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E3 2017 Pipe Dreams and Predictions

 Video games  1 Response »  Tagged with:
Jun 052017
 

E3 2017 begins at the end of this week, so it’s time to talk about our hopes and expectations for this year’s game announcements!

E3 2017 Pipe Dreams

None of my E3 2015 pipe dreams have happened yet, so they remain:

  • Ace Attorney Investigations 2 localization
  • The World Ends With You 2
  • Bayonetta 3 / spin-off
  • Tales of Symphonia prequel

Now, one of my E3 2016 pipe dreams actually came true, a new main-series Professor Layton game!

(Some people will argue that Paper Mario: Color Splash being good actually did come true, but I haven’t played it yet to know.)

That leaves us with:

  • The Great Ace Attorney localization
  • Xenosaga HD collection
  • Knights of the Old Republic III
  • A story-driven Paper Mario with gameplay like one of the original three

In addition to these dreams, I’m going to add one more to the list: World of Final Fantasy 2.. I loved World of Final Fantasy, and it has an incredible amount of sequel/prequel potential. Here’s hoping Square Enix intends to do more with the concept.

But what do I actually think will be announced at E3?

E3 2017 Predictions

Last year, I predicted a couple things that actually happened, as well as a few that didn’t. Of those that didn’t, I still think we’re on track to get a surprise Mother 3 localization from Nintendo and learn how the Final Fantasy VII Remake will be structured.

In addition to Final Fantasy VII details, I expect Square Enix will show a trailer for Kingdom Hearts 3, possibly with a solid release window. And perhaps a remake, localization, or sequel for their lesser-known DS game Sigma Harmonics.

I’m also going to move a new Bayonetta game from “pipe dreams” to “predictions,” due to their recent possible hints, and I predict that this E3 will include an announcement of Shenmue I & II HD.

Finally, I think we’ll see a new Metroid game announcement, localization news for Dragon Quest XI, and the mysterious “weird” game From Software is working on.

A Full-Priced Game With a Free Start Isn’t the Same as F2P

 Video games  No Responses »  Tagged with: ,
Jun 022017
 

Yesterday, a game developer worked to make things more convenient and natural for fans, while also letting new players try the game for free.

This upset many people.

The visual novel Dies irae ~Amantes amentes~, which was translated into English after a successful Kickstarter campaign was originally released in two parts.

This meant you’d need two separate game files, each of which would contain the same common route, but separate character routes. A bit awkward, right?

Fortunately, they found a solution and released it on Steam as a single game. Instead of two separate game purchases, you can download the common route for free and then buy each half of the game as DLC.

It’s convenient. It solves the problem of having one game split into two. And it gives fans what is essentially a large demo, to try the visual novel before paying.

But it reminded people of the dreaded free-to-play model where DLC microtransactions force you to buy the game in pieces.

That is not what this is. Not at all. If Act I and Act II were released as separate games, like they initially planned, you’d pay $20 for each and have them as separate files. Instead… you’ll pay $20 for each and have them as one file.

Yes, it’s technically “free to start” with DLC, but only to make it more convenient (one single game file) and give players a chance to try it. Unless you think demos are bad, there is no reason to object to the structure of Dies irae ~Amantes amentes~.

Mobile gaming has given free-to-start games a very negative connotation, but it’s not always like that. Sometimes, rather than being a F2P game with microtransactions, it’s just a demo that lets you buy the rest of the game once you’ve tried it. So the next time you see that alarming term, DLC, slow down and check the situation before you get upset.

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