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Mistwalker

Blackace

if you see me in a fight with a bear, don't help me fool, help the bear!
Well I have not been so excited for a dev that has not made anything ever. :lol There has been lots of talk about their X360 titles, which boh will be published by Mirosoft. But they also have a DS game in the pipelines that will be published by Nintendo.. I know it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay early to judge anything about their games, but I am getting a really good feeling about this company. We my be seeing the makings of another true RPG giant in the making.. Something like Bioware, and the remaking of Square of old.. which of course the roots of Mistwalker are from...

Anyways some info on the DS game...

stolen from gamefaqs said:
Ash: Archaic Sealed Heat

Character Designer Hideo Minaba
Music Composer Hitoshi Sakimoto
Director Hironobu Sakaguchi

if anyone has any screens I'd love to see them.. looked but couldn't find..
 
HTATK!!


damn... they have been making lots of great moves lately... I hope they keep it up!
 
wow, i didn't know the DS had such nice gfx.

but anyway, i believe they're supposed to show off a trailer of Blue Dragon tommorrow in Japan, i also read that they're supposed to show off a trailer of Lost Odyssey tommorrow as well on teamxbox.

so look out for that.
 
what I want to know is what will happen if Mistwalker games don't sell (and don't sell 360's).

I imagine MS putting money into Sakaguchi's hands to make games was the deciding platform factor for the guy, especially considering making an independent development team away from Square's bankroll was the largest hurdle Gooch had to overcome when starting the company.
I just wonder what Sakaguchi would do if his games don't break the million mark worldwide? I also wonder just how well his games will do in the US, since people know 'Final Fantasy' much more-so than 'Hironobu Sakaguchi' and it seems the general userbase of the X-Box brand don't seem to be JRPG fans on the norm.

After 2-3 years could Sony throw Mistwalker a bone, allowing future development or ports? Maybe Mistwalker already has plans for PS3 development?

I'd love to see Sakaguchi succeed on his own- but hopefully he doesn't have a grudge with Square and/or Sony. Even though Sony/Columbia Pictures didn't market FFTSW nearly as well as they should have based on the overall pedigree of the production, that doesn't stop the film from simply being average. Square corporate put a lot of faith and money into allowing Sakaguchi to fullfill a lifelong dream, so, again, it's not their fault the film (and overall story) bombed.
 
TheJollyCorner said:
what I want to know is what will happen if Mistwalker games don't sell (and don't sell 360's).

I imagine MS putting money into Sakaguchi's hands to make games was the deciding platform factor for the guy, especially considering making an independent development team away from Square's bankroll was the largest hurdle Gooch had to overcome when starting the company.
I just wonder what Sakaguchi would do if his games don't break the million mark worldwide? I also wonder just how well his games will do in the US, since people know 'Final Fantasy' much more-so than 'Hironobu Sakaguchi' and it seems the general userbase of the X-Box brand don't seem to be JRPG fans on the norm.

After 2-3 years could Sony throw Mistwalker a bone, allowing future development or ports? Maybe Mistwalker already has plans for PS3 development?

I'd love to see Sakaguchi succeed on his own- but hopefully he doesn't have a grudge with Square and/or Sony. Even though Sony/Columbia Pictures didn't market FFTSW nearly as well as they should have based on the overall pedigree of the production, that doesn't stop the film from simply being average. Square corporate put a lot of faith and money into allowing Sakaguchi to fullfill a lifelong dream, so, again, it's not their fault the film (and overall story) bombed.


Mistwalker goes where they can get funds for their games.
And they already have a secret fourth title in development.
 
hopefully it's the Sakaguchi/Amano/Uematsu non-FF collaboration that was mentioned at the very beginning of Mistwalker's unveiling. :)

I don't care what system that's for (well, maybe except for DS)- that would be a system seller for me.
 
TheJollyCorner said:
hopefully it's the Sakaguchi/Amano/Uematsu non-FF collaboration that was mentioned at the very beginning of Mistwalker's unveiling. :)

I don't care what system that's for (well, maybe except for DS)- that would be a system seller for me.
It that Lost Odyssey or ASH?

Edit: Oh wait, that's Inoue and Minaba. NVM. Wait, are you sure all three of them are working on a game together? I remember Sakaguchi said he was working with Amano & Uematsu, but he never said on the same game and I believe Uematsu is doing the music for Lost Odyssey.
 
TheJollyCorner said:
what I want to know is what will happen if Mistwalker games don't sell (and don't sell 360's).

I imagine MS putting money into Sakaguchi's hands to make games was the deciding platform factor for the guy, especially considering making an independent development team away from Square's bankroll was the largest hurdle Gooch had to overcome when starting the company.
I just wonder what Sakaguchi would do if his games don't break the million mark worldwide? I also wonder just how well his games will do in the US, since people know 'Final Fantasy' much more-so than 'Hironobu Sakaguchi' and it seems the general userbase of the X-Box brand don't seem to be JRPG fans on the norm.

