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[Hcoregamer00]

. . . There was a parade?

Well, there are people out there hoping that this game would sell well.

My post was injecting some reality into this hope.

 

[neight]

Yea let's just wait for the sales numbers come out for usa(and whatever sega may say about europe).

And let's not expect the game to sell 100 million okay? I swear some of you have this perverse elitist fascination with branding every other game an underappreciated gem that only the upper echelons of the gaming caste appreciate.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Yea let's just wait for the sales numbers come out for usa(and whatever sega may say about europe).

The sales numbers wont be known if the game is not in the top ten. Heck, beg all you want and we still wont get numbers. Just like how every other person was begging for Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia numbers for the October NPD, but there was no answer.

Some things are better not known, and Valkyria's sales looks to be one of them.

And let's not expect the game to sell 100 million okay. I swear some of you have this perverse elitist fascination with branding every other game an underappreciated gem that only the upper echelons of the gaming caste appreciate.

I wouldn't even say that, most "hardcore gamers" in this forum seems to be ignoring this game. The elitist gaming caste seems to be enjoying other games.

 

[neight]

Well then that's how we'll know the game did poorly won't we?

I wouldn't even say that, most "hardcore gamers" in this forum seems to be ignoring this game. The elitist gaming caste seems to be enjoying other games.

Oh for crying out loud this thread has thousands of replies.

 

[ixix]

Well, there are people out there hoping that this game would sell well.

My post was injecting some reality into this hope.

Every discussion or mention of sales for this game that I have seen from its Japanese release through to this very thread has been couched in phrasing ranging from dire to apocalyptic.

If there yet remain in this world those with hopes flying high, their optimism is perhaps more to be admired than extinguished.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Well then that's how we'll know the game did poorly won't we?

You should temper expectations if you expect Valkyria to show up on the top ten with games like LBP, Resistance 2, Dead Space, Call of Duty: World at War and Gears of War 2 competing for those same dollars.

Every discussion or mention of sales for this game that I have seen from its Japanese release through to this very thread has been couched in phrasing ranging from dire to apocalyptic.

If there yet remain in this world those with hopes flying high, their optimism is perhaps more to be admired than extinguished.

I guess so, but it is foolish to have high expectations of this game when the odds are against it selling so well.

Oh for crying out loud this thread has thousands of replies.

I would agree with you, but posting in a thread like this really has no relevance when it comes to perception in the hardcore gaming segment. Especially when it seems to be so top loaded.

 

[ixix]

Oh for crying out loud this thread has thousands of replies.

And a significant number of those replies consist of lamenting the paucity of pornography the game has erstwhile generated.

 

[Pachael]

I'm part of the 'bomba' parade but I'll be disappointed if not surprised if it shows that the game doesn't sell well. (whereas Iron Man sells a million)

Like I articulated before, the problems are: Low shipment numbers, Crowded release schedule, fairly niche genre, and lack of Sega marketing or push. As for the latter, I hear there's a new Sonic game with werehogs.

 

[neight]

You should temper expectations if you expect Valkyria to show up on the top ten with games like LBP, Resistance 2, Dead Space, Call of Duty: World at War and Gears of War 2 competing for those same dollars.

I don't have high expectations at all. Just stop being so damn doom and gloom already about the almighty videogame that never had a chance. Just wait for the npd which should give us an idea of how this game will do in the long run in america. I think as long as this game sells around 500-600k worldwide is a good number for this game.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

I'm part of the 'bomba' parade but I'll be disappointed if not surprised if it shows that the game doesn't sell well. (whereas Iron Man sells a million)

Like I articulated before, the problems are: Low shipment numbers, Crowded release schedule, fairly niche genre, and lack of Sega marketing or push. As for the latter, I hear there's a new Sonic game with werehogs.

Yep, odds are stacked against the game.

Even if Sega pushed the game hard, they would not likely see the returns in sales.

