no fun with Namco of America, again. - http://www.mmcafe.com/ Forums

[an error occurred while processing this directive] no fun with Namco of America, again. - http://www.mmcafe.com/ Forums

Original message ([an error occurred while processing this directive] Views )[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Rid Hershel

4169th Post

Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master

"no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 11:29

I sent a mail to NoA Customer's support asking about Tales of Destiny 2 and Kaze no Klonoa G2. This is the answer I got a week later.

"Thank you for contacting Namco Hometek's Customer Support Department.

Unfortunately we here in the customer service department ha ve no control over what games are imported from Japan. At this point we are unaware of any plans to bring Tales of Eternia 2 from Japan, or to release the Gameboy Advance versions of Klonoa. However, this does not mean they do not plan to eventually, we really mainly hear about the games as they are preparing to release them. While there is no info on this now at our website, www.namco.com , I suggest you keep an eye out there. If they intend to release them in america, information will eventually be released there.
Please feel free to contact us as the need arises.
Have a nice day.

Bethany Wolfson
Customer Support Representative"

Tales of Eternia 2??? even the people at NoA seem confused with the way they messed up the names.

And they DID released one of the GBA Klonoas already, fact that Bethany didn't knew it seems.

The rest of the letter can be resumed in: check our website, they have more info than we will never know. Thanks again for nothing NoA.

Replies:

TiamatRoar

319th Post

Bronze Customer

"Re(1):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 11:31

Pretty much all the American branches of Japanese game companies suck, I'm thinking.

exodus

439th Post

Gold Customer

"Re(2):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 12:05

that sucks >_<

well...
I'll ask at E3. Quite often the japanese officials are there as well, so I can ask them. but I'll try to find out before then if I can.

I think some north american branches are ok...like Atlus, Agetec. And Sega's ok I think. but most are pretty bad >_<

Radish

619th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member

"Re(3):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 12:22

quote:
that sucks >_<

well...
I'll ask at E3. Quite often the japanese officials are there as well, so I can ask them. but I'll try to find out before then if I can.

I think some north american branches are ok...like Atlus, Agetec. And Sega's ok I think. but most are pretty bad >_<

I agree. I luv Atlus, although I wish they'd give some info regarding SMT3. They're really what Working Designs WANTS to be.

But conserning Klonoa, although it's an interesting series, I think Namco loses money every time they release a title in the series outside Japan, so I don't think it's very likely to come over here again...

Juan

2696th Post

Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 12:29:

Ok sorry if the question is stupid (and a bit off-topic) but how does Working Designs manages to stay in business if they release so little quantity of titles and only in one platform? Do their games sell so well?

It annoys me that they dont want anything to do with the GBA, but they must have a valid reason(???) they dont seem to like Nintendo too much.

quote:
They're really what Working Designs WANTS to be.

Buttermonster.com!

[this message was edited by Juan on Mon 9 Dec 12:32]

Radish

621th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member

"Re(5):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 12:31

quote:
Ok sorry if the question is stupid (and a bit off-topic) but how does Working Designs manages to stay in business if they release so little quantity of titles and only in one platform? Do their games sell so well?

Pact with Satan.

Juan

2696th Post

Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master

"Re(6):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 12:33

Thats the name of the blond girl that sings Luna's boat song right?

quote:

Pact with Satan.

Buttermonster.com!

exodus

440th Post

Gold Customer

"Re(5):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 13:57

quote:
Ok sorry if the question is stupid (and a bit off-topic) but how does Working Designs manages to stay in business if they release so little quantity of titles and only in one platform? Do their games sell so well?

I think they have pretty low overhead...they buy aging licenses and translate them.

Also, they've got the backing of almost every rpg fan in the US...everyone knows who working designs is, even if they've never heard of Game Arts or so...

Sensenic
70th Post

Occasional Customer

"Re(2):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 14:31

quote:
Pretty much all the American branches of Japanese game companies suck, I'm thinking.

Believe me, European branches and distributors are worse (with some exceptions, of course). We generally get a worse version from the American one, except in censorship perhaps (sometimes). The only BIG exception I recall now it's MGS2. And many jap games which come out USA, don't make it to Europe.
And I'd better not talk about Spain within Europe (I want Xenogears, VP, PE... -snif-

). Less games (importation is everything if you wanna have all the good games), even less translations, and even less dubbings (not to mention the horrible quality of most of them both).

Damned marketing departments and damned market laws and researches! (oops... got too excited, I'd better change topic)

quote:

Please feel free to contact us as the need arises.

The NEED? Didn't I understand it well or she's assuming that you NEED to play those games?

The ugliest Solid Snake ever is watching you...

