NIS suffers HUGE-ASS year end profit drop!

[Routou]

In this time of year, many companies, big and small, announce their operating profits/losses. Nippon Ichi Software is no exception, but the big difference is that their operating profits dropped... a staggering 97.5 percent... nearly to zero, that is.

That's pretty damn terrible, especially for a very small company such as NIS that doesn't have the financial reserves to lift itself out from a deep hole...

NIS is a publisher (and developer) of a LOT of Niche titles (such as Disgaea DS, Phantom Brave: We Meet Again, Prinny: Can I Really Be The Hero? Last Rebellion and others) - none of them bring too much money in, but publishing all of them is quite expensive. This downturn in profits may bring some changes in strategy for good ol' fan favorite NIS. Let's hope it's not anything drastic!

source of qoute (http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=6906)

NIS...You know what you did, and only you can fix this.
Next time before you do ANYTHING game related, discuss it with your fans first, after all we are the only thing keeping you alive right now. This goes for you as well NISA.

My suggestion?
Start making TV commercials for your games.
Even for the games that have been out for a while now (i.e Phantom Brave: We Meet Again, Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days, Prinny, etc.).
It's only smart to actually do this (especially in the US/Canada), since more people now adays don't look to the internet as a way of finding games, they always pay attention to the commercials on TV.
And believe me TV ads are really big in the US, and games that have TV ads in the US always gain huge sales records.

So get off your asses and start making TV commercials okay.

[Enzeru]

And believe me TV ads are really big in the US, and games that have TV ads in the US always gain huge sales records.
I have a good idea why.

Because before the commercials even come out, the games are hyped as hell! The companies know that they'll sell millions day one so they make commercials to squeeze out a few more sales. Do you think Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 would sell significantly less if it had no commercials? And I mean significantly, because that's what NIS needs right now.

Anyway, definitely a supporter of NISA! Sakura Wars is a big risk, and I really hope the "fans" show their support!

[Vyse of Arcadia]

NIS caters to a pretty niche market in the west. Fans of SRPGs and Japanese wackiness. The kind of people who spend more time on the internet than watching TV. Putting out commercials might raise a bit of awareness about NIS games, but I doubt many people would rush out to buy them. The sort of people who would rush out to buy them hear about the games on forums and the like.

Besides, NIS had a pretty mediocre year. Two ports (Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days, Phantom Brave: We Meet Again,) one visual novel (Disgaea Infinite,) one mediocre published game from a mediocre developer (A Witch's Tale,) and one oddity (Let's Hitchhike.) Profits will pick back up as soon as they release a new SRPG. Hopefully not another Disgaea, but that would also work.

[Routou]

NIS caters to a pretty niche market in the west. Fans of SRPGs and Japanese wackiness. The kind of people who spend more time on the internet than watching TV. Putting out commercials might raise a bit of awareness about NIS games, but I doubt many people would rush out to buy them. The sort of people who would rush out to buy them hear about the games on forums and the like.

Besides, NIS had a pretty mediocre year. Two ports (Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days, Phantom Brave: We Meet Again,) one visual novel (Disgaea Infinite,) one mediocre published game from a mediocre developer (A Witch's Tale,) and one oddity (Let's Hitchhike.) Profits will pick back up as soon as they release a new SRPG. Hopefully not another Disgaea, but that would also work.

The only other NIS game to come out this year so far is Zettai Modification Hero. Which is basically Steal Princess, only for the PSP.

[jeffx]

Didn't know this was the NISA board?
Who the heck watches TV anymore?
How is Zettai Hero even close to Steal Princess?
Have you not read about Classic Dungeon?
How many more questions can you handle?

[Zachalmighty]

So many answers, not enough questions!

[AlkaidFan]

Although it's sad to hear, I hope it encourages them to port games like Disgaea 3 onto the Xbox 360 and other platforms, there is no real reason why the 360 hasn't got a Disgaea 3 port yet.

I would love NIS to become a multi format king of niche releases, to finally give fans of every platform a taste of what they can offer.

Also it's about time they pushed into next gen development graphically, there is only so long a company can remain relevant on consoles whilst producing low grade graphics.

I would love a proper 3D Disgaea 4 on the PS3/360. Make it happen NIS, the fans will love you.

[Manic Expressive]

Prinny flavored slurpires don't sound too good.


Then again Kratos's Fury is purple...

[DamageCity]

NISA games bore me to tears. I am looking forward to Sakura Wars though. My advice would be to publish a game that more than a handful of people would want to play.

It's only smart to actually do this (especially in the US/Canada), since more people now adays don't look to the internet as a way of finding games, they always pay attention to the commercials on TV.
And believe me TV ads are really big in the US, and games that have TV ads in the US always gain huge sales records.

