Yer my boy, Blue Dragon!

[Glockstar]

Blue Dragon Revealed
Mistwalker's Xbox 360 RPG to feature Akira Toriyama characters.

May 2, 2005 - And just like that, the E3 rush of official Xbox 360 news begins, surprisingly from across the Pacific. The latest issue of Shonen Jump features the first word on Blue Dragon, a Japanese-developed Xbox 360 RPG. This title is one of the two being developed by Mistwalker, a game studio founded by Final Fantasy father Hironobu Sakaguchi.

While the magazine does not show any screenshots of Blue Dragon, it does share a few bits of artwork and character details. Three characters are introduced in the magazine: Jiro, a smart boy who like to plan things in advance, Kurukku, a young lady who has a bit of adult in her, and Shu, a young boy who loves to adventure. The game's storyline is a secret, but it seems to center on Shu, the main character, and his relationship with a blue, fire-breathing dragon, who seems to form his shadow!

The characters featured in Blue Dragon will remind some of Dragon Quest, and with good reason. Confirming recent rumors on the matter, it turns out that the game's character designer is none other than Akira Toriyama. Best known for his work on Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest, Toriyama comments that he's lucky to be working on such a good game as Blue Dragon.

Exciting words from Toriyama, and certainly a good sign for the Xbox 360 in Japan. With Sakaguchi and Toriyama working on the system, the Xbox 360 now has a game being developed by key staff members of Japan's two biggest series, Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. Also worth noting is that Blue Dragon has been announced in Jump, Japan's most popular comic magazine and the usual launching point for Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and Naruto games. We don't recall having ever seen the word "Xbox" in the magazine before.

Incidentally, Jump refers to Xbox 360 as "next generation Xbox," and it lists Blue Dragon with a "TBA" release date, so there's still no confirmation of the system's name or release date. But with E3 just around the corner, we expect to learn more shortly. Stay tuned!

--by Anoop Gantayat -- <a href=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/609/609260p1.html>IGN</a>

.
Sakaguchi's next-gen RPG revealed
Chrono Trigger developers combine forces to work on next-generation Xbox RPG titled Blue Dragon.

The latest issue of Japanese magazine Shonen Jump has revealed the title of Hironobu Sakaguchi's next-generation Xbox role-playing game: Blue Dragon. The game is currently in production at Mistwalker, Sakaguchi's development studio founded with the help of other former SquareSoft employees.*

Characters will be designed by Akira Toriyama, illustrator of Square Enix's Dragon Quest series and author of the popular manga Dragon Ball Z. Sakaguchi and Toriyama previously collaborated on Square's beloved 1995 SNES RPG Chrono Trigger.

Shonen Jump featured illustrations of three characters, all of whom were children: Shu, Jiro, and Kruck. Shu, the main character of the game, is said to be an energetic boy who loves adventure. He has spiky brown hair and wears short pants. One illustration shows a blue dragon coming out of Shu's shadow, huffing fire. The same dragon is also featured on the game's logo. Jiro is an intellectual boy with a stern look and slick short hair. He's shown resting his foot on some sort of electronic machine, which suggests he's a mechanic. Kruck is a girl who's said to be a bit mature for her age, and she wears a plain black dress.

"I've made many RPGs in my past, but I'm planning to make Blue Dragon the most satisfying in terms of volume," commented Sakaguchi. "It will have many adventures and tricks that can only be featured in video games. Please look forward to it."

--By Staff -- <a href=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/02/news_6123395.html>GameSpot</a>
POSTED: 05/02/05

.
*
According to the latest issue of Famitsu magazine, two former developers at Square Enix are working under Hironobu Sakagichi's label Mistwalker, and they are participating in the creation of two role-playing games for Microsoft's next-generation console, commonly referred to as the Xbox Next.

Daisuke Fukugawa, who worked on the PlayStation games Final Fantasy Tactics and Legend of Mana, is in charge as project director for Mistwalker's Xbox Next role-playing game development. Fukagawa’s job is to organize what's happening in development alongside Sakaguchi, although it isn't clear if he's working on one or both of the RPGs. Sakaguchi also has one of Square's very first 3D modelers working for his studio. Hiroshi Arai, a graphic designer who has worked on 3D games since Final Fantasy VII and supervised the 3D modeling in Final Fantasy IX, is handling the modeling for one or both of the Xbox Next RPGs as well.

Sakaguchi comments in the interview that development on the two titles is going smoothly, although the preproduction stages have taken some time. Sakaguchi also confirmed that the games will be single-player titles rather than online games. However, he also said that he would like to add some form of online element to each, especially since Xbox Next is slated to have even more online features than the current model.

The games are being cocreated by Mistwalker and Microsoft Gaming Studios. Mistwalker makes the game's contents, such as its script and music, while Microsoft Gaming Studios works on the technical aspects, such as the actual coding. Over one hundred employees will be involved in the development of the two games.

Sakaguchi revealed that the two RPGs for the Xbox Next are the only games that he is currently making for next-generation consoles, which hints that he doesn't have anything going for the PlayStation 3 right now. Sakaguchi commented that he decided to make games for the Xbox Next because of his relations to staff members at Xbox Japan and not because of the machine's specs. Xbox Japan chief Yoshihiro Maruyama and Microsoft Game Studios Japan R & D chief Hiroshi Kawai were both former employees of Square. Sakaguchi also added that he has no interest in getting involved in the next-generation console war.

By Staff -- <a href=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/03/09/news_6120066.html>GameSpot</a>
POSTED: 03/09/05

[slade]

Here's a scan of the thing:

http://www.gamesarefun.com/games/xbox2/bluedragon/scan01.jpg

If for some reason the image doesn't show up, it's located here:

http://www.gamesarefun.com/news.php?newsid=4793

[Lara]

http://www.gamesarefun.com/games/xbox2/bluedragon/scan01.jpg

It is acting funky.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

What are the odds this game will have turn-based combat?

[Zilla Man]

Can't wait till Trebor, Gaddy, and the uber Xbots see this post...

Am I the only one who finds hilarious irony and hypocrisy in the fact that Glocky is so excited over Blue Dragon when most of the Xbots totally berate PS2 and GC owners for playing "those boring linear, cute, jap rpg's"? :rolleyes:

But now that it's on XBOX suddenly they're cool.... :p

Mark my words, no matter how good this game is, I doubt it will sell very well due to the Xbox demographic. Most Jade Empire and KOTOR players won't even give this a second glance. And most serious j-rpg players already game on PS2 and GC. The ones that dont will get PS3 and Revy (which will be b/c with their old collections). I don't see this thing selling that well.

This is a game that needed to be released on the original Xbox in order to show gamers that M$ could do j-rpgs.

[T.Tashi]

What are the odds this game will have turn-based combat?
I thought J. RPGs were the scorn of Xbots and big eyes and spikey hair were cursed to eternal videogame damnation? Nonetheless, Microsoft has obviously seen the errors of its ways.

[Superjoint Ritual]

Can't wait till Trebor, Gaddy, and the uber Xbots see this post...

Am I the only one who finds hilarious irony and hypocrisy in the fact that Glocky is so excited over Blue Dragon when most of the Xbots totally berate PS2 and GC owners for playing "those boring linear, cute, jap rpg's"? :rolleyes:

But now that it's on XBOX suddenly they're cool.... :p

Mark my words, no matter how good this game is, I doubt it will sell very well due to the Xbox demographic. Most Jade Empire and KOTOR players won't even give this a second glance. And most serious j-rpg players already game on PS2 and GC. The ones that dont will get PS3 and Revy (which will be b/c with their old collections). I don't see this thing selling that well.

This is a game that needed to be released on the original Xbox in order to show gamers that M$ could do j-rpgs.I was gonna post the same thing... It's amazing how fast Xbots change thier minds.

It's great to see M$ branching out, but they still aren't going to get any Japenese love. :cool:

[Glockstar]

What are the odds this game will have turn-based combat?