I don't have high expectations at all. Just stop being so damn doom and gloom already about the almighty videogame that never had a chance. Just wait for the npd which should give us an idea of how this game will do in the long run in america. I think as long as this game sells around 500-600k worldwide is a decent number.

Okay, fine.

I will temper my own "sales failure" expectations until November NPD. Of course, if the game sold poorly and we don't have any sales numbers, expect me to be even more negative when it comes to future prospects of this franchise.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Okay, enough of this sadness.

While looking at GameFaqs I found someone posting an interview with Hitoshi Sakimoto.

Ahem....my favorite one

On "Valkyria's Awakening" or the song that plays whenever Selvaria Bles uses her Valkyria Powers.

There are 3 important theme pieces in this game. “Main Theme,” “Succeeded Wish” and this “Valkyria Awakening.” I put a little mythical colour in “Valkyria Awakening” and also included a few classical music expressions to give the feel of a fighting woman. It’s showy music because it’s used for a scene where Valkyria is on a destructive rampage. The musicians enjoyed performing this piece, so the recording was fun as well.

 

[Lilsnubby]

This game is like Coltrane - impenetrable and incomprehensible to the average Joe, but brilliant to the enthusiast.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

I said it before and I will say it again, Valkyria has some of Sakimoto's best compositions.

Show this guy your love for his soundtrack and buy the OST.

 

[Chairman Yang]

I just bought this game

And I don't even have a PS3 yet

 

[Hcoregamer00]

I just bought this game

And I don't even have a PS3 yet

You sir are indeed hardcore.

 

[vag 2.0]

I have to say, whether it flopped or not sales-wise, this game has a very enthusiastic group of fans who are really enamored with it. I'd say that is a bigger achievement.

I said it before and I will say it again, Valkyria has some of Sakimoto's best compositions.

Show this guy your love for his soundtrack and buy the OST.

thanks for the link, I had been planning to and forgot about it.

 

[Dice]

I have to say, whether it flopped or not sales-wise, this game has a very enthusiastic group of fans who are really enamored with it.

Just like their last game.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

I have to say, whether it flopped or not sales-wise, this game has a very enthusiastic group of fans who are really enamored with it. I'd say that is a bigger achievement.

thanks for the link, I had been planning to and forgot about it.

The important thing is whether this enthusiastic crowd can get other people to try the game through word of mouth. The Phoenix Wright/Ace Attorney franchise has an equally enthusiastic crowd in the United States and Europe, and they managed to make a game that sold 9,000 in its first month, 13k between release and January 2006 (which means it sold a paltry 4,000 copies between November and January) to sell 100,000 copies and go through 6 print runs before demand was satisfied.

I am enthusiastic about the game, and I got many people in this forum excited about the game, and I got 3 of my PS3 owning friends to buy this gem. What could make this game a sleeper hit is that I am not the only one doing this.

 

[neight]

Just like their last game.

haha Edit: Wait, were you meaning how fanboys move from one game to the next or were talking about Skies of Arcadia?

After playing halfway through this game it is a good game but it in no way is a freakin' masterpiece. At least with all the Okami enthusiasm that game deserved all the hype.

 

[ixix]

I have to say, whether it flopped or not sales-wise, this game has a very enthusiastic group of fans who are really enamored with it. I'd say that is a bigger achievement.

Were I them I imagine I'd be satisfied with the dedicated obsessives I got from Skies of Arcadia, and would now be hoping for a slightly more monetary reward.

edit: oh hell beaten.

After playing halfway through this game it is a good game but it in no way is a freakin' masterpiece. At least with all the Okami enthusiasm that game deserved all the hype.

Okami is a masterpiece so masterful they make you play each part thrice.

 

[Dice]

At least with all the Okami enthusiasm that game deserved all the hype.

They didn't make Okami, that was Clover Studios (RIP and/or good luck in new life as Platinum Games)

Edit: Wait, were you meaning how fanboys move from one game to the next or were talking about Skies of Arcadia?

I was talking about SoA, as the same thing happened to it.

