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| Fygee 474th Post
 
Gold Customer
    
    
|  "KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, etc."
, posted Mon 9 Dec 13:34
Mike posted this over at the Neo-Geo.com boards.
THE STINGER REPORT #106
More On Neo Geo Group
Word On The Street:
Sources close to the traumatic NeoGeo Group were particularly disquieted by the recent coverage regarding their operation, and have revealed some of the actual day-to-day activities to attempt to prove the viability of their operation. Though the Stinger has not totally altered its skepticism regarding the company's future plans, there seems to be more management heads turning to the problem of how to establish the SNK legacy in a vastly reducing market place.
A disclosure last month, still to be fully amplified, suggested that Sun Amusement and BrezzaSoft would work closer together with the possibility of a total merger of the operation so giving the amusement manufacturing and operation of the Japanese NeoGeo Group a internal software development presence. Whether this would see the adoption of the Crystal System as the day-facto replacement to the current thirteen-year-old Neo-Geo MVS architecture it was far too early to speculate. Many rumors at the time hinted that the short-lived Crystal System bore familiar technology to the Neo-Geo architecture. A failed attempt to Internationally sell the Crystal System dashed the company's hopes for hardware independence. A closer relationship with Sun Amusement may offer a more stable revenue stream and platform for the company to develop upon.
Regarding hardware, there proved to be a major move afoot to attack the erosion of the MVS hardware in certain Asian territories.
In an announcement with the start of the SNK NeoGeo HK web site, it was announced that a new MVS architecture would be placed on the market. Designated the NeoGeo MV-1C, the system would be more familiar as a single cartridge (1-slot) MVS unit. For followers of the previous Neo-Geo architecture, a quizzical eyebrow must be being raised! The MV-1C has existed for some time in the line-up of previous MVS systems including the MV-1A, MV-1B, MV-1F and MV-1FZ etc.
For SNK NeoGeo HK to treat this as a new system is intriguing, but to suddenly claim that the MV-1C offers improved graphical performance, better color saturation and an improved operational life-span is clearly a move to try and stamp the 'official' badge on the products bearing their name, and distance themselves from any 'Gray Imports' that have been circulated within this market. Some statements were made to certain sites that the SNK NeoGeo HK MV-1C would be the 'only' platform able to run the highly anticipated (and much delayed) The King Of Fighters 2002, though this has yet to be confirmed by any other source.
Regarding the KoF franchise, news has reached certain sources that Eolith has developed an enhanced version of the original 2001 release of this popular fighter to be supplied exclusively through their operation. Known as The King of Fighter 2001 Plus, and bearing only the Eolith Co. Ltd. 2002 license, the game has been seen at a number of Korean sites who proved closed mouth regarding the linage of this new cartridge in their facility. No official comment has been supplied by Sun Amusement regarding the appearance of this game and it is even speculated that the Korean developer Eolith (who had been embroiled in ownership issues regarding their use of the KoF brand), may have developed a version for their own home market.
It is this misappropriation of intellectual property (IP) that has flared-up in two very interesting ways. Reported after the Stinger REPORT NeoGeo coverage, it would seem that the previous SNK owner Aruze was to be sued by current SNK owner Playmore regarding the use by the former pachinko company of KoF licensed characters in their machines. The attack has been brewing since AOU when the machines in question were seemingly waved in Playmore's face. Aruze is thought to be extremely bitter that they now see the SNK brand moving forward while they felt their tenure as the brand owner was hindered - missing out on the big bucks.
The second interesting development was witnessed by the sudden closure of the SNK NeoGeo USA web site days after it opened. This seems to be linked to what was touched upon by our previous commentary regarding Playmore (NeoGeo Group) and SNK's previous US distributor Apple Industries. A raging brawl that had been played in secret exploded onto the pages of RePlay Magazine. Apple has claimed to be the only source of new Neo-Geo content in the US, claiming that no matter what Playmore claimed Apple would be the only route for US operators to get their hands on future titles. Apple exhibiting they had stock of Metal Slug 4 at AMOA backed this claim. Every attempt by Playmore to independently represent their new SNK NeoGeo products in the US had been thwarted.