About... 100%

But if the tb-combat has depth - if there's stuff to do and think about (like in Xenosaga) then you won't see me complain.

However, I'm not holding my breath.

Honestly... I don't hold out much hope for the game at all, personally. Because it's not just the combat in J-RPGs that I don't like. It's also the infantile story lines; the linearity; the random encounters; the constant pressing of a dumb button just to advance text/dialog; the feeling of being lucky when it's finally my turn to really interact with the game and do something besides press that one dumb button; the over(under?)whelming feeling that I'm being chaperoned around a world and a story; the inevitable realization that I am not playing any kind of role in the game whatsoever - I'm just reading/watching about these pre-set and pre-ordained characters...

When I say that I hate J-RPGs it's because I do hate 99.9% of them. But, like Lloyd Christmas, even tho' the odds against may be one-in-a-million, I'm saying, 'So you're telling me there's a chance?' ;)

But ehh, I think it's all a mute point anyways, my friend... as I seriously doubt that we'll see this game come stateside.

-

Am I the only one who finds hilarious irony and hypocrisy in the fact that Glocky is so excited over Blue Dragon when most of the Xbots totally berate PS2 and GC owners for playing "those boring linear, cute, jap rpg's"?

But now that it's on XBOX suddenly they're cool....

Wow... what happened to you?

Look at you, your posts read like GF78's and Moody's now. Lately it seems like it's either that or you're getting all hyper-sensitive, mis-reading replies, blowing things out of proportion, and blowing hissy fits. :(

What a dissapointment you have become...

You find "hilarious irony and hypocrisy..."? Yeah well, I reckon you could find a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup without any peanut butter in it if you looked long and hard enough.

And who the heck ever said I was excited about this game anyway?! I've never said one word about it; neither one way nor the other. (Until now). Alls I did was post some articles. Gosh.

.
Mark my words, no matter how good this game is, I doubt it will sell very well due to the Xbox demographic. Most Jade Empire and KOTOR players won't even give this a second glance. And most serious j-rpg players already game on PS2 and GC. The ones that dont will get PS3 and Revy (which will be b/c with their old collections). I don't see this thing selling that well.

This is a game that needed to be released on the original Xbox in order to show gamers that M$ could do j-rpgs.

You have totally lost it, haven't you?

First off, I'm not marking nothin'. Your words just don't mean much. Anymore.

Second off, the game isn't directed at the current Xbox userbase, it's aimed at those who didn't buy an Xbox. Duh. Namely, it's aimed at those gamers in Japan. That's the whole point of this thing! It's MS trying to shore up the areas the Xbox is weak in. They're hoping something like this will give the Next'Box at least some kind of a chance over there. You can't (at least try to) appreciate the effort they're making?! You don't think it's necessary? I can. I do. And I don't live in Japan - nor do I like J-RPGs. (I'd say "generally speaking", but because the majority of them that I don't like is such an overwhelming majority it's actually more accurate to leave those words out - even if it's not technically correct. Same goes for when I say I hate Anime: there's actually a few I love - and I mean LOVE - but I can't stand 99.9% of what I've seen.) I personally don't care a whole lot about this game or about how well the Xbox does in Japan, but it's like the evening reports on how the Dow Jones and whatnot have done during the day: I don't hold any shares in any company, but I still listen to them and I still recognize the importance of them.

But what's with you? What, you'd rather they not do anything - so then you can bash them for not trying? Damned if they do; damned if they don't. That's what it seems like you've become lately - just a real negative person. Just trying to be as negative as possible, and finding negativity in everything.

Great. :rolleyes: As if we didn't have enough of those posters around here.

[Mochan]

Wow, this is incredibly surprising. This is the kind of game that would actually make me consider getting an XBox. But I agree with Zilla Man. I thought XBoxers didn't like this kind of game. It's obviously something for people like me who didn't get the XBox because it couldn't give me my console gaming fix.

But if the tb-combat has depth - if there's stuff to do and think about (like in Xenosaga) then you won't see me complain.

PFFT. Xenosaga had stuff to do... click on the attack button and the drink potion button while waiting 30 minutes for the boss to die. Think about? Uh.... pseudo-religious references spaced through 5 hours of poorly-animated video put in to make it sound cool. Yay.

But ehh, I think it's all a mute point anyways, my friend... as I seriously doubt that we'll see this game come stateside.

This is the XBox. You mean to say we're not gonna have a US release of an XBox game?!?

[Mochan]

And who the heck ever said I was excited about this game anyway?! I've never said one word about it; neither one way nor the other.

What does the "Yer my boy" as the title of the thread mean?

[Glockstar]

Oh boy. :rolleyes:

We don't get out much do we?

[folken001]

Can't wait till Trebor, Gaddy, and the uber Xbots see this post...

Am I the only one who finds hilarious irony and hypocrisy in the fact that Glocky is so excited over Blue Dragon when most of the Xbots totally berate PS2 and GC owners for playing "those boring linear, cute, jap rpg's"? :rolleyes:

But now that it's on XBOX suddenly they're cool.... :p

Mark my words, no matter how good this game is, I doubt it will sell very well due to the Xbox demographic. Most Jade Empire and KOTOR players won't even give this a second glance. And most serious j-rpg players already game on PS2 and GC. The ones that dont will get PS3 and Revy (which will be b/c with their old collections). I don't see this thing selling that well.

This is a game that needed to be released on the original Xbox in order to show gamers that M$ could do j-rpgs.

It's calling saving face. Right now, Xbots would use anything to show that current Xbox is not a mistake and the upcoming xbot 360 won't be another. Let it be a J-RPG or what not, hell, they would use a Hentai game to make an argument if there was one. It's really no surprise.

J-RPGs aren't what they use to be though. Because of ppls in U.S and other western countries, they have to dumb down the games and make them less difficult. M$ and Xbox are dead if one day SE decided to make RPGs with ppls with big guns going around and killing people. Who needs Xbox anymore?

[Renzatic Gear]

Actually it's been shown recently that western games are getting more difficult, whereas Japanese games are becoming easier, Folken. If they dumb it down it won't be because of the US market.

[trebor]

Let's see...

Spikey haired lead character? Check.

Love interest who is more mature then lead character? Check.

Every character under the age of 17? Check.

Anime inspired graphics? Check.

Add in a little Final Fantasy inspired turn-based, linear gameplay and we are SURE to have a big hit with the Xbox crowd. :rolleyes:

I think what is even more ironic is Glocky acknowledging that this game is a blatent attempt to lure Japanese gamers over to Xbox. Ya know, the gamers from Japan? A country that Glocky said didn't count?

My guess is that this game will have zero, or less, chance of luring Japanese gamers away from Playstation.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

I thought J. RPGs were the scorn of Xbots and big eyes and spikey hair were cursed to eternal videogame damnation? Nonetheless, Microsoft has obviously seen the errors of its ways.

They are definitely cursed to damnation. I curse any game that would make me have a 10 minute fight with creatures with a total of 4HP (health points).

I don't want to play as a character in a RPG that can save the world but isn't old enough to vote or enter a gentlemen's club, especially the way the characters are designed for games such as this. Custom characters would help a title like this, but it still wouldn't be enough for me.

[Renzatic Gear]

My guess is that this game will have zero, or less, chance of luring Japanese gamers away from Playstation.
I dunno. Look at the pedigree behind it, the guy that made Final Fantasy and that Dragonball Z guy...pretty much the same people that made Chrono Trigger.

I'd say it has a chance.

[T.Tashi]

Actually it's been shown recently that western games are getting more difficult, whereas Japanese games are becoming easier, Folken. If they dumb it down it won't be because of the US market.
I think in many J.RPGs the main focus of the game is easy relatively speaking, but there's usually enough side quests and mini games to satisfy those who like the amped up difficulty level, and I like having the option. If I get bored with the main story, I can deviate to some impossible side boss and if the story is engrossing enough, I'll skip the sidestuff and stick to the main story.

