A question 'cause I'm a stupid

[Divals]

So, could someone explain to me what this series is about, how it ties together, and why the only ones released in the US are the Original Generation ones? I'm going to buy the game anyway, really... but it'd be nice to know what I'm buying into :p

[Onion of Mystery]

So, could someone explain to me what this series is about,
The SRT series as a whole? A bunch of famous giant mecha anime shows get flung together into an ice cream machine and the crank gets turned a few times.

how it ties together,
The games featured a few characters made especially for the games, and eventually there were enough of these original characters that a whole new game could be created featuring just these guys. That's the "Original Generation" series. Endless Frontier is kind of an offshoot of that, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for you.

and why the only ones released in the US are the Original Generation ones?
The characters from the non-OG games are from different shows in Japan, but were owned by the same company. Over in the US, the rights to the various shows are owned by a bunch of different companies. It's implausible to be able to get all these different companies to agree to a sum that would allow us to use all the characters in the games. Since the OG games don't have that problem, they're the ones that are easiest to acquire the licensing rights to.

[Divals]

Ah, thank you mister Onion.

Licensing is silly. I'd think it would be as simple as licensing the game from the company since it's not an anime and wouldn't be stepping on the licensing toes of other companies that held the licenses to that company's properties... but this is why I'm an unemployed artist and not a marketing person :p

[jeffx]

Even a giant company like Capcom can't release the Tatsunoko fighting game in the US due to licensing issues... licensing is anything but "silly". More like SERIOUS BUSINESS.

[Foryth]

So I guess there's no Grendizer (aka Goldorak over here) in this one? :(

[lunarXskies]

So, could someone explain to me what this series is about,
The SRT series as a whole? A bunch of famous giant mecha anime shows get flung together into an ice cream machine and the crank gets turned a few times.

how it ties together,
The games featured a few characters made especially for the games, and eventually there were enough of these original characters that a whole new game could be created featuring just these guys. That's the "Original Generation" series. Endless Frontier is kind of an offshoot of that, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for you.

and why the only ones released in the US are the Original Generation ones?
The characters from the non-OG games are from different shows in Japan, but were owned by the same company. Over in the US, the rights to the various shows are owned by a bunch of different companies. It's implausible to be able to get all these different companies to agree to a sum that would allow us to use all the characters in the games. Since the OG games don't have that problem, they're the ones that are easiest to acquire the licensing rights to.

...The real question is...how did you get the rights for Xenosaga material from Bamco without paying a large sum >>;

[Pibbman]

So, could someone explain to me what this series is about,
The SRT series as a whole? A bunch of famous giant mecha anime shows get flung together into an ice cream machine and the crank gets turned a few times.

how it ties together,
The games featured a few characters made especially for the games, and eventually there were enough of these original characters that a whole new game could be created featuring just these guys. That's the "Original Generation" series. Endless Frontier is kind of an offshoot of that, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for you.

and why the only ones released in the US are the Original Generation ones?
The characters from the non-OG games are from different shows in Japan, but were owned by the same company. Over in the US, the rights to the various shows are owned by a bunch of different companies. It's implausible to be able to get all these different companies to agree to a sum that would allow us to use all the characters in the games. Since the OG games don't have that problem, they're the ones that are easiest to acquire the licensing rights to.

...The real question is...how did you get the rights for Xenosaga material from Bamco without paying a large sum >>;

I hear it was some back room dealing involving a few cases of Rolos.

[superbeast1370]

So, could someone explain to me what this series is about,
The SRT series as a whole? A bunch of famous giant mecha anime shows get flung together into an ice cream machine and the crank gets turned a few times.

how it ties together,
The games featured a few characters made especially for the games, and eventually there were enough of these original characters that a whole new game could be created featuring just these guys. That's the "Original Generation" series. Endless Frontier is kind of an offshoot of that, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for you.

and why the only ones released in the US are the Original Generation ones?
The characters from the non-OG games are from different shows in Japan, but were owned by the same company. Over in the US, the rights to the various shows are owned by a bunch of different companies. It's implausible to be able to get all these different companies to agree to a sum that would allow us to use all the characters in the games. Since the OG games don't have that problem, they're the ones that are easiest to acquire the licensing rights to.

*looks at avatar's expression* what's wrong? did you see a ghost? or are you just shocked that this game is getting a NA release?

