570°

Namco: Microsoft Paid for Western Tales of Vesperia Exclusivity

A Namco Bandai Europe community representative has stated that the PS3 version of Tales of Vesperia will never make it West because "Microsoft paid for the exclusivity". The Junior Community manager revealed the status of Vesperia's PS3 port release in a reply to a fan on Facebook.

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ps3.rpgsite.net
Sonyslave34704d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

Namco just don't want to bring over states that all. look at Fx13 sony said the only way u can get it in japan is on the ps3.

6months later FX13 xbox360version is announce for japan

Abash4703d ago

I remember when Microsoft cared about exclusives, but now all they care about is Kinect and Halo

NoobSessions4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

You're right, it is a business.

MS AND Sony both do it. Not reigonally, but in general.

@ disagrees, Im simply stating fact.

captain-obvious4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

wait a sec
did he say Sony paid QD to make HR exclusive ??
lol

how did he know ??
he doesn't work for QD

i think he just threw that in just to show that others do it too
but then again it may be true IDK

anyway on-topic
this was a very very stupid move by MS

Kon4703d ago

'I remember when Microsoft cared about exclusives, but now all they care about is Kinect and Halo'

Which are both exclusives to MS

NeoBasch4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

Well, if memory serves me right, Microsoft bought Tales of Vesperia as a timed exclusive over in Japan, in hopes that it would boost sales and gain them some form of market penetration.

Namco took this as a sign that they didn't need to make a PS3 version as the 360 version would do just fine. They probably had high hopes for the title and perhaps future arrangements such as this for the series. But it failed. The system received a small boost, but went right back to 1K a week afterwards. I think this is when Microsoft gave up on Japan.

It was then that Namco realized that there was still demand for the title and released an enhanced version for the PS3 in Japan. This exclusivity deal, probably only applied to Japan. It's more likely that Namco is using this as an excuse. They don't want to take their chances and be burned out yet again.

Understandable, but I'd honestly pray they try. Sitting on ports like this, which could generate a lot of money if played right, only serves to further dampen this companies sullied reputation. They're in a rut, and they're blaming the fanbase for getting them in there in the first place.

Regardless, this isn't the first time Microsoft has pulled something like this. Back oh probably a decade ago, they reigned in Level-5 to make them a game for Xbox Live to help push the system and the online service in the land of the rising sun (True Fantasy Live Online). To cut a long story short, it got axed nearly three years later.

They said the plug was pulled because Microsoft didn't know how to work with Japanese developers (poor producers). I wouldn't be surprised if it was a similar story here with Namco. Maybe they learned, but my guess is they didn't.

lelo2play4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

Looking at this as a business point of view... Microsoft tried a few exclusive JRPG's but it didn't work out, simply because the Japanese didn't want nor buy the console. What's the point of Microsoft buying exclusive JRPG's when just a few weeks back it was announced that the X360 had only sold in Japan (biggest JRPG's markey) 1.5 million consoles in 5-6 years. Who is going to buy the game to make a profit? Americans and Europeans? I don't think so.

I blame the Japanese for no Lost Odyssey 2 nor Blue Dragon 2 :)

As for western exclusives... Microsoft does need more of those, but unfortunately they prefer wasting money on things that have no interest to me, like Skype... instead of buying more 1st party studios.

ChronoJoe4703d ago

Sony seem to have long standing agreements with their second party studios. Microsoft seem to purchase exclusivity at random.

I mean the tales of deal her would have cost a fair bit, but in the end it wasn't a game that was going to sell that well in US/EU anyway - if they wanted to benefit they'd need exclusivity in Japan, and not the other way around. As it stands it's just an irritation for fans.

Yi-Long4703d ago

... IF it would have had the original voices. Which it doesn't.

Baka-akaB4703d ago

@lelo2play

I'd blame microsoft still , instead of the japanese public .

Their japanese market oriented games came , but far too late .

Remember than they launched the console with stuff like perfect dark zero and kameo .