Playmore has now taken the drastic step of paying to print a statement formally removing their products representation from Apple as a last ditch attempt towards establishing an official US presence. However the continuing claims by Apple to be able to get SNK titles (as seen on their web site) has not stopped, and the disgruntled former distributor has thrown additional roadblocks to SNK NeoGeo USA's appearance.
Just to conclude - no matter the aspirations of many sources that SNK is back, it is obvious that the SNK brand, rather actual product, is being flaunted. There is a statute of limitation on operator faith in supporting SNK related product - without some concrete evidence to the contrary, the SNK brand and the proposed product line, will find it difficult to establish any foothold outside of Hong Kong!
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| Fygee 475th Post
Gold Customer
| "Re(2):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et" , posted Mon 9 Dec 22:39
Allow me to summarize. ;D
Sun Amusement and Brezza might be planning a merger, which could mean a rebirth of the Crystal system, and/or the means to develop different hardware.
SNKNEOGEO HK are attempting to make the MVS hardware more attractive by marketing a "new" (not really new though) 1 slot board called the MV-1C, which supposedly has higher performance.
Apparently Eolith has made an enhanced version of KOF 2001 titled KOF 2001 Plus, supposedly only for release in their home market. I assume that its for the Neo-Geo hardware, but there's no details on what's been added or changed, or whether or not it truly exists.
Bit about Playmore suing Aruze over intellectual property misuse. Playmore won that suit for, I think, a cool 70 mil.
The odd closure of the SNKNEOGEO US site appears to be caused by a fight between Playmore and SNK's longtime American distributor Apple Industries.
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| dnphamus
23th Post
New Customer
| "Re(1):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et" , posted Mon 9 Dec 23:07
AAAHHHHH......damn
I bought that Crystal System over a year ago because i felt that Neo Geo, Breeza, Playmore whatever they want to call themselve, was gonna switch up and put new games on that and stop making games for the MVS'....these bastards are making me M A D make up your minds before i go broke..... ever since i played SS2 and KOF '94, i've been hooked. through street fighter, DOA3, HALO, VF4, Darkstalkers i've always returned to SS2...man i ah ah i don't know what to say.......SNK, Playmore, Breeza get yo' $hit 2gether......you don't need a distributer in the states, you go a pretty well established fan base now.....use the internet to get you games out there...F@ck the middle man..................
Make up you minds, get you money right, decide what system to use hopefully MVS, hell the crystal system will be even better...just don't fold again... i can't make it in a 3-D fighting world
Beanie Sigel "Never Limit Your Game To One Hustle"
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| Fro Boy11 1189th Post
Red Carpet Premium Member+
 
    
| "Re(8):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et" , posted Tue 10 Dec 12:42
quote:
I don't see why Apple would have any real claim over the games, considering they were Aruze's distributor. SNK used to have its own American branch, ( The Barone family... EVIL.. ) and before them, Takara distributed in the U.S...
i believe that Takara Co, only did distribute home ports on SNES/GEN but i could be wrong.
Then came AGETEC, which distributed SNK home ports for PS/DC.
True....true.
The drama of SNK continues. This is more like a soap opera than a gaming company. Frankly I'm getting tired of it and I hope it doesn't last and we can finally get to some good news.
It's so messed up that when they're FINALLY really trying to get back to the US consumers and capitalize on the growing SNK fanbase in the US (Thanks Capcom!) they get blocked off by some company. (Damn you Apple!)
And Takara and Agetec are the ONLY companies I can remember distributing ANYTHING SNK in America other than SNK themselves.
I hope everything works out so there's a better chance of me seeing SNK vs. Capcom on another console than the NeoGeo AES by this time next year. Or maybe they'll put it on the Dreamcast in Japan, I highly doubt it, but I can wish!
