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[Vamphuntr]

Fair enough. I mean I guess it could be summarized as "if XSEED could make it work, we'd be getting the games", but still.

I always thought the biggest barrier was licencing the VA - but if it's not being licenced even for the PC version, then there's not much of an issue (they wouldn't need to get it for the Vita version either and could replace it with whatever dub they bothered with for PC). It's not really a case of re-dubbing the entire game because why would they bother if they're not licencing it?

As for working with different partners - I guess, but it's Kadokawa and they seem alright with letting games go overseas (they work with NISA pretty regularly and have worked with XSEED before - on Killer is Dead)

I think the issue is that they have to pay licensing fees to 3 companies, 2 of which they never or seldomly had deals with. So it would be expensive to license and it's for a platform that is dead anyway in the west and for a series that doesn't sell tons of copies.

Xseed were quite transparent about this. They said it multiple times on their localization blogs, forums and in articles that SC would be their last PSP games and that the EVO versions are out of reach but people keep bringing them up. Xseed still releases many handheld games so they would do it if they could.

 

[CamHostage]

Or just download someone's save file?

You mean somebody's PC save file? I mean, if the transfer data is negligible then whatever (Dandy Crocodile says not much vital material actually carries over to Third.) But part of the point of a save carry-over is that it's your save being carried over, so even if it's not a complex range of choices and stats brought over, those who invested in the two PSP games would like to have it be their personal investments used when they begin Third, if that ends up being possible at least. A PSP save file loader/converter to the PC version of Third would be a bit of goodwill on Xseed's part if they could manage it.

 

[BasilZero]

Wish it was the Vita version but its fine I guess.

Strange its only for PC and not for Vita lol.

 

[SephLuis]

Huh? I've never heard of the PSP version of 3rd actually having missing content vs PC.

I just finished the PS3 version (which is based on the PSP version) and I can confirm that.

Regarding her back story, it's explained in full only in the PC version, while PSP/PS3 version start halfway into the cutscene.

 

[skLaFarebear]

I just finished the PS3 version (which is based on the PSP version) and I can confirm that.

Regarding her back story, it's explained in full only in the PC version, while PSP/PS3 version start halfway into the cutscene.

Are you serious?

I'm feeling a lot better about that PC version now.

 

[Drilbit777]

Wait we are only getting the PC version localized? Seems kinda strange considering they localized the other two PSP versions.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

You mean somebody's PC save file? I mean, if the transfer data is negligible then whatever (Dandy Crocodile says not much vital material actually carries over to Third.) But part of the point of a save carry-over is that it's your save being carried over, so even if it's not a complex range of choices and stats brought over, those who invested in the two PSP games would like to have it be their personal investments used when they begin Third, if that ends up being possible at least. A PSP save file loader/converter to the PC version of Third would be a bit of goodwill on Xseed's part if they could manage it.

I don't think PSP->PC data conversion is possible. It was discussed a bit in the TitS SC thread.

Really all you get from an SC file in 3rd is, at max, two accessories and some sepith and some NPCs will, of course, remember your aid to them.

They're not even semi-useful accessories like the FC->SC transfer got.

If somebody completed SC 100% their save isn't unique and in fact matches almost every other save file. I could lie and say I invented a program that converts the save and have people send their files to me then just send them all the same PC 100% file. They'd be none the wiser.

Are you serious?

I'm feeling a lot better about that PC version now.

Yeah I think it was something to do with Sony? Not sure why it was cut out.

Wait we are only getting the PC version localized? Seems kinda strange considering they localized the other two PSP versions.

XSEED has been saying for YEARS that SC would be their last PSP game ever once it released.
We didn't even think we were getting 3rd so it should come as a surprise to absolutely nobody that it is only on PC. Is it unfortunate? Yes, of course. More platforms is almost always better, but we knew it would be this way if it every happened.

 

[SephLuis]

Are you serious?

I'm feeling a lot better about that PC version now.

Yes. I was also surprised by it.

I saw the PS3 cutscene and I didn't knew it was a cut version. By luck, I ended up finding a translated video of this cutscene on youtube and this video is based on the PC version, which is actually complete.

The cut version you actually can connect the dots like "This probably happened", while the PC version shows in more detail what actually happened.