Imagine either sony or nintendo launching their console on western soils with pachinko games mostly ... are we sure we'd rush toward it ? At best they'd have the support of the fans of their first party games .

But Microsoft didnt have that lxury over japan , wich is why they should have made a near perfect launch isntead .

bessy674703d ago

@Yi-Long: Tales of Vesperia actually has some of the best english voice-overs of any jrpg. Karol can get a little annoying, but that's it.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4703d ago
Misterhbk4703d ago

Well they can still bring the game to Europe which would allow me to import the game in English for ps3. I'd still be happy with that.

mastiffchild4703d ago

Ha! You obviously don't know what it's like to have to suffer in the gaming ghetto of the EU!! We get nothing and what we do get we get last-do NOT imagine an English version will be coming to SCEE land any time soon. Namco won't do it and SCEE won't help. Sorry, not a starter.

vsr4703d ago

what's the reason for selling this game for non rpg(tales) fans on xbox ? wrong platform and fans are frustrated. Who can afford xbox to play this game ?

Simon_Brezhnev4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

Question is wtf is Scamco going to say about the other 2 tales game on PS3. Nintendo paid for this exclusively in the west. LOL

Well now that i think about it didnt the PS3 get Eternal Sonata a year later with more content and it was in English.

Peaceful_Jelly4703d ago

Tales of Graces F has a NA release for 2012.. 3 years late and terribly outdated by today's standards but at least we get our first Tales game on PS3 on the west. But Xillia and Vesperia are the ones I really want. =(

SaiyanFury4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

I feel it my duty to report that if Namdai wasn't bringing Tales of Vesperia to the west, they would never have teased it on the Tale of Two Richards website for Tales of Graces F with the contorted logo. Also Troy Baker confirmed that he and the other English voice actors worked on voicing extra content for the western PS3 version. If Microsoft had really paid for western exclusivity, then why invest more money in ToV? Why would Namdai invest money in a game that will never exist? Also note that Tales of Graces F was the first contorted logo to appear on the site. Now it's been announced. It seems to me that Namdai is trying to focus more on a lesser game in the series, and by dismissing a western release to people in the west, they're trying to shift attention from the release of ToV to the lesser release of ToG F. It's smoke and mirrors. People have been doing it for centuries. Namdai is aiming to generate a more alarmed response when it announces ToV to generate more sales, and I'm really not surprised. Don't be fooled by the statement about Microsoft paying them for exclusivity. They did the same for Eternal Sonata as well. Timed exclusivity. ToV WILL come to the west, it's only a matter of time. Use logic and examine the leaked information. Don't judge based on one obfuscating statement by a Namdai representative. They have a history of obscuring the truth. One need only have faith and examine the leaked facts. Namdai has invested money in the English voice actors for more material. It's coming. One need merely wait.

Baka-akaB4703d ago

that logic doesnt really fly with Namco ...

Half of the tales of game were never realised overseas , period . Some of the best even .

asdfasdfbeasts4703d ago

"Lesser release?" Funny, considering far more fans asked specifically for ToGF than ToV PS3. yes, I counted the FB and Twitter requests. Wanna see?

showtimefolks4703d ago

but sony didn't pay for exclusives heavy rain they paid for development and they own the IP see the difference.

TBM4703d ago

meh if the PS3 version over there has the japanese voiceovers with the english substitles, and the stuff content that was missing from my 360 copy then ill just import the damn thing.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 4703d ago
Nitrowolf24704d ago

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
If only they supplied english subs.

Jazz41084703d ago

I can't believe we are talking about this. I played this many years ago on the 360 and I still own it.

SkyCrawler4704d ago

Wow...dick move...But it is a business...

Fox014703d ago

I guess Tales of Xillia being a PS3 exclusive is a "dick move" as well right? Versus XIII and DQ 10 too right?

Biggest4703d ago

Did Sony pay for either game to be exclusive? Until we know that they did, the answer is no. It is not a dick move.

radphil4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

Tales of Xillia is coming out on the PS3 in Japan. Tales of Vesperia was out on both, but only 1 here in the US.

You do the math.