[T.Tashi]

I dunno. Look at the pedigree behind it, the guy that made Final Fantasy and that Dragonball Z guy...pretty much the same people that made Chrono Trigger.

I'd say it has a chance. But if the Xbox fanbase was a food pyramid Blue Dragon is gonna be near the top. But I think it definitely has a chance and it will not hurt M$ to diversify its library even if the game doesn't sell well. Thinking back I remember Sony countered the Dreamcast launch with FF8. Sony has 4 high profile J.RPG series to counter with:

Final Fantasy 12
Grandia 3
Kingdom Hearts 2
Dragon Warrior 8

I can almost guarantee one of these will launch on the same day as Xbox360.

[Mochan]

When MS decides to release Super Robot Wars and Namco x Capcom on the XBox, that's when I'll convert.

[Glockstar]

Let's see...

Spikey haired lead character? Check.

Love interest who is more mature then lead character? Check.

Every character under the age of 17? Check.

Anime inspired graphics? Check.

Add in a little Final Fantasy inspired turn-based, linear gameplay and we are SURE to have a big hit with the Xbox crowd. :rolleyes:

Hey, looks like you're finally starting to understand us xbots: we only like good games. :D

.
I think what is even more ironic is Glocky acknowledging that this game is a blatent attempt to lure Japanese gamers over to Xbox. Ya know, the gamers from Japan? A country that Glocky said didn't count?

Ohh... and here I thought you were finally starting to get it. :(

[Gadfly2317]

I find it hard to criticize when it's been my hope all along that MS would expand the types of games offered on its systems. But its one of those ruts like Nintendo and GC have to put up with. If they can't break beyond the core demographic, a title here and there (like this Jrpg for Xbox or Resident Evil on GC trying to break the "kiddy image")

it's a major catch 22. Current Xbox demographic have displayed what they want, just like so many of the NIntendo herd want to play only first party Shig games. I can't fault either company for trying, but they're going to have a helluva time when Sony has all genres covered so deeply.

I will say I think Nintendo with both the GC, DS and hopefully even more so with the REvolution have done a better job at providing a greater diversity of gaming experiences, a better job of getting third party support than N64, and more really cool non-mario/zelda first party stuff for DS (and thus presumably Rev) then what Xbox is doing with the occasional bone like this Jrpg or Grabbed By the Ghoulies to break out of their respective ruts.

And all that Nintendo does, they can't break their kiddy rut. I wonder if Xbox can break its guns and cars extreme-mountain-dew boy rut.

But my bias is fully cemented at the moment. MS and its consoles are over for me. Can't play it all anymore--too many other wonderful real=life things to do, and they just haven't been able to get the kind of diversity and originality that appeal to me.

Escapism vs realism; fantasy vs simulation. Originality vs rigidly defined easily marketable genre titles. Having less time for gaming has forced me to really look at who I am and what I want as a gamer, and MS cannot deliver; Sony and Nintendo both deliver.

Whoever said last week that the next MS system was the Dreamcast all over again was mostly right, but the system may succeed anyway if only because Sega was deeply in the red to start wtih and MS has deep pockets, and Xbox2 is coming on the momentum of Xbox, and Dreamcast kinda just came out of nowhere after what seemed a long absence of market presence.

I don't see the Xbox2 appeal AT ALL. . .but its still nice the choice is there for those that it appeals to. I just don't want to see the MS model and vision of gaming become the dominant one.

[Superjoint Ritual]

I wonder if Xbox can break its guns and cars extreme-mountain-dew boy rut. LMFAO!!! Mountain-dew boy...... That's awesome.... TOTALLY EXTREME GADFLY!!!

I think you just came up with a new lable for Xbots. I hope you don't mind if I use it from now on when I post to glockstar and the like. Fantastic. :D

[Fivespot]

Sounds like MS may be totally changing their philosophy now focusing more on games by offering something not currently available or represented on the XBOX and caters to a different audience. Seems like a potentially smart business move if they can lure some Japanese gamers to the new hardware.

Most folks on this board have said that XBOX will have a hard time catching Sony in the next gen and I totally agree with that statement. If they plan to make a run at the top however, this certainly seems like a step in the right direction.

I personally could care less - I prefer good old fashioned American anime: Simpsons, Futurama, Family Guy, Ren & Stimpy, Clerks animated series, Looney Toons, Batman Beyond, etc... :)

It wouldn't be bad for any of us if this next gen was more competitive forcing the big three to continue pushing the hardware and software capabilities while innovating home gaming.

[Jupiter_x]

Am I the only one who finds hilarious irony and hypocrisy in the fact that Glocky is so excited over Blue Dragon when most of the Xbots totally berate PS2 and GC owners for playing "those boring linear, cute, jap rpg's"? :rolleyes:

But now that it's on XBOX suddenly they're cool.... :p


This is just proof to what I stated in post a ealier this week, Xbots all of a sudden change thier minds when any kind of game comes to Xbox...Now J-RPGs/Turn Based RPGs are accepted? Double Standards.

[Glockstar]

Am I the only one who finds hilarious irony and hypocrisy in the fact that Glocky is so excited over Blue Dragon when most of the Xbots totally berate PS2 and GC owners for playing "those boring linear, cute, jap rpg's"?

I thought J. RPGs were the scorn of Xbots and big eyes and spikey hair were cursed to eternal videogame damnation?

It's calling saving face.

This is just proof to what I stated in post a ealier this week, Xbots all of a sudden change thier minds when any kind of game comes to Xbox...Now J-RPGs/Turn Based RPGs are accepted? Double Standards.

First of all, I'm not speaking for my fellow xbots - and I don't think it's right for you to do so either. You got a problem with what you perceive to be my "double standards", address me directly.

That said, it's true that I do not like J-RPGs and I am on record for saying that. But if you dunces would read a little further and actually absorb what you read and not just skim thru posts or hack them all up, you'd know that I actually own a few J-RPGs. And what's more I really like them. (Namely: Xenosaga and Tales of Symphonia; and to a much lesser extent Kingdom Hearts.) I believe I'm also on record for saying that too! What? You guys miss those parts? Pfffft. So... am I hypocrite?! Am I some sort of a schizo flip-flopper (ala GF78)?! Do I have "double standards"?! :rolleyes: Or could it be... that maybe... there's an exception to every rule.

Now, second off, I thought those articles were great for System Wars for a number of reasons. (Did you guys actually read them?!)

1) Though I knew slade probably would have been privy to the news, even before me (he loves Japan), I was still curious to hear what he might have to say about it - he being the MS hata' that he is.

2) But I was actually hoping to hear from Tashi and, heaven forefend, Twelve, even more. No offense to slade here, but those guys are the J-RPG gamers of VGR.

3) I know there were some Xbox games that those guys - and a few others - wouldn't've minded having or playing, but I guess the system was always missing something - or missing that one thing - that prevented them from buying one for their own. Could this be it for the Next'Box? Or, the start of it? There are supposed three other Japanese-developed Xbox Next exclusives coming soon after all.

4) There's a whole bunch of interesting SW-related "side-notes" and secondary subjects in those articles. Didn't you guys read them?
* Incidentally, Jump refers to Xbox 360 as "next generation Xbox," and it lists Blue Dragon with a "TBA" release date, so there's still no confirmation of the system's name or release date.

* Chrono Trigger was a hardcore, gamers game. Not saying that because of it's difficulty, I'm saying that because while it was critically well-received, most joe-shmoes have never even heard of it - while at the same time, it seems like every one of those few that had played it, loved it. Well, do we have Chrono Trigger fans in the house? And if so...

* The games are being cocreated by Mistwalker and Microsoft Gaming Studios. Mistwalker makes the game's contents, such as its script and music, while Microsoft Gaming Studios works on the technical aspects, such as the actual coding. Over one hundred employees will be involved in the development of the two games.