[Hamel]

So, could someone explain to me what this series is about,
The SRT series as a whole? A bunch of famous giant mecha anime shows get flung together into an ice cream machine and the crank gets turned a few times.

how it ties together,
The games featured a few characters made especially for the games, and eventually there were enough of these original characters that a whole new game could be created featuring just these guys. That's the "Original Generation" series. Endless Frontier is kind of an offshoot of that, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for you.

and why the only ones released in the US are the Original Generation ones?
The characters from the non-OG games are from different shows in Japan, but were owned by the same company. Over in the US, the rights to the various shows are owned by a bunch of different companies. It's implausible to be able to get all these different companies to agree to a sum that would allow us to use all the characters in the games. Since the OG games don't have that problem, they're the ones that are easiest to acquire the licensing rights to.

*looks at avatar's expression* what's wrong? did you see a ghost? or are you just shocked that this game is getting a NA release?

He knew it before us

[Rasen]

...The real question is...how did you get the rights for Xenosaga material from Bamco without paying a large sum >>;

I hear it was some back room dealing involving a few cases of Rolos.

That, OR the fact that Bandai-Namco owns both Super Robot Taisen and Xenosaga.

[Rasen]

The games featured a few characters made especially for the games, and eventually there were enough of these original characters that a whole new game could be created featuring just these guys. That's the "Original Generation" series. Endless Frontier is kind of an offshoot of that, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for you.


Unless you guys end up going above and beyond by dubbing the drama CD that came with the .jp game, it's not really a spoiler or mystery that gamers will be able to solve of how they tie in (unless they check the net).

[Sei]

Drama CD would be the spoils of the year! At least a billion times better than soundtrack since it would contain plot ^_^

[Zalen]

So, could someone explain to me what this series is about,
The SRT series as a whole? A bunch of famous giant mecha anime shows get flung together into an ice cream machine and the crank gets turned a few times.

how it ties together,
The games featured a few characters made especially for the games, and eventually there were enough of these original characters that a whole new game could be created featuring just these guys. That's the "Original Generation" series. Endless Frontier is kind of an offshoot of that, but I don't want to spoil the mystery for you.

and why the only ones released in the US are the Original Generation ones?
The characters from the non-OG games are from different shows in Japan, but were owned by the same company. Over in the US, the rights to the various shows are owned by a bunch of different companies. It's implausible to be able to get all these different companies to agree to a sum that would allow us to use all the characters in the games. Since the OG games don't have that problem, they're the ones that are easiest to acquire the licensing rights to.

...The real question is...how did you get the rights for Xenosaga material from Bamco without paying a large sum >>;

Monolith Soft helped BanPresto develop the game, so as I understand they still have the rights to use KOS-MOS - since they put together Xenosaga.

[Rurik]

Monolith Soft helped BanPresto develop the game, so as I understand they still have the rights to use KOS-MOS - since they put together Xenosaga.


They also did the Namco x Capcom game, which is where Reiji and Xiaomu came from, and which KOS-MOS also appeared in. Since both games were developed by Monolith, they retain the rights to the original characters in said games. As a side note, Monolith was founded by Hirohide Sugiura, a former producer for Square. The company was acquired by Namco, which later sold 80% of it's 96% of stocks to Nintendo, most likely Nintendo bought the rights to the characters which had been created by Monolith, such as KOS-MOS, so they can use them in any projects Monolith is involved with.

[B.K.]

The company was acquired by Namco, which later sold 80% of it's 96% of stocks to Nintendo, most likely Nintendo bought the rights to the characters which had been created by Monolith, such as KOS-MOS, so they can use them in any projects Monolith is involved with.

No. Bandai Namco still owns the rights to everything Monolithsoft has done. Baten Kaitos, Namco x Capcom, and Xenosaga are all owned by Bandai Namco. Monolithsoft used KOS-MOS, T-elos, and the two Namco x Capcom characters in this game with permission from Bandai Namco.

If you've seen any of the Japanese magazine articles for this game that featured KOS-MOS or T-elos or any of the figures that have been released since Nintendo bought Monolithsoft, you'll notice that it always says ©Namco Bandai Games or ©NBGI. That's because Bandai Namco owns them.

[Rurik]

I'd say Bandai Namco have some good, common business sense then at least. Don't go demanding huge sums of money from people for permission to use your characters, it's free bloody advertisement! People play this game, having never seen KOS-MOS or any of the other characters, and then a good portion of them will now go out and want to get copies of their games, I know I picked up a copy of Xenosaga when I got my copy of Endless Frontier today.

[Gen Eric Gui]

I'd say Bandai Namco have some good, common business sense then at least. Don't go demanding huge sums of money from people for permission to use your characters, it's free bloody advertisement! People play this game, having never seen KOS-MOS or any of the other characters, and then a good portion of them will now go out and want to get copies of their games, I know I picked up a copy of Xenosaga when I got my copy of Endless Frontier today.