It's more of a jerk move by cutting it down than adding on. You know people would have less of an issue if ToV was out on 1 system in Japan, then 2 here, then 2 there, where as going 2->1 looks much more "jerkish".

The problem isn't so much that a game is exclusive on a system, but they make it exclusive to shaft sales for another platform. Besides that, why the hell aren't they using that funding towards studios?

Jihaad_cpt4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

hey Fox get get your dick out of your brain why would any developer release a game in Japan exclusively for Xbox? there are only 1.5 million consoles live there

Silly gameAr4704d ago

It took them this long just to say this?

"When pressed further, she revealed this piece of information, which to our understanding, has never officially been mentioned by Namco themselves: "Microsoft paid for the [western] exclusivity, the same way as Sony paid for having Heavy Rain only on PS3. It's just one way the business works, sadly."

The only difference is the Tales series was already established and Heavy Rain was a new unproven IP. Why even use that as an example?

AP4703d ago

It is a pretty poor example, really. Amazing Microsoft paid for this, though. Was it a worthwhile investment, really? Vesperia sold next to nothing.

ruibing4703d ago

It really ticks me off when MS uses money not to fund games but rather to prevent games from reaching other consoles. This is not good for the industry. I'd rather have them use the money to make a sequel to one of their franchise or to keep one of their internal studios.

Big difference for Heavy Rain is that Sony funded development, so the title may never have come to light otherwise.

Tuxedo_Mask4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

Microsoft's efforts in this aspect is exactly why this gen won't have a system with a library as large and diverse as the PS2 does. Microsoft wanted a reason to get people to buy their system and paid publishers like Namco-Bandai in order to prevent the PS3 from having as large of a library as the PS2. In a way this method was effective, as there are many games that should be multiplatform in the West like Tales of Vesperia and Deadly Premonition to name only two that are on the PS3 in Japan but exclusive to the Xbox360 in the West.

What Microsoft didn't expect was that the people who wanted these games would either import them, due to the PS3 being region free, or just not buy an Xbox360 and hope in vain for a localization. Because of this aspect of Microsoft's planning I'm disappointed with how this generation has gone compared to the last one, but I can't blame Microsoft as they have achieved what they set out to do. I'm sure there are some people who bought a 360 due to the exclusive JRPGs they had early on, but I never did. The PS3 is starting to get more JRPGs and hopefully we'll see Xillia in the West, but I still wish the Japanese developers hadn't taken the money from Microsoft and instead chose to support the PS3 from the beginning.

I think the reason so many people talk of the decline of the JRPG is because they were mostly 360 exclusives at the beginning of this generation and a lot of them landed with a thud due to the majority of their audience choosing the PS3.

ceedubya94703d ago

Regardless, JRPGS without the name Final Fantasy were never really flying off the shelves anyway. The genre is really niche outside of Japan.

However, its hard not to see that some of these games would have done at least a bit better if they had a wider potential audience.

Louis_Guzman4703d ago

@Ceedubya9: Sure kid, except Kingdom Hearts, Pokemon, Demon's Souls and Dragon Quest outsell their western rpg counterparts in the west, consistently.

TheDivine4703d ago (Edited 4703d ago )

We all knew this. They paid for eternal sonata for a year exclusivity and also star ocean 4. I was happy they did it because i only had a 360 and got those 3 plus magna carta 2, last remnant, infinite undiscovery, blue dragon and lost odyssey. MS was a a jrpg rampage trying to get japan to buy 360s. Didnt work but we got alot of great games and lets face it, without that push we wouldnt have many good jrpgs this gen. They recently got tons of japanese dev on board for kinect which even if it doesnt win japan it will make great games. The bad thing is ms gives up if it doesnt sell millions. Id love more kameo, too human, and i will hate ms forever for cancelling cry on from mistwalker. BASTARDS! Tales was never a sony franchise anyways, was on snes, psx, ps2, gamecube, 360, wii, and now ps3 (not to mention handhelds).