These games will sell 360's, they will break 1 million worldwide, and most importantly they will broaden 360's lineup provided they are as good as they look to be. Execution and story will matter here, but given time and love while not having to deal with money grubbing suits will help Sakaguchi does what he does best. I'm personally very excited as we're getting AAA Jap RPG's on 360 so early in the gen as well as AAA Western ones.
 
D3VI0US said:
These games will sell 360's, they will break 1 million worldwide, and most importantly they will broaden 360's lineup provided they are as good as they look to be. Execution and story will matter here, but given time and love while not having to deal with money grubbing suits will help Sakaguchi does what he does best. I'm personally very excited as we're getting AAA Jap RPG's on 360 so early in the gen as well as AAA Western ones.
Did you happen to catch Dragon Quest VIII's November sales numbers, on a console that has over four to five times the userbase in the US that the 360 will have when BD/LO release?

I can guarantee that BD will bomb hard in the US; probably less than 100k copies sold. Europe will be similar, if not likely worse. Japan will be limited simply due to the user base, and I doubt the game will manage more than 200k. And this is if the game turns out to be good, which with Artoon behind the production, is in question to say the least.

LO is more of a wildcard, and I think it'll likely be more popular in the west than in Japan, but nevertheless, unless these games are huge critical hits, I wouldn't be surprised with less than a million copies sold worldwide combined.

Sakaguchi isn't creating these games to sell 360's or post huge sales numbers (at least he better not be, or he's completely delusional), he's making them to get his company off the ground. The reason they're on the 360 is because MS is far and away the only hardware manufacturer/third party publisher willing to grant a brand new studio a rumored $40 million dollars for only two fucking games!
 
That Blue Dragon trailer looks awesome. It's a shame I don't really like many JRPGs or I'd be more excited. The graphical style looks better in motion than in the screenshots. The Lost Odyssey trailer is pretty cool too.
 
so ds can do graphics like that but were still getting stuff like need for speed and burnout on the DS?
 
briefcasemanx said:
so ds can do graphics like that but were still getting stuff like need for speed and burnout on the DS?

Well what hardware is capable of and what EA are capable of are two totally different things.
 
Guys, do you know what system these games are for? Let me remind you: Xbox 360. They're pretty much guaranteed to have sluggish sales in every territory; Japan for having no userbase and the US for nobody in their right mind who wants Japanese RPGs is going to buy a 360 for them.

But that's completely besides the point. The point is that it's a zero-risk proposition for Mistwalker. Microsoft gave them a shitload of money. They've made their cash. They'll take that and move on, and if Microsoft wants any more content, it'll mean another major cash infusion -- because sure as shit there's no way any of these games would turn a profit otherwise. Also see: N3, Everyparty, Tengai Makyo...

ASH, meanwhile, will do quite well.
 
They could end up like Jade Empire or Fable and be success just due to first party promotion. I didn't catch the DQ8 numbers but I also think DQ7 sucked and DQ is overrated. It's way too old school but Blue Dragon from the trailer at least looks very interesting, like I said execution and story are key but visually it's there man, same with Lost Odysee. These games are clearly MS serious bid for a piece of Japan and I think they know that and they've got the right attitude. Despite the launch disaster N3 and these two Mistwalker games are truly shaping up nicely.These games have the potential to sell systems and be games that are truly special.
 
Heian-kyo said:
Did you happen to catch Dragon Quest VIII's November sales numbers, on a console that has over four to five times the userbase in the US that the 360 will have when BD/LO release?

I can guarantee that BD will bomb hard in the US; probably less than 100k copies sold. Europe will be similar, if not likely worse. Japan will be limited simply due to the user base, and I doubt the game will manage more than 200k. And this is if the game turns out to be good, which with Artoon behind the production, is in question to say the least.

LO is more of a wildcard, and I think it'll likely be more popular in the west than in Japan, but nevertheless, unless these games are huge critical hits, I wouldn't be surprised with less than a million copies sold worldwide combined.

Sakaguchi isn't creating these games to sell 360's or post huge sales numbers (at least he better not be, or he's completely delusional), he's making them to get his company off the ground. The reason they're on the 360 is because MS is far and away the only hardware manufacturer/third party publisher willing to grant a brand new studio a rumored $40 million dollars for only two fucking games!

With all due respect,
You're fucking retarded.
 
Sad as it may be, it's the truth. I guess we'll see how they pan out in the long run. Kobun hit the nail on the head though.
 
