Capcom: No plans to localize Ace Attorney Investigations 2 'at this time'

by JC Fletcher on Apr 11th 2011 10:45AM

If you're eager to find out about the ongoing adventures of Miles Edgeworth, Dick Gumshoe, and Kay Faraday (like we are), we have some possibly distressing news to report. Capcom is currently denying any plans to localize Ace Attorney Investigations 2. During a recent "Ask Capcom" video, VP of strategic planning and business development Christian Svensson answered a question about the game pretty flatly: "The answer is 'no.' Sorry about that."

He echoed this sentiment in a less definite manner on other occasions, telling Capcom forum members "Regarding AAI2 sorry guys, there's no plans for Western release at this time." Finally, he clarified Capcom's position in a statement to Siliconera: "Regarding the question, plans change all the time so I would probably rather use the 'There are no plans for a Western release at this time for AAI2.'"

We can't help but be reminded of Atlus's recent declaration of "no plans" to localize Catherine, followed two days later by the announcement of a North American release. As for Capcom, there were no plans for a Western release of the Wii port of Resident Evil Zero, either -- Svensson even said that Capcom USA was "asked twice if we've wanted to bring it Westward and twice we've declined." The third time, it relented; the game came out in North America in 2009. So, yes, plans change all the time.

Source: Siliconera

Tags: ace-attorney-investigations-2, capcom, christian-svensson, ds, localization, miles-edgeworth, nintendo

Reader Comments (50)

Noooooooooo!

@Iamdude

http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/

It looks like it's time to bust out the torches and pitchforks again, everyone.

@Saladfork

First they had no plans for a p.c. version of SSFIV, and the DLC of resident 5, now they don´t have plans for a conversion of one of the must popular franchises they have for the american market, and it´s for one of the biggest platforms out there the NDS. does capcom hates money or what??

@Hunter141072
Maybe they just hate us

There's already a petition, guys. http://www.petitiononline.com/AAI2US/petition.html

@Lucky The Fox
Signed it, I'd kind of like a European release as well, importing from America is ridiculously expensive for a student like myself.

I still doubt that if Capcom is against a western release, 1700 signatures are going to make a difference though...keep signing you guys!

Which reminds me, yay for territorial lockout (3DS)

By yay, i mean damn you nintendo.

@Lucky The Fox

Thanks for the link! Just signed the petition.
Although I really doubt that they will not release it stateside.. All of the other games in the Ace Attorney series were released in the US and it's not like it's not popular.

Also, I'm a bit confused...
In the Japanese releases, isn't there an English language option?
I know, I know.. "We still have to import it" even if the feature exists. Just curious.

@Jyuzou
That option only exists in the first three games, and also the translation isn't as good as the official English release. It would have been better then nothing I suppose.

This is the wost news I have heard in... ever.

Ever.

Should I do it? Why not.

OBJECTION!

Why the hell would you not?

They're pretty popular over here, aren't they?

OBJECTION!!!

Seems like every iteration has trouble getting here.

Damn I was beat to it.

If what companies said had any correlation to what they actually do, then I would be concerned.

We are of course talking about a franchise that has made them a decent chunk of pocket change so there is little doubt they will be localizing it. Regardless of what they are saying now.

@Scuffles

Damn it CAPCOM have WATSON localize it, I hear he works for free.

Edgeworth thinks to himself "Hmmmmm...does Capcom like money?"

@CaptainProtonX

They must not at the moment

@Jawmuncher

Honestly I think this whole "no current plans to localize schtick" Is little more than marketing to drive public outcry for a game that they have every intention of localizing regardless.

Having worked on numerous games, I can tell you two things:

1) Localization is one of the least favorite tasks for game developers - and often is put off until the last minute
2) Localization is made worse when companies don't plan for it at the start of the project.

Basically, if a game doesn't plan for localization in the start, it usually costs a lot to do and is done wrong.

Sucks to see though.

@d3sc3nd3ncy
That argument would work a hell of a lot better if a) Capcom hadn't previously localized games running on more or less (if not the exact) same engine, or b) if this was any other studio than Capcom, or c) this was 1992 and the concept of "resource files" was a quaint novelty in the programming world instead of the de-facto standard that it is today.

@d3sc3nd3ncy

I really don't buy that.

The AA games have a pretty dedicated fanbase that has done fan-translations before.

Capcom could just ask for volunteers to do it for free and they'd probably get hundreds. Make them sign a contract stating they agree to waive rights/royalties/whatever and the problem is solved.

@d3sc3nd3ncy
And not only that, but given the awesome track record that this series has in terms of localizations, Capcom's stalling is quite odd. I wonder if the first Investigations game didn't sell very well?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I feel like I'm offering Capcom my money and I'm being refused.

Why is that dude dressed like he's from the 1700's?

@MEGATOOL

Because he's Miles Edgeworth and he can.

Can we Press Capcom for more infoormation.

FFFFFFFFFF

Capcom has been pretty terrible lately. It seems all they care about now are fighting games.

This better not be a sign that Wright X Layton will not come to US as well.

I can't help but think that's the wrong finger being extended.

