US Retailers “Don’t Want Anime Games”

[ashley50]

“We do take game requests, but games based on anime are very difficult to do – unless it’s a Dragon Ball or Naruto title, retailers refuse to carry them.”
Japanese publishers and US retailers seem to agree – American gamers simply hate anime."

[Tetsaru]

Well, I haven't seen many new, good, ORIGINAL anime series lately, although I'll admit I've kinda been out of the loop for a while, lol. A lot of anime series these days tend to copy off of other successful series, or, if they try to be unique and original, they don't get enough publicity to become mainstream, and often don't succeed very well. I mean, if you took Yu Yu Hakusho, Bleach, and Naruto, and put them all next to Dragonball Z, or if you took Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, and Outlaw Star, they're all very similar; but if you mention something like Paranoia Agent, not many people have really heard of it, despite the fact that it's generally a good series. Then, you have series that spout nothing but annoying loli/moe/tsundere/fanservicey crap that has no real plot at all, and might as well be ecchi/hentai, lol. And of course, some anime series (as well as TV shows or movies, for that matter) just don't translate very well to video games; for example, I wouldn't really want to play a game based on an anime such as Akira or the End of Evangelion, which both have a lot of "mindfuck" moments and underlying messages to them.

However, I think it's wrong to assume that all American gamers hate Japanese-style games, whether it has anime-style artwork or character design, or if it's something entirely unique, such as Katamari Damacy, or Noby Noby Boy. A lot of those kinds of games can be very refreshing and innovative, if presented in the right ways. Of course, you always have your stereotypical "I don't play anything except Halo/Call of Duty/*insert random FPS here* all day" gamers that just want to shoot people, and then rage like a 12 year old when they lose... :disapprove:

Just curious, where'd you quote that from?

[ashley50]

a site that's like a tabloid for asian news and Rumors...its also NSFW.

[SStrikerR]

Maybe not all gamers hate them, but I'm sure sales of anime games here suck. So that quote is understandable.

[Tetsaru]

Well, that's another thing - sales don't always translate to consumer satisfaction. Someone can buy a game and hate it; or they could end up buying a used copy; or multiple people could end up renting the game from a different service that only bought one copy, and all like it; or someone can go visit their friend who bought the game, enjoy it, but not buy it; or they could like it, but end up pirating it because they can't afford it, or don't feel like spending the money. It's because of that sorta stuff that I wish more businesses would listen more to customer feedback, rather than the number of zeroes on their paychecks... but eh, money is all people care about these days. :confused:

[amtalx]

Maybe it has something to do with anime games being forgettable attempts to cash in on a franchise. For the most part, they are no better than movie tie-in games. There are a couple rare exceptions, but most are better used a doorstops than entertainment.

[Outrider]

Maybe it has something to do with anime games being forgettable attempts to cash in on a franchise. For the most part, they are no better than movie tie-in games. There are a couple rare exceptions, but most are better used a doorstops than entertainment.

THIS JUST IN: GAMERS HATE SHITTY LICENSED GAMES.*

Story at 11.




(They're also less willing to try something with a "different" art style if it's mediocre.)

[xeku]

Pretty much what amtalx and Outrider said - do these kinds of games ever work out well?

I'd imagine few games based on western animated-franchises set sales records - expecting those developed outside the region (and outside the mainstream of what is already arguably niche), to sell strongly is a bit....optimistic, no?
Yes, it may be foolish to equate lack of sales with hatred - this assumes the gamer even cares or knows about the title in the first place..

[A. Zerran]

I agree woth xeku. And in my own opinion, perhaps action based anime games sell best, and even then, a small audience will pay attention. I myself was looking forward for a Death Note game, but I found out that they only are popular in Japan and are not sold in the US...yet. But, speaking for most typical gamers and fans, who in the hell gives a damn about Death Note, let alone a game for it? I see now why it's not sold in america. NO ONE GIVES A F**K! :( Goes the same for most anime based games. Except for DBZ. Some of those games, like Budokai, are awesome. The rest are just a waste of your money.

[Xefi]

makes me just want to move to Japan and live there forever. i'm serious. :penguin:

[Delete]

Would it be so hard to make a good Gundam game though seriously? I think they could seriously do something amazing with a game like that if they used there heads.

And if I see one more crappy Dragon Ball Game, I'm gonna start to believe whoever's makin them is probably makin all these crappy Sonic games too ;)

[Mike]

makes me just want to move to Japan and live there forever. i'm serious. :penguin:

You are likely better off where ever you are now.

[Nitro Vordex]

And if I see one more crappy Dragon Ball Game, I'm gonna start to believe whoever's makin them is probably makin all these crappy Sonic games too ;)
Pretty sure Atari and Namco are both better companies than Sega.

[Zarode]

Dear god, people that are oceans apart are DIFFERENT? No, it can't be true. My animes told me otherwise... http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/5476/negativeman55fi.png


I can agree on one part though, I cannot stand games dripping with testosterone. Everytime I see Gears of War, I must puke. I am never satisfied.

[joefro]

Probably because most amine games are terrible. If a game has an anime art style and good gameplay, I'll play it. Like others have said though, most anime games are just cash-ins on franchises.

[Outrider]

And if I see one more crappy Dragon Ball Game, I'm gonna start to believe whoever's makin them is probably makin all these crappy Sonic games too ;)

It's funny you say that, because there is a common element - the developer known as DIMPS is responsible for several DBZ and Sonic games.