Dont know why people say ps3 is the jrpg console, it barely has any. People expected it to be the jrpg console but sony has been slackin. Sad thing is MS was pumpin em out trying to be the jrpg console but people didnt buy a 360 for it. If all the jrpg lovers would have bought jrpgs on 360 they would still be making big AAA jrpgs. Instead peopled dismissed the 360 and the games.

phoenixdown4703d ago

i don't buy jrpgs on my lamebox360. that's what my ps3 is for.

NoobSessions4703d ago

I love how you get so many disagrees, yet but nothing to counter it [:

In the first couple years, Xbox had the best JRPG games.

Seijoru4704d ago

Wow bullshit move by Namco. The majority of Tales and Jrpgs lovers have PS3s.

Surfaced4703d ago

Can't beat Microsoft's dollars.

ceedubya94703d ago

Which makes you wonder just how big that list of JRPG lovers actually is.

Baka-akaB4703d ago

still a stupid move for namco , as a result they tales of division went from raising money to being in the red .

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300°

Microsoft Survey Asks About Handheld

A new survey from Microsoft has further hinted at the possibility of an Xbox handheld being in development.

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twistedvoxel.com
EasilyTheBest3d ago

This is definitely happening, I just hope they have 2 versions one with a much bigger screen.

GamerRN2d ago

I'll be happy with this, and a PC console hybrid that rivals anything we have power wise

Number1TailzFan2d ago

The problem with bigger devices is playing them on your side in bed, Vita and before that was fine. Since the Switch you gotta have a gooseneck holder & controllers detached so you can lie down holding them, or your arm will quickly get tired.

1Victor2d ago

@thesofware: “A much bigger screen than what?”
A gaming laptop 🤷🏿🤣

Kosic2d ago

Than the screen originally planned...duh... :D

darthv722d ago

it kinda already did... https://www.xbox.com/en-US/...

They are just gauging interest in one of their own.

crazyCoconuts2d ago

A Xbox version of Logitech G-Cloud?
I mean, why bother? Not like the G cloud is flying off shelves and what would Xbox add to make it better?
They're surely not going to create bespoke architecture here and there are already a few Windows handhelds out there. I have little confidence in their ability to put together an attractive UI in the way Steam did. So I doubt anything will come from this.

KicksnSnares3d ago

Day One buy for me if they'll make a dedicated handheld device.

darthv723d ago

i have that logitech g-cloud. Its a sweet little piece of kit. I like that it can also install games from the play store unlike the other android based handheld.

mudakoshaka2d ago

It sure is! Don't understand why you get the down-votes. Whoever does not like the G Cloud must have been dropped down a well, head first, when they were of a younger age.

PassNextquestion3d ago

I wonder if Microsoft will perform better in Japan if they do actually make a handheld since everyone says handheld and mobile are king over there.

TiredGamer3d ago

This looks like the future of the game industry... all three platforms with a handheld option.

I wonder if the Playstation Portal is a technology test-bed/prototype for a future Playstation handheld?

rlow12d ago (Edited 2d ago )

It’s a possibility but I can’t help but think would that be the best way to go about it? Though it would give you data on how much it is used and game type. It’s still not a true portable device and so people approach it differently. I think that data on phones, tablets, and of course the competition would give a better indication.

But I really think if Sony is considering a new PSP that could play ps5 games, now would be the time to dive in. Honestly, if they do this, it would be huge.

Traecy2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Doubt if Sony PS wants to support a new handheld with first party games. Something they lacked with the Vita. What they should do is have a handheld that is like the PS Portal which can play all games but play those games on the go as well as at home. Something like that is a better investment.

TiredGamer2d ago

Agreed that you will probably never see a separate line of games specifically for the handheld (a la PSP or PSVita). The modern economics and expectations of game development make that cost prohibitive. What makes more sense is if the full-fat game on PS5 or PS6 has a special "handheld" profile that is automatically optimized for the lower spec handheld. There would be some significant compromises compared to the bigger console variant, but it would be the same game overall and would only require a single purchase.... somewhat what the Switch does with a lower resolution when playing handheld versus docked.

