At the same Japanese press conference which saw the unveiling of the Xbox 360's
Last Hope, Namco Bandai announced a release date for its cel-shaded Xbox 360 RPG,
Tales of Vesperia. According to
IGN's liveblog of the event, the magnificently colorful, blue-sky adventure will hit Japan (in a premium console bundle) on August 7th, with versions
you can understand arriving in the same month. A European release is currently planned for 2009.
Namco Bandai also noted that a demo is scheduled to become available on Xbox Live sometime in June -- judging by the publisher's
previous RPG teaser, it shouldn't be confined to the Japanese marketplace for very long, if at all.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Stoo @ Jun 10th 2008 6:55AM
I don't get it, where are the PS3 RPG's?
Genuine question:
Why are a lot of RPG's making it onto the Xbox rather than the PS3. Do developers see the larger install base in the west as an advantage and feel that is more important than trying to get market share in a (probably) crowded RPG market in Japan?
Is Microsoft offering incentives to the developers (monetary or otherwise)?
Is Xbox development significantly cheaper for games that achieve relatively low sales in comparison to big budget FPS', and established franchises. The PS3 being less economically viable for games that don't achieve 7 figure sales.
Other reasons?
I want to play these on my PS3 not on my Xbox, I don't have to reach as far to pick up my PS3 controller :(
borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Jun 10th 2008 7:11AM
My wild guess is that it is the larger install base of the 360 in America. Neither next gen console is selling well in Japan, so games that need more than the Wii can provide are being developed on the platform with a huge NA following.
I'll wager there's some Microsoft bux being spent too.
NegativeZero @ Jun 10th 2008 7:26AM
I think that while it's true that the 360 has a very small install base in Japan, if you look at the actual demographic that has them then a lot of the core audience for JRPGs owns the system. It's also probably a case of Microsoft offering incentives, and that the 360 has far more sales potential in the US. The JRPGs that MS are picking up as timed exclusives and whatnot are usually mid-to-high budget stuff, so they need to look to a wider audience.
browntown @ Jun 10th 2008 8:04AM
MS is probably offering incentives or its because the dev kits were out earlier than ps3 ones.
browntown @ Jun 10th 2008 8:06AM
Oh, i forgot to mention that some ps3 games have sold well in japan, dmc4 sold about 300 k according to vgcharts. Of course new ips don't sell so hot there, so im guess namco is trying to crack the west or being fai rsince the ps3 has tekken 6 exclusive, but thats about it.
Jonathan @ Jun 10th 2008 1:05PM
The Tales devs said they went to make a next gen Tales when only 360 was out and ready to be used.
Then they were confident with sticking with 360 years later looking at world wide sales.
It's not all about selling your game in Japan.
Maverick Saturn @ Jun 10th 2008 7:11AM
Im just waiting for more Lost Oddysee type RPGS, I hate cartoony ones unless they have a damn magnificent storyline to go with them
Charlie_Six @ Jun 10th 2008 7:23AM
Namco Bandai, is Mobile Ops: The One Year coming to the USA or not??? Gahhhhhh!!
Charlie_Six @ Jun 10th 2008 7:24AM
Ahem that should read The One Year War..
Foetoid @ Jun 10th 2008 8:43AM
Tales of Symphonia on the Gamecube is still the best RPG i have ever played, even better than FFX/FFVII IMO (barely). How do the other Tales games stack up to the almighty Tales of Symphonia? Im just glad thier making a ToS sequal for Wii, the day that was announced was like the best day of my life (until they release a proper Zerg gameplay video for Starcraft 2).
Rauten @ Jun 10th 2008 8:57AM
I played Tales of Symphonia, loved it aswell, then played Tales of the Abyss for the PS2, and stopped loving Symphonia. For me, ToA was better in almost all aspects about the game.
Farseer (GDI) @ Jun 10th 2008 10:38AM
I also loved ToS, but never did play ToA. I just sold my PS2, so I guess that I never will now... Oh well. My 360 is itching for another RPS, so I'm looking forward to ToV.
I hope they keep a combat system similar to the one used in ToS.
TwEE @ Jun 10th 2008 1:45PM
Tales of Symphonia is the best rpg you ever played? Really?..
Rauten @ Jun 10th 2008 9:00AM
Talk about dissappointment. I read the title saying the game will out in August, and my mouth starts to water up.
Then I read that it won't be released until 2009 for Europe?! and knowing Namco, I already know the game is not going to be region-free.
Thanks a LOT dear Namco, for showing your middle finger to the European market.
Why must the ones I love the most hurt me the most too? ;_;
Superstar90 @ Jun 10th 2008 9:20AM
OOOOOOH MYYYYYYYY GOOOOOOOOD. I love Tales games. Actually, I just love all ARPGs (except FF:Crystal Chronicles). I love the possibility of demos this gen too. I am going to download all of the new ones (since I haven't had my 360 for 3 months) then I can have like a whole game made of little demos.
Co @ Jun 10th 2008 9:31AM
They might as well start porting this over to Wii or any of the 3 Playstations if they expect to reap any sales from it.
Superstar90 @ Jun 10th 2008 10:12AM
The Tales series is pretty big in the NA and Europe, if not Symphonia PS2 would have come out in the US. Namco will probably put it out for PS3 eventually, but Wii is getting Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
Farseer (GDI) @ Jun 10th 2008 10:51AM
As far as I knew, they were already planning to release this on the Wii...
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/27/namco-chases-tales-to-north-america-for-wii-xbox-360/
Exo @ Jun 10th 2008 1:51PM
they arnt putting this game on wii, they are making a sequal to tales of symponia on wii
Farseer (GDI) @ Jun 10th 2008 2:15PM
doh...
You're right Exo. That's what I get for not reading the article I linked.
/facepalm
Ninjakamster (PS360 FTW!) @ Jun 10th 2008 12:19PM
This has to be a PS3 release in Japan at least for them to sell their game there.
MrXevious @ Jun 10th 2008 3:50PM
Tales of Symphonia: DOTNW is great and all...
...but I *really* want to play Vesperia. I REFUSE to buy a 360 because I hate its library of games and I'm not just about to purchase a console for ONE game. Even if it's a Tales game.
Namco-Bandai, you make me weep.
Fonic @ Jun 10th 2008 4:35PM
Looks great. I wonder if it will be as good as Tales of the Abyss.