Joystiq interview: NIS America talks Disgaea 3's PS3 move
by Jason Dobson 
{ Mar 13th 2008 at 10:30AM }
To find out the what, why and how, we turned to company marketing guru Jack Niida for an explanation, and in the following interview he talks localization, the move to a new platform, and even the possibility of moving Disgaea to another console. For the complete scoop, read on.
Gallery: Disgaea 3 (PS3)
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Recently you confirmed that the game would be ready for prime time this August. Has the localization process begun? How far along are you?
As you know, Disgaea 3 will be released in August and everybody in the office is working hard to meet the deadlines. We're currently in the translation/editing phase, which is the biggest part of the localization process. This usually takes us several months to finish and after this we move on to the voice recordings.
Disgaea 3 shipped in Japan in January. How has the game performed there since its debut? Has it compared favorably with other Nippon Ichi titles, the previous two Disgaea releases specifically, given the same window of time?
Disgaea 3 has done surprisingly well for us in Japan. Due to the install base of the PS3, the total number of games sold doesn't match up against Disgaea 2, but the sell through has been good. In fact, we were close to selling off all the copies shipped out, which is a great accomplishment during this short period of time. Hopefully we'll have the same results here in the states.
It's impossible to look at the game's screenshots without asking the 10 million dollar question, namely why bring this to the PlayStation 3? It looks like a PS2 game. Is there something fundamentally "next-gen," to pull a phrase out of the vault, about Disgaea 3 that you simply could not accomplish on the previous console?
Good question. It's simply because PS2 lacks the processing power and memory capacity to support Disgaea 3. Compared to our previous titles, Disgaea 3 contains the most memory intensive battle maps, character numbers, and battle effects. PS2 could not load the same amount of data on to memory and process it like the PS3; therefore, we decided to develop it for the next-gen platform.
Was the move more of a business decision, perhaps reflective of a feeling that the PS2 has one foot in the grave and it's time to move on?
No, not at all. In fact, if we consider the install base of PS2 and PS3, PS2 is financially a far less risky platform to release on. However, in order to provide our fans with the best gaming experience, we wanted to release Disgaea 3 for PS3.
Over the last year we've seen titles like Odin Sphere and Grim Grimoire really push the boundaries of what we can expect from in-game sprites, but from the looks of things, a number of Disgaea 3's sprites look as if they were lifted directly from the previous games. Is this accurate, and if so, why not take this opportunity to really go all out and redraw sprites for the series' third console outing?
Just to clear things up, the character sprites for Disgaea 3 take 3~4 times the amount of labor to create compared to Disgaea 2. We admit it's no 1080p level sprite graphics, but we are doing our best to improve the sprites.
Can you comment on the possibility on bringing Disgaea 3 to other consoles? The Wii, for instance. Given the PS3's limited install base, it would seem to make sense for NIS to reach as wide a market as possible.
Considering Disgaea 3's game capacity it is possible to port the game to other platforms. We currently don't have any plans on releasing it on other platforms, but if our fans voice their opinions we might consider a port.
As you know, Disgaea 3 will be released in August and everybody in the office is working hard to meet the deadlines. We're currently in the translation/editing phase, which is the biggest part of the localization process. This usually takes us several months to finish and after this we move on to the voice recordings.
Disgaea 3 shipped in Japan in January. How has the game performed there since its debut? Has it compared favorably with other Nippon Ichi titles, the previous two Disgaea releases specifically, given the same window of time?
Disgaea 3 has done surprisingly well for us in Japan. Due to the install base of the PS3, the total number of games sold doesn't match up against Disgaea 2, but the sell through has been good. In fact, we were close to selling off all the copies shipped out, which is a great accomplishment during this short period of time. Hopefully we'll have the same results here in the states.
It's impossible to look at the game's screenshots without asking the 10 million dollar question, namely why bring this to the PlayStation 3? It looks like a PS2 game. Is there something fundamentally "next-gen," to pull a phrase out of the vault, about Disgaea 3 that you simply could not accomplish on the previous console?
Good question. It's simply because PS2 lacks the processing power and memory capacity to support Disgaea 3. Compared to our previous titles, Disgaea 3 contains the most memory intensive battle maps, character numbers, and battle effects. PS2 could not load the same amount of data on to memory and process it like the PS3; therefore, we decided to develop it for the next-gen platform.
Was the move more of a business decision, perhaps reflective of a feeling that the PS2 has one foot in the grave and it's time to move on?
No, not at all. In fact, if we consider the install base of PS2 and PS3, PS2 is financially a far less risky platform to release on. However, in order to provide our fans with the best gaming experience, we wanted to release Disgaea 3 for PS3.
Over the last year we've seen titles like Odin Sphere and Grim Grimoire really push the boundaries of what we can expect from in-game sprites, but from the looks of things, a number of Disgaea 3's sprites look as if they were lifted directly from the previous games. Is this accurate, and if so, why not take this opportunity to really go all out and redraw sprites for the series' third console outing?
