Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype Version response will determine fate of full game

by JC Fletcher on Apr 22nd 2011 9:32AM

Since the beginning of the Mega Man Legends 3 Project, Capcom has put forth the impression that the 3DS game is in danger -- that it hasn't been green-lit, and needs lots of interest and participation from fans to avoid being axed at any second.

Even with the impending release of a playable demo, that hasn't changed. In a Capcom-Unity blog post, director Masakazu Eguchi explained that the "Prototype Version" being released on the 3DS eShop is based on the prototype the team built to convince Capcom to let development continue, being released to the public after an "unprecedented agreement."

"Furthermore," Eguchi said, "the heat and excitement surrounding this downloadable title would determine whether or not the full game could be green-lit. If hype is strong, the full title will be a go. If not, it's a no-go." With Prototype Version, it'll be easy to measure "hype" in sales.

Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype Version (3DS)

Tags: 3ds, capcom, ds, masakazu-eguchi, mega-man-legends-3, mega-man-legends-3-project, mega-man-legends-3-prototype-version, nintendo

Reader Comments (76)

WOW OKAY

"Well guys, Dead Rising: Case Zero was a success. We've managed to create a great middle ground between demos and paid experiences. Where do we go from here?"

"Well... we could hold games hostage! The full game doesn't come out unless people buy the demo!"

Of course this only applies if they charge for this.

I kinda imagine they will.

Additionally, this could all be a lie. Anybody who follows Capcom's fighting games knows they lie basically non-stop, so who knows.

@Acosta02

Yeah well that sucks for them. Tho I love the Legends franchise but the 3DS really doesn't have anything that screams for me to buy it, certainly not a paid demo. Even if said Paid demo holds the key to eventually getting the full game released.

What happened to you Capcom, you used to be cool.

@Scuffles
I really hope this doesn't become a trend with videogames. I could understand releasing a shareware or "almost giving it away price"(which they technically are); but to dangle a well-known character/franchise in front of consumers like this is just sad. :\

@Acosta02

If it is a 'paid' demo, then Crapcom can KMA. I still haven't forgiven them for:
- NO Dead Rising 2 Case Zero release in my region
- NO AAI2 on the DS
- $7 characters for MvC3

I'll buy the full game if it comes out (you know it will eitherway, just a way to milk some cash from idiots), not paying for a DEMO (unless its a side game like case zero). And if they deem the sales too low for a release, I'll buy the demo later used....wait

@Acosta02
Bye MML3. It was nice knowing you, for all of the 43 seconds you existed. Sorry to see you go.

@Acosta02

I was just going to post something similar. This is the dumbest BS. I'm tired of this being done to games. Holding titles hostage or releasing a paid demo is just ludicrous. I have to spend money to prove my interest? Or pay money to taste a small sample of your game? When I could easily rent the FULL game for a week at my local movie store for $10, which is easily enough time to be most titles?

Forget it. You've now lost my interest. Thanks.

@Trilancer You know MvC3 characters cost $5 and not $7, right?

@jtrjuwrue5iiejie5ijeie3i5
1. Does $2 REALLY make a big difference?
2. Where he lives, its price may convert to $7.

@PN04

I got really mad at this post because I thought you were telling me to "buy" MML3 and that I only existed for 43 seconds.

Haha, what a story, Mark.

I always suspected that this was the case.

I'll get it (dependant on price). Not because im an uber Megaman fan or anything, but purely because the trailer made it seem fun. Plus using this barret guys hoverbike-thing while manouvering around a 3D city should be pretty cool.

@Red Deer

For anyone who's interested someone capture 9 Minutes of gameplay:
http://nintendo3dsblog.com/9-minutes-of-mega-man-legends-3-gameplay-footage

Its said to cost 200 yen. So expect it to cost around 2 quid, haven't watched the full vid yet but it looks enjoyable.

C'mon Capcom. Megaman is like one of your flagships.

You'd be surprised how many people still prefer Megaman over Zero.

Just sayin'.

Hopefully the when the 3DS store comes out, you can actually rate it / comment on it. I'll put the effort in to make sure this game comes out.

@Bahamett
The Mega Man (Mega Man Volnutt) from the legends (Rockman DASH) series isn't even the original bomber.
I think the timeline was something like this:
200x: original Mega Man series (Mega Man, Proto Man)
21xx: Mega Man X series (X and Zero)
about 100 years later: Mega Man Zero (Zero)
unknown time after that: ZX series (Biometals left from Zero series)
several thousand years after ZX: Mega Man Legends (Mega Man Volnutt)

So... yeah. Anyway, I hope this game gets released. Not having a 3DS (yet) I'm unable to support it though.

Case Zero was one **** of an extensive demo--that's how it felt to me, anyway. If this has about the same amount of content PLUS a debug mode and exploration of unfinished areas, yeah, it'll be worth it.