I think these games can do quite well. I think pretty nice looking RPGs with a huge number behind them has a chance to become a big seller worldwode. The industry everywhere is looking for the stable genres to get some new blood... and this could be the start of just that..
 
I'd pretty much have to agree with Heian and Kobun. This is the 360 we're talking about. There's no way this can be a smash hit in Japan. Unless it's pretty much the best RPG experience (not just graphics) in the last 10 years it simply won't sell well, by the nature of the system. The west however, I think, is a different story. Sakaguchi is still regarded as a RPG god with a midas touch here AND it's probably the 1st/only jRPG we'll see hit the US shores (Tengai Makyou has ZERO existance here and localizing eM seems like it will be too expensive for the sales), and perhaps by sheer fanboy power or novelty (jRPG on the Xbox -- HOLY ****) I think they'll sell well. If nothing by graphics (obviously, RPGs aren't as big here so the masses only really notice well it's REAAALLY pretty ala FF... though I guess it could just be a phenomenon like in Japan) and probably one of the most IMMENSE marketing campaigns in a long time.

Basically, I think they'll bomb in Japan. Do better in Europe. And, rock in the US.
 
Mistwalker's problem on the console side is they are making an RPG on the 360. It may push JP sales, but had that game been on a PS3 it would have been a must have launch title and would have sold millions. The 360 game is already condemed to a life of cult status at best, and a total flop at worst, which isn't that unlikely either.
 
MassiveAttack said:
Mistwalker = Cavia
Blue Dragon = Artoon
Lost Odyssey = Feelplus (Scarab)
Budget for each = $20M+

Honestly this is the most depressing part of it all. Watching that Blue Dragon trailer I see all this potential for an amazing high budget rpg experience, but the teams actually making the games for Mistwalker are awful.

Amazing music and visuals will only take them so far if they play terribly and are plagued with all sorts of annoying problems.

I really really really want them to be good and I'm so there on day1 for all their titles, but I'm pretty scared they will be C- games with an A+ look and we'll have to wait for Square Enix to get a next-gen rpg out in 2007/2008 before we'll really get an A+ quality rpg in both high budget next-gen visuals and gameplay.
 
Deku said:
Mistwalker's problem on the console side is they are making an RPG on the 360. It may push JP sales, but had that game been on a PS3 it would have been a must have launch title and would have sold millions. The 360 game is already condemed to a life of cult status at best, and a total flop at worst, which isn't that unlikely either.
See, as I tried to point out, it's not Mistwalker's problem. Mistwalker doesn't HAVE the problem; their profit is all guaranteed up front.

Saying "had this game been on a PS3" is like saying "What if the Xbox 360 was made out of cold fusion and free blowjobs and cost five cents?" Neither is actually possible. These games only exist because of the 360 and Microsoft's willingness to provide phenomenal levels of seed money to small Japanese developers with big-name talent in the hopes of establishing credibility.

Again: it's not Mistwalker's problem. Mistwalker's making out like a goddamned bandit. It's Microsoft's issue, because they very well might not see any return on their investment.
 
Its not profits kobun, its about building a name for yourself. A mistwalker RPG on a PS3 would probably get more attention and help the company, perhaps, start a franchise.

You look at Golden Sun and GBA and you see how it all works out. Golden Sun isn't a particularly brilliant RPG, but it was paired with the right platform and launched at the right time and Camelot now has a fanbase and can print money.

360 games is like Sega making panzer draggon for Xbox, its a one time cash bonus that won't yield very much brand value after the game is launched. So in a way Sakaguchi is either betting 360 will be a huge hit (which I doubt) or he's just going for the quick cash. My point is, its wasted effort.
 
Deku said:
Its not profits kobun, its about building a name for yourself. A mistwalker RPG on a PS3 would probably get more attention and help the company, perhaps, start a franchise.

The point is they may not even have the money to make a game at all of this scale w/o MS. Can't build a name without having the money to build a game.
 
I've never gotten into rpgs save for KOTOR, and I can't comment on the teams history or anything since I'm ignorant of the genre, but if the game really looks as good as the scans with the scope and motion of the scenes in the trailer, then I'd pick this up just to try it out. The whole claymation, sculpted aesthetic looks incredibly 3d and exciting to me, maybe the most "next-gen" thing I've seen. I hope the gameplay is up to par.
 
Who owns the IP MS or Mist? Also while Japan may not embrace the 360 if these games are good, they will cozy up and that's good enough. Everybody is like these games will bomb and no ones gonna care because it's on 360 but MS didn't pay 40 million for these games to flop either. N3 got a delay which is gonna make it a better game. GoW got a delay which is gonna make it sweet. Mass Effect, Too Human, Blue Dragon, and Lost Odysee all have breathing room on their release dates. I like that attitude by MS, shows they value the quality of the games, post launch at least.
 
