpg]

Ys 9 west release date please and collectors . It will be mine

[Outlawzz]

Wish they could get their games on switch. I only played ys8 once it released on switch, It was great and I played cold steel on my vita and that was amazing too. Their games are lengthy, so for me I would only be able to play them on a handheld since I'm not home for long periods of time to play.