-I thought you were arian....
-I'm vegetarian...
Dialog between Schulz and the jewish barber -The Great Dictator-

Gojira

745th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member+

"Re(2):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 15:37

quote:
Pretty much all the American branches of Japanese game companies suck, I'm thinking.

If you mean they're much smaller than their Japanese counterparts which makes translating and localizing every single game impossible and have more politics to deal with than simply saying "hey can we translate Tales of Destiny 2?", then yes, they do suck.

That said, this Bethany person is just a trained poodle responding to email. You're not going to get anywhere talking to her about stuff they only tell to press, even if they do have plans.

GSPX Progress: |>>>>>40%--------|
Download my RPG here!
(Font problems? Download the font patch here!)

Radish

625th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member

"Re(3):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 15:47

quote:
Pretty much all the American branches of Japanese game companies suck, I'm thinking.

If you mean they're much smaller than their Japanese counterparts which makes translating and localizing every single game impossible and have more politics to deal with than simply saying "hey can we translate Tales of Destiny 2?", then yes, they do suck.

That said, this Bethany person is just a trained poodle responding to email. You're not going to get anywhere talking to her about stuff they only tell to press, even if they do have plans.

From what I've heard Konami of America is constantly battling KOJ since KOJ is super paranoid about being outshown in anything. It makes it difficult with such inter company conflicts.

Dragon-warrior

734th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member+

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 15:52

well nothing is more painfull than Enix of america, I don't belive that they cancle DWIV for the PSone I was realllly looking for that, I mailed them a 100 times but there is no hope :( .

Mosquiton

590th Post

New Red Carpet Member

"Don't blame CS..." , posted Mon 9 Dec 16:00

As was mentioned, these CS people are just regular people trying to earn a living and not neccessarily serious gamers like us.

Try emailing Namco of Japan's customer service and ask them if they're making an update of "Nail More" and what features it will have.

If you want proof that Japanese companies care about their customers outside Japan try here and here.

/ / /

Gojira

746th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member+

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 16:15

quote:

From what I've heard Konami of America is constantly battling KOJ since KOJ is super paranoid about being outshown in anything. It makes it difficult with such inter company conflicts.

I've heard similar. But I don't see KoA outshowing KoJ much, if at all. It's just that Yugi-oh is such a commercial success in America. KoA definitely has some issues to deal out with themselves though. Some years ago, a programmer friend of mine was hired by them and he "went through hell there", in his own words. It was that bad.

GSPX Progress: |>>>>>40%--------|
Download my RPG here!
(Font problems? Download the font patch here!)

Radish

626th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member

"Re(5):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 16:55

quote:

From what I've heard Konami of America is constantly battling KOJ since KOJ is super paranoid about being outshown in anything. It makes it difficult with such inter company conflicts.

I've heard similar. But I don't see KoA outshowing KoJ much, if at all. It's just that Yugi-oh is such a commercial success in America. KoA definitely has some issues to deal out with themselves though. Some years ago, a programmer friend of mine was hired by them and he "went through hell there", in his own words. It was that bad.

Yeah. I remember hearing rumors that the Dreamcast Castlevania was shaping up to be half decent so KOJ reorganized the team so it was under direct KOJ management. The entire thing blew up. It seems that KOA would be the most hellish place to work which fits into my "Konami hate America" theory.

raven1234

327th Post

Bronze Customer

"Re(6):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 17:05

quote:

From what I've heard Konami of America is constantly battling KOJ since KOJ is super paranoid about being outshown in anything. It makes it difficult with such inter company conflicts.

I've heard similar. But I don't see KoA outshowing KoJ much, if at all. It's just that Yugi-oh is such a commercial success in America. KoA definitely has some issues to deal out with themselves though. Some years ago, a programmer friend of mine was hired by them and he "went through hell there", in his own words. It was that bad.

Yeah. I remember hearing rumors that the Dreamcast Castlevania was shaping up to be half decent so KOJ reorganized the team so it was under direct KOJ management. The entire thing blew up. It seems that KOA would be the most hellish place to work which fits into my "Konami hate America" theory.

bah

exodus

441th Post

Gold Customer

"Re(3):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Mon 9 Dec 17:13

quote:
Believe me, European branches and distributors are worse (with some exceptions, of course). We generally get a worse version from the American one, except in censorship perhaps (sometimes). The only BIG exception I recall now it's MGS2. And many jap games which come out USA, don't make it to Europe.

I can think of many excellent Saturn and PSX titles that europe recieved that the US didn't (Puchi Charat, keiyo yugekitai, etc), so I don't think either is necessarily better or worse...

