Soul Hackers: will we ever get another chance?

[cj iwakura]

So Devil Summoner 1 came out for the PSP, and reportedly, it had no chance of coming out here because of the emulated version Atlus JP used, or something like that.

While that sucked, is there hope for the future?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/29/Devil_Summoner_-_Soul_Hackers_Coverart.png

If Atlus JP ports Soul Hackers to the PSP, maybe they'll actually keep the US market in mind and develop it so that it can be ported to the US, at last?

I didn't really understand the limitation with Devil Summoner 1, aside from the 'no new content' thing(which is lame, because it was never even released here).


Square's been shilling their classic games nonstop on the DS & PSP alike. Why can't Atlus?


Let's positive thinking, or something.


I do have the Saturn version, but the only translation FAQ out there is hardly thorough, so here's hoping that Atlus USA gets a chance before some fan translator does.
(Though I'll accept the latter if that's the only option.)

[Kakizaki]

Like I've said before, DS and Soul Hackers are the two titles, past or present, I most desire to be translated.

[PFV]

I didn't really understand the limitation with Devil Summoner 1, aside from the 'no new content' thing(which is lame, because it was never even released here).

Without the source files, Atlus USA doesn't really have anything they can modify. The DS PSP software would have to be reverse engineered/directly modified to get English in there. Basically, more $$$ and effort than it's worth, since I doubt there's much of a market for Saturn disassemblers.

Edit:
Also, agreed with Kaki. I cry a little inside whenever I play my copies of Devil Summoner or Soul Hackers and blindly stumble through. :(

[stalepie]

Soul Hackers has gotta be the coolest name for a video game ever. I'd love to see it on DS or PS2. (I'm just naming systems I own, hehe)

[slayn]

Soul Hackers exclusively on XBox Live Arcade.

[Hamel]

Soul Hackers exclusively on XBox Live Arcade.

I would buy a Xbox for that

[Kenji]

Sure, I'd buy Soul Hackers, if a PSP version or somesuch were to pop up here. I'm equally interested in playing new and old MegaTen titles, as many as I can get my hands on.

I do have a question, though. From what I've read about Soul Hackers, the presence of the GUMP seems to be the only thing connecting it with the rest of the Devil Summoner series. None of the stuff I've seen mentions the Kuzunoha clan or detective elements. Would that be correct?

(not that it makes that much difference, I'd play it as long as it was good)

[Tatsuya]

Soul hackers only has one thing going for it over devil summoner 1, it has a ps1 version, that said soul hackers is actually one of the best SMT games from what i hear, and from what i've played of it it's very interesting.

Considering that soul hackers is one of the most sought after translations (arguably it was more wanted than innocent sin) someone will eventually translate it, i'm more hopeful it's atlus though.

[DevilRy]

You know, there's that saying that given an infinite amount of time, a room full of chimpanzees with typewriters would eventually write out Shakespeare's Hamlet? Well, given enough time, an internet full of Megaten fans could make fan-translations of all the R&D 1 games that never saw a North American release...

:D

Soul Hackers is a cool game, but it's pretty dated. It has a very, um, 90s-view of the future I guess.

[unknown]

Considering that soul hackers is one of the most sought after translations (arguably it was more wanted than innocent sin) someone will eventually translate it, i'm more hopeful it's atlus though.

There is a translation project going, but I think it's stuck at 20%.

[jj984jj]

Out of all the unlocalized MegaTen games, this is the one I want most.

[Kakizaki]

Soul Hackers is a cool game, but it's pretty dated. It has a very, um, 90s-view of the future I guess.

I get what you are saying regarding the dated view of the future, but really, I think you could say the same about most of the older SMT titles (I know you didn't say otherwise ;) ). I think it just kind of fits in with the quirky charm and atmosphere.

Personally I don't think it has aged too badly, but per usual, I'm kind of biased I guess.

[Pibbman]

Considering that soul hackers is one of the most sought after translations (arguably it was more wanted than innocent sin) someone will eventually translate it, i'm more hopeful it's atlus though.

There is a translation project going, but I think it's stuck at 20%.

Too bad they don't have Atlus's GOD-LEVEL translators.

[Kakizaki]

^I would prefer official translations, but don't sell fan translators short. IS was very, very well done. Much better than some professional efforts I have seen.

[Hamel]

^I would prefer official translations, but don't sell fan translators short. IS was very, very well done. Much better than some professional efforts I have seen.

^That
the only down side is not owning a copy I can play on my PS2/3

[Kakizaki]

^True dat.

[Tatsuya]

Considering that soul hackers is one of the most sought after translations (arguably it was more wanted than innocent sin) someone will eventually translate it, i'm more hopeful it's atlus though.

There is a translation project going, but I think it's stuck at 20%.

Too bad they don't have Atlus's GOD-LEVEL translators.

It's aeon genesis, so you guys have to decide if they are good(shin megami tensei 2, etc.)

Though after IS was translated, i wouldn't doubt this takes the front burner for some people.

[DamageCity]

Whenever I mention SMT to Japanese gamers they always say the same thing

"Oh! Have you played Soul Hackers?"

[Foryth]

AGTP translations are generaly good, but their page for Soul Hackers hasn't been updated in ages and they have many projects underway so I wouldn't hold my breath.

[Tatsuya]

AGTP translations are generaly good, but their page for Soul Hackers hasn't been updated in ages and they have many projects underway so I wouldn't hold my breath.

AGTP is notorious for that, the SRT one they just finished was at 50% for over a year on there, there are some hints that it's being worked on (mainly gideon zhi taking the surname "devil summoner" in his updates recently) but only time will tell.

