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When SEGA take a dump on you, they really take a dump on you
12 years ago
General
I decided to post this wherever it might be heard. Anyone who has been a fan of the most recent Phantasy Star games, based round the Ragol and Gurhal systems, will know of Phantasy Star Online 2, and it's protracted localization time, especially when data miners have found it can be made english fairly easily.
Recently, a rumor came out, due to IGN, that SEGA have decided to refocus their plans for the English localization to market it in Asia, rather than America and Europe, due to problems with profitability without a new market strategy.
I have to say that, if it is true, it's exactly what killed several games that could have made millions, like Dead Or Alive Online, a PC port of Dead Or Alive 2 at it's core, and Tales Of Eternia Online.
Within the online gaming market, there are two major territories, America and Europe, counted as Worldwide or Global when marketing to them, and Korea, Singapore, China, Japan and Asia, which are where most of the games begin, and several big name licenses have tried and failed due to staying there.
SEGA changed their marketing strategy for Phantasy Star a few years back, making Phantasy Star Universe free to play in Japan, while scaling back the US/EU version to the Microsoft-hosted XBOX 360 version until the contract ran out.
When PSO2 came round, they only gave mutterings that, similar to PSU's Guardian Cash, 'there were on-going issues with ARKS cash in the west'.
Their solution? Scale back the plans for western release, and likely declare that it is no longer marketable to sell it in the West at all.
Their problem? They promised they would release it well in time. This was a big chance for them to revisit Phantasy Star's online roots, and, due to using gambling and real money transactions, they blew it.
I don't want people to go into how I'm doomsaying or similar. I'm just the messenger.
Phantasy Star Online 2, even if this source is wrong, and they sound worryingly honest, is never coming to the West in a workable state.
Recently, a rumor came out, due to IGN, that SEGA have decided to refocus their plans for the English localization to market it in Asia, rather than America and Europe, due to problems with profitability without a new market strategy.
I have to say that, if it is true, it's exactly what killed several games that could have made millions, like Dead Or Alive Online, a PC port of Dead Or Alive 2 at it's core, and Tales Of Eternia Online.
Within the online gaming market, there are two major territories, America and Europe, counted as Worldwide or Global when marketing to them, and Korea, Singapore, China, Japan and Asia, which are where most of the games begin, and several big name licenses have tried and failed due to staying there.
SEGA changed their marketing strategy for Phantasy Star a few years back, making Phantasy Star Universe free to play in Japan, while scaling back the US/EU version to the Microsoft-hosted XBOX 360 version until the contract ran out.
When PSO2 came round, they only gave mutterings that, similar to PSU's Guardian Cash, 'there were on-going issues with ARKS cash in the west'.
Their solution? Scale back the plans for western release, and likely declare that it is no longer marketable to sell it in the West at all.
Their problem? They promised they would release it well in time. This was a big chance for them to revisit Phantasy Star's online roots, and, due to using gambling and real money transactions, they blew it.
I don't want people to go into how I'm doomsaying or similar. I'm just the messenger.
Phantasy Star Online 2, even if this source is wrong, and they sound worryingly honest, is never coming to the West in a workable state.