The more I read this thread the more it sounds like people hope these games bomb on 360. What happened to hoping for good games to have success? Stop with the doom and gloom and support good games instead of bitching about how their gonna suck in this country or on that system. You guys make it sound like Japan won't buy a 360 because it's made by an American company. Is Japan really that inscure about the videogame industry? What happens if (American's, Canadian's, European's etc.) said I'm not buying this because it's from Japan? What kind of CRAP is that people? By the games not the countries people get over the bias crap!
 
WULFER said:
The more I read this thread the more it sounds like people hope these games bomb on 360. What happened to hoping for good games to have success? Stop with the doom and gloom and support good games instead of bitching about how their gonna suck in this country or on that system. You guys make it sound like Japan won't buy a 360 because it's made by an American company. Is Japan really that inscure about the videogame industry? What happens if (American's, Canadian's, European's etc.) said I'm not buying this because it's from Japan? What kind of CRAP is that people? By the games not the countries people get over the bias crap!


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
To be dead honest, Sakaguchi would've been much better off going to Sony and asking them for funding (which I'm sure they would have given him).

360 is going to do nothing in Japan and RPGs are way too hit and miss in North America/Europe (especially those not named Final Fantasy).
 
I don't give a shit whether these games sell a million or not. I just want them to be amazingly fun to play. I'm hoping that these, along with FFXII and Rogue Galaxy are the ones that make me love JRPGs again.
 
WULFER said:
The more I read this thread the more it sounds like people hope these games bomb on 360. What happened to hoping for good games to have success? Stop with the doom and gloom and support good games instead of bitching about how their gonna suck in this country or on that system. You guys make it sound like Japan won't buy a 360 because it's made by an American company. Is Japan really that inscure about the videogame industry? What happens if (American's, Canadian's, European's etc.) said I'm not buying this because it's from Japan? What kind of CRAP is that people? By the games not the countries people get over the bias crap!

So now we're at the point where we aren't even allowed to have doubts about games?
 
So now we're at the point where we aren't even allowed to have doubts about games?

I've read your posts I know what system you stand for. You don't have to parade it in front of my face so, I know your doom and gloom predictions. The difference is I don't have to secure myself with doom and gloom hope that one or most systems fail except the one I buy. Don't you enjoy fight between these 3 companies? (Yes I said 3.. Some think it's over for atleast one company.) We will go on games will go on. You trying to change others in support of your said system will sadly go on!
 
WULFER said:
The more I read this thread the more it sounds like people hope these games bomb on 360. What happened to hoping for good games to have success? Stop with the doom and gloom and support good games instead of bitching about how their gonna suck in this country or on that system. You guys make it sound like Japan won't buy a 360 because it's made by an American company. Is Japan really that inscure about the videogame industry? What happens if (American's, Canadian's, European's etc.) said I'm not buying this because it's from Japan? What kind of CRAP is that people? By the games not the countries people get over the bias crap!
applause.gif
 
WULFER said:
I've read your posts I know what system you stand for. You don't have to parade it in front of my face so, I know your doom and gloom predictions.

Just because i'm a Sony fanboy doesn't mean I go around hoping other systems bomb. But for the most part people in this thread are being realistic. Are you telling me you have no doubts about a game being developed by a company who's previous games are Blinx and Pinobee? That's not doom and gloom, that's being realistic.
 
SolidSnakex said:
Just because i'm a Sony fanboy doesn't mean I go around hoping other systems bomb. But for the most part people in this thread are being realistic. Are you telling me you have no doubts about a game being developed by a company who's previous games are Blinx and Pinobee? That's not doom and gloom, that's being realistic.

Didn't they also do Yoshi Topsy Turvy? -_-
 
Just because i'm a Sony fanboy doesn't mean I go around hoping other systems bomb. But for the most part people in this thread are being realistic. Are you telling me you have no doubts about a game being developed by a company who's previous games are Blinx and Pinobee? That's not doom and gloom, that's being realistic.

So you know the teams personally??? Wow I like to know those people do you have their individual staff numbers? Do you know if they've improved over their last games?? That's alot of knowledge you have there if you do... Did you know Sony created Blasto before they made anything good! Don't know Blasto really that's because it was a failure on the PSX. Ohh that's right they can't have success because they failed before sorry your right.
 
WULFER said:
So you know the teams personally??? Wow I like to know those people do you have their individual staff numbers? Do you know if they've improved over their last games?? That's alot of knowledge you have there if you do... Did you know Sony created Blasto before they made anything good! Don't know Blasto really that's because it was a failure on the PSX. Ohh that's right they can't have success because they failed before sorry your right.
So, you don't doubt them, you make a blind-faith judgement they've improved?

Optimism is expected, but ignorance isn't.

Kinda like expectations for KZ PS3
 
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