Comments on: Our mega interview with NIS America president, Haru Akenaga

By: Starfall

Starfall — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:53:03 +0000

It’s nice that he took the time to answer a lot of questions. Quite, a few executives would not want to do such a thing. Especially, questions with regards to game requests or asking if and when a game will be released or published by the company. In this case NIS America.

I also did find it interesting his comments regarding Idea Factory. It’s too bad I enjoyed Spectral Souls (PSP) despite the slow down. But, I can definitely see where he probably felt really let down by that title and all the complaining done by people who played it. It wasn’t as bad on the slim PSP. For that matter the slim PSP makes other games faster as well. Like FFT: WotL.

But, he also makes it sound like Idea Factory is desperate and can find no one else to publish. hehe Since, he says IF always ask NIS America to localize and they always say “we’re sorry”

Honestly, this was the most interesting and rather amusing part of the interview. Sad, though because IF has some really interesting ideas. Too bad they’ve had technical problems of quality with their games.

The rest was a bit disappointing. Since, it seems like they aren’t committed
to publishing a lot of titles in the near future. But, I can’t blame them. If they feel that the quality has been sacrificed in the past.

Well, I guess…I’d rather have fewer quality games rather than a huge quantity of rushed or low quality games. They do have to be careful.

It will be interesting to see what the 3D game they are creating. I hope it ends up being a RPG for the PS3. The PS3 has been getting stronger recently with MGS4….but it still needs RPGs!

By: Hello Hello

Hello Hello — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 19:58:28 +0000

I’m really disappointed that he said no to Spectral Force Genesis. I was really hoping that one would come over. I guess I’ll have to hope that Aksys or Atlus takes pity on us.

By: Pedro Silva

Pedro Silva — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:46:21 +0000

Anon2 I believe they also did for the Wii, just like with DS, it was at the same time and DS materialized.

They can do Wii games whenever they want and had licence to do so before they had for X360.

By: Anon2

Anon2 — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:17:11 +0000

That link only says they’re hinting to for the Wii.

They actually have applied and been approved the 360 contracts since a year back.

By: Pedro Silva

Pedro Silva — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:57:37 +0000

btw, just reread looking for that… if they’re developing because “I read a Nippon Ichi press release that you are an official Xbox 360 developer too.”

they can develop for the wii whenever they want, they became Wii developers at the same time they did for DS. (check nick website, since I tried to post before and didn’t appear, perhaps hiperlinked sites are disabled? if not and it’s just lag erase this)

By: Pedro Silva

Pedro Silva — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:49:36 +0000

@ Spencer

already working on X360?

Makes no business sense when they’re still thinking about Wii. :O

Either way, even PSP/PS2 ports for Disgaea should be asked that is not a HD game in the slighest

By: Anon2

Anon2 — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:01:27 +0000

Seems like his general tone wasn’t pleased with some of the straight questions you asked that were not directly related to the NIS at hand. Especially seems so from the gruff answers.

I don’t expect Agarest nor Tears to be released simply because of the risky nature and use of lots of onscreen text to move the story.

Cross Edge obviously because of the licensing issues.

Thanks for the interview though!

By: Anon

Anon — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:45:04 +0000

I’m taking his answer about Ar tonelico II as a good sign. He’s obviously playing on word technicalities.

Thanks Spencer.

By: Andaryu

Andaryu — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:36:28 +0000

Yeah to me it sounded like Ar Tonelico 2 has no chance of releasing. I’m really disappointed about Spectral Gene and Cross Edge… I was looking foreward to both in the future!

Great interview Spencer, hopefully we will get lots of NIS / Nippon games this christmas. ^^

By: Hayden

Hayden — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:03:19 +0000

I’d call that Ar Tonelico 2 response promising. Especially how he specifically called it not a Nippon Ichi game after his other comment. The Tears no Tiara answer didn’t sound as positive.