Hmm, did the first Edgeworth Ace Attorney game not sell as well as the Phoenix Wright ones here?

I gotta admit, as much as I love the Ace Attorney games (and Gumshoe is my favorite character!!), the Edgeworth one didn't seem that good to me.

@Naru now in 3D I liked it, but then again I'm a huge fanboy for the series. The sales don't seem terribly impressive, sadly. http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/33988/ace-attorney-investigations-miles-edgeworth/

@Naru now in 3D

Have you tried it? It's a very similar experience to the previous games int he series, and with the possible exception of the 3rd game) the best in the franchise. If you enjoyed the previous ones, definitely grab it.

@Vesuvium Yeah, I bought Ace Attorney Investigations shortly after it came out, and I got to the middle of the last trial before I ended up moving onto other games.

None of the trials were nearly as memorable as the ones in the original three, imo...

Does anyone know if there is a fan made translation yet? The game has been out in Japan for a few months now.. Man I wish I could read that gibberish :(

HOLD IT!

Well then Capcom, I won't be converting any of my Dollars as Yen. How'd you like that?!

You would think that they are doing this as a publicity stunt to get more attention (as did happen with the other titles) and then have the game come out with a higher price point and people thanking them for the gift that is what should have happened.

Capcom means Apple in some alien language I'm sure

Capcom, do us some justice and make this happen...

APOLLO JUSTICE!!

Yeah, I prefer Phoenix as well.

I actually just started a new game of Ace Attorney Investigations a few days ago, in anticipation of the localised sequel...and then I hear this. D:

There are fans though, fans that will translate this themselves if determined enough.
Did you know there's fan-translations of the GBA Gyakuten Saiban games?

Super super disappointed in this announcement. AA is one of my favorite series in my 20 years of gaming. Here's hoping that they change their minds because my collection won't be complete without a localized AAI2. :(

Thank God someone at Capcom has some goddamned sense.

Maybe now they'll pool their resources to develop the Dark Void sequel everyone has been clamoring for.

Or maybe they can run the Lost Planet franchise a little further into the ground.

Or maybe a continuation of the Bionic Commando reboot. Because that was a hit.

Or maybe, Capcom, just maybe, you can just localize the next game in one of the few franchises that you haven't slathered in flaming dogshit. Like Ace Attorney Investigations.

Or not...I mean, what do I know? Maybe just crank out another Rocketmen: Blah Blah Axis of Blah Blah for XBLA/PSN. I'd hate to tell a multinational company how to properly buttf*ck themselves.

It's Capcom, not Namco... I HAVE FAITH. :D

The Ace Attorney series is the best thing on the DS. I really hope they reconsider.

I'm pretty sure it'll end up getting localized. They just don't have any official word on it yet.

It's like Capcom wants people to download the Japanese ROM and apply a translation patch to it.

Seriously, has Capcom done anything right these last few months?

How DARE they! D:

FFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

What the hell? Doesn't the Ace Attorney series do well over here? Why NOT port it over?

Do you hear that, Fezzik? That is the sound of Ultimate Despair.

Ace Attorney Investigations 2

Capcom: No plans to localize Ace Attorney Investigations 2 'at this time'

Reader Comments (50)

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 10:52AM Iamdude said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:00AM Saladfork said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:00PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:56PM Iamdude said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 1:30PM Lucky The Fox said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 2:09PM Iamdude said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 8:29PM Extinction said

Posted: Apr 12th 2011 7:37AM Jyuzou said

Posted: Apr 12th 2011 9:06AM Iamdude said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 10:55AM Vesuvium said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 10:57AM Colin said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 10:58AM Ezio Auditore da Firenze said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 10:59AM CLOUD9 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:00AM DelTrigger said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:00AM CLOUD9 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:00AM Scuffles said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 2:22PM Trilancer said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:06AM CaptainProtonX said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:13AM Jawmuncher said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:24AM Scuffles said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:07AM d3sc3nd3ncy said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:04PM John Z said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:09PM Strollymonster said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:58PM Darklink2009 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:10AM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:15AM supersonic124 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:43AM MEGATOOL said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:58AM Colin said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:55AM CLOUD9 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 11:57AM MLS said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:01PM John Z said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:09PM Naru now in 3D said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:24PM Faceless Troll said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 2:43PM Vesuvium said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 3:47PM Naru now in 3D said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:44PM StEvEY5036 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 12:51PM Gaddes said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 1:28PM Trilancer said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 2:21PM vgxtremist XBLA IllWill3387 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 2:52PM RupeeClock said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 2:57PM lawrencethomas3 said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 3:13PM Urethra Alfredo said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 3:23PM The Only Girl said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 4:49PM Misanthropic Gamer said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 4:52PM SushiGummy said

Posted: Apr 11th 2011 8:16PM Tinkus said

Posted: Apr 12th 2011 2:28AM Leccoc said

Posted: Apr 12th 2011 3:40AM Windmill said

Posted: Apr 12th 2011 10:27AM Kira Blaize said

Posted: Apr 12th 2011 6:19PM Onomah said

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