* Sakaguchi revealed that the two RPGs for the Xbox Next are the only games that he is currently making for next-generation consoles, which hints that he doesn't have anything going for the PlayStation 3 right now. Sakaguchi commented that he decided to make games for the Xbox Next because of his relations to staff members at Xbox Japan and not because of the machine's specs. Xbox Japan chief Yoshihiro Maruyama and Microsoft Game Studios Japan R & D chief Hiroshi Kawai were both former employees of Square. Sakaguchi also added that he has no interest in getting involved in the next-generation console war.

-

Gadfly, I'm going to have to address your post later.

[Jupiter_x]

Or could it be... that maybe... there's an exception to every rule.


Appologies bro! Hey, I just like bashing the Xbots at every chance! You are usually second on my list! Don't take it personally!....Just buy a PS2 Yo! :D

Jokes!

[Gadfly2317]

This is just proof to what I stated in post a ealier this week, Xbots all of a sudden change thier minds when any kind of game comes to Xbox...Now J-RPGs/Turn Based RPGs are accepted? Double Standards.

Don't forget that suddenly being the least powerful console is just fine, even though for the last three years they've been preaching about the technological inferior experience on other consoles, about how stupid consumers pay the same money for the less powerful and graphically uglier Ps2.

So we've all learned our lesson. No need to buy the technologically inferior Xbox2. Why not buy the most powerful system with best graphics that ALSO has the most games, or the more powerful "boutique" system that has the most original and fun games?

The ONLY reason to own an xbox is more powerful graphics, because already virtually all of its lineup is on Ps2 also, or PC. So next time around, since its virtually guaranteed that Ps3 will again have more killer first party exclusives and all that japanese developer support (PLUS all the western developers and a lot of PC ports) Xbox2 is just an inferior Ps3 with a lot less games. I can see NO reason to own both a Ps3 or an Xbox2, and EVERY reason--from value to power to games-- to pick Ps3 over Xbox2. And as for getting a second system, it would NEVER be an Xbox2 because that would be redundant since they are going for a similar target. The Revvy will absolutely have a worthwhile place in the market because it will actually offer something different.

Yes, xbots have again been revealed for what they are---fanboys worshipping a brand name, rather having a consistent set of gaming principles guiding their choices.

[T.Tashi]

Appologies bro! Hey, I just like bashing the Xbots at every chance! You are usually second on my list! Don't take it personally!....Just buy a PS2 Yo! :D

Jokes!
Same here. We gotta get our licks in. :)

But seriously M$ got some of the best of the best for this title. At the very least, I'd assume it's gonna be a good game. It is a wholely unrepresented genre on Xbox and that is something they need to correct for the next gen. Instead of trying to steal a series like they tried doing with Final Fantasy early in life of Xbox, they're opting for a brand new, exclusive IP which is great. Usually when presented with a new title, publishers want to know immediately about the longevity of it. They're looking for a franchise right off the bat. So hopefully this will turn into something of a cash cow.

[Jupiter_x]

The problem, Gadfly, is it's not only the brand name they pimp...Its Xbox or NUTHIN, M$ and nothing else! And then ask us the "Non" Xbox fans, why we use M$ products, as we are hypocrites! M$ is everwhere now in the tech industry, I wouldn't be suprised to see M$ Fridges, Stoves, Micro(soft)Waves, and Television sets! I know Windows CE programs are already inside some of these appliances now!!

We have little choice but to accept M$'s programs, There are no alternatives!

Except in the gaming dept. that is!

M$ although have done very well for themselves in this genre are still trounced by Sony...Bigtime! Sony is king and that will remain into the next gen!

[Jupiter_x]

Same here. We gotta get our licks in. :)



Yeah I poke fun at Xbox/Xbots tons,yet I can't honestly hate Xbox that much, they have some decent titles...a..and.....yeah I kind of own one now...(Christmas gift) shhhhh! :eek:

[Glockstar]

...Just buy a PS2 Yo!...

Got one.

.
Instead of trying to steal a series like they tried doing with Final Fantasy early in life of Xbox...

I don't know nothing about that; guess I must have missed that... but you just reminded me of something I meant to include my post...

Heading into this year, the two games I was looking forward to the most were not only both PS2 games... :eek: ...but they were also both J-RPGs!! :eek: :eek: They being: Final Fantasy XII (even tho' I've never played a FF game) and Xenosaga II. So what do you guys have to say about that? All of a sudden I'm a genius right; all of a sudden I'm your new best friend?

[Superjoint Ritual]

No, all the sudden you have bad taste in J-RPG's.

[Gadfly2317]

The problem, Gadfly, is it's not only the brand name they pimp...Its Xbox or NUTHIN, M$ and nothing else! And then ask us the "Non" Xbox fans, why we use M$ products, as we are hypocrites! M$ is everwhere now in the tech industry, I wouldn't be suprised to see M$ Fridges, Stoves, Micro(soft)Waves, and Television sets! I know Windows CE programs are already inside some of these appliances now!!

We have little choice but to accept M$'s programs, There are no alternatives!

Except in the gaming dept. that is!

M$ although have done very well for themselves in this genre are still trounced by Sony...Bigtime! Sony is king and that will remain into the next gen!

Well, and that's what's funny. I'm no MS hater by any means. In fact, with the charitable and political leanings of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, I'm actually somewhat of an admirer. I used to feel anti-MS when Win 95 and 98 crashed all the time and were using their clout to destroy Netscape (which I used at the time), but now even though there options like Linux, I find Windows XP to be an AWESOME operating system. . . easy for a moron like me, and very stable.

Here's another way I'm a REAL MS whore. . . I rip my music in WMA format rather than MP3. I love Windows Media Player. . . it is a great piece of software. I think Powerpoint is an excellent piece of software, as well as Word and Excel. I'm not on the Apple train, that's for sure.

But when it comes to games? I just want to have fun. NIntendo has been a game maker since before the existence of electronic games, and I believe as a company they have a strong grasp on the concepts of fun, addictive game design. I'm more about their game designs than their franchise characters, actually.

MS makes some great busniess software, but they know squat about fun games. . . which is why all of their games don't seem like games at all (based on game theory) but are more like simulations (usually poor ones) of stuff I'd rather do for real. I'm all for the occasional realism thing or sim, but come-on. . . anyone old-schoool, take Q-bert or Pac Man or Galaga. . . what do any of those things have to do with graphically simulating something out of real life? Or Backgammon? Or Poker? Where in real life can you pluck flowers who follow you around and do your bidding? I freaking hate realism/simulation because JUST GET OFF YOUR BUT AND DO SOMETHING REAL. Gaming at its best is imaginative escapism and original forms of competition.

GAMES MAN!!!!!!!! MS doesn't know Jack Shiite about making FUN GAMES.

[Mochan]

I don't see the Xbox2 appeal AT ALL. . .but its still nice the choice is there for those that it appeals to. I just don't want to see the MS model and vision of gaming become the dominant one.

I don't see the XBox or XBox2 appeal either. Frankly, game systems are all about games, and the choice of system I buy totally depends on what games I can get on it.

Most of the games you get on the XBox are pretty much just the same games you get on the PC. Only the PC versions are technically superior and in most cases overall better. The only thing XBox has going for it over the PC is convenience. I don't now why I'd bother but if a less-technically inclined person craves for PC gaming then I guess the XBox is an option, albeit IMO a poor one.

[Mochan]

Got one.
Heading into this year, the two games I was looking forward to the most were not only both PS2 games... :eek: ...but they were also both J-RPGs!! :eek: :eek: They being: Final Fantasy XII (even tho' I've never played a FF game) and Xenosaga II. So what do you guys have to say about that? All of a sudden I'm a genius right; all of a sudden I'm your new best friend?

No offense, but I personally think the Xenosaga games are total hogwash, and I'm a J-RPG lover. It's simply a substandard, subpar RPG. Or rather, an anime *trying* to be an RPG. A bad one. And actually, even the anime was bad. :( And the sad part is, I'm a bigger anime fan than I am a JRPG fan. I can name all the anime avatars being used on this board (easy enough ; I've only seen mainstream series chars being used as avatars here)). But opinions are just opinions. Still, I have to state that Xenosaga sucks.