I really doubt NISA can afford the TV advertising costs right now. I'm really curious about, just when do you think NISA should advertise their games? During American Idol? CSI? Reruns of the Flintsones?

[Hamel]

Also it's about time they pushed into next gen development graphically, there is only so long a company can remain relevant on consoles whilst producing low grade graphics.


http://nisamerica.com/games/lastr/

[Vyse of Arcadia]

Although it's sad to hear, I hope it encourages them to port games like Disgaea 3 onto the Xbox 360 and other platforms, there is no real reason why the 360 hasn't got a Disgaea 3 port yet.

Not going to happen. Squeenix and friends may do 360 releases because the American market for their games has gotten big enough to warrant it, but that is definitely not the case for NIS.

And regarding their graphics, I see no reason to move away from sprites. I would like higher resolution sprites, but neither the gameplay nor the artistic style of most NIS games demands full 3D. I doubt most NIS fans really want full 3D, and going full 3D isn't going to suddenly get the masses to run out and purchase niche RPGs and SRPGs.

[Soushi_Grapple]

This is why the company is on the verge of dying:
http://rosenqueen.com/product.php?productid=16333&cat=260&page=1

Seriously, no one is going to buy that at $300.

[Vicious1915]

This is why the company is on the verge of dying:
http://rosenqueen.com/product.php?productid=16333&cat=260&page=1

Seriously, no one is going to buy that at $300.

Wow, yeah.....no......

LOL

It's not even a very good picture. (IMO)

But I am curious about the game. I saw a preorder on Amazon the other day.

[Sanctine]

This is what happens when the company continues to release ####ty titles without ever changing their own engine. As far as I'm aware, this year-end profit drop only affects NIS Japan.


Also it's about time they pushed into next gen development graphically, there is only so long a company can remain relevant on consoles whilst producing low grade graphics.


http://nisamerica.com/games/lastr/

When I first saw this game, I actually thought it was for PS2. I am looking forward to it, though, because I like the look of the gameplay. In terms of graphics, though, this is last gen stuff.

[Soushi_Grapple]

I actually preordered Last Rebellion. I believe its a traditional turn based system which I like. I also thought it looked like a PS2 title, but... whatever.

[Enzeru]

This is why the company is on the verge of dying:
http://rosenqueen.com/product.php?productid=16333&cat=260&page=1

Seriously, no one is going to buy that at $300.
I dislike when people complain about extra accessories that companies create just for the fans. People will buy that giclee. People bought the Ar Tonelico II giclee, people bought the Mana Khemia II giclee, people even bought the A Witch's Tale giclee! Some fans DO want this. It's no different then selling plushies and such, which ATLUS fans have been craving for, and yet say that it's wrong for another company to do.

[Macheath]

This is why the company is on the verge of dying:
http://rosenqueen.com/product.php?productid=16333&cat=260&page=1

Seriously, no one is going to buy that at $300.
I dislike when people complain about extra accessories that companies create just for the fans. People will buy that giclee. People bought the Ar Tonelico II giclee, people bought the Mana Khemia II giclee, people even bought the A Witch's Tale giclee! Some fans DO want this. It's no different then selling plushies and such, which ATLUS fans have been craving for, and yet say that it's wrong for another company to do.

This. The only reason I didn't buy a giclee is because I didn't have enough money, not because I thought it was stupid. Some fans really do want this kind of merchandise and I'd be more than happy to buy Atlus merchandise. ;)

[Hamel]

I would have bought it ot something like that


but not for $300 that's WAY too much

[dungeon_man]

This is why the company is on the verge of dying:
http://rosenqueen.com/product.php?productid=16333&cat=260&page=1

Seriously, no one is going to buy that at $300.

Well, if their inventory updates in real-time, it looks like five people already did.

[Soushi_Grapple]

I would have bought it ot something like that


but not for $300 that's WAY too much

This is closer to what I meant, haters. XD There was a deluxe deluxe deluxe set for a game awhile back I did want, but I couldnt come up with that kind of money. Too many Atlus games to buy instead ;)

[dungeon_man]

I would have bought it ot something like that


but not for $300 that's WAY too much

This is closer to what I meant, haters. XD There was a deluxe deluxe deluxe set for a game awhile back I did want, but I couldnt come up with that kind of money. Too many Atlus games to buy instead ;)

It is a piece of art that you can hang on your wall for the rest of your life. $300 is not too much for something like that, it's just not practical for most people's budgets. Their giclee for A Witch's Tale was also $300, was limited to 100 prints, and they only have two remaining in stock. Clearly people are buying these items.

I hope to someday have a house with a game room containing a pool table, a couple pinballs, and some arcade cabinets. I'm willing to spend $200 for a pinball machine backglass right now, so what's another $300 to decorate the wall of my future game room?

Anyway, those prints are not why the company had low profits. However, does anybody know if NIS America is owned by NIS? If so, NISA's profits might be included in the NIS profits. Not sure about the details there.

