We’ve heard stories of folks getting their 3DSes stolen, calling Nintendo, and getting their systems and games replaced for free. This is a policy that, for Nintendo, is definitely overly-generous as far as replacing the system is concerned, but how about replacing the games? Should Nintendo enact a policy that lets you log into some account and re-download games on a new system if your old one was stolen? I’d say so, but Nintendo seems to think otherwise. A customer service representative for them has said (like we’ve heard in the past) that it is not their policy to replace lost or stolen physical OR virtual games.
Which makes sense as far as physical items go, but since virtual items are priced exactly the same as their physical counterparts… shouldn’t there be some benefit since we can no longer lend the game to a friend or hold a physical box!? I guess one could argue that having the game constantly installed on a system is one benefit, but it sure would be nice to be able to re-download lost games via an online account…
Nintendo is a day away from announcing its latest fiscal results. According to a Bloomberg report, the company is preparing for its second straight annual loss. The publication’s estimates pin losses at 18.7 billion yen in the 12 months ended March 31 while post operating income may come in at 70 billion-yen, based on 19 estimates.
Ace Securities Co. analyst Hideki Yasuda commented on Satoru Iwata’s performance as global president in recent years, stating:
Konami has shipped over 33 million Metal Gear Solid games in the series’ lifetime. Lifetime sales rose by two million since March 2012.
To compare, the FIFA and Call of Duty series have spawned more than 100 million copies in sales. Madden NFL is just behind at 99 million.
THQ has completed the auction process that finally reached its end earlier this month. A number of the publisher’s properties now lie with new publishers, including Darksiders and Red Faction.
The two series mentioned above, along with MX vs ATV, “Other Owned Software” (including Destroy all Humans!, Summoner and more), and “Other Licensed Software” (including Marvel Super Hero Squad, Supreme Commander and more) are now in the hands of Nordic Games Licencing AB for $4.9 million.
Announced earlier today, Gearbox Software acquired the Homeworld series, the sale of which has since been revealed as $1.35 million. THQ also revealed that Drawn to Life and Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter have moved on to 505 Games for $300,00.
THQ will receive a total of $6.55 for its properties. All purchases are subject to Bankruptcy Court approval.
Source: THQ PR
Included in the pages of the latest issue of V-Jump is new information about Digimon World Re:Digitize Decode.
First, the magazine has confirmed two new Digimon: DORUmon and RustTyrannomon.
DORUmon will be taking center stage in one of the brand new scenarios introduced in the 3DS version of Digimon World Re:Digitize. Siliconera, a site that translated details from the magazine, says that its evolution line is DORUgamon, DORUgremon, and Alphamon. Digimon fans should know Alphamon as a Holy Knight, who, in this game, can deter anyone’s attack.
RustTyrannomon, a brand new Digimon never seen in the franchise previously, is also mentioned in the magazine. It features a red-brown rust-covered body and acts as the final evolution of the Tyrannomon line. It seems as though RustTyrannomon is an ally of the protagonist based on screenshots show in V-Jump.
Regarding the new area, players will encounter “DoReMiFa Manor” in Decode. The mansion can be upgraded as more Digimon are recruited from the city or field. Some Digimon living in the mansion may ask for favors, and players will receive rewards upon completion.
The Zero Escape series has appeared on handheld systems twice now. The first, 999, launched on the DS. And Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward made its way to the 3DS and PlayStation Vita last year.
Could Zero Escape ever make an appearance on consoles? Creator Kotaro Uchikoshi commented on the possibility to IGN, who seemed to show some interest in Wii U:
“If it’s possible, I would like to do something on a home console, especially for VLR. But for 999, that would be hard, just because the core of the game is that dual screen. I think that would be hard to do on a console. I just realized, though, that it might be possible on the Wii U.”
Uchikoshi went on to talk about Virtue’s Last Reward’s sequel, which has been in development for some time. Uchikoshi hopes to share something soon with fans, he said:
“The sequel is in my head at the moment. I hope to be able to announce something in the near future, and I hope that fans are looking forward to it. One of the biggest things pushing that is the fact that I was invited to GDC to speak, and the award there. IGN also gave VLR the ‘Best Story’ award. Thank you for that, first of all. But all these things are what’s propelling it. Players are expecting a sequel. Spike Chunsoft as a company, they feel like they need to answer those requests. So I do hope I can announce something soon and I hope people are looking forward to it. As far as the platform, that’s still undecided.”
Also of interest, Uchikoshi talked about the comparisons between working with the 3DS and DS:
“I think anyone developing for the 3DS would probably feel the same, but there were lots of challenges behind creating for the 3DS. Just making it 3D – sometimes the depth is too much, or it’s not enough. Making those kinds of adjustments was one of the challenges we faced. As far as similarities, the dual screen is the same, but I think there are more differences when it comes to working in 2D versus 3D. That was the main focus, overcoming the challenge of 3D.”
You can find even more comments from Uchikoshi within IGN’s interview here.
EA’s E3 2013 press conference will be taking place on its typical day. Like last year, the briefing is targeted for the Monday before the actual trade show begins – June 10. Start time is set for 1 PM PT.
Ubisoft confirmed its E3 2013 conference earlier this month. It too is set for June 10, though it will likely kick off a couple of hours after EA’s presentation.
Source: EA PR
As expected, the 3DS port of Donkey Kong Country Returns (named the with “3D” moniker tagged onto the end) will require the use of two separate game cards to play co-operatively. This isn’t a shock by any stretch of the imagination, as transferring more or less the entire game (as you play) to another play via the 3DS’ wireless capabilities would be both very difficult to do, and incredibly time consuming while playing.
Project CARS is quite a long ways off. Writing on the WMD forums, a moderator said that the racer won’t be out until Q2 2014.
We did know that Project CARS was planned for 2014, but the common consensus was that it would be available early next year. Unfortunately, the game won’t be launching until April 2014 at the earliest.
Originally, Muteki Corporation released Dragon Fantasy Book I on the PC and mobile platforms. And just last week, the title arrived on the PlayStation Network.
Could Dragon Fantasy Book I also be coming to the 3DS as well? An ESRB listing does seem to point in this direction.
If Dragon Fantasy Book I did make its way to the 3DS, we would hope that its sequel – aptly titled Dragon Fantasy Book II – would also come to the system.
We’ll just have to wait and see…
