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Tecmo Koei To Develop Social Games Based On Gust’s Atelier Series

By Ishaan . December 7, 2011 . 8:30am

Tecmo Koei To Develop Social Games Based On Gusts Atelier Series

Last night, we reported that Atelier series developer, Gust, were being acquired by Tecmo Koei Holdings, publishers of the Warriors games and owners of the Team Ninja studio (Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive).

 

Now, Nikkei are reporting that Tecmo Koei plan to develop social games based on Gust’s Atelier series of role-playing games. According to Nikkei’s report, Gust were acquired for the sum of 2.2 billion yen (approximately $28 million).

 

Social games based on the Atelier series aren’t necessarily a bad thing. For one, it would help give the series more exposure, which may translate back into better sales for the console games.


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  • animaster

    “Social games based on the Atelier series aren’t necessarily a bad thing. For one, it would help give the series more exposure, which may translate back into better sales for the console games.”
    Hopefully it turns out like that.

  • AzureNova

    I hope they do well then. I love the Atelier series and hope to see more good console versions in the future.

  • Juho Vuolo

    Social games… I don’t know why, but hearing that term always gives me these certain kind of shivers.

    Well, I hope the talk about giving the series more exposure turns out to be true.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Morandi/100000837836996 Daniel Morandi

    It begins! 2012 is getting closer and this is a sign! xD

  • Luna Kazemaru

    It begins….

  • Neckbear

    First Atlus, now Gust.

    NIS, you’re next…

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ivanir-Ignacchitti/100002728780712 Ivanir Ignacchitti

      D-Don’t say that. :’x
      Though I actually don’t care as much for NIS as I do for Gust. :’(

      BTW, I really hope it’s not really that bad (or even be a good thing) to Gust’s awesomeness. :)

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Ivanir-Ignacchitti/100002728780712 Ivanir Ignacchitti

      D-Don’t say that. :’x
      Though I actually don’t care as much for NIS as I do for Gust. :’(

      BTW, I really hope it’s not really that bad (or even be a good thing) to Gust’s awesomeness. :)

    • rrw
      • Testsubject909

        That’s more of a free Disgaea Item World game for smartphones then it is a social game.

  • http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia

    Eh, I suppose social games are fine if it gives this series some more exposure. I personally will probably NOT play the social games, but it might introduce some newcomers tot he franchise.

    I wonder what kind of social games they are, though. I hope they’re not incredibly stupid, or it might do the opposite and drive newcomers AWAY.

  • http://www.youtube.com/user/xxHiryuuxx Hiryuu

    I wasn’t the only one that groaned instinctively when I read that title, was I?

    • Juuu

      Not at all. Yes, they COULD help the mainline series get more exposure, but on the flip side, they could easily choose to focus only on social games, which is obviously bad overall.

      Liking this less and less..

    • http://twitter.com/JezzSan Jezzy

      I didn’t groan… I facepalmed.

    • http://www.siliconera.com Jenni

       I wondered how many “neighbors” they’ll make us bug for ingredients and how long each fusion will take in “real time”. (I’m sure real cash could buy items or speed up fusions!)

      • Okuni-chan

        Oh gawd “neighbors” = spam in my email of notifications = nightmare o_ o. My memories from my few days on Farmville… *sniffles* I ran as fast as I could from that place.

  • Gatchaman1

    Seems a bit late to the party TecmoKoei.  The Atelier trilogy is complete. (unless they plan on milking it past expiration date which is common for TK).

    • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

      The “Arland” trilogy is complete. Gust are still working on future Atelier games.

    • D K

      Er, the Atelier series is already much more than a trilogy.  There’s more to it than the Arland games, you know.

      In fact, other than Ar Tonelico, pretty much every game Gust has made has been an Atelier game (Mana Khemia can be considered a spin-off).

      • Rarutos

        Mana-Khemia 1 and 2 are not spin-offs. The two games are part of the main series. They’re Project A9 and 10 respectively.

        • http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia

          I LOVED Mana Khemia 1 and 2. My favorites in the series.

          …Just thought I’d let everyone know, lol! :D

          • Crimson_Cloud

            I loved Mana Khemia but I didn’t like the second one. Didn’t sit well with the characters and everything was much more.. how to say it.. goofier? It all looked like a dark comedy to me.

          • raymk

            Whats wrong with dark comedy?  They actually made the game how they wanted to which was lighthearted.  The second game had better looking characters though if anything.

          • http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/members/55321.html FinalArcadia

            I think a decent amount of people had issues with the second game, with Ulrika’s story in particular (the way everyone was kind of mean to each other, I guess?).

            Actually, I really liked both storylines (but Ulrika’s in particular). I was also glad that there was no need for a “wait” row on the second game, so everyone got AP from every battle.

    • SirRichard

      “Trilogy”? There’s several other games in the series, mate, I don’t think Gust intended to kill it off after Meruru.

    • kroufonz

      the arland trilogy is complete, but they still can make lots of figurine and merchandise. anime, game/bishoujo related franchise like this have very nice profit coming from merchandising.

  • Soma

    This is relevant to my interests.
    Not that I’m a huge social gamer or anything, but if there were an Atelier games available for me to play on my phone on the way to work, I would totally take advantage of it to the fullest extent! 

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_472QBVARRYERRGHATSUGCVCTTA Ian

    Thank god Arland trilogy is already complete XD
    Maybe we see something like Atelier game in facebook making your item with cute loli as your avatar?! O_oYeah 2012 is getting closer *glup* :S

  • SolidusSnake

    Next project: Metafalicaville for facebook

    • Monkey_T

      I actually would try that out.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Eddie-Dominguez/1078890439 Eddie Dominguez

    i bid thee farewell dear gust, thank thee for thy awesome games.specially the atelier and mana khemia series!

    seriously,how anyone can see this is good news?atelier social games. me thinks that this will be popular in japan only because to be honest,casual gamers arent in to otaku games if you catch my drift… (at least here in da west)

  • Crimson_Cloud

    Aww, so they are going in this direction? Social game lovers rejoice! Or don’t…

  • malek86

    I’m still expecting Atlus to eventually buy Sting and turn Dept. Heaven into a social game. Considering the way things are going, it wouldn’t be too surprising.