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| justicekyo 482th Post
Gold Customer
| "Re(3):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et" , posted Tue 10 Dec 16:05
quote:
Uhhh....right *smiles, nods, and pretends to understand*
Uh, I know this is off topic, but got curious when I read how hard it is to get SNK games here now.
Always wanted to play a little more of the Samurai Shodown series that went 3-D. I don't remember the names or numbers, just dug doing Hanzo's multi-break moves. My arcade got the games for 2 months, like they seem to do any SNK (until the recent KOF's) and then it was gone.
Am curious if there is anyway I can play the game again here in the ( Eastern ) U.S..
Eastern US,where?
you need to give abit more info for me to help you.
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| CrazyMike 368th Post
Silver Customer
| "Re(4):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et" , posted Tue 10 Dec 17:03
Hmm well here in Oklahoma, USA, I haven't seen a KOF since 94 heh.
On another note, I know it is blasphemous to say this and I wouldn't originally want to see it either had SNK not come to this, but maybe it would of been better if Capcom had bought SNK? at least Capcom could of brought financial stability and keep this whole mess of "who owns SNK, who doesn't, what the hell ARE they doing now, what IS their new name?" mystery out of here. Also, don't say Capcom would of suddenly thrown Street Fighters into the next KOF's because now we see Enix and Square have merged, the big competitors yet they have agreed they won't mix Dragon Quest/Warrior or Final Fantasy.
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| Bootation
182th Post
Regular Customer
|  "Re(5):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et"
, posted Wed 11 Dec 00:48
quote:
Hmm well here in Oklahoma, USA, I haven't seen a KOF since 94 heh.
On another note, I know it is blasphemous to say this and I wouldn't originally want to see it either had SNK not come to this, but maybe it would of been better if Capcom had bought SNK? at least Capcom could of brought financial stability and keep this whole mess of "who owns SNK, who doesn't, what the hell ARE they doing now, what IS their new name?" mystery out of here. Also, don't say Capcom would of suddenly thrown Street Fighters into the next KOF's because now we see Enix and Square have merged, the big competitors yet they have agreed they won't mix Dragon Quest/Warrior or Final Fantasy.
INFIDEL!!!
CRUCIFY HIM
j/k
Is this the end of Zombie Shakespeare?
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| CrazyMax
22th Post
New Customer
| "Re(4):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et" , posted Wed 11 Dec 15:32
quote:
Uhhh....right *smiles, nods, and pretends to understand*
Uh, I know this is off topic, but got curious when I read how hard it is to get SNK games here now.
Always wanted to play a little more of the Samurai Shodown series that went 3-D. I don't remember the names or numbers, just dug doing Hanzo's multi-break moves. My arcade got the games for 2 months, like they seem to do any SNK (until the recent KOF's) and then it was gone.
Am curious if there is anyway I can play the game again here in the ( Eastern ) U.S..
Eastern US,where?
you need to give abit more info for me to help you.
North Carolina. The recently defrosted state.
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| justicekyo 484th Post
Gold Customer
| "Re(5):KOF 2001 Plus, Neo-Geo USA offiices, et" , posted Wed 11 Dec 18:06
quote:
Uhhh....right *smiles, nods, and pretends to understand*
Uh, I know this is off topic, but got curious when I read how hard it is to get SNK games here now.
Always wanted to play a little more of the Samurai Shodown series that went 3-D. I don't remember the names or numbers, just dug doing Hanzo's multi-break moves. My arcade got the games for 2 months, like they seem to do any SNK (until the recent KOF's) and then it was gone.
Am curious if there is anyway I can play the game again here in the ( Eastern ) U.S..
Eastern US,where?
you need to give abit more info for me to help you.
North Carolina. The recently defrosted state.
Max.. most states went the way of abandoning the MVS.Especially if it's not a big location that's known for arcades.
the most i can say is, talk to the onwer of the arcade you know the most... try to talk him into it.
if that doesnt work, i dont know what will.
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perceptive!" -Woody Allen
"Re(1):Thrawed amigo?"