Comments on: Deadly Premonition, Marvelous’ First Xbox 360 Game, Dated For March

By: Ishaan

Ishaan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:55:03 +0000

Xseed didn't have a choice with Ju-on. That was developed by their parent company, AQ Interactive. XD

Honestly, now that they've lost Arc Rise (which could have been their big mainstream game), I don't know what else they can publish. Rune Factory 3 might be a nice addition to their library, but they aren't publishing that. I think their best bet is to try and pick up at least one casual title…something like Cooking Mama, which did wonders for Majesco.

By: Tokyo Guy

Tokyo Guy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:54:46 +0000

Ah, OK. I'm familiar with Victor Interactive but assumed they just “disappeared” like Jaleco or Pac-In-Soft (etc). Thanks for the clarification.

By: Ishaan

Ishaan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:55:03 +0000

Xseed didn't have a choice with Ju-on. That was developed by their parent company, AQ Interactive. XD

By: TokyoGuy

TokyoGuy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:54:46 +0000

Ah, OK. I'm familiar with Victor Interactive but assumed they just “disappeared” like Jaleco or Pac-In-Soft (etc). Thanks for the clarification.

By: Mr_Qoo

Mr_Qoo — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:01:44 +0000

I have to chime in. I feel bad for XSEED also as they really do get slim pickings and have little luck. They've always interested me and I agree with everyone that Sakura Note would blend well into their company. Hell, anyone who's got the balls to take a chance on Ju-On has got a vote in my book. Are they bringing Korg DS-10+ out here? I hope that's not all they are left with anymore… Not dissing Korg on the DS, as it is fun, but I would just rather use the real programs/instruments instead.

And Ishaan, you're right about having something a bit more appealing to the mainstream so they can get off the ground. I wonder what could come their way that they can grab which others will not.

By: Ishaan

Ishaan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:58:38 +0000

Yea, Xseed have it rough. Considering the games they publish and how little advertising they can afford, I'm amazed they're still sticking to what they do. I'd love for them to publish Sakura Note, but honestly, I think Xseed need to find something a little more mainstream. It really is too bad Muramasa and Arc Rise were taken away from them. Both of those would have helped get their name out there.

By: Spencer

Spencer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:20:28 +0000

When I did that interview I thought Xseed would publish more Gungho games and handle everything from AQ Interactive, but AQI doesn't seem to be doing much anymore other than character mahjong and KORG DS-10, which Xseed picked up.

By: Spencer

Spencer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:18:32 +0000

Marvelous is a general entertainment company that got into the gaming business after purchasing another Japanese company called Victor Interactive a few years ago. Victor was the original publisher of the Harvest Moon games, which Natsume worked with since the SNES days.

So, the reason why you haven't heard of them in the 90s is, technically, Marvelous didn't exist. After their acquired Victor they started to make other games and backed studios like Grasshopper.

By: matty

matty — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:25:32 +0000

Yeah, I can see that holding them back a little on the long run, but for now they got some interesting stuff coming in the near future!

By: Ereek

Ereek — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:17:10 +0000

Oh, absolutely. I love XSEED, I just think their more limited budget doesn't allow them to have the most ideal selection of games. Not to mention that they have no “real” relationship with a developer of a well known series, with perhaps the exception of Media.Vision, a company that isn't particularly prominent over here.

By: matty

matty — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:15:19 +0000

They haven't disappointed me so far (haven't played Ju-on, yet, but I AM looking forward to getting to it).
It's a small track record but I'd say it's becoming a really solid one. It would be great to see it build up and really take them somewhere.

By: TokyoGuy

TokyoGuy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:14:42 +0000

I'm sorry can someone explain Marvelous Entertainment for me? Are they comprised of ex-Square developers or something? They just kind of appeared from nowhere some years ago and then seemingly acquired Natsume's Harvest Moon series. In recent years they have tons of RPGs and such. Just wondering as I don't recall hearing about them in the 90s.

By: Ereek

Ereek — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:40:16 +0000

You're right, I think Sakura Note definitely seems up their alley.

I was also thinking along the lines of more GungHo games in the future, since they already have both Ragnarok DS and Lunar, but Aksys is pretty much all over their releases, with Mimana Iyar, Cho Aniki Zero, and Laevatein Tactics.

In an interview you did with XSEED here a while back I remember XSEED mentioning their lack of involvement with any one company being a strength. But with many other small companies having some type of "relationship" with certain developers, it's slim pickings for XSEED. I love them, but their seemingly more limited budget doesn't allow for them to get the first choice in publishing contracts.

By: Spencer

Spencer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:49:07 +0000

Looks like that's the case for games that can have a broad (maybe, broader compared to the average Marvelous game?) appeal. Sakura Note might jive with Xseed better.

By: Spencer

Spencer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:45:53 +0000

Yes I did at E3. I also had a post planned for Friday about how Rainy Woods official site disappeared, Access removed the games name and so forth. Now we know why!

Not sure if this is a timed exclusive or not. Another possibility is a PS3 version exists, but won't be released here for whatever reason.