    • kylehyde

      I don’t think this is going to happen, specially since Atlus is not owned by themselves, but by index holding.

  • Lion’s Paw

    I wouldn’t be surprised if this means Gust’s Vita game got scrapped.

  • Merulana

    I cringed when I read the title. I really did.

  • Okuni-chan

    The word Social next to games always makes me *sigh* just a little. Not doomsday-ing it, just never had good experience with these ‘Social’ games. Always like to hope but stay prepared for the worse… I still wub you Gust ;~; 

    I could see the exposure thing. An advertising mini game so to speak. Going by the article it is Tecmo Koei developing these social games and not Gust… (do correct me if I’m wrong >.<) So it could just be "Hey look at this mini game based off of the actual game. Like it? Want to play more? then buy the game for the console!" Type thing. At least I hope so anyways ._.

    • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

      There’s no mention of whether Gust will be expanded for social development, or if Tecmo will develop social games based on Gust I.P. themselves, or if they’ll have people from Gust themselves work on social stuff, unfortunately. Just that, TK, as their owner, have plans for social games based on Atelier.

    • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

      There’s no mention of whether Gust will be expanded for social development, or if Tecmo will develop social games based on Gust I.P. themselves, or if they’ll have people from Gust themselves work on social stuff, unfortunately. Just that, TK, as their owner, have plans for social games based on Atelier.

      • http://www.facebook.com/people/Damarius-Wingfield/100002323365618 Damarius Wingfield

        Haven’t played this series, watch Rorona walkthrough though. But I feel your pain in this!

      • Okuni-chan

        Aah I see~. Hrm Well I do hope this doesn’t hinder the Gust team itself and it’s either they expand the team or have Tecmo do it >.< Thank you much for clearing that up Ishaan :D 

  • Okuni-chan

    The word Social next to games always makes me *sigh* just a little. Not doomsday-ing it, just never had good experience with these ‘Social’ games. Always like to hope but stay prepared for the worse… I still wub you Gust ;~; 

    I could see the exposure thing. An advertising mini game so to speak. Going by the article it is Tecmo Koei developing these social games and not Gust… (do correct me if I’m wrong >.<) So it could just be "Hey look at this mini game based off of the actual game. Like it? Want to play more? then buy the game for the console!" Type thing. At least I hope so anyways ._.

  • http://www.waltzforariah.com/ VividAriah

    Definitely scary times for Gust fans, but at the moment it’s not the end of the world just yet. Edit: It seems a lot of the articles going around really need to reword some things…

    GREE (a Japanese social networking service) was one of the largest booths at this year’s TGS, so it would be nice if they could tap into that market and get even more people interested in the main series. It’s definitely cute enough, right guys?

    When it becomes clear that Tecmo Koei is somehow interfering with Gust doing ‘their thing’ then that’s when we should grab the torches and pitchforks and proceed to liberate Gust.

    Edited for a little clarity, since it looks like nobody is sure just how Tecmo Koei is going to go about developing these games. Gust has a pretty small workforce so this can be a bit worrying if they decide to make Gust have a big hand in developing them. On the other hand, maybe this will lead to growth and the ability to hire a few more people.

  • http://www.waltzforariah.com/ VividAriah

    Definitely scary times for Gust fans, but at the moment it’s not the end of the world just yet. Edit: It seems a lot of the articles going around really need to reword some things…

    GREE (a Japanese social networking service) was one of the largest booths at this year’s TGS, so it would be nice if they could tap into that market and get even more people interested in the main series. It’s definitely cute enough, right guys?

    When it becomes clear that Tecmo Koei is somehow interfering with Gust doing ‘their thing’ then that’s when we should grab the torches and pitchforks and proceed to liberate Gust.

    Edited for a little clarity, since it looks like nobody is sure just how Tecmo Koei is going to go about developing these games. Gust has a pretty small workforce so this can be a bit worrying if they decide to make Gust have a big hand in developing them. On the other hand, maybe this will lead to growth and the ability to hire a few more people.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1051780171 Tan Wei Lun

    I don’t think it’s worth the whine. I mean, even before the acquisition we already have an Atelier otome game. And everyone was fine with that. I think people are overreacting. As long as the series is getting exposure, not to mention the quality of their games are not affected, I don’t give a damn.

    • http://www.siliconera.com Jenni

       I think the reason people are upset is because they have experience with the Facebook social games and how they work.

      I see this news and think a social Atelier would end up a lot like Sims Social. (Which I hate, but keep on my account because I have friends who need neighbors/gifts and don’t want to spend real money on the game.)

      • Joanna

        Yeah, I tried to give “social games” a try but they just aren’t my thing and I find them extremely boring. So even if Dragon Quest got a social game, I don’t think I would give it a try. I’m not even remotely interested in the Persona social game either.

  • kroufonz

    so it begins…

    Damn! this better not turn to worst scenario gust atelier fans could imagine (T-T)

  • LegendKamina

    Not liking this at all. Especially at how fast they are acting. Wouldn’t it make sense to allow GUST to do their thing but now with use of a bigger budget? Changing what the fans like about the game will only hurt everyone.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rapeepat-Jatesinpaisan/100002314297958 Rapeepat Jatesinpaisan

    This might be the reason that I hate Tecmo Koei . Since Atelier Games can raise IP without help. And I think this might ruin all Gust games.

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