Just to clear things up, the character sprites for Disgaea 3 take 3~4 times the amount of labor to create compared to Disgaea 2. We admit it's no 1080p level sprite graphics, but we are doing our best to improve the sprites.
Can you comment on the possibility on bringing Disgaea 3 to other consoles? The Wii, for instance. Given the PS3's limited install base, it would seem to make sense for NIS to reach as wide a market as possible.
Considering Disgaea 3's game capacity it is possible to port the game to other platforms. We currently don't have any plans on releasing it on other platforms, but if our fans voice their opinions we might consider a port.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jon @ Mar 13th 2008 10:37AM
"We currently don't have any plans on releasing it on other platforms, but if our fans voice their opinions we might consider a port."
PSP version please. After replaying Disgaea 1 on the PSP, I found the experience of playing SPRG titles far more compelling than being tied up in front of the TV.
Maurice M @ Mar 13th 2008 12:42PM
I totally agree with this. I'd much rather see Disgaea 2 and 3 ported to PSP as well. Though, you never know if its possible given what NIS claims to be doing here.
I find it weird I say that, since I also think Patapon is too much for a portable game and would make more sense on PSN >
derFunk @ Mar 13th 2008 10:23PM
forget Disgaea 3 on PSP for a minute, we need Disgaea 2 first. But then, sure.
JMD @ Mar 13th 2008 10:47AM
I can't wait! Disgaea's been one of my all time favorite SRPG series (right behind FFT for PS1), I love all the options you get with power leveling and controlling conquered monsters.
Raikage (LDF CRAB BATTLE!!!) @ Mar 13th 2008 2:54PM
Try Tactics Ogre on GBA and Ogre Battle 64... on the N64. You won't regret it.
And I finally get to play this! (On the DS)
Lonecow @ Mar 13th 2008 10:58AM
NIS is really good about actually listening to what fans want. It might take them a while to get around to it (i.e. Disgaea DS) but they might actually do a Wii version.
That will prevent me from buying a PS3 at least. lol
Draco @ Mar 13th 2008 11:01AM
I wouldn't count on a Wii version, I could see a 360 version, or even a PC version would be nice, but I don't know if the Wii will be able to handle the game. if it can handle Disgaea3 probably not Disgaea4
Lonecow @ Mar 13th 2008 11:09AM
I don't care what they say, a PS2 can handle Disgaea 3. Probably have stupidly long load times, but it can handle it. A wii is more powerful then a PS2, despite what Internet fanboys will tell you, and it can at the very least handle Disgaea 3.
The Disgaea series are stand alone titles too. They have cameo's from past characters, but nothing where you would have had to play 1 to understand 2. The sequel has to do with the gameplay mechanic, moreso then the storyline. If Disgaea 3 was on Wii then 4 isn't really that big of a deal.
Martez @ Mar 13th 2008 12:47PM
lol, "I don't care what the people who are actually working on the game say, I saw the screenshots, it can run on PS2!"
Learn things.
Lonecow @ Mar 13th 2008 1:14PM
lol, "I believe everything a marketing wizard payed to promote his game tells me! Also I'm a tool!"
learn things.
Rollins @ Mar 13th 2008 1:35PM
lol, "I'm stupid enough to believe that releasing a game on the PS3 is more profitable than releasing it on the PS2, a system with far more sales than the PS3 may ever have!"
Learn things.
Lonecow @ Mar 13th 2008 1:51PM
lol, "I'm a Sony fanboy who gets off on insulting others on message boards because I have nothing better to do all day, other then stand around Gamestop and talk to the employees who are my only friends, even though they only say, 'yeah," and 'uh huh' to me for the entire 8 hours that I stay up there."
Learn things.
Rollins @ Mar 13th 2008 4:54PM
I don't even own a Sony system.
Numbers don't lie though; it doesn't make sense for NIS to release the game on the PS3 if their creative vision would allow it to be on the PS2. It's a relatively niche title, so they could definitely use the larger install base. Not to mention that developing for the PS2 is far cheaper.
And was that GameStop insult really the best you could come up with? I guess I shouldn't be surprised, seeing as you think it's more profitable to develop and release a small-market title like Disgaea for the PS3.
Oh, sorry, I broke the format of this idiocy.
Lonecow @ Mar 13th 2008 5:16PM
Not that I care anymore, because you obviously have some kind of
weird bias against me, but I have no idea what you are even talking
about. I never even said that it was more profitable to release it
on PS3.
I know you are trying to make me mad, but it's not working. I do
however feel bad for you, that you have to go to bed every night
knowing that you are a prick. That must be hard life.
kevinski @ Mar 13th 2008 11:41AM
I'm still not buying this can't-be-done-on-PS2 crap. I'm not even doing this to troll, as I really don't like the PS2. It's just insulting to think that fans should be led to believe that this couldn't be done on PS2. This just shows that NIS simply doesn't care enough to look into ways of creating resource-efficient game content.