Yeah I think it was something to do with Sony? Not sure why it was cut out.

The answer I got for this is that Falcom wanted to keep the same CERO rating (esrb in Japan) for all TitS games.

The first version of 3rd is PC and PC games does not need CERO ratings. Thus, they released that version without any issues.
They cut that part because it could raise the CERO rating for the game in the PSP/PS3 version.

 

[iRAWRasaurus]

You mean somebody's PC save file? I mean, if the transfer data is negligible then whatever (Dandy Crocodile says not much vital material actually carries over to Third.) But part of the point of a save carry-over is that it's your save being carried over, so even if it's not a complex range of choices and stats brought over, those who invested in the two PSP games would like to have it be their personal investments used when they begin Third, if that ends up being possible at least. A PSP save file loader/converter to the PC version of Third would be a bit of goodwill on Xseed's part if they could manage it.

What choices? Besides have you finish mission X, Y or Z? As mention its very minimal stuff that is actually carried over, why waste time creating a converting tool for a dead handheld that a minimal amount of people would use. Dont get me wrong it sucks for handheld fans.

Or you can just download a PC save file which even the SC OT had a link to a PC save file with everything done.

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

The answer I got for this is that Falcom wanted to keep the same CERO rating (esrb in Japan) for all TitS games.

The first version of 3rd is PC and PC games does not need CERO ratings. Thus, they released that version without any issues.
They cut that part because it could raise the CERO rating for the game in the PSP/PS3 version.

Gotcha. That makes sense. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[psynergylover]

Aww man I just bought FC & SC on my Vita!!!! Don't do this to us Xseed!!!

 

[TheChaos0]

Well, that's a shame I won't be able to finish the 3rd chapter on my Vita but the same time it's a miracle that it's coming at all.

Might take me much longer to complete though...

 

[SatelliteOfLove]

Aww man I just bought FC & SC on my Vita!!!! Don't do this to us Xseed!!!

Read up above. Cold hard reality did this to us really.

 

[Schopenhauer]

Pretty disappointing as I am playing FC and SC on psp/vita, but I guess it is better than not releasing it at all.

 

[psynergylover]

So what are the specs to run FC and SC on PC?

Don't want to get a new pc if I don't have to....but I will

 

[Dandy Crocodile]

So what are the specs to run FC and SC on PC?

Don't want to get a new pc if I don't have to....but I will

I know this was lots of pages back, but I don't think anyone actually posted Falcom's original requirements for the game. (Source.)

Requirements:
OS: Windows 8/7/Vista XP Japanese Version
CPU: Pentium III 800mhz or Higher minimum, Core 2 Duo 2GHz or higher Recommended
HDD Space: 3.7gb
Memory: (8/7/Vista) 1GB or Higher, (XP), 384MB or Higher
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c on onward
Monitor: 640x480 minimum resolution, HighColor (65,536 colors) or higher
Graphics: VRAM 32MB or Higher, DirectX9.0c compatible card
Sound: DirectX9.0c Sound
Media: 1 DVD-ROM, so DVD-ROM drive required

Though note that this is for the old Japanese release so you won't need a disc, haha.

 

[ezodagrom]

Just finished Trails SC today, so this announcement is great news for me. ^^

 

[psynergylover]

Though note that this is for the old Japanese release so you won't need a disc, haha.

looks like I'm set......HYPE RESTORED!!!!

 

[omgfloofy]

Though note that this is for the old Japanese release so you won't need a disc, haha.

Yep. I simply translated it straight up. I figured most people here are smart enough to realize you won't need the disc with a digital release.

 

[Mozendo]

Just finished Trails SC today, so this announcement is great news for me. ^^

Congrats and welcome to the waiting club!
;______; game is so far away

 

[Black Hat]

Damn. These games are perfect on Vita.

It's a shame, but at least we're getting something rather than nothing at all.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

I really hope XSEED will consider some kind of limited trilogy box for Trails in the Sky once all games are out on PC.

Since it's a PC game the hurdles should be relatively low, and I'd really love to have physical copies of the games.

I'm also thinking about importing the Evo versions but that's a lot of money for games you can't do anything with

I don't think it's realistic, but it would be kinda cool. I was thinking about how, of all the games I've bought since games went digital, Falcom's game are the ones that I would most want to have on a shelf, in a box. Just because it makes them feel more substantial somehow. I think back to when I first started buying a lot of PC games when I was a kid, and I imagine that I would have absolutely flipped seeing something like Trails in the Sky Trilogy on the shelf.