As for FF12, if you weren't into it before, why suddenly now? Well FF12 will likely be a very good RPG, but FFs were never my favorite JRPG, the only FF game I really put over the rest of the industry was FFTactics, and it wasn't really an FF game so much as it was a Tactics Ogre game.

[T.Tashi]

Got one.

I don't know nothing about that; guess I must have missed that... but you just reminded me of something I meant to include my post...

Heading into this year, the two games I was looking forward to the most were not only both PS2 games... :eek: ...but they were also both J-RPGs!! :eek: :eek: They being: Final Fantasy XII (even tho' I've never played a FF game) and Xenosaga II. So what do you guys have to say about that? All of a sudden I'm a genius right;
It may have been even before Xbox was released but M$ made some inquires into buying Square. Square said, sure, for $2.5 billion we are all yours, and M$ reaction was screw you Square.

all of a sudden I'm your new best friend?
Considering the few here play J. RPGs like me, yes you are. :cool: 12 and Spastic Colon Powell haven't been around in a while. Folken plays them but FFXI has consumed his life. I'm not sure he's played anything else since FFXI came out have you Folken? If anyone else does I'm not aware of it.

Since I've been in school, I haven't really had time to play much of anything on PS2. I'm behind on Suikoden 4, Full Metal Alchemist, Growlanser, Xenosaga 2 and Digital Devil Saga, Shining Tears, Ys, and a couple others I can't remember. I haven't finished Shin Megami Tensei or Shadow Hearts Covenant either. Knights of the Old Republic is in my apt., but I have no comment on how it got there. It'd be cool to have a nice little J.RPG for the psp, but I have a long wait for that.

[T.Tashi]

No offense, but I personally think the Xenosaga games are total hogwash, and I'm a J-RPG lover. It's simply a substandard, subpar RPG. Or rather, an anime *trying* to be an RPG. A bad one. And actually, even the anime was bad. :( And the sad part is, I'm a bigger anime fan than I am a JRPG fan. I can name all the anime avatars being used on this board (easy enough ; I've only seen mainstream series chars being used as avatars here)). But opinions are just opinions. Still, I have to state that Xenosaga sucks.

As for FF12, if you weren't into it before, why suddenly now? Well FF12 will likely be a very good RPG, but FFs were never my favorite JRPG, the only FF game I really put over the rest of the industry was FFTactics, and it wasn't really an FF game so much as it was a Tactics Ogre game.
You recognize mine? It was an anime before it was live action.

[Mochan]

I don't know about the live action since I haven't seen that. I'm reading something, Cashern? Is that supposed to be Kyashan Robot Hunter? Looks nothing like the original. Though granted I haven't actually seen either. :)

[Mochan]

Since I've been in school, I haven't really had time to play much of anything on PS2. I'm behind on Suikoden 4, Full Metal Alchemist, Growlanser, Xenosaga 2 and Digital Devil Saga, Shining Tears, Ys, and a couple others I can't remember. I haven't finished Shin Megami Tensei or Shadow Hearts Covenant either. Knights of the Old Republic is in my apt., but I have no comment on how it got there. It'd be cool to have a nice little J.RPG for the psp, but I have a long wait for that.

Found Suikoden 4 to be a major disappointment. I haven't gotten FMA yet but I heard it was a bad game. I'll still probalby pick it up just for the heck of it. I'm currently playing Digital Devil Saga, which wowed me with its graphics. It may just be the best game graphically I've seen on the PS2, (well if you're into the gritty dark world look). I also picked up Saint Seiya Sanctuary Chapter and it looks cool, but plays really bad. :) I saw another guy around here, Joquito, who has an Ikki avatar, and I saw Slade who is the Flame Alchemist.

[slade]

Yeah, Tashi's is Casshan: Robot Hunter. I watched that movie way back when Sci Fi used to dedicate a whole weekend to anime. His avatar is from the live action film that they recently made based on the anime.

[Mochan]

I only know about Casshan/Casshern/whatever because he looks like Kouji Kabuto's Grendizer uniform. I hang out too much with too many Super Robot fans and they all say the same thing!

[T.Tashi]

Found Suikoden 4 to be a major disappointment. I haven't gotten FMA yet but I heard it was a bad game. I'll still probalby pick it up just for the heck of it. I'm currently playing Digital Devil Saga, which wowed me with its graphics. It may just be the best game graphically I've seen on the PS2, (well if you're into the gritty dark world look). I also picked up Saint Seiya Sanctuary Chapter and it looks cool, but plays really bad. :) I saw another guy around here, Joquito, who has an Ikki avatar, and I saw Slade who is the Flame Alchemist.
Yeah I've heard bad things about Suikoden and FMA. But I'm still tempted to try even poorly reviewed games for myself. Rezatic and SPC turned me on to King's Field and while it has poor reviews, I had a blast. Hella hard though.
FMA I kinda suspected wouldn't be that hot. I'm always weary of a game based on the anime flavor of the month. I have Inuyasha and that RPG is terrible. It's RPG 101. Very very basic with little extras. Suikoden has such a great history I was disappointed to hear about the changes but I'll still give it a shot.

[T.Tashi]

Yeah, Tashi's is Casshan: Robot Hunter. I watched that movie way back when Sci Fi used to dedicate a whole weekend to anime. His avatar is from the live action film that they recently made based on the anime.
Yeppers!

[Mochan]

I can understand wanting to try games despite bad reviews, especially since I usually don't agree with what reviewers from Gamespot, IGN, etc. ever have to say. That's why I try out even badly reviewed games if what I heard about the actual gameplay mechanics appeals to me. I don't get to do this too often nowadays though due to time constraints, I don't seem to have as much free time as I used to.

That said I tried Suikoden 4 and tried very badly to like it (Suikoden 2 is probably my one single favorite RPG ever) but alas it sucked so badly I could find no redeeming quality to it!

I also got Shadow Hearts Covenant and KOTOR. So far though Shadow Hearts hasn't warmed up to me and I left it to gather dust while I'm playing Digital Devil Saga. I should pick up Nocturne sometime, though I wasn't a big fan of the Persona games. KOTOR looked nice but I got bored of it quickly, not surprising since I tend to dislike or outright hate Bioware games.

As for anime games, about 99% of them are all crap, and it should never surprise us anymore. What is surprising is when one of them actually turns out good! Unfortunately, I can't seem to remember too many of them. The last good anime game I played was Super Robot Wars MX. No wait... Berserk for the PS2 was a pretty good game.

[King of Arcadia]

~Born to play~

Actually there is no exception to the rule. If you would allow people to like what they like and like what you like without flaming on another system then all of you wouldn't be looking so closely at what each other writes just to rip it appart. Most of you trash the other sytsem like a raging fan. Denouncing one system because the games that you like are not found on the other. Whats more idiotic is the fact that all you have to do is just buy your game, play it and keep your comments to yourself. However I don't think that you guys can do that. Its been 7 years now...SEVEN! Guys, look what you spend your time doing. Casting "POINTLESS" "POWERLESS" "OPINIONS" about something you don't mean a grain of sand too. Do you really beleive what you even think matters in this industry? I've spent the last 5 years going through this industry, from MS, to Rockstar, to Capcom, and now to Nintendo.... I have one thing to say....Its nothing to what any of us thought. Including me. To the industry for the "MOST" part this is about money gents, grow up. ALL OF YOU! Your interest is at the last of their priorities, beleive that.

[Darwin]

blah, blah, blah

Yawn.

He just ... won't go away. It's like a chronic yeast infection.

I thought you stormed off this board, crying and having a hissy fit, saying you would never come back, telling the mods to ****-off. And now you're lecturing us? You lost credibility on this board a long time ago.

