Cave's petition for release of XBox 360 Espgaluda II Region-Free

[Van_Artic]

hello everyone

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29649

people from shmup.com are writing an e-mail to CAVE (in japanese of course) to ask informations or even the release of ESPGaluda II Black Label for Xbox 360 in a region-free format

after seeing the release of Mushihimesama Futari, there's a little hope that this game could cross the european and american import market

the e-mail will gather signatures from all people who want to show love for CAVE by releasing/localizing more games (Deathsmiles especially)

all you have to do is leave on that topic your pseudonym / city and country, even if it's your first message on that forum, it won't matter

thank you for your attention

[Bananamatic]

I would, but I won't get a 360, period

[Aisha]

It's probably too late given that the master copy is being submitted today (probably already has) and making a game region-free isn't as simple as changing a variable and calling it a day (although technically it might be :V).

The best you could hope for is a localized and/or online-distributed version in the future I guess; and admittedly, I'd prefer the latter, especially for the PC.

Have they even said anything about the region status of ESPGaluda II anyway, or is everyone just assuming that it's region-locked because nothing has been said?

[Observer]

Same here, I'm all hoping for Cave games ported to PC. Less Mame, less region locking talk and more action and probably upcoming mods that might fix the slowdown or screen tricks for l33t tr00 kvlt displays and such. But, mainly, because the PC is currently my gaming platform...

A PC "Cave Shooting Pack" would be kickass. And a Ketsui release by them and not with 5pb would be even better.

[Aisha]

I like the PC option more because it bypasses the need for a 360 entirely. That, and I prefer keyboard controls to gamepads, although I suppose that's a moot point if you have a stick that you can use between the PC and 360.

Ketsui is my dream game.~ One day I'll get my hands on it and play Stage 4 endlessly, because I will never get tired of its music.

[Bananamatic]

mods that might fix the slowdown

fix the slowdown

I hope that you aren't serious ;_;

[Observer]

I hope that you aren't serious ;_;

No, hopefully I'm not. 

And it's not something that it really needs "fixing" per se.

It's just that I'm curious (in a sick, House-like twisted way) regarding this matter and an option to disable slowdown altogether would be quite interesting to see. And, for PC, it's almost a given someone will produce a mod or something to force full fps all the time. Like I said at the schmukmup forums: Ultimate Nightmare (c).

And what Aisha said. Bypassing the 360 would be a nice plus. :V

[Matsuri]

If CAVE's loyal western fans couldn't convince them to go region free by buying Futari, I seriously doubt they'll be doing any more region free releases, regardless of petitions. We're all better off importing 360 consoles.

[Ghaleon]

why 360.. whyyyyy

[BoLaD]

Good thing I'm getting a 360 soon.

[Third Eye Lem]

I'm kind of neutral on the issue, because I'm not that good at bullet hell games since I played Touhou. I would like to see Cave's shooters come stateside, simply because Cave has a good fanbase over here as well, and we Americans love to shoot stuff (regardless if it's insects, steampunk machines or modern-day machines).

I'm also for a PC version of the games too, if Cave is willing to do that. Keyboard > gamepad for shooting games simply because I grew used to using them. Easier to tap dodge too. =V

EDIT!

@Matsuri: That would be a viable option if it weren't for the fact that Imported 360s cost more than US ones, and the DLC for JP 360 games is ZOMG EXPENSIVE (at least the Otomedius DLC is).

@Ghaleon: Because the 360's practically a PC. Would you rather they port to the PS3?

@Observer: Slowdown is the reason why most bullet hell games are possible to beat in the first place. Removing that would be like removing the ability to fuse demons together in MegaTen--it's crazy and not a good idea.

[Aisha]

If CAVE had a good fanbase in the West--no--worldwide, then there wouldn't be a need for this thread in the first place. Instead we're stuck waiting until something like the week of the release of ESPGaluda II to find out whether or not it's region-locked.

It occurred to me earlier that they could be doing an experiment by making Futari region-free, localizing DeathSmiles, and seeing which approach of the two pulls in more foreign sales.

[Matsuri]

@Matsuri: That would be a viable option if it weren't for the fact that Imported 360s cost more than US ones, and the DLC for JP 360 games is ZOMG EXPENSIVE (at least the Otomedius DLC is).

You have to be willing to spend money if you're in to shmups. Especially once you get into the realm of cabs and PCBs. An imported console is nothing in comparison.

[Aisha]

A single Futari PCB costs several hundred more than getting a J360 setup from scratch. :V

[Ghaleon]

Aye, I'd Prefer ps3 because I don't trust disposable consoles (I'm a lemon magnet as it is already). As for willing to spend money, I'm willing if I had that much free cash. One can enjoy things even if they cannot access them unfortunately. Anyway, do Japanese xboxes get fixed in north America during the warrenty? Or are you screwed if you have a Japanese xbox in NA?

[Aisha]

Anyway, do Japanese xboxes get fixed in north America during the warrenty? Or are you screwed if you have a Japanese xbox in NA?

The safest answer is "maybe." I've heard people say that they've been able to get their J360 repaired in North America, and others who say that they weren't. It's a bit extreme, but if it comes to it, you might be able to find someone in Japan who can act as a proxy for you and get it repaired there, assuming that doing so isn't more expensive than outright buying a new one.

The good news is that the newer Arcade units are said to have a very low fail-rate.

[shadowbringer]

Aye, I'd Prefer ps3 because I don't trust disposable consoles (I'm a lemon magnet as it is already).

speaking about money, it seems that developing games for the PS3 demand expensive game development tools and time to learn the PS3's intricacies, according to this site:
http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/state-shoot-%E2%80%98em-up (see the 4th page)

edit: I may be inaccurate about the game development kits being expensive, it may be just the time required to get used to developing to the PS3. (lol comprehension fail :/ )

[Bananamatic]

make for pc, sell through steam
everyone is happy

[N-Forza]

Buy Deathsmiles, even if you don't like it, if you want more Cave games to come out. That's probably the most effective thing you can do.

[Zakenna]

looks like we got our wish, they made the normal version of Espgaluda II BL region free but apparently the Special Editions hit the press before they could make that one region free.

http://kotaku.com/5471899/if-you-want-to-play-espgaluda-ii-read-this-post

Put my Pre-order in as soon as I heard about it.

[Matsuri]

I already mentioned that in the STG thread. :V

[Bananamatic]

And if you don't have an Xbox 360, well, then get your butt to the nearest Japanese arcade!

And if I don't have any Japanese arcades nearby?
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-

[Ghaleon]

Febuary 25th?! gah, that's so soon, I can't afford it yet, and by the time I do I dunno if it'll be availalbe wahh.

Is death smiles even out yet? I tried to pre-order that like a week ago and nobody even heard of it at ebgames.. it wasn't even on their computer.

[Zakenna]

Is death smiles even out yet? I tried to pre-order that like a week ago and nobody even heard of it at ebgames.. it wasn't even on their computer.

I don't think Aksys gave a release date for Death Smiles yet. They just said they were going to do it. It shouldn't take to long since I doubt they'll be re-dubbing it. So Localization shouldn't take that long then they just have to market it. Since the game is already pretty niche I'm sure they're just milking the suspense of a release date among the hardcores to create a buzz around the game so when they do make an announcement it'll be grand and people will be expecting the date.

Just think, if they were to announce a release date now not only will they not be sure that the game is ready by then but the buzz around the release date will be pretty small. Wait until like May and say you're releasing in July and people will be like "OMG I'VE BEEN WAITING FOREVER FOR THIS NEWS"

[N-Forza]

And if I don't have any Japanese arcades nearby?
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-

Move to Japan, problem solved.