 

[Holundrian]

I don't think it's realistic, but it would be kinda cool. I was thinking about how, of all the games I've bought since games went digital, Falcom's game are the ones that I would most want to have on a shelf, in a box. Just because it makes them feel more substantial somehow. I think back to when I first started buying a lot of PC games when I was a kid, and I imagine that I would have absolutely flipped seeing something like Trails in the Sky Trilogy on the shelf.

Maybe IndieBox is a way to get something like that. If people make enough noise they could get in talks maybe.

 

[charlequin]

Seeing as I use a mac at home, I think your point about the particular potato required is lost on me

Point is, not everyone has a PC, I don't see why it's assumed that everyone would.

Well, the thing is, any desktop or laptop computer these days is a "PC," whether or not it runs Windows by default. Any Mac or Linux box can dual-boot into Windows or run it in a VM, plus these titles apparently run smoothly under WINE. The Trails games are twelve years old and will run on pretty much anything above a Pentium III, and run just fine in one of these alternate modes. The number of people who are in the market for this game, and have a PSP or Vita, but don't own a computer from the last decade, but do post on Internet message boards, has got to be vanishingly small.

Obviously this still doesn't perfectly solve the problem for anyone, but out of every "I can't play this game because of the platform" problem I've seen in a decade on NeoGAF this is far and away the smallest and easiest to overcome -- it's definitely fair to be disappointed, but I don't think the game is actually inaccessible for that many people. (And XSEED have been very scrupulous in prepping people for this particular disappointment, at least.)

Isn't that's what's stopping the Evo versions, licencing Chara-Ani's VA work?

It is a thing stopping those, but almost certainly not the thing. (Also the Evo games would be an entirely separate project -- the scripts aren't identical and none of the technical changes would carry over, so unlike the PS3 version it wouldn't be a smooth substitution for the PSP version anyway.)

 

[max_505]

I'm thinking most of the people complaining about the no PSP/Vita release have a PC but just don't want to play it there at all costs. Come on, guys. This is definitely the better alternative than not getting the 3rd at all.

 

[ezodagrom]

Congrats and welcome to the waiting club!
;______; game is so far away

Thank you. ^^
i'm just glad the game is being released at all, I wanna see how it continues from here, and I wanna see what will become of certain characters,

Spoiler

like the Ouroboros enforcers, especially Renne

.

 

[CertifiedFP]

What I don't get is that Tom says no Japanese VA. Isn't that's what's stopping the Evo versions, licencing Chara-Ani's VA work? So if it's not coming anyway, why not try going for those versions?

Well, for one, as far as my memory serves, Chara-Ani is extremely hostile towards localization and international distribution of anything they've worked on in any capacity.

Chara-Ani is like, the No.1 barrier to games getting dual-audio for their western release. IIRC they're the reason Fire Emblem Fates and Xenoblade X are English-Only despite their predecessors having a dual-audio precedent.

 

[Schopenhauer]

I wonder if they had already made this decision when they released SC but didn't want to say anything for the fear that it would negatively effect sales?

I know I wouldn't have bought the psp/vita version had I known this ahead of time.

 

[SolVanderlyn]

Well, for one, as far as my memory serves, Chara-Ani is extremely hostile towards localization and international distribution of anything they've worked on in any capacity.

Chara-Ani is like, the No.1 barrier to games getting dual-audio for their western release. IIRC they're the reason Fire Emblem Fates and Xenoblade X are English-Only despite their predecessors having a dual-audio precedent.

They are the enemy.

 

[chaosblade]

I wonder if they had already made this decision when they released SC but didn't want to say anything for the fear that it would negatively effect sales?

I know I wouldn't have bought the psp/vita version had I known this ahead of time.

They weren't expecting anything from the sales of the PSP version regardless, they said the only reason they released it at all was out of goodwill toward the people who had waited to resolve the cliffhanger ending. The PC version was the one they were expecting to see sales from.

Plus XSEED folks have been saying 3rd would be PC only if it were to release here well before SC came out. There is no surprise here at all. Quite a few people held out hope or begged despite being told it wasn't going to happen, but here we are.