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310°

Xbox Games Showcase Followed by [REDACTED] Direct Airs June 9

- Xbox Wire - Mark your calendars! The Xbox Games Showcase followed by [REDACTED] Direct airs June 9. More info inside.

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news.xbox.com
bionicstar3d ago

Will they show Fable 4, Stalker 2, GoW 6 & Perfect Dark?

PhillyDonJawn3d ago

Crossing fingers for Fable and perfect dark. And State of Decay 3

RaidenBlack3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

And maybe Clockwork Revolution, South of Midnight, Contraband, Project 007 & OD? lol
and whatever happened to Everwild ?
+ that rumored Wu Tang RPG

Sonic18813d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Will they have official release dates and gameplay?

anast3d ago

Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming.

3d ago
Lightning773d ago

It's an Xbox showcase that they have every year.

Make smarter comments for once.

anast3d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Tell me what a smarter comment is.

If they don't sell game pass the entire time, then I will be wrong. All of this can be proven once the show gets underway. Let's wait and see.

InUrFoxHole2d ago

@Anast
Anything you didn't type. Good day sir!

3d ago
3d ago
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3d ago Replies(1)
Lightning773d ago (Edited 3d ago )

Wow too easy.

You went from MS going all streaming to selling gamepass content in which we all know they are.

Which one is it?

Pretty clear you don't know what a smart comment is at least you admit you don't know.

3d ago
anast2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

"Another game pass event with their plans to go all streaming."

It's both. I would worry about your own intelligence at this point. It seems that there is not enough to go around for you to worry about how smart other people are.

Lightning772d ago

It's just a regular event announcing games. Nice one captain obvious they're gonna mention gp stuff like they do every year what else is new.

The all streaming part is just you, being you I guess. They have streaming options but going all streaming again is just you pulling stuff outta thin air.

anast2d ago

You don't know what a smart comment is or isn't. You're welcome for the help.

Lightning772d ago

No you said something dumb then you tried to back track and mention GP.

Again make smart comments for once.

anast2d ago

And we have broken record syndrome.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 2d ago
darthv723d ago

Wonder if they will address the handheld rumors....?

jimb0j0nes3d ago

For a brief moment I thought we might get a whole Direct for Gears 6 - seems like it's COD though!

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290°

Microsoft’s Surface and Xbox hardware revenues take a big hit in Q3

Microsoft just posted the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal financial results. The software maker made $61.9 billion in revenue and a net income of $21.9 billion during Q3. Revenue is up 17 percent, and net income has increased by 20 percent.

Read Full Story >>
theverge.com
darthv728d ago

Xbox content + services up 62% while hardware down 31%... seems about right with the way they tout you don't need the hardware to play. People can play on their phones or smart tv or other means. I don't hardly play on my consoles directly since getting devices like the logitech g-cloud and ps portal. Which is to also say I have been playing more digital than physical because of these devices.

solideagle7d ago

you should apply in MS PR team buddy, I think you will do a great job in my humble opinion :)

Sonic18817d ago

I thought darthv72 and Obscure_Observer already work for Microsoft 🤔

dveio7d ago

MS: "Xbox services and content without AB up 1%, with AB up 62%. Hardware down 31%. In total a loss of 350 mill."

darthv72: "Seems about right."

MS: "Excuse m ..."

darthv72: "I don't hardly play on my consoles directly."

MS:

Lightning777d ago

What he said was facts. How he plays games is no concern of you. Don't get too mad about it.

Cacabunga7d ago

I can tell people like you are an absolute minority..

If service is up means their fans and fanboys accepted this model and subscribed to it. The near future you will see a big decline because the service is saturated.

darthv726d ago

to you it may seem like the minority... but your bubble is shrinking because more and more are following suit. convenience is a hell of a drug and its also why physical sales only amount to 30% of overall game sales. times are changing, you either get with them or you get left behind.

neutralgamer19926d ago

Darth

30% physical sales: yet Phil and xbox division are in a rush go give up on that 30%. they don't have any right to give up any piece of the pie since the control such a little of the pie to begin with

also, the market is clearly speaking that the model Xbox is pushing isn't working right now the keyword being right now. you are right about freedom to play anywhere so i hope they put their games on steam

shinoff21837d ago

But that's been ms for years. When things aren't going their way they try to change the way things are said. For instance console sales are down, they stop telling how many sold instead telling us how many hours spent in halo or headshots. So it makes sense console sales down just say people are playing on more devices then previous. What they won't say is how many xbox players jumped ship to ps5.