 

[patsu]

I just bought this game

And I don't even have a PS3 yet

I just want to thank you for supporting this amazing game.

I am looking to change my B3D signature with one for Valkyria Chronicles, but haven't found a suitable one yet.

 

[klee123]

Well despite all the negative sales talks, at least one thing is true. Sega and Sony is keen enough on the IP to make an Anime out of it.

If you guys also wanna support the devs more, buy every single DLC for VC when it comes out next year.

 

[neight]

They didn't make Okami, that was Clover Studios (RIP and/or good luck in new life as Platinum Games)

Err, I know that. But at least Okami had satisfactory sales according to Capcom(something like 400k each on ps2 and wii).

 

[Dice]

Err, I know that. But at least Okami had satisfactory sales according to Capcom(something like 400k each on ps2 and wii).

I'm really confused as to why Okami entered the discussion.

 

[neight]

I'm really confused as to why Okami entered the discussion.

Comparing fanboy hype of 'underappreciated gems'. Although Okami did go on to be well appreciated according to its sales.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Well despite all the negative sales talks, at least one thing is true. Sega and Sony is keen enough on the IP to make an Anime out of it.

If you guys also wanna support the devs more, buy every single DLC for VC when it comes out next year.

I don't know about the Edy one because it sounds like a complete rip off.

On the other hand, the Selvaria one looks amazing. Of course, I was sold the moment I heard the word Selvaria, but it made me happy to learn that they made her a good DLC.

Hopefully we get some more nice DLC missions in the future.

Comparing fanboy hype of 'underappreciated gems'. Although Okami did go on to be well appreciated according to its sales.

Yes, but you also forget that it was Okami that got a good development team closed. The sales total is good, but it was too little too late.

 

[neight]

Yes, but you also forget that it was Okami that got a good development team closed. The sales total is good, but it was too little too late.

Once again you're making things up to keep padding up your fascination with 'wronged by the masses' games. It was an internal management decision(although I do realize the mediocre sales of most Clover games was a factor). If anything blame it on God Hand that was their last game they made before shutting down.

Here is Capcom's press release about the shut down.

Reason for the Dissolution:
Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has met the goal of developing unique and creative original home video game software, however, in view of promoting a business strategy that concentrates management resources on a selected business to enhance the efficiency of the development power of the entire Capcom group, the dissolution of Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has been raised and passed at a Board of Directors' meeting.

http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e061012a.html

 

[gantz85]

I really am enjoying the somewhat limited tactical portion to this game but there are a TON of things about it that are archaic.

The menu interfaces and lack of modern options are the worst. Examples:

(1) Book presentation is decent, but the different tabs and the separate loadings are bwah.
(2) Lack of options during battle - like replay this particular battle from the start (you're given the option when you die/fail anyways).
(3) Lack of ability to skip certain conversations and shit.


I can also see why there are serious problems with its sales potential; despite the pleasant graphics it isn't that attention-grabbing and there are limited WOW scenes or playability.

As a tactical game it also does not offer as much depth as even a Final Fantasy Tactics would. There are different tactical aspects at play here but at the end of the day still feels very limited.


Am going to finish it and see what's going to happen.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Once again you're making things up to keep padding up your fascination with 'wronged by the masses' games. It was an internal management decision. If anything blame it on God Hand that was their last game they made before shutting down.

Wow, I never interpreted my posts in that manner.

I don't have disdain for the casual gamers, nor do I believe in some sort of hierarchy within gaming that places people over another. Nothing irritates me more that jumping into a wii thread seeing a moron post crap about how the sky is falling and that this influx of casual gaming will destroy the world. I do not make an absurd distinction between "non-gamers" and people who play games to a certain degree. I hold no tribal loyalties to any form of irrational labeling that puts people into various classes of gaming.

I said it before and I said it again, Valkyria Chronicles is a niche game, and it will sell to a niche audience. There is no "wronged by the masses," because the game inherently puts it at a strong sales disadvantage. Acknowledging that a game wont sell well justifies my viewpoint that this game will inherently be limited to a small group of people.