I also doubt they started that early. Apparently Varion is doing the translation, and probably started shortly after finishing the base translation of Cold Steel 2's script. And SteamDB shows the game was added in mid-January, which IIRC lines up fairly closely with when CS2's translation was finished. So they probably decided sometime in December, if not early January.

 

[flowsnake]

I wonder if they had already made this decision when they released SC but didn't want to say anything for the fear that it would negatively effect sales?

I know I wouldn't have bought the psp/vita version had I known this ahead of time.

They've been very open about SC being their last ever PSP game at least since it came out.

 

[Xeteh]

They've been very open about SC being their last ever PSP game at least since it came out.

It sounds like the PSP version was a bitch to deal with too. Instead of doing the programming in house they had to wait for Falcom's developers to fix bugs and send them a new build.

 

[Quixzlizx]

Seeing as I use a mac at home, I think your point about the particular potato required is lost on me

Point is, not everyone has a PC, I don't see why it's assumed that everyone would. I can probably borrow one though, but it's no different to anyone having the possibility of borrowing something when a game comes out on a format they don't have.

I'm not a Mac expert, but I think there are several solutions for playing a PC game on a Mac, especially one that requires so little horsepower.

 

[Barrylocke]

Well, for one, as far as my memory serves, Chara-Ani is extremely hostile towards localization and international distribution of anything they've worked on in any capacity.

Chara-Ani is like, the No.1 barrier to games getting dual-audio for their western release. IIRC they're the reason Fire Emblem Fates and Xenoblade X are English-Only despite their predecessors having a dual-audio precedent.

Is there a source on Chara-Ani's involvement in Fates and Xenoblade? It would definitely explain a lot, as I was looking forward to dual voices with Fates.

 

[Gu4n]

It sounds like the PSP version was a bitch to deal with too. Instead of doing the programming in house they had to wait for Falcom's developers to fix bugs and send them a new build.

Having control over the entire process, XSEED has much more agility. For example, even at the time of SC's release there were a number of differences between the PC script (top) and the PSP script (bottom). Whereas latter one's translation is set in stone, the former can be updated. And regardless of which you personally prefer, the top one is more accurate.

Edit:
Oh, and The 3rd has a lot of terminology Falcom has not yet given readings for; probably the most in the series.

 

[Tygamr]

Not really the type of game I'd like to play on PC. Would much prefer having it on a handheld. But oh well, guess I'll be skipping it—or buying it for really cheap during a Steam sale and then forgetting about it in my Steam backlog.

 

[Fady K]

Really wish this was coming out for the PSP/Vita, but looking at the reasoning as to why Xseed couldn't do it makes it easier to accept. Thankfully we'll still be getting the 3rd chapter and on the bright side for handheld fans we can probably look forward to playing newer falcom games in English on the Vita.

 

[omgfloofy]

Is there a source on Chara-Ani's involvement in Fates and Xenoblade? It would definitely explain a lot, as I was looking forward to dual voices with Fates.

I have no clue, but I do have a list of Chara-Ani's primary clients (this may not be all of them, of course, as "primary" is there:

• Animate
• Alter
• AVEX Marketing
• Kadokawa
• Cafe Leo
• King Record
• Good Smile Company
• Seikodo
• Sony Music Distribution
• Sol International
• Teichiku Entertainment
• Nihon Columbia
• Nihon Falcom
• Happinet
• Bandai
• Bandai Visual
• Pony Canyon
• Movic
• Universal Music LLC
• Yoshimoto R & C

Their services are:

1. Sales, Production, and Manufacturing of Voice Products, Video, and Software Planning
2. Character Goods Planning and Marketing
3. Computer Software Planning, Production, and Marketing
4. Information Supply Services
5. Book and Magazine Planning, Production, and Marketing
6. Advertisement Campaigns
7. Event and Auction Management
8. Sales, Exporting, and Importing of Food, Water, and Alcohol
9. Dancer, Artist, and Voice Acting Management Operations
10. Dance and Sports School Management and Consulting
11. Management, Planning, Production, and Agency Contracting for Music, Video, Theater, and Other Public Performances
12. Planning, Management, Production, and Sales Marketing of Radio and Television Programs and Commercials

If there's more interest in details, and potentially tracking down other things they've been connected to, I'll do just that- but when I've had some sleep. hahaha

 

[SarusGray]

would have preferred to played this game on the go on the vita but I'll buy it to support falcom. Still surprised they were able to release this. It's really a dream come true.