[Mochan]

Whats more idiotic is the fact that all you have to do is just buy your game, play it and keep your comments to yourself. However I don't think that you guys can do that.

First off, I haven't been posting on this particular board for long but you do realize this forum is called "System Wars" and it's all about debating which system is best.

Second, I haven't actually trashed any system but I do say such and such system is better for me since it has the games I play. That pretty much fits in the purpose of this forum.

If you think that's idiotic, then I think the only idiocy is stepping into this forum without knowing what you're supposed to do in here!

[Gadfly2317]

~Born to play~

Actually there is no exception to the rule. If you would allow people to like what they like and like what you like without flaming on another system then all of you wouldn't be looking so closely at what each other writes just to rip it appart. Most of you trash the other sytsem like a raging fan. Denouncing one system because the games that you like are not found on the other. Whats more idiotic is the fact that all you have to do is just buy your game, play it and keep your comments to yourself. However I don't think that you guys can do that. Its been 7 years now...SEVEN! Guys, look what you spend your time doing. Casting "POINTLESS" "POWERLESS" "OPINIONS" about something you don't mean a grain of sand too. Do you really beleive what you even think matters in this industry? I've spent the last 5 years going through this industry, from MS, to Rockstar, to Capcom, and now to Nintendo.... I have one thing to say....Its nothing to what any of us thought. Including me. To the industry for the "MOST" part this is about money gents, grow up. ALL OF YOU! Your interest is at the last of their priorities, beleive that.

I love it! If we're wasting our time debating games, the gaming industry, trends, the future, and our likes and dislikes as hobbiests and enthusiasts. . . .

then isn't it even more of a waste of time to read our opinions and to only stop by to lecture us about our love of discussing gaming? You crack me up, ass clown. Sometimes you even stop by to lecture someone for going off topic or posting about a personal tragedy. What are you even coming here reading and posting for at all if it is such waste of time?

[Jupiter_x]

Got one.

.


I don't know nothing about that; guess I must have missed that... but you just reminded me of something I meant to include my post...

Heading into this year, the two games I was looking forward to the most were not only both PS2 games... :eek: ...but they were also both J-RPGs!! :eek: :eek: They being: Final Fantasy XII (even tho' I've never played a FF game) and Xenosaga II. So what do you guys have to say about that? All of a sudden I'm a genius right; all of a sudden I'm your new best friend?


No Glock I don't like you any more or any less whether you play JRPGs, Halo or Pokemon. Nor does this give me the impression you are any more intelligent than you are!

My two closest friends, one owning Xbox the other owning PS2 are both a couple of dummies...especially after pounding back a few beers! :p Pure Jokes

[Jupiter_x]

Well, and that's what's funny. I'm no MS hater by any means. In fact, with the charitable and political leanings of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, I'm actually somewhat of an admirer. I used to feel anti-MS when Win 95 and 98 crashed all the time and were using their clout to destroy Netscape (which I used at the time), but now even though there options like Linux, I find Windows XP to be an AWESOME operating system. . . easy for a moron like me, and very stable.

Here's another way I'm a REAL MS whore. . . I rip my music in WMA format rather than MP3. I love Windows Media Player. . . it is a great piece of software. I think Powerpoint is an excellent piece of software, as well as Word and Excel. I'm not on the Apple train, that's for sure.

But when it comes to games? I just want to have fun. NIntendo has been a game maker since before the existence of electronic games, and I believe as a company they have a strong grasp on the concepts of fun, addictive game design. I'm more about their game designs than their franchise characters, actually.

MS makes some great busniess software, but they know squat about fun games. . . which is why all of their games don't seem like games at all (based on game theory) but are more like simulations (usually poor ones) of stuff I'd rather do for real. I'm all for the occasional realism thing or sim, but come-on. . . anyone old-schoool, take Q-bert or Pac Man or Galaga. . . what do any of those things have to do with graphically simulating something out of real life? Or Backgammon? Or Poker? Where in real life can you pluck flowers who follow you around and do your bidding? I freaking hate realism/simulation because JUST GET OFF YOUR BUT AND DO SOMETHING REAL. Gaming at its best is imaginative escapism and original forms of competition.

GAMES MAN!!!!!!!! MS doesn't know Jack Shiite about making FUN GAMES.


I don't have a problem with M$ software either! XP and Word are impressive! I just don't like being called a hypocrite for using XP but bashing Xbox, I love PS2 but I don't like Sony's Speakers nor do I like their store!

[trebor]

Hey, looks like you're finally starting to understand us xbots: we only like good games. :D

"Good" is all relative, my friend. ;)


Ohh... and here I thought you were finally starting to get it. :(

The only thing I actually "get" about you is that in your mind Japan doesn't matter, because you live in N.America and can't be bothered about what happens "way far over dere in dat Non-American country".

What you obviously don't get, despite many numerous arguments over the years, is that without any degree of success in Japan the Xbox will always be a failure - as it will ALWAYS play second fiddle to PS2. Like it or not, Japan is probably the second most important region in terms of the videogame industry - it doesn't have the huge population that N.America has, but more then quite a few games come from the place.

Hell...even the "crappy" Gamecube has been absolutely destroying the Xbox in Japan.

[Rogue Bounty Hunter]

Considering the few here play J. RPGs like me, yes you are. :cool: 12 and Spastic Colon Powell haven't been around in a while. Folken plays them but FFXI has consumed his life. I'm not sure he's played anything else since FFXI came out have you Folken? If anyone else does I'm not aware of it.

Since I've been in school, I haven't really had time to play much of anything on PS2. I'm behind on Suikoden 4, Full Metal Alchemist, Growlanser, Xenosaga 2 and Digital Devil Saga, Shining Tears, Ys, and a couple others I can't remember. I haven't finished Shin Megami Tensei or Shadow Hearts Covenant either. Knights of the Old Republic is in my apt., but I have no comment on how it got there. It'd be cool to have a nice little J.RPG for the psp, but I have a long wait for that.

Since you're a big J-RPG fan, what's your take on the new Arc of Lad game that's coming out?

If the real time combat turns out better than it did in Star Ocean: Til the End of Time, I may have found myself a J-RPG that I can enjoy.

[Glockstar]

No offense, but I personally think the Xenosaga games are total hogwash, and I'm a J-RPG lover. It's simply a substandard, subpar RPG. Or rather, an anime *trying* to be an RPG. A bad one. And actually, even the anime was bad. :( And the sad part is, I'm a bigger anime fan than I am a JRPG fan. I can name all the anime avatars being used on this board (easy enough ; I've only seen mainstream series chars being used as avatars here)). But opinions are just opinions. Still, I have to state that Xenosaga sucks.

As for FF12, if you weren't into it before, why suddenly now? Well FF12 will likely be a very good RPG, but FFs were never my favorite JRPG, the only FF game I really put over the rest of the industry was FFTactics, and it wasn't really an FF game so much as it was a Tactics Ogre game.

None taken.

But right back at ya... no offense, but I don't really care what you think of the games I like. Or any game for that matter. It's quite obvious that we have different gaming tastes (with mine being the better, of course :p ), so you're, like, one of the last people I'd listen to, with regards to game recommendations.

But at the same time I say that, I must also say that I don't hear you talking much about the games you do like. I can't stand negativity - especially when it's presented so generally and in such broad terms. ("Xenosaga sucks; the FF's sucked" ...yeah, okay :rolleyes: ) And with that said... it's actually probably for the best that you don't tell me which J-RPGs you like - you'll probably make me yack.

I respect Tashi's and Twelve's (were he still here) opinions because they've always been pretty clear about what they like and don't like - they're a lot more specific - so even if I don't agree with them, I can still, at least, see where they are coming from.

Why FF XII? Because of who's doing it. F.Y.I... Yasumi Matsuno (Final Fantasy Tactics, Vagrant Story); Hiroyuki Itou (Final Fantasy IX); character designer Akihiko Yoshida (FF Tactics); and art director Hideo Minaba (a series veteran since 1992's Final Fantasy V). Now It's been awhile since I've seen or heard anything about it, but what I had seen previously looked pretty danged sweet. Sweet enough to make me think, 'I gotta check that out'. Me!