[Kakizaki]

^Don't get my hopes up. :/

[Emilio Morales]

If Soul Hacker would be released for the PSP I definitely buy it! But in the meantime, maybe Gemini can give us a hand with an English patch :D

[Hamel]

Whenever I mention SMT to Japanese gamers they always say the same thing

"Oh! Have you played Soul Hackers?"

*cries*

[Flußkönig]

AGTP translations are generaly good, but their page for Soul Hackers hasn't been updated in ages and they have many projects underway so I wouldn't hold my breath.

AGTP is notorious for that, the SRT one they just finished was at 50% for over a year on there, there are some hints that it's being worked on (mainly gideon zhi taking the surname "devil summoner" in his updates recently) but only time will tell.
The Soul Hackers entry has been sitting there without an update for what, four or five years now. Not to mention the fact that the guy who headed up the Innocent Sin translation project had said that as far as he knew nothing past the initial hacking had been done on the project (he said this late last year).

Yeah, anything is possible but I wouldn't get my hopes up for a Soul Hackers translation appearing anytime soon.

[Tatsuya]

AGTP translations are generaly good, but their page for Soul Hackers hasn't been updated in ages and they have many projects underway so I wouldn't hold my breath.

AGTP is notorious for that, the SRT one they just finished was at 50% for over a year on there, there are some hints that it's being worked on (mainly gideon zhi taking the surname "devil summoner" in his updates recently) but only time will tell.
The Soul Hackers entry has been sitting there without an update for what, four or five years now. Not to mention the fact that the guy who headed up the Innocent Sin translation project had said that as far as he knew nothing past the initial hacking had been done on the project (he said this late last year).

Yeah, anything is possible but I wouldn't get my hopes up for a Soul Hackers translation appearing anytime soon.

Well for the most part i agree, though i do find it off that it's been coming up in convo's lately.
Also i know i heard another group picked it up too, but just like innocent sin i'd expect at least another year on this.

Still a guy can dream.

[Gemini]

None of the stuff I've seen mentions the Kuzunoha clan or detective elements. Would that be correct?
Not quite correct, actually. Kyōji Kuzunoha is in the game (well, not the real thing, just the Devil Summoner main with his body), and so is Rei Reihō. There are also many characters returning from the first episode. I also suspect that Madame Ginko could actually be connected to Lisa Silverman (but it may also be simply yet well-hidden reference to IS, or vice versa).

There is a translation project going, but I think it's stuck at 20%.
And I tell you, that won't get any further. Many code issues caused the project to halt for a long time, and I doubt anybody in the team is capable of solving any of those.

Yeah, anything is possible but I wouldn't get my hopes up for a Soul Hackers translation appearing anytime soon.
Well, who knows...? Wait, I do know. ;p

[Flußkönig]

Yeah, anything is possible but I wouldn't get my hopes up for a Soul Hackers translation appearing anytime soon.
Well, who knows...? Wait, I do know. ;p

That sounds like good news since it is coming from you!

[SickleCellAnemia]

Yeah, anything is possible but I wouldn't get my hopes up for a Soul Hackers translation appearing anytime soon.
Well, who knows...? Wait, I do know. ;p

That sounds like good news since it is coming from you!
Especially since he has a Victoreem avatar!

[DevilRy]

Soul Hackers is a cool game, but it's pretty dated. It has a very, um, 90s-view of the future I guess.

I get what you are saying regarding the dated view of the future, but really, I think you could say the same about most of the older SMT titles (I know you didn't say otherwise ;) ). I think it just kind of fits in with the quirky charm and atmosphere.

Personally I don't think it has aged too badly, but per usual, I'm kind of biased I guess.

Yeah, the datedness is actually kind of funny: huge, clunky cell phones, dial-up modems, and Universal Studios theme-park style virtual reality (man, people were obsessed with that in the 90s)... Soul Hackers is still a great game though, the best RPG on Saturn for sure, and I still play it from time to time.

As for the AG translation, I offered to help with that project like two or three years ago and no one ever got back to me, so I'm guessing that there's probably some sort of code issue, since translation with patched games is more or less the easy part.

[diosisback]

That post by Gemini has put a wide smile in my face !!!

[Hamel]

We need some people that can make it work so we can finally play it

[cj iwakura]

If it's anything to do with the Sega hardware coding/emulation, like Devil Summoner 1, you should check around at some of the Sega fansites, like Sega-16.com .

Those guys know their stuff.

[Kakizaki]

^I assume they are working off of the PSX port since that would most likely make it much much more accessible to people if it is ever finished and released.

[Hamel]

^I assume they are working off of the PSX port since that would most likely make it much much more accessible to people if it is ever finished and released.

Yes
check the Project Info

Game Name ›› Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
Published on ›› April 8th, '99
Developed by ›› R&D 1
Published by ›› Atlus
Platform ›› PS1
Genre ›› RPG
Total Progress ›› 20%

[Kenji]

@ Gemini: Thanks for answering my questions. :) Matching this up with Rei Reihou's artwork from that game (I assume the white pinstripe suit is from Soul Hackers, since she wears black in DS1), I guess SH doesn't take place long after DS1.

I've heard that Rei Reihou and Kyouji Kuzunoha both are "named" Kuzunoha summoners, like Raidou and Geirin. Is this true?

Anyway, if there is any translation project for SH going on (as opposed to just stalled), I fully support it. I wonder if it'd be based of the PSone Books version, though? That disc is somewhat easier to get a hold of than the original port...

[Gemini]

I wonder if it'd be based of the PSone Books version, though? That disc is somewhat easier to get a hold of than the original port...
Mind you, I've never got any actual Playstation disk of the game. It's very hard to find, especially at reasonable prices (which doesn't happen with the very cheap Saturn edition). :( Also, I've got no money on my paypal account at the moment, so I can't really buy it even if I have a chance. :p