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Fatal Frame won't be coming. Boo.
Editorial by 
(Editor)
April 08, 2009, 10:13
 
Figured I'd link to this and get everyone's thoughts here as well. I have to admit I blew a slight fuse at the news (unintentional rhyme, folks), as you can tell from my replies in the thread.

For good reason too.

I just don't get WHY. If they [NOA] could give me a good reason WHY I might be much more calm about this... but as of now it's like they're just content to try and quietly sweep these games under the rug.

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04/08/09, 10:13
 
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Yes, we need a proper explanation.

When Nintendo bought Monolithsoft and they forged an early publishing agreement with Tecmo I figured it wasn't just good 3rd party news, it meant guaranteed worldwide releases and good marketting. But Nintendo's direct involvement is making it less likely for NA releases. WTF?!

Tecmo released the POS port-remix of Rygar, I wish they'd held on to FFIV and done the same. It might actually have sold a few copies.


---

EDIT: Okay I've emailed NOA. It's probably a waste of time, but now they at least have to pay someone to send me a stock letter dammit.


Dear Nintendo,

I'm very upset today by the news that NOA is deciding to sit on the release of Fatal Frame IV. This is a good looking game that has received some strong reviews and I've been following the news on it since its inception. It may be a lesser known franchise but it's a well loved one, and there's nothing else on the system like it.

Please tell me why it isn't it getting a release in the US?

I don't understand how with a userbase of 50 million Wiis out there, NOA would decided to restrict the release of games like this. Surely there's a market. Wii fans and Fatal Frame fans deserve an explanation for you blocking the game. If NOA won't release it, then at least relinquish the publishing rights to someone else who will.

I'm sure you hear this a lot, but as a longtime gamer and fan of Nintendo systems since the NES, I expect great things from you. Lately though, I've been very disappointed in the lack of variety in the Wii's core games. This is no way to run the business now you're the market leader again. This should be Nintendo's time to shine, but every week there are new, very poor quality games released on the system by little known publishers. Please, stand up for traditional gamers, quality developers like Tecmo and your longtime fans by releasing titles like this in the USA. Just as NCL does in Japan.

---Matt Needham

Posted by 
 on: 04/08/09, 17:05
I think we need to distinguish between "Nintendo" and "NOA." As far as I know, Europe got Disaster and Fatal Frame 4 is on the way.

It's kind of maddening too, as NOE is usually the one that screws the fans. I guess we are finally seeing what it is like for you guys? Or, WAS like.

Posted by 
 on: 04/08/09, 18:18
I've always imported my Nintendo consoles either direct from America or from Japan and then modded it to play US games too.

This is the first generation that feels like a mistake. >__<

(I realise the game has backwards controls and probably kinda sucks in many ways, but I took a fancy to it and now they WON'T GIVE IT TO ME! And I'm FURIOUS! )

Posted by 
 on: 04/08/09, 18:41
I'm more surprised with JKR's replies in the thread... wow.

Anyhow, I agree, that was the feeling I got when they made that deal. I was all over it, I've been interested in FF4 since day one. But had I known this would be the results... I hate to say it, but yes, I do regret Ninty getting that deal.

Also, I'd never looked at Soma Bringer, but now that I have.... Urgh... I'm angry at them for that one! WHY!!! I so want o play that...

But I digress.


Zero
Level: -7
XP: 1147306
I think we need to distinguish between "Nintendo" and "NOA." As far as I know, Europe got Disaster and Fatal Frame 4 is on the way.

It's kind of maddening too, as NOE is usually the one that screws the fans. I guess we are finally seeing what it is like for you guys? Or, WAS like.


This is true, I guess we finally see how they feel...

If FF4 releases in Europe, I will be importing. Homebrew Channel and Gecko already have me playing Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom, at least this will warrant more use from it!

Posted by 
 on: 04/09/09, 08:04
It turns out a close family member of JKR's was just diagnosed with cancer. The usual anti-JKR crowd treated it like business as usual but I could see something was wrong too.

I hope he's back posting again soon, and with a happier outlook.

Posted by 
 on: 04/09/09, 17:51
Ahhh damn it, this really sucks...and damn was my first reaction when I saw the post title. Yet another anticipated title that.... *sigh* this slightly pisses me off. I'm sick of the handful of really good games floating in a sea of garbage. The GC really wasn't a joke, neither is the Wii, but some of this decision making won't reflect to well. The 3rd party support was pretty good for the GC a year after it came out reigning from '02-05. The GC had it's dry spells I admit, but gamers had something to always look forward to coming out that was good.