[Glockstar]

"Good" is all relative, my friend. ;)

...

The only thing I actually "get" about you is that in your mind Japan doesn't matter, because you live in N.America and can't be bothered about what happens "way far over dere in dat Non-American country".

What you obviously don't get, despite many numerous arguments over the years, is that without any degree of success in Japan the Xbox will always be a failure - as it will ALWAYS play second fiddle to PS2. Like it or not, Japan is probably the second most important region in terms of the videogame industry - it doesn't have the huge population that N.America has, but more then quite a few games come from the place.

Hell...even the "crappy" Gamecube has been absolutely destroying the Xbox in Japan.

Yeah, I figured. You never did get what Buzzy and I were talking about when we said Japan doesn't matter. But then again, I don't think you ever really tried to.

We're going to have to revisit that topic someday, yes? ;)

But until then... why don't I divert you over to Wacko's <a href=http://forums.videogamereview.com/showthread.php?p=51911#post51911>"And people wonder why I sold my 'Cube..." thread"</a> where I posted some hard console sales numbers from the US and from Japan, so you can bone up on it... ;)

[Mochan]

The problem with Xenosaga 1 is plentifold, but the short list is:

1. The graphics looked dated and not too pretty for its time. This includes the environments, which were mostly drab grays with plain textures that didn't draw me into the world. The character designs were also pretty bad, and the 3D models that showed them off looked very old and lacking in detail and smoothness even at the time it came out.

2. The gameplay was very tedious, and overly difficult at times. Boss fights felt more like endurance matches rather than being actual fun turn-based battles. When I had Ziggy fighting that commander (which irionically, was a fight that you could lose and get away with!) I spent more than an hour healing and sapping his life until he finally died. It was nuts. If I don't have to win the fight, just kill me already with one quick uber-powered blow, or if I do manage to win it, at least give me a prize for my efforts!

3. I hated a lot of the characters. This partially has to do with how the character designs rubbed me the wrong way, but a lot of them were very unlikable, like Shion who was so wishy-washy. The voice acting also really annoyed me, hearing Sasami from Tenchi Muyo (I hate that voice!) and Nanami (from El Hazard) brought back bad memories of why I avoid dubbed anime.

4. The story was a little too overly pretentious; I have a high tolerance for whacked up pseudo-religious imagery being used just for the heck of it but Xenosaga went a bit too far, trying to pass itself off as a little too profound when, well, it wasn't.

As for what games I like? Well I mentioned some, I won't elaborate, there's no need for now. When the time comes I'll elaborate but I don't think now is the time.

[trebor]

Yeah, I figured. You never did get what Buzzy and I were talking about when we said Japan doesn't matter. But then again, I don't think you ever really tried to.

We're going to have to revisit that topic someday, yes? ;)

But until then... why don't I divert you over to Wacko's <a href=http://forums.videogamereview.com/showthread.php?p=51911#post51911>"And people wonder why I sold my 'Cube..." thread"</a> where I posted some hard console sales numbers from the US and from Japan, so you can bone up on it... ;)

XB = 686,089 (US:680,000 + JN:6,089)
GC = 417,449 (US:324,000 + JN:93,449)

Yup, sure "boning" up on this info, thanks. I don't see how this doesn't support my argument. Yeah, in N.America Xbox is clearly winning over Gamecube. In Japan Gamecube is clearly winning over Xbox.

[Glockstar]

It's more on Blue Dragon. :eek:

Pre-E3 2005: Blue Dragon Revealed
Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nights, Panzer Dragoon! Everyone's making this game!
by Anoop Gantayat

May 13, 2005 - The first Japanese-developed Xbox 360 title to be revealed to the world was Blue Dragon. Last week's issue of Shonen Jump (the Japanese version) included artwork and a few details on this first Mistwalker Xbox 360 project, promising characters by Dragon Ball and Dragon Quest creator Akira Toriyama and a youth-friendly setting and gameplay concept.

Blue Dragon was one of the games we were most excited about seeing as Microsoft held its Xbox 360 launch event in Japan on Friday morning. Sadly, we didn't get to see too much of the game. Producer Hironobu Sakaguchi shared a few details, introduced the game's developers and gave us a look at some pre-rendered character concept footage, but left in-game visuals to our imagination.

The story of Blue Dragon centers on main character Shu and his group of friends. An old timer called Nene is trying to bring destruction to the world by reviving magical abilities that should have long since disappeared. Shu and crew won't stand for this and set off on an adventure to stop Nene's plans.

In the world of Blue Dragon, people have different types of shadows. Shadows move alongside their owners, giving them added strength and magical power. Shu, in particular, has the ability to control the shadows.

Shadows act like equipment in this game. As you play, you'll find over 200 shadows, split into five groups: dragon, minotaur, phoenix, bat and tiger. These can be mixed and customized, providing lots of gameplay for those who like to spend time with their games.

Mistwalker seems to be going after the Dragon Quest crowd with Blue Dragon. Of course, the Toriyama heroes and heroines help to give this image, but perhaps even more important, in terms of gameplay, is the focus on character building and monsters. At the press conference, Mistwalker showed video of the characters and their shadows, followed by a few monster shots. The target of this game seems to be the readers of Jump magazine (which is why it makes sense that Microsoft debuted it in Jump).

There are some differences from Dragon Quest, though, as Toriyama himself pointed out. Toriyama, who works out of the city of Nagoya (Sakaguchi had to meet him down there to discuss the game), wasn't at the press conference, but did send a greeting. Joking about how his franchises always seem to have the word "Dragon" in them, he stated that he was originally going to refuse working on the game because he thought it might be similar to Dragon Quest. However, he had a change of heart after seeing the scenario, which apparently paints a world with a strong science-fiction taste.

In addition to the gameplay system and background story, Sakaguchi stressed the importance of the presentation side of Blue Dragon. Sakaguchi first praised the 360 for being so powerful, then pointed out that Mistwalker isn't just using the system to draw pretty pictures. The world of Blue Dragon is meant to have a touch of reality to it, with realistic effects for shadows, fire and water. The world is said to be reactive to player interaction. Sadly, specifics were not provided.

The biggest surprises at the press conference were the revelations concerning Blue Dragon's developer. While Sakaguchi himself is overseeing the title and providing the scenario, Artoon, the kids behind the Blinx series, are handling development duties, with Takuya Matsumoto serving as director and Manabu Kusonki creating the game's world view. Matsumoto, most recently, served as a designer on Blinx 2. While at Sega, he served as a programmer on Nights: Into Dreams and Ristar. Kusonoki is known for his work at Sega, where he was largely responsible for the world of Panzer Dragoon.

Blue Dragon has Sakaguchi representing Final Fantasy, Toriyama representing Dragon Quest and Kusonoki representing Panzer Dragoon (Blinx fits somewhere in there as well, we're sure). And we didn't even mention Nobuo Uematsu, the former Square Enix musician who's creating all the music for the game (he's also creating all the music for Lost Odyssey -- busy man)! With this talented group working on the game, we hope to have a deep, quality Japanese-style RPG in the early life of the Xbox 360.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/613/613389p1.html

[Glockstar]

Pre-E3 2005: Mistwalker Unveils Lost Odyssey
Sakaguchi drafts a novelist and former Final Fantasy VII staff for this Xbox 360 RPG.
by Anoop Gantayat

May 13, 2005 - We already knew about Blue Dragon, one of Mistwalker's two Xbox 360 titles, but today's Japanese Xbox 360 press conference served as the unveiling point for the other game. Titled Lost Odyssey, this Japanese RPG is being developed under the watchful eye of Mistwalker founder Hironobu Sakaguchi.