Besides, it's MegaMan Legends. A new Mega Man Legends. It's your civic ****ing duty to buy 12 if that's what it takes.

Thirdly, take off your tinfoil hat. The glare's hurting my eyes.

@TheChezDispenser

I'm on board with you. I have no problem paying $3 for an hour long demo that goes towards supporting the game I wanna buy. People have no problem spending $3 on junkware from the apple or android market, but $3 for an actual game with substance that will have longetivity well beyond your iOS games is akin to asking for your first born. Labeling something as a demo seems to be the kiss of death, as it's completely impossible logic to pay for partial price for a partial game. Heaven forbid.

(That was directed @Acosta02)

I'll download it right away!!!

Oh wait...

This would make sense a few years into the 3DS's lifetime, but a few months and with just over a million units sold ... and millions of people not wanting to buy one until good games (MML3 included) is released? They may as well openly admit they don't want to finish it.

@Epoque

Yeah, my interest in buying a 3DS isn't going to really kick in til well past June, when all the good games are starting to come out... and if they really wanted to measure "fan interest" they should of made this free. Not everyone whose dying for Megaman Legends 3 is going to like the fact we'll have to pay to "alpha" test or whatever for them.

"You guys *better* get this or else we'll cancel it!" ...is what I'm reading from that.

...man, times sure have changed :(

@ShadowXIII

Well, remember that there's not the kind of money floating around that there was even 4 years ago. Just look how many studios have been shuttered recently. Even Capcom has had 3 huge bombs in the past year or so (Dark Void, Lost Planet 2, and Bionic Commando) so you can't really blame them for not wanting to take as many risks with their properties. They want to know that this game is going to sell as early in its development cycle as possible.

That said, yes it sucks, but at least they're still in business.

@baby sea tuna
At this point I'd rather capcom go out of business rather than see them continue to fist people like this. Show them they're really making poor business decisions and stop falling for their ludicrous terms. They want the game to sell? Just freaking release it. the 3DS has like 3 games worth playing for the next 6 months! people will buy it out of pure starvation!

@baby sea tuna
That's no excuse to threaten people into paying for demos. Businesses have a large variety of ways to gauge demand for a potential product. This ain't it. This is just a cheap ploy to get people to pay for a trickling of content.

If they were truly concerned about fan support they'd release it for free and run metrics on how it's doing (how long it's being played, feedback, etc.). Charging for it shouldn't be a part of this equation whatsoever, and coupling the price tag with a threat of cancellation only solidifies the fact that this is a cheap cash grab, not a legitimate "study".

Seriously? What a poor attitude. I was interested in this game but I won't be paying for a "prototype version" that is basically a tech demo they used to pitch the concept to the higher ups to begin with. I'm not funding their game project, sorry. You are Capcom for crying out loud, not some indie dev that needs financial support to finish their game idea.

@Poor Tom it's only 2 dollars and they do give you a lot of content tey even let you access the debug menu.

@Poor Tom it's only 2 dollars and they are giving you alot of content for 2 dollars. it's like a whole prologue and the debug menu

I was afraid this would be the case.

Capcom must not be aware that the 3DS is a new platform and that not everyone willing to buy another Megaman Legends game has one. I guess you can count my "vote with dollars" out cause I don't plan on buying a 3DS anytime soon.

When I really think about it, if CAPCOM doesn't have enough faith in Megaman Legends to try and make another full game, why should I?

I was afraid that this would be the case

Guess Capcom doesn't realize 3DS is a new platform and not everyone who is willing to buy another Megaman Legends game has one. I won't be "voting with dollars" for this one because I don't plan on buying a 3DS anytime soon.

When I really think about it, if CAPCOM doesn't have enough faith in Megaman Legends to release another full title, why should I?

@Lerkero

Maybe that's why they're doing this. Not only do a lot of people who are MML fans, not have 3DSs...but many people who have 3DSs may not know what MML even is. It seems like a good litmus test to see how much work they can/need to put into the project.

I don't agree with them doing this 100% either and I don't know why I keep defending this practice, but I guess the combination of wanting another Legends game and needing to justify my 3DS purchase is pretty compelling to me at this point.

@baby sea tuna
Games sell systems, it's not the other way around. They want more 3DSs to sell they need to sell games that people want to play on it. It was the same argument for the PS3, and people took for ever to listen to that for years, some still don't understand it.

This is extortion, plain and simple.

Holy CRAP! I was planing on waiting to buy a 3DS when the inevitable revision comes out (come on you KNOW Nintendo is going to redesign the 3DS next year); but if the fate of Mega Man Legends 3 hangs in the balance I have no choice!

I guess I'm buying a 3DS this weekend.

@NaeemTHM I think David Hannum would like a word with you...