On the other hand I do have homebrew channel (yay!) and that's why I'm not fully pissed. Now the thing that would really piss me off would be to download an application to allow my Wii to read other games region free and my Wii bricks. NOA would've played some influence in my decision making in doing such. I haven't imported in many many years since the SNES/SFC days.

Petitions anyone??? Importing is an option. At least the game does exist, unlike in the development of the game Winter

Posted by 
 on: 04/09/09, 18:14
I'm not sure if it matters overall for Nintendo softwarewise, as they have some neat stuff coming soon (Punch-Out!!, ExciteBots) and will probably have a decent E3 this year. But it IS a slap in the face to the hardcore fans, and that is why it is worrying. Yeah I want to play the games, but without them I will survive. What bothers me more is that NOA just seems completely disinterested in actually listening to what the most diehard fans are clamoring for, so much so that they ignore bringing over games already made. I know games have gotten lost in Japan for years, but this is probably the first time people have clamored for multiple titles on the same console THIS much. The closest comparison is Mother 3 but that was just one game on GBA, and at least NOA/NOJ/whoever is making decisions seems to be bringing over some previously Japan only handheld titles in recent years (Advance Wars, Fire Emblem, Elite Beat Agents, Rhythm Heaven, etc.)

Posted by 
 on: 04/09/09, 20:55
Yeah, I sent him a PM about it after reading that thread (it was locked by the time I got there). Just goes to show, you never have any idea what's going through someone's mind when they say some things. He has sounded unlike himself for a while now...

Here's hoping things get for him.

Which means the old troll mantra "you can't have only a Nintendo console" became true. Because of Nintendo.

Nah, I don't think THAT's necessarily true. It definitely is a slap in the face of fans of both Fatal Frame 4 and Ninty fans in general, but I don't think this changes that much as a whole.

It certainly doesn't help at all though.

I will say though, I'm not putting ANY stock in their E3. My guess is that they'll have just an ever-so-slightly better E3 than last year, but not by much.

Posted by 
 on: 04/10/09, 08:48
*sigh* if I only knew how to read japanese or speak it. I want to fully experience the game and know whats being said. Teach myself perhaps doing some online research.

As far as the decision that was made. Can it be blamed on Nintendo courting the new casual audience?? F**k that ! Could it get released before this consoles life is up? Would it suffer any censorship when release if ever over here at all? Or will it appear next generation as a Wii-make of a Wii-make: The Wii-HD Edition? Ha. So many questions. To me this wants to feel worse than when blood and other content was censored in SNES games during the crossover from Japan to US, cause at least the game was released.

Posted by 
 on: 04/10/09, 12:20
I was wondering about that too. Thats the good stuff that makes for good stories that really set the mood for the game giving it its own particular vibe when playing. It's a survival horror game for crying out loud. Maybe NOA was thinking of if it were to somehow make it into the hands of kiddies somehow. Kinda seems retarded with games like Manhunt 2 being released though edited a little. Anyone else remember BMX XXX released and the GC version out of the other console versions oddly keeping whatever in game nudity it had. If a parent buys a game for their kids disregarding the 'M' for Mature rating right on the case that's the parents fault. It's not NOAs job to raise peoples children in every individual household. That kinda defeats the purpose of the rating system. At least there could be a limited pressing of the game 50,000 copies or something. See how it would sale. A must have game collectors especially if you own a Wii. I know I would make sure I had a copy.

Posted by 
 on: 04/10/09, 20:57
'Well, you'll "survive" because you have another console. So do I.

Which means the old troll mantra "you can't have only a Nintendo console" became true. Because of Nintendo.'

Eh, whether or not this is true, it'd still be true if these 2 games were coming. And I still think the Wii has way more games worth playing than the N64 did, it just has the disadvantage that its games worth playing are no longer technologically at the forefront like N64 games were.

Posted by 
 on: 04/10/09, 21:14
We can make all kinds of assumptions why NOA decided not to release Fatal Frame IV. Family values? I'm fairly certain Disaster was nixed for perceived quality reasons, not for anything to do with content. We don't have anything on which to base the idea that NOA is afraid of M-rated games. That's why we want an explanation.