 

[ixix]

(1) Book presentation is decent, but the different tabs and the separate loadings are bwah.

The menu you have to bring up to change tabs still utterly baffles me. The inability to choose the tabs from the book is incredibly odd.

 

[neight]

Wow, I never interpreted my posts in that manner.

I don't have disdain for the casual gamers, nor do I believe in some sort of hierarchy within gaming that places people over another. Nothing irritates me more that jumping into a wii thread seeing a moron post crap about how the sky is falling and that this influx of casual gaming will destroy the world. I do not make an absurd distinction between "non-gamers" and people who play games to a certain degree. I hold no tribal loyalties to any form of irrational labeling that puts people into various classes of gaming.

I said it before and I said it again, Valkyria Chronicles is a niche game, and it will sell to a niche audience. There is no "wronged by the masses," because the game inherently puts it at a strong sales disadvantage. Acknowledging that a game wont sell well justifies my viewpoint that this game will inherently be limited to a small group of people.

If you realize its appeal isn't broad then why don't you realize that Sega's expectations for the game may be to sell around 400k worldwide which it very well can.

 

[gantz85]

The menu you have to bring up to change tabs still utterly baffles me. The inability to choose the tabs from the book is incredibly odd.

It's still not good enough. Sometimes the game feels like it's on a serious shoe-string budget.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

If you realize it's a niche game then why don't you realize that Sega's expectations for the game is to sell around ~400k worldwide which it very well can.

Where is your proof in your assertion that they expect to sell 400,000 copies?

The game costs 11 million to make (or so it was stated earlier in this thread), by spreading the costs and making another game using this engine 400k for VC is feasible. The problem is that we don't know Sega's expectations. Does Sega expect to recoup costs with just one game? Do they intend to recoup it by using the game engine to make another Valkyria game? To answer these questions will lead to Sega's expectations.

If Sega expects to recoup costs with one game, then they need to sell far more than just 400,000 copies. If Sega is already starting development of another VC game, then 400,000 is a very realistic goal because the engine would be recycled and the added costs of a new game would be far less.

Sega's expectations are not whether it is niche or not, but on expectations on how they want to recoup the costs of development. They could even port the game to the XBOX 360, and make a sequel that is mutiplatform if they are serious about getting a return on the initial investment.

It's still not good enough. Sometimes the game feels like it's on a serious shoe-string budget.

Which is funny because you can also argue that Valkyria Chronicles is the most expensive Strategy RPG to date.

 

[neight]

Where is your proof in your assertion that they expect to sell 400,000 copies?

The game costs 11 million to make (or so it was stated earlier in this thread), by spreading the costs and making another game using this engine 400k for VC is feasible. The problem is that we don't know Sega's expectations. Does Sega expect to recoup costs with just one game? Do they intend to recoup it by using the game engine to make another Valkyria game? To answer these questions will lead to Sega's expectations.

I edited in 'may be'. 400k to recoup the costs for this game may not be enough for other developers since publishers take their share but Sega is both the developer and the publisher for this game.

If Sega is already starting development of another VC game, then 400,000 is a very realistic goal because the engine would be recycled and the added costs of a new game would be far less.

Err I don't think things work like that. The costs of developing the engine on the first game still has to be made back on that first game.

Sega's expectations are not whether it is niche or not, but on expectations on how they want to recoup the costs of development.

Deciding on what kind of game to do and what kind of appeal it'll have and their expectations is called a business decision.

 

[gantz85]

Which is funny because you can also argue that Valkyria Chronicles is the most expensive Strategy RPG to date.

Perhaps, but we know we can take into account engine development and etc.

There are parts of it that are great, like the music, some aspects of the presentation (sketch + watercolor come-to-life scenes or the reversal) but man.. still raw.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Deciding on what kind of game to do and what kind of appeal it'll have and their expectations is called a business decision.