Yeah, but even if you bought that copy of Xenosaga new and factory-sealed, at this point Namco didn't see a penny of that money.

[Rurik]

Perhaps, but it's still free advertisement for any future American Xenosaga releases, like the Xenosaga I & II DS game which hasn't made it stateside yet.

Also, apparently Banpresto was bought out by Bandai Namco last year, so I suppose they wouldn't need permission anyway.

[growlanservoter]

Bamco owns Monolithsoft and Beanpresto so in all technicality its all one company. Atlus only had to get permission from one company hence to OG title :) Besides what does it matter Altus brought us a kick ass game which I am buying a second copy of because I know this little gem is gonna hit rare status like the devil summonor series :D

[Gen Eric Gui]

Bamco owns Monolithsoft

Not anymo~re. IIRC Nintendo owns them now.

[Tatsuya Suou]

Bamco owns Monolithsoft and Beanpresto so in all technicality its all one company. Atlus only had to get permission from one company hence to OG title :) Besides what does it matter Altus brought us a kick ass game which I am buying a second copy of because I know this little gem is gonna hit rare status like the devil summonor series :D

You my friend are awesome! Since I only saw two copies when I got mine that might be a good idea, plus the more copies bought, the higher the chance we get OG/OGG by the end of the year. When it comes down to it Japan has it easy when it comes to licensees. Most products from animes come from much fewer companies than the states. But even Banpresto has trouble getting license from companies like Konami. (you should see the request for Gurren Lagann, Diebuster and Zone of the Enders to be in a SRW game) Because the US is so divided in the license department, it is almost near impossible for a game to come over here that has licensed characters, regardless on how much money it will make off of it. A good example and to my dismay :very_sad: is this update in regards to Tatsunoko vs. Capcom. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/05/capcom-marvel-vs-capcom-3-not-part-of-deal-to-re-release-mvc/

I have a insane little theory on how atlus can get the license for SRW games. Now before I do this just to let you know, that I am aware that this is close to impossible for atlus so I don't need replies on how it will never work, here goes.

From what I understand, there are four companies in the US that handle most of the licensing of robot anime. Those companies are: Bandai USA, Funimation Entertainment, ADV and Media blasters. From these four, almost 90% of mecha anime that is localized to the states are handled by those companies. The two who has the most to gain and have done the most in localization is Bandai USA and Funimation Entertainment. ( Funimation Entertainment has gain more this past year for their acquirement of most of ADV's products and almost all of Geneon Entertainment) My theory is that if atlus were to find some kind of agreement with these four or even the two larger companies(much like how Banpresto handles some of there agreements and are now part of Namco Bandai because of it) than it would be possible to see SRW games like SRW @3 and SRW Z and those to follow. The trick is having an agreement that could lead to a lot of money being distributed or atlus having to partner with one of those companies. Now, like I said this is all a theory and I am not sure how it would work out. But who knows, Namco bandai can sometimes be kind in there license because of games like cross edge coming over at the end of the month by NIS America.

If games like SRW @3 and Z were to find some impossible way to come over here than I think it will turn to an SRPG game known by few to a international game ideal for robot and SRPG fans all around. I have a video for both @3 and Z to show who amazing the games are. Now be warned, these vids are on an epic scale and are not to be watched without being overwhelmed with robot awesome. Don't say I didn't warn you.




SRW @3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCw1HsHeck8&feature=related

SRW Z
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq8fpn5MUd8&feature=related

[Rurik]

Bamco owns Monolithsoft

Not anymo~re. IIRC Nintendo owns them now.

Strictly speaking, both are accurate, Namco/Bandai owned 96% of the stock in Monolith, which gave them the most vote in anything the company did, however they sold 80% of their stock to Nintendo, which now gives Nintendo the controlling vote, however Namco/Bandai still owns 16% of the company. This basically means that Monolith are fairly free to use characters from Namco/Bandai, like KOS-MOS, but they have to be for Nintendo systems.

[Taroni]

Bamco owns Monolithsoft

Not anymo~re. IIRC Nintendo owns them now.

Strictly speaking, both are accurate, Namco/Bandai owned 96% of the stock in Monolith, which gave them the most vote in anything the company did, however they sold 80% of their stock to Nintendo, which now gives Nintendo the controlling vote, however Namco/Bandai still owns 16% of the company. This basically means that Monolith are fairly free to use characters from Namco/Bandai, like KOS-MOS, but they have to be for Nintendo systems.

That explains the game that summarizes the first 2 xenogears...err saga episodes being on NDS

[Johnbear]

Even a giant company like Capcom can't release the Tatsunoko fighting game in the US due to licensing issues...











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