Could be that FF just did badly in Japan, then the US/Euro release was de-prioritised and ultimately ignored in favor of other projects. I wouldn't be happy with that answer, but it makes a sort of incompetent sense. As Zero pointed out on IGN, the game could be expected to just sell 200K in the US, and the same in Europe give or take 100K there. Call it 300K at $50 a pop... if localization costs less than $15 million then it's still a good business prospect, right?

Eh. I don't know. We may never get a satisfying answer and I'm annoyed by the game's disappearance, but I'm not about to play the game of "Nintendo doesn't care about core games!", "Nintendo forces me to buy other consoles", "Nintendo isn't what it used to be". I've seen these same arguments used time and again for generations by people who's tastes are changing, or are assy little jerks who are never satisfied with anything for long - and all the while Nintendo has come back, released great games, and had key 3rd party classics on their systems.

People are way too quick to throw all their toys out of the babycart.

Posted by 
 on: 04/11/09, 15:29
You couldn't have put yourself in the "people who's tastes are changing" category?!

Yeah, looking back at all the posts I can see how you might connect the dots back to you - which wasn't intended at all.

I mean it in a much more general sense about the whole kneejerk reaction that happens anytime Nintendo or a part of Nintendo screws something up. People are so quick to make assumptions about the motivations and then throw out blanket statements about the company, and the consoles which they'll then be happy to trot out ad infinitum in every. single. post. and. situation. Blah. As a moderator having to deal with the exaggerated positions that people (other people!) take, it bugs me probably more than it should.

No offense intended.

Posted by 
 on: 04/11/09, 17:36
Good, thanks.

No Excitebots announced in Europe yet? I guess I'm back to being glad I have an import Wii again. Got my copy pre-ordered. Nine days till release!

In retrospect it's weird Nintendo ever got involved with Fatal Frame IV. I think we all assumed it was their way of securing a type of game they wouldn't make themselves and getting it marketted and released everywhere on the Wii. By not following through with that, you wonder what they were doing. Or what's changed in the last 18 months?

Posted by 
 on: 04/11/09, 20:45
^ Yeah, when I first heard about this game and read that Nintendo would be involved I just knew it was going to get good quality production etc and wasn't going to be crap. I still love Nintendo of course. The only thing I regret now is that they wanna now block it after all that .

Posted by 
 on: 04/12/09, 00:43
Greater than and less than.

Fatal Frame 4 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Obscure Aftermath
Fatal Frame 4>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Escape From Bug Island (at least the Japanese import had a way better name than EFBI.)

Posted by 
 on: 04/12/09, 00:43
What does NOA have to do with Fatal Frame? Sorry I can't read the ign boards.

Posted by 
 on: 04/12/09, 21:54
I wonder if there is a lot of dialogue in the game. If Nintendo is publishing then localization is their responsibility. They must figure the cost to translate outweighs the predicted amount it would sell.

Posted by 
 on: 04/13/09, 01:50
I mean it in a much more general sense about the whole kneejerk reaction that happens anytime Nintendo or a part of Nintendo screws something up. People are so quick to make assumptions about the motivations and then throw out blanket statements about the company, and the consoles which they'll then be happy to trot out ad infinitum in every. single. post. and. situation. Blah. As a moderator having to deal with the exaggerated positions that people (other people!) take, it bugs me probably more than it should.

I'd say that's about the position I take on it as well (with the exception of me not being a moderator of course). I does agitate me to no end, and always has... but I've dealt with that since before they FINALLY decided to localize Fire Emblem and Custom Robo (which I've been interested in since at least the SNES!).

That and, up until last gen, there were a LOT of games from EVERY company that wouldn't see release here... or see release but have features taken out (like Project Justice's create-a-fighter mode...).

It's definitely a horrible move, and I'm definitely still seething over that one, but I don' think they're paying any less - or more - attention to "core" gamers than they were before...

...they're just really good at making boneheaded decisions that don't help their case at times.

Posted by 
 on: 04/15/09, 05:22
http://www.cameraslens.com/forum/index.php?topic=7248.0

I stumbled upon this while working on my alternatives to play this game last night/yesterday morning. Fatal Frame 4 translation patch. Anyone know anyone that knows Japanese to translate??? I would even be happy with the Japanese voiceovers and English text. The game would retain its original feel if the english voice overs could'nt convey and deliver the emotion. Fans that want this game shouldn't have to go through all this. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed with Nintendo to release this game.

Posted by 
 on: 06/05/09, 11:41
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