The profit drop might just be a result of scheduling. They spent a lot of time (money) in 2009 developing and/or localizing Last Rebellion and Sakura Wars, and both games missed their 2009 release dates. The profits could turn right around in 2010 when those games (and whatever else they have in the works) are released.

Regardless, a decrease in profits is much better than a loss.

[Yet Another Tim]

The impression I got is that NISA should spread out its releases more on dates that most mainstream publishers try to avoid; that way, there's a potential that NISA would get its audience, since at the moment, it is at a red alert for them to do a head-to-head release against a mainstream title.

[Gen Eric Gui]

Honestly, this could mean anything. It could mean they bought a bunch of new equipment, or hired a new team, or any number of things. There are a lot of things that can reduce year-end profits that have nothing to do with lousy sales numbers. Anyways, as long as they are still making a profit, they are doing relatively okay.

And I'm also pretty sure this news was about NIS Japan, which is not connected to NISA as far as I'm aware. So this whole topic seems to be arguing the wrong point.

[Flußkönig]

And I'm also pretty sure this news was about NIS Japan, which is not connected to NISA as far as I'm aware. So this whole topic seems to be arguing the wrong point.

So you don't think NIS going out of business would have an impact on NISA? Seriously?

[Soushi_Grapple]

I think if one or the other it would have an impact. Ive heard Japan relies on US sales for at least some titles-- not sure how true that is.

[Enzeru]

It would definitely affect NISA greatly if NIS went out of business. They would lose Disgaea, their flagship series. It could end up that Atelier would be their new flagship, and Atelier isn't nearly as popular as Disgaea.

[Tivor]

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-11/nis-america-licenses-toradora-as-its-first-anime

NIS America, the American subsidiary of the Nippon Ichi Software game company, has announced on Thursday that Toradora! will be its first anime license for North America. The company told Anime News Network that it plans to take pre-orders for Toradora! later this month, and it will start shipping the series this April. NIS America will then release the anime versions of Pandora Hearts, Persona -trinity soul-, and Our Home's Fox Deity. (Wagaya no Oinarisama.).


So NISA is expanding its business into anime market.

Interesting turn of events, to say the least.

[Ephidel]

A rather odd one, in all honesty, considering how much the anime publishers seem to complain about anime sales falling :P

[Soushi_Grapple]

I agree with Ephidel... Funimation is almost a monopoly in the US right now because everything else has failed. Theyve resorted to sub only releases (argh, I wanted Ghost Hound dubbed!!) because they cant afford actors.

I wonder if NISA will be purists and give people sub onlys.

I miss dubs. Even bad ones.

[Hamel]

^That's Sentai not Funi
Funi is still doing dubs

[Gen Eric Gui]

And I'm also pretty sure this news was about NIS Japan, which is not connected to NISA as far as I'm aware. So this whole topic seems to be arguing the wrong point.

So you don't think NIS going out of business would have an impact on NISA? Seriously?

It would have an impact, but I don't think one as big as some people seem to assume. Most of their work lately has been on Gust and Idea Factory stuff.

And as I already pointed out, they're hardly "going out of business" if they still made enough money to even HAVE an operating profit. A lot of smaller companies like them are in the red now.

[Soushi_Grapple]

Theyre doing yet another Disgaea game for PS3. Yay.

[Tivor]

And as I already pointed out, they're hardly "going out of business" if they still made enough money to even HAVE an operating profit. A lot of smaller companies like them are in the red now.

I agree with this. NIS showed near-zero profit, not near-zero revenue. There is a huge difference. Surely it's not a healthy state for a company to be in, but it isn't a dire, dying state either.

As for NISA, you could look at their branching out into the anime business as a sign of being (or at least trying to be) more financially independent from NIS.

[Vyse of Arcadia]

Theyre doing yet another Disgaea game for PS3. Yay.

First I've heard of it. Link?

[Kain Mare]

Theyre doing yet another Disgaea game for PS3. Yay.

Is it about Disgaea Infinite? I thought that project was canceled.
Edit: My mistake. That is for PSP.

[Enzeru]

Theyre doing yet another Disgaea game for PS3. Yay.
Yeah, and only one more sequel this year, the rest are new IPs. Eh, if it gets them back on track, I'm for it.

http://www.siliconera.com/2010/02/12/new-disgaea-game-coming-to-playstation-3/

[Vyse of Arcadia]

I wish I could blame them for milking Disgaea so much. But it's popular for a reason, and they've kept the quality in all the games very high.

I wonder if the new Disgaea will be Disgaea 4 or yet another spinoff. Honestly, though, if they're going to do sequels, the one I want the most is Phantom Brave 2.

[Aizuku]

No :(
I'm a NIS fan.

For me it is 1. Atlus