 

[Schopenhauer]

They've been very open about SC being their last ever PSP game at least since it came out.

If you say so, given many peoples reactions to the news I don't think it was obvious to everyone.

I am fine with grabbing 3rd on PC, just bummed about not being able to carry my save over for the finale.

 

[Gu4n]

If you say so, given many peoples reactions to the news I don't think it was obvious to everyone.

There are only so many times a publisher can say that SC was definitely their last PSP game. If anything, I'm surprised many responded with surprise.

As a handheld gamer, I personally would've preferred to have the game on PSP as well, but with Sony closing the PSN Store on PSP's and calling back PSP development kits, I completely understand why. Finally being able to play The 3rd in English is far more precious to me, because I love that game to bits.

 

[Pellegri Testament]

If you say so, given many peoples reactions to the news I don't think it was obvious to everyone.

I am fine with grabbing 3rd on PC, just bummed about not being able to carry my save over for the finale.

You could post something as a frontpage headline on every single site and leave it there for a year for all to see, yet there would still be some who live under a rock for the entirety of that year. The news that SC would be their final PSP release wasn't exactly something they tried to hide, when they made it well known ever since they started talking about SC last year. I mean if this thread or the threads on many other forums show anything, it's just how many people don't care to be informed about the games they're interested in. The only thing that matters is that a game is playable on someones favorite system, they never care to look at the technical side of things and what it took to allow said game to exist in any form.

It's also been said multiple times throughout this thread just how easy it is to grab a save online and use for save data in the next game, you don't even need to own the previous game on the platform to do it.

 

[Mozendo]

Oh, and The 3rd has a lot of terminology Falcom has not yet given readings for; probably the most in the series.

Did the PSP and PC version have slightly different translations?

 

[Gu4n]

Did the PSP and PC version have slightly different translations?

Since I provided an example of SC, I assume you're referring to FC. Yes, the PC translation is a major improvement over the original PSP one.

 

[charlequin]

If you say so, given many peoples reactions to the news I don't think it was obvious to everyone.

Never underestimate the power of denial.

Did the PSP and PC version have slightly different translations?

The PC version of FC had updates from the original PSP English script, as well as updates specifically to bring its script closer in line with SC. I believe both FC and SC have had script tweaks and updates to fix errors and unclear sections after launch as well.

 

[Tigerfog]

Are you serious?

I'm feeling a lot better about that PC version now.

Yeah, and furthermore, the cut content is connected to

Spoiler

the story of Trails of Zero

.
It's not that essential since it's all summarized in

Spoiler

Trails of Zero

anyways, but it goes into details about it from a first person point of view and is a bit disturbing actually.

 

[Takao]

Well, for one, as far as my memory serves, Chara-Ani is extremely hostile towards localization and international distribution of anything they've worked on in any capacity.

Chara-Ani is like, the No.1 barrier to games getting dual-audio for their western release. IIRC they're the reason Fire Emblem Fates and Xenoblade X are English-Only despite their predecessors having a dual-audio precedent.

How did Degica manage to publish Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviors in North America on three separate platforms before Japan got it? That's a Chara-Ani title.

 

[StarCreator]

How did Degica manage to publish Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviors in North America on three separate platforms before Japan got it? That's a Chara-Ani title.

If the context is still voice licensing, Dariusburst has no voice acting, nor any particularly notable characters that could pose a licensing issue.

 

[Takao]

If the context is still voice licensing, Dariusburst has no voice acting, nor any particularly notable characters that could pose a licensing issue.

How is that relevant when XSEED could just not license the Japanese voice track? That's not uncharted territory for them, as they do it with Falcom's own games. Yeah, one of the major selling points for the Evo ports in Japan is full voice acting, but I doubt many would complain if XSEED just used the same audio they're dubbing for the PC version of 3rd. It's not like XSEED would have to sell people on buying another portable version of 3rd.

 

[Maedhros]

Are the games after this available on PC too? As in, not translated yet, but have a PC version.