Also, the claim that developing for PS2 is "riskier" than developing for PS3 is ridiculous. If anything, they'll actually make less revenue on PS3, due to the more limited install base...even if the PS3 version would happen to cost $10 more (as it likely will).
ThePremierAssassin @ Mar 13th 2008 11:48AM
Best Post In This Thread...
Draco @ Mar 13th 2008 11:52AM
"PS2 is financially a far less risky platform to release on."
Did anyone notice how much better D2 was over D1 on the PS2? I expect the same changes from D3 to D4 on PS3. so developing for PS3 now is a good chance for them to build on their brand.
Have you ever seen the animations during the attacks? they are miles ahead of the static chess board scenes. thats why it couldn't play on PS2.
Noshino @ Mar 13th 2008 12:09PM
kevinski,
Please, read carefully the article, otherwise it makes you look like a total dumbass
"PS2 is financially a far less risky platform to release on"
If it is riskier to release/develop the game for PS3 instead of the PS2 (or any other console for that matter), why do you think they did so? I don't think we'll see a port for a while, its not their style...
Pawsie @ Mar 13th 2008 12:09PM
Well, they already have the development kit.. which is expensive, it wouldn't be wise to dump it to bring it out on another system. They already took the direction and it's a bit too late now.
They might have added 'more' things into the game.. which teh PS2 processor couldn't handle. No one saw teh scenes when they had dozen of character standing on each otehr.. and forming an attack. Or the different attacks characters can make as a team.
It could be done on the PS2 if they took all of that out, but it would be a lesser game. And there could be more inside the game we're unaware of.
But not everyone needs to get 3.. If things don't turn out well, they'll go over to other systems. They wanted to try something new.. the game sell will be the result..
If you don't get the game because you don't want to buy the system, they won't begrudge you.. so why are you begrudging them for putting it on that system.
Robobagins @ Mar 13th 2008 12:09PM
reading comprehension anyone?
Also yeah there was a Engine switch or something done between D2 and D1. The graphics are undoubtedly better. Which is why I find it hard to believe they could to a PSP port of D2. For the port of D1, we have everything in the PS2 version and more, shoved onto a tiny little disc(What is the max data a UMD can hold?) and basically running on a Playstation 1.75
Phi Nguyen @ Mar 13th 2008 12:33PM
Um, that's not what he said.
injate @ Mar 13th 2008 12:34PM
I for one think those screen shots look MUCH improved over the PS2 versions.
I TOTALLY buy it can't run on PS2. First off the terrains and sprites look much more detailed, I can see a BIG difference as someone who played disagae on a big screen TV. If you played it on a tiny ass TV you didn't notice how little detail it really had.
Secondly, We're not seeing the epic GIGA HEAL and GIGA STAR summon style animations for spells. Imagine how they'll be improved - hell they might even be 3d.
Before you call them a liars maybe you should buy your self a BR-ROM for your PC and import a copy to rip it your self and examine the contents of the game.
kevinski @ Mar 13th 2008 1:41PM
Hahahaha...oops...my bad. That's what I get for reading articles on Joystiq immediately after waking up. Still, the game could easiliy be done on PS2.
Martez @ Mar 13th 2008 12:48PM
The people pissed this isn't on the PS2 obviously are just pissed they don't have a PS3 to play it on.
I don't mind- it gives them a chance to get to know the PS3's much more complex architecture for what will hopefully be a holy-crap-awesome D4.
G$ @ Mar 13th 2008 12:52PM
I'd love to have this on the 360. I'm a big fan of the series. Fighting against other folks on Live may be something to explore.
Kamall @ Mar 13th 2008 2:37PM
I hope this series can stay on the PS3 and PSP. We need all the exclusives we can get. : (
Don't be so greedy you Wii and 360 owners, you already have plenty of games to last you a long time.
kftgr @ Mar 13th 2008 4:48PM
@Kamall
Talk about being greedy, you are the one that wants to keep it all to yourself. What's wrong with having more people enjoy and support the game and its developers?
Lonecow @ Mar 13th 2008 5:15PM
Not that I care anymore, because you obviously have some kind of
weird bias against me, but I have no idea what you are even talking
about. I never even said that it was more profitable to release it
on PS3.
I know you are trying to make me mad, but it's not working. I do
however feel bad for you, that you have to go to bed every night
knowing that you are a prick. That must be hard life.
Dr_W@dsy @ Mar 13th 2008 6:37PM
I'd like to be the first to say
.
.
.
meh
Webo @ Mar 31st 2008 5:24AM
I'd like the game to have more of a competitive edge eg. Online battles maybe even four or more players, because as I'm sure we all love the game's concept. what good is grinding out hundreds of hours in game-play levelling your characters to the max if you cant have an all out war or two against players of equal strength.