Of course, they're also responsible for pretty much the only good DBZ and Sonic games in ten years, so you're completely off in that regard.

[Weeaboolits]

Now, I loves me some cutesy weeaboo shit as much as the next guy, but 99% of anime games are shitty anyway, though like has been pointed out already, it's not really fair to single them out from shitty pre-licensed cash-ins in general.

[Delete]

It's funny you say that, because there is a common element - the developer known as DIMPS is responsible for several DBZ and Sonic games.

Of course, they're also responsible for pretty much the only good DBZ and Sonic games in ten years, so you're completely off in that regard.

I was joking, I didn't even know someone made both. I was also being sarcastic because I was basically saying anything that either of them have thrown out recently has sucked.

[HAYABUSA-FMW-]

The writer might be a Brian Crecente type, called em Chinese cartoons.

Market's over-saturated with DBZ games, so someone is still buying.

- Last one of those I ever got, some Japan dev. sidescroller heralded one, not the quick cash outs by Atari or endless fighting light RPG/action fighting ones. A GBA one, with an unassuming "Advance" tagged on at that, which would have definitely made it overlooked among all the others.

Gundam VS series is good. Go find info on that Delete, and consider PSP importing Plus versions. I got jipped by MGS Portable "Plus" instead. :(

The point kinda is, start supporting XSEED more, which the writer could've clarified - but instead wanted a one line headliner. They're doing their localizing good games thing for consumers hungry for the import stuff, a step below everyone's fave/infamous/Snowboard Kids ATLUS, but still pretty good. I noticed some things I was interested in being XSEED localized and then seeked out other XSEED published/on the box games.

[Outrider]

- Last one of those I ever got, some Japan dev. sidescroller heralded one, not the quick cash outs by Atari or endless fighting light RPG/action fighting ones. A GBA one, with an unassuming "Advance" tagged on at that, which would have definitely made it overlooked among all the others..

Was it set during the Dragon Ball timeline? I think you might be referring to "Advanced Adventure," (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_ball_advanced_adventure) which was a pretty good game. Okay, maybe not so good, but definitely pretty fun.

[ashley50]

Kotaku now has this article as well...

http://kotaku.com/5609917/cutesy-graphics-hard-sell


"Because if it's a choice between a heroine with pink hair and blue eyes or a bald space marine, American retail is going to pick the bald space marine. Every time."

[Outrider]

"Because if it's a choice between a heroine with pink hair and blue eyes or a bald space marine, American retail is going to pick the bald space marine. Every time."

It's pretty clear that is a tongue-in-cheek joke of an opinion. You're not supposed to take it seriously and single it out as the most important part of the article.

[amtalx]

There are more high quality games with bald space marines than super-kawaii anime girls (localized to NA anyway).

Fact.

[ashley50]

It's pretty clear that is a tongue-in-cheek joke of an opinion. You're not supposed to take it seriously and single it out as the most important part of the article.

the sentence is just too funny for me and just felt like emphasizing on the part that makes me laugh.

[Outrider]

the sentence is just too funny for me and just felt like emphasizing on the part that makes me laugh.

Okay, gotcha - my bad.

[Zeek123]

I agree woth xeku. And in my own opinion, perhaps action based anime games sell best, and even then, a small audience will pay attention. I myself was looking forward for a Death Note game, but I found out that they only are popular in Japan and are not sold in the US...yet. But, speaking for most typical gamers and fans, who in the hell gives a damn about Death Note, let alone a game for it? I see now why it's not sold in america. NO ONE GIVES A F**K! :( Goes the same for most anime based games. Except for DBZ. Some of those games, like Budokai, are awesome. The rest are just a waste of your money.

False.

http://i.testfreaks.com/images/products/600x400/120/dragon-ball-z-collectible-card-game-gba.3523192.jpg

[Retehi]

Kotaku now has this article as well...

http://kotaku.com/5609917/cutesy-graphics-hard-sell


"Because if it's a choice between a heroine with pink hair and blue eyes or a bald space marine, American retail is going to pick the bald space marine. Every time."

Of course it'd be that weaboo Brian Ashcraft writing about this.

[Sayara]

Now, I loves me some cutesy weeaboo shit as much as the next guy, but 99% of anime games are shitty anyway, though like has been pointed out already, it's not really fair to single them out from shitty pre-licensed cash-ins in general.

Essentially;
anime games are japans' answer to our movie based games? Thats a fair compairson right?

[Outrider]

Of course it'd be that weaboo Brian Ashcraft writing about this.

It's almost as if he's a Japanese citizen and his assigned job is to cover the Japanese industry.

But that would be crazy.

Or, you know, a sign of basic comprehension of work distribution, journalist beats, or, heck, basic reading skills. Definitely one of them.

[Seasqwaa]

Which reminds me... they better localize .hack//link!!!
That... or I'll be pissed.
I've played the others in the series and was really looking forward to it!

It had pretty nice sales over there, I was expecting it...

[Akaimizu]

Well, he doesn't have to be a space marine. Bald helps, though. Especially if you got weapons of mass destruction on big gigantic mythological beasts. And those bald guys help with stuff like Dragonball. And a major character in dragon quest 9.

I think this topic should read, Bald people rule the western video game world! Heh heh.
If you wanna make it big out here, Lose the hair!

Cult leader: "Sinead O' Conner. Why did you step down from Godhood and grow your hair back? Did we do something wrong?"

[Sinue_v2]

Rocket Launcher + Corridor + Noobs = Bald Space Marines.