Piss off Capcom. You used to be one of the cool kids.

If they get Legends 3 on 3DS, I hope they also remaster Legends 1, Legends 2, and Misadventures of Tron Bonne on the 3DS...

@xxnike629xx

You know If they did somehow magic a Legends Anthology W/ Tron Bonne ........ I would be all over that like so fast I might just have to sue Capcom for the whiplash.

Dear Capcom,

Just axe the game if you're going to be dickish about the situation.

The 3DS just came out. With a lot of their moves Capcom seems to be intentionally trying to kill their franchises off.

@original fred

Yeah, I'm sure they're lamenting the fact that SSIV 3D sold like a million copies as we speak.

@baby sea tuna
I think you accidentally hit reply.

@original fred
*some of their franchises off

And I really would buy this if I had the gaming funds for a 3DS. I just hope there are enough early 3DS adopters that get this. Capcom could very easily look at the numbers and think they're not enough, even if they're good for the circumstances. I just hope they look at the numbers with reasonable eyes.

@original fred
They sold a record number of the thing in Australia, they've pumped out millions of them in Japan and the US, how can there NOT be enough units to justify create a AAA game for the system. They have a chance to get in on the ground floor with a well respected adventure title and they're wringing their hands over it.

They're idiots.

It actually looks like a lot of fun. I'll spend the 2$, at least to have another thing to play on my 3DS

If Capcom were serious about this demo, then MegaMan would be playable, not the chick.

@Elranzer

The chick isn't playable though. It's the red-haired guy you see in the trailer.

Also, it's probably to familiarize newcomers to the Legends universe. A fresh face will have everything explained to him, resulting in less confused people that have no idea why Megaman is currently on the moon.

Capcom, you have officially earned the badge of "SUCK".

@CaptainProtonX
They earned that years ago, this is just a new level of SUCK.

We can cry that Capcom is 'holding the game hostage' all we want, but at the end of the day we know that making a game is expensive and the Megaman Legends brand has never been an exceedingly high selling property. Capcom kind of needs to do this so they can know if it's worth it to actually invest in this game so that they can see a reasonable return.

It sucks, but it kind of has to happen. The fate of a game resting on the sales of a downloadable title for a brand new handheld that not a lot of people own currently is a dick move though.

@Ninjasoup
Your argument would hold water if they weren't CHARGING for the demo. I mean, who the hell charges for demos? Especially if they're doing it as a "study" to gauge fan hype?

No. They're just looking for a way to charge for a demo and they're disguising that deplorable behavior behind ridiculous threats. Buy this $2 demo or we don't release the game? Have they lost their minds?

@PointlessPuppies

Download numbers for a free demo would mean nothing (and this isn't exactly a demo, as the purpose of a demo is to convince people to buy the full version your game). People can download a demo, but that doesn't mean that they're going to buy your game. Hell, I download a ton of demos for games I know I'm never going to buy. If people buy this alpha build it shows Capcom that they have interest in the Megaman Legends brand.

As crap-tastic of a tactic this is, I'll still download it just cause I love MML series. That said, It would REALLY suck if I loved the demo, and they canceled the game.

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Mega Man Legends 3 Project

Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype Version response will determine fate of full game

Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype Version (3DS)

Reader Comments (76)

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:42AM Acosta02 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:13AM Scuffles said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:50AM foxhound said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:16AM Trilancer said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 12:52PM PN04 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 1:20PM Dark Mirage said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 2:38PM jtrjuwrue5iiejie5ijeie3i5 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 2:53PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 4:15PM Acosta02 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:44AM Red Deer said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:23AM Red Deer said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:46AM Bahamett said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:24AM sparkster said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:52AM TheChezDispenser said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 2:33PM Punkrawk Bbob said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:52AM TheChezDispenser said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:54AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:55AM Epoque said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:45AM DevilSei said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 9:56AM ShadowXIII said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:57AM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 12:57PM PN04 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 1:50PM PointlessPuppies said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:18AM Poor Tom said

Posted: May 7th 2011 7:56PM Airdemon said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:35AM Airdemon said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:06AM Lerkero said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:04AM Lerkero said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:03AM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 1:00PM PN04 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:23AM NaeemTHM said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 5:04PM Tinkus said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:12AM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:27AM xxnike629xx said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:25AM Scuffles said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:33AM The Joy of Painting w Bob Ross said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 10:54AM original fred said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:05AM baby sea tuna said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:06AM original fred said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:19AM original fred said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 1:04PM PN04 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:08AM SteveoftheGods said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:03AM Elranzer said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:55AM Ninjasoup said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:42AM CaptainProtonX said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 1:05PM PN04 said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 11:49AM Ninjasoup said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 1:30PM PointlessPuppies said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 2:06PM Ninjasoup said

Posted: Apr 22nd 2011 12:23PM jph89 said

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