EddyT
119th Post

Regular Customer

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Tue 10 Dec 12:56:

Well, Tekken 4 took forever to come out to US PS2 systems... and they hired lousy voice actors to voice over parts of Soul Calibur II (yet, they left the Japanese grunts and cries alone during battle... odd). Xenosaga STILL isn't out yet (although at least it finally has a tentative release date of March 2003 from ps2.ign.com) and their E3 booth has always been a little lackluster (no playable SC2 or Xenosaga in E3 2002).

I don't know... I'm excited about some Namco products, but the American subsidiary of Namco Ltd. handles the relations very poorly in the States IMO in recent times. They either take way too long to release a game or they make changes to the game that aren't at all necessary.

It's been very painful for me to see NOA squander so many opportunities. I don't think I'm alone when I have these thoughts. Well, at least we have "Pac-Man Fever"...

[this message was edited by EddyT on Tue 10 Dec 12:59]

Sensenic
71th Post

Occasional Customer

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Tue 10 Dec 13:11

quote:
Believe me, European branches and distributors are worse (with some exceptions, of course). We generally get a worse version from the American one, except in censorship perhaps (sometimes). The only BIG exception I recall now it's MGS2. And many jap games which come out USA, don't make it to Europe.

I can think of many excellent Saturn and PSX titles that europe recieved that the US didn't (Puchi Charat, keiyo yugekitai, etc), so I don't think either is necessarily better or worse...

Well, perhaps I was only thinking of the games I want to play but haven't arrived here. Even with that, I still think the same way. And, well, I live in Spain which is worse (in videogame receiving and adaptating) than, i.e., UK, France or Germany.

The ugliest Solid Snake ever is watching you...

-I thought you were arian....
-I'm vegetarian...
Dialog between Schulz and the jewish barber -The Great Dictator-

Tashoku Kisune

1480th Post

Red Carpet Executive Member

"Re(1):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Tue 10 Dec 18:42

quote:
I sent a mail to NoA Customer's support asking about Tales of Destiny 2 and Kaze no Klonoa G2. This is the answer I got a week later.

"Thank you for contacting Namco Hometek's Customer Support Department.

Unfortunately we here in the customer service department ha ve no control over what games are imported from Japan. At this point we are unaware of any plans to bring Tales of Eternia 2 from Japan, or to release the Gameboy Advance versions of Klonoa. However, this does not mean they do not plan to eventually, we really mainly hear about the games as they are preparing to release them. While there is no info on this now at our website, www.namco.com , I suggest you keep an eye out there. If they intend to release them in america, information will eventually be released there.
Please feel free to contact us as the need arises.
Have a nice day.

Bethany Wolfson
Customer Support Representative"

Tales of Eternia 2??? even the people at NoA seem confused with the way they messed up the names.

And they DID released one of the GBA Klonoas already, fact that Bethany didn't knew it seems.

The rest of the letter can be resumed in: check our website, they have more info than we will never know. Thanks again for nothing NoA.

Yup... now.. <sarcasm>why did someone invent "Customer Service" again? Because I could have sworn it had something to do with delivering information TO the customer... I dunno.. It's just this feeling I get. I have NO idea how... </sarcasm>

Luisinan
136th Post

Regular Customer

"Re(2):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Tue 10 Dec 18:56

I think Sega of America is one of the few American branches of a Japanese company that is good. Maybe Konami. But I also think that SoA had to work very hard to make the DC succeed. Nonetheless, they've proven to be a good software company so far.

I've also heard that Japanese companies fear their American counterparts success and purposely cripple their American branches. I think Capcom of America and SNK of America suffer from being incompetent and from being left in the dark. Besides, is it really necessary for these American companies to know what is coming up in the future- as in sequels and new games? Not really, all the American company is needed for is advertising and distribution. Very few handle translation I think. And even less actually make games- Final Fight Revenge was the only Capcom of America developed game right? Imagine if the next SF or KOF were developed my an American team o_O !

Nonetheless Sega of America is what all American branches should aspire to be. I unfortunately think we'll forever be punished by Capcom USA's almost always inferior products though. Sigh. Even the darn guide industry is mediocre in comparison to the Japanese. What's worse is that a lot of these American game mag and game guide publishers rip off the work of faq writers- that is beyond shame.

One can only hope that once are generation gets into relative levels of power, we'll have the motivation and the power to put out high quality material like the Japanese. Until that day...

Rid Hershel

4178th Post

Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master

"Re(3):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Tue 10 Dec 18:58

wasn't Maximo made in the US too?

whitesword

1188th Post

Red Carpet Premium Member+

"Re(3):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Tue 10 Dec 20:52

quote:
I unfortunately think we'll forever be punished by Capcom USA's almost always inferior products though.

Just...shut up, shut up you spoony bard! Exactly how are they inferior products!? Because of lousy box art!? That's what makes or breaks a game!? Huh!?