Sakaguchi took the stage at the press conference and shared a bit on Lost Odyssey's background story. You play as Kaim, a man who's been sentenced to live for 1,000 years. The game's storyline takes you through Kaim's life as he lives through multiple generations, becomes a part of many families, falls in and out of love and gets into conflicts. All this is set in a world that is on the verge of a "mystical industrial revolution," where mankind has attained dark powers.

Lost Odyssey has some experimental qualities to it, with Sakaguchi revealing that he's trying a number of new things due to the length of the main character's life. The game world is said to look alive, which would suggest that Mistwalker is trying to truly put you in the shoes of Kaim as he lives his lengthy life. The game's storyline, according to Sakaguchi, focuses on the day-to-day events of Kaim's life. On a strictly speculative note, this could indicate that Lost Odyssey will avoid the cliche good versus evil theme that's used as the background story for most Japanese RPGs.

To create Lost Odyssey's storyline and scenario, Sakaguchi turned to a person he personally admires, award-winning Japanese author Kiyoshi Shigematsu. Shigematsu is working directly with Sakaguchi on the story sequences and commented, at the press conference, that while his initial hope was to preserve the emotional power of writing, Lost Odyssey seems to have surpassed that. He assures us that we will cry when playing the game.

Sakguchi also drafted another popular Japanese cultural icon for Lost Odyssey. The game's characters are being designed by Takehiro Inoue, known for his work on comic series such as Slam Dunk and Vagabond. Strangely, Inoue commented at the press conference that he's never played an RPG, and he was a bit worried that his style wouldn't translate well into game form. However, Sakaguchi asked him to make human characters for Lost Odyssey, and when he heard that Shigematsu would be taking a hand in development, he agreed.

Inoue mentioned one difference that appears when one serves as character designer for a videogame rather than working on a serial comic. For a serial comic, he creates new characters throughout the life of the series and nurtures them as the comic's storyline progresses. For games, his work is to create characters and hand them off to Mistwalker, who then builds up the characters through the game's storyline. Inoue is interested in seeing how the characters turn out.

Finally, Sakaguchi called out famed game music composer Nobuo Uematsu to make a few comments on his work with Lost Odyssey. One of the themes Uematsu is working into the composition for Lost Odyssey is "pop," suggesting we can expect a more modern flair to the music. Uematsu revealed that Sakaguchi asked him to provide jazz vocal music, which is a new field for him.

In addition to these three all star staff members, Mistwalker is turning to a separate studio to handle development on Lost Odyssey. Feel Plus, a new studio that was formed for the Lost Odyssey project and includes ex Square Enix employees, is handling development duties on the game. Serving as producer is Hiroshi Kawai, with Daisuke Fukugawa and Takahiro Kaminagayoshi serving in double director roles (for more on these three, see this story). All three are Field Plus staff members.

At the press conference, Microsoft shared a short trailer of Lost Odyssey. The trailer began with the ominous ticking of a clock in the background, suggesting that time will play a heavy role in the title's storyline. A few impressive in-game environment sequences were shown, along with what appeared to be a fight scene featuring dozens of characters on screen, but some of the footage seemed to be pre-rendered CG. The text that appeared on screen as the trailer progressed has us intrigued beyond the footage: "the tears of a man who cannot die."

Just hearing the premise of Lost Odyssey has us excited to learn more. Sadly, no screens or video footage were released to the public at the press conference, so we can only hope that E3 will reveal more on what could be a unique take on Japan's favorite genre.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/613/613377p1.html

[Mochan]

These press releases are starting to get me excited over the Xbox 360. If more support like this continues, I may end up switching to Xbox from the PS3, but if so I will probably end up getting both consoles and becoming a multi-platform gamer for a change.

[slade]

While Sakaguchi himself is overseeing the title and providing the scenario, Artoon, the kids behind the Blinx series, are handling development duties, with Takuya Matsumoto serving as director and Manabu Kusonki creating the game's world view.

Ouch!!!!! Hype Killa'

[Glockstar]

These press releases are starting to get me excited over the Xbox 360. If more support like this continues, I may end up switching to Xbox from the PS3, but if so I will probably end up getting both consoles and becoming a multi-platform gamer for a change.

Lost Odyssey sounds a bit like Shenmue to me.

It sounds like the other Japanese game makers that MS has on board (Game Republic and Q Entertainment) are doing something... different. Don't know if they're what you're looking for; they're definitely not J-RPGs.

But here... <a href=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/05/13/news_6124413.html>read</a>... decide for yourself.

-

Ouch!!!!! Hype Killa'

Nah. If anything it's just another assassination attempt... by you.

These developing houses go thru such a turn around in personel - and in the most mundane of positions (no offense to any game programmers out there) - that they really are defined by who their game creators and directors and producers are. You know, who the responsible individuals are. And in that case, Blue Dragon shounds like it's in excellent hands.

And Artoon too. Now that they've got some direction. Actually, it sounds like they've got a lot of it.

[slade]

You're fairly optimistic Glocky, what's goin' on? This isn't like your usual negative self.

[Glockstar]

You're fairly optimistic Glocky, what's goin' on? This isn't like your usual negative self.

Hey. Let's not go overboard. Let's not get carried away.

No, I've always got a little hope. Always. Gotta have it.

But I'm also pessimistic. I just know that things don't always turn out like you/I/we hope.

And what you don't know is that I've had the same outlook - the same hope mixed with the same type of guarded optimism mixed with the same type of negativity and pessimism - towards games like: Drakengard, Kingdom Hearts: COM (GBA), Baten Kaitos, Lifeline, Resident Evil Outbreak... and look how those games turned out. I know you didn't know I was once looking forward to those games, but now that you do... it explains things a bit, yes?

Heck, I've still even got hope for that Nightmare Before Christmas game and the Cowboy Bebop game that are supposed to come out... sometime this generation. Just like I've got hope for the next Xenosaga (III) in that it will be better than the last (II).

And I tell you one other thing - I just never find out or hear about the behind-the-scenes stuff about a game that's in development as much as I have for this here Blue Dragon (and Lost Odyssey). And while I may not have personally liked - or even played - any of those other games that these creators have made, I recognize and acknowledge the pedigree.

[slade]

Pedigree like Blinx? :rolleyes: This reminds me of Dubbya C who went on and on about Kakuto Chojin and its superior pedigree of Namco and Sega developers. Then the game came out and the talk suddenly dried up.

You know you would not be even half way onboard if this was a PS3 launch game.

[Glockstar]

Alright, now you're the one that's being overly negative.

And this conversation is starting to go in circles.

I'm full aware of the let downs known as Blinx and Blinx 2 - and I'm full aware that it was Artoon that was behind them. But those games weren't all bad. It's just that... they were confused. But with so many "names" in so many important places in BD's development, I think there's some genuine cause for optimism.

If I can do it, you can too.

Now, would I be doing this if it were a PS3 game? Honestly... probably not. But that's because I seriously doubt there'd be this much hype. It'd pretty much just be the same ole' same ole'. You know? It'd be nothing new. The only thing new about it would be the level of developmental information.

And, again, having read this info, I'm honestly intrigued. No matter what system it were for, I would be intrigued. As I am now. Aren't you? But as with Drakengard, et al, no, you probably wouldn't hear me speak of it, if it were a PS3 game. It's really only newsworthy because it's a game that has never been done before on the Xbox. As you know (as I know you know), J-RPGs were completely nonexistant on that system.

It's like it would be for the PS3 if Besthesda or Bioware announced an exclusive Real-RPG; or if Team Ninja announced a new exclusive DOA/NG game; to that system.

Come on, if you can't sympathize, empathize.

[Mochan]

If you want Cowboy Bebop in a game, try Sunrise World War on the PS2... though I heard it rather sucks but I haven't actually played it myself. There is also, of course, an actual Cowboy Bebop game for the PS2 but I haven't really heard much about it. Dunno if this is the game you were referring to. It's probably crap, anyway, but who knows, it might pull a Berserk.