Cacabunga7d ago

Hardware sales are so bad that Sony and Nintendo are blowing the sales off the water with their hardware.

If Xbox are losers, others aren’t..
Xbox already tried everything with Xbox live then subscriptions went down so much that they had to find something else. Their fans subscribed then reached saturation rather quickly.

Hardware and exclusive games is where it’s at! Keep gamers excited, announce decent software and people will support you

itsmebryan7d ago

@shin
Well keep it simple Sony 's operating income is down 26% and Microsoft's is up 32%. No MS spin there, just facts. 😉
Cheers

S2Killinit6d ago

MS is after diminishing consoles as a medium. They want to destroy this market because they couldnt win. MS’s vision is to dissolve console gaming.

romulus237d ago

Odd that a company that touts you dont need the hardware to play is already touting another console in the works.

darthv727d ago

They are not reliant on the HW but still want to maintain a presence (no matter how small) is a good thing. It shows commitment to the craft. It reminds me of SNK and how they made games for their own hardware (Neo Geo) while also making them for others because they knew there was a market to do so. They knew they would sell more to others but also sell to their own niche fan base.

TheEroica6d ago (Edited 6d ago )

Perfectly reasonable post down voted by insecure corporation friendly folk.... But not gamers. Real gamer want accessibility and ease of acquisition for all.... Company shills are the only ones still telling us that hardware locking people from games is good for us.

Chevalier6d ago

@Darth

You should stop parroting metrics like an idiot without context.

"Xbox content and services revenue grew 62% in Q3 from a year earlier, “driven by 61 points of net impact” from the purchase of the third-party video game giant, Microsoft said."

61 of the 62% was from their merger so net increase is ONLY 1%

https://www.mesaonline.org/...

itsmebryan6d ago

@chevalier

It looks like made a great purchase. Much better then Sony buying Bungie. 😉
Cheers

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 6d ago
purple1017d ago

Xbox hardware revenue tanks to lowest point of Xbox Series generation

Profchaos7d ago

I'm not surprised surface is struggling they aren't relevant anymore

DOMination-7d ago

In the last two years they've started exiting the consumer market altogether. All of the newest Surface products are business models only. They can't seem to work out what they want to do with it.

XBManiac7d ago

Too expensive hardware when others offer the same or more for less? Good work, Green Team.

SimpleDad7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

"Despite some early successes for Xbox games on rival platforms, Xbox hardware is down by a massive 31 percent this quarter."
"Without Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s overall gaming revenue would have actually declined this quarter."
"Xbox content and services would have only been up a single percent without Activision Blizzard..."
"It looks like next quarter is going to be a similar story for gaming at Microsoft, too."

That is crazy... so A/B/K is carrying the whole Xbox gaming.
Oh and Microsoft will be fine. Windows, Office and Cloud are growing with each pc purchase.

purple1017d ago

Activision: "we gonna need a bigger rucksack/backpack please"

Microsoft: "why's that"

Activision: "to carry yo' weak ass'

Profchaos7d ago (Edited 7d ago )

Top brass have also wanted to start seeing returns on the 100 billion they have put into various Xbox related moves so seeing more multiplatform games is highly likely especially from abk

It's basically saying that PlayStation is the reason Xbox is afloat right now thinks to Ps5 versions of COD

Kornholic7d ago

So basically PS and PC gamers' money is keeping Xbox on life support.

MrDead7d ago

The only growth MS will get out of the console industry is if it supports it's rivals platforms. Xbox is a pointless machine now. I can see them on a big push for live next, and they won't give up on trying to buy Steam.

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