Of course it is a business decision, the most important one is to recoup costs and make a profit. Obviously they want the "lightning in a bottle" that happens very rarely. With Sega, they have multiple avenues to recoup costs should Valkyria go below expectations. They could port it to the XBOX 360. They could keep the game exclusive to the PS3 and develop it as a franchise hoping that exclusivity will make it more appealing to the Sony owners. Another possibility is making a sequel/prequel/side story and make it multiplatform while keeping the original exclusive.

They have many avenues to do so, and this business decision was done before the game came out, and it is evolving depending on how sales are going. Depending on sales they will have to evolve the master plan regarding this franchise.

Perhaps, but we know we can take into account engine development and etc.

There are parts of it that are great, like the music, some aspects of the presentation (sketch + watercolor come-to-life scenes or the reversal) but man.. still raw.

I agree that the game can be polished to a high degree, but the fate of the franchise rests in the hands of the gamers and the executives at Sega.

 

[ixix]

They have many avenues to do so, and this business decision was done before the game came out and it is evolving depending on how sales are going. Depending on sales they will have to evolve the master plan regarding this franchise.

Master plan?

We're talking about Sega here.

 

[klee123]

I wouldn't be surprised if the devs use the Engine to make a new Sakura Taisen.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

Master plan?

We're talking about Sega here.

That's true.

Their idea of a master plan is throwing crap on a wall hoping that it will stick. I have been a Sega fanatic far too long to forget that the reason why they failed was because they lacked long term goals and expectations which led to a myriad of absurd decisions.

I wouldn't be surprised if the devs use the Engine to make a new Sakura Taisen.

That would be FUCKING AWESOME, as long as it gets released in the USA.

It would be my dream come true to get a Sakura Taisen game released in the states.

 

[Pachael]

I wouldn't be surprised if the devs use the Engine to make a new Sakura Taisen.

They've already borrowed a lot from the last one. That said, don't expect it, I think the franchise died with ST5.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

They've already borrowed a lot from the last one. That said, don't expect it, I think the franchise died with ST5.

It's a pity, I think Sakura Taisen would have garnered a nice niche audience like Phoenix Wright/Ace Attorney and Valkyria Chronicles in North America and Europe.

 

[mAcOdIn]

Beat it last night. Loved every minute of it and was sad to see it end. I'll definitely play through again but now it's Mirrors Edge's turn.

That said this is my favorite PS3 game released by far.

 

[∀ Narayan]

The menu you have to bring up to change tabs still utterly baffles me. The inability to choose the tabs from the book is incredibly odd.

You can. Use L2 or R2.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

You can. Use L2 or R2.

NO WAY, ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I played this game for 34 hours and I never noticed this.

Edit: Holy Shit, I just tried it and it works.

 

[∀ Narayan]

NO WAY, ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I played this game for 34 hours and I never noticed this.

Edit: Holy Shit, I just tried it and it works.

You've got to be kidding me.

Amazing.

Anyway, I have 47-hours clocked in.

I have yet to complete

Spoiler

REPORT: Flower of The Battlefield

. After I finish that, it's on to Chapter 15 -- unless I lack the funding to upgrade everything. If I don't, then it's some two hours of skirmishing, THEN Chapter 15.

 

[Dice]

Yeah, I didn't figure that out until chapter 11.

 

[ixix]

You can. Use L2 or R2.

Boy is my face red.

 

[Hcoregamer00]

You've got to be kidding me.

Amazing.

Anyway, I have 47-hours clocked in.

I have yet to complete

Spoiler

REPORT: Flower of The Battlefield

. After I finish that, it's on to Chapter 15 -- unless I lack the funding to upgrade everything. If I don't, then it's some two hours of skirmishing, THEN Chapter 15.

I am not kidding, I used the main menu to access the different part of the book.

I never really complained about it because I never found it a burden.

Boy is my face red.

Same here, I am shocked that I didn't figure this out earlier.

 

[Shadow780]

NO WAY, ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I played this game for 34 hours and I never noticed this.

Edit: Holy Shit, I just tried it and it works.

:lol :lol