Maximo was an excellent game, and Red Dead Revolver is shaping up to be another great game. Also, Capcom USA's site is one of the best US game company sites there are, with tons of shiny thingies fans love, special sites like www.residentevil.com, art contests, and they almost bring over all of the games Capcom Japan makes, excluding only the very unusual ones.

Oh, and Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter is gonna be here this February...a mere 4 months after the Japanese release...LOOK AT SPOONIN' XENOSAGA!!!

So shut your spoony mouth you spoony bard!

*smacks Luisian on the forehead with the official WS Seal of Spooniness!*

SONIC BURNER....!? (Ok

it's just the Burning Fist)

Luisinan
138th Post

Regular Customer

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Tue 10 Dec 22:02

quote:
I unfortunately think we'll forever be punished by Capcom USA's almost always inferior products though.

Just...shut up, shut up you spoony bard! Exactly how are they inferior products!? Because of lousy box art!? That's what makes or breaks a game!? Huh!?

Maximo was an excellent game, and Red Dead Revolver is shaping up to be another great game. Also, Capcom USA's site is one of the best US game company sites there are, with tons of shiny thingies fans love, special sites like www.residentevil.com, art contests, and they almost bring over all of the games Capcom Japan makes, excluding only the very unusual ones.

Oh, and Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter is gonna be here this February...a mere 4 months after the Japanese release...LOOK AT SPOONIN' XENOSAGA!!!

So shut your spoony mouth you spoony bard!

*smacks Luisian on the forehead with the official WS Seal of Spooniness!*

If you weren't so 'unspoony' Whitesword I would do Remy's standing jab into rising rage flash on you. But you got a point and well, you're also too 'unspoony' and loveable to hurt. I kind of overreacted with the anti-Capcom USA comments.

I forgot about Maximo and Red Dead Revolver.

But I still cannot forgive them for some of their past mistakes. Such as butchered, censored and half-translated ports. We never got the Rival Schools board game, nor DC CVS2. Not to mention that the US version of CvS2 had a ton of missing win quotes. Yeah, yeah, trivial stuff but these games are aimed at a hardcore fanbase are they not? And the US cover on CVS1 is a complete travesty, especially since the Japanese one was way cooler. Same with 3S. Same with almost every game! Alright alright, I'll calm down.

Some of these things could even be blamed on Capcom of Japan. Sigh, who can I lash out to?

ZamIAm

802th Post

Red Carpet Regular Member+

"parries spoon with fork" , posted Tue 10 Dec 22:06

quote:
I unfortunately think we'll forever be punished by Capcom USA's almost always inferior products though.

Just...shut up, shut up you spoony bard! Exactly how are they inferior products!? Because of lousy box art!? That's what makes or breaks a game!? Huh!?

Maximo was an excellent game, and Red Dead Revolver is shaping up to be another great game. Also, Capcom USA's site is one of the best US game company sites there are, with tons of shiny thingies fans love, special sites like www.residentevil.com, art contests, and they almost bring over all of the games Capcom Japan makes, excluding only the very unusual ones.

Oh, and Breath of Fire V: Dragon Quarter is gonna be here this February...a mere 4 months after the Japanese release...LOOK AT SPOONIN' XENOSAGA!!!

So shut your spoony mouth you spoony bard!

*smacks Luisian on the forehead with the official WS Seal of Spooniness!*

Capcom USA aint all bad but they aren't perfect. Removing the character edit from Project Justice and then delaying it five months was like a pimp slap to fans like myself. And as far as instruction booklets are concerned THEY SCREWED OVER JUNI FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW! (had to release some steam there)

BTW, I own an exclusive Maximo shirt only given to Blockbuster employees during the one month rental preview HAH!

BOOOONESAW IZ READYYY!!!

EddyT
119th Post

Regular Customer

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Wed 11 Dec 00:27

quote:
wasn't Maximo made in the US too?

I heard it was (from a friend of mine who's a huge GNG fan). I actually liked that game a lot, myself... and was really shocked to hear that it was developed mostly in the US.

I think Capcom definitely has its hits and misses concerning the US branch, but at least they don't dilly-dally much when it comes to releasing most major-or-potentially-major titles quickly to the States.

iggy

1072th Post

Red Carpet Premium Member

"Re(4):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Wed 11 Dec 02:35

quote:
they almost bring over all of the games Capcom Japan makes, excluding only the very unusual ones.

Did they bring the 2 best games Capcom did in the last 2 years, Gyakuten Saiban 1&2?

無知にはムチを!

Rid Hershel

4179th Post

Platinum Carpet V.I.P- Board Master

"Re(5):no fun with Namco of America, again." , posted Wed 11 Dec 03:21

quote:
Did they bring the 2 best games Capcom did in the last 2 years, Gyakuten Saiban 1&2?

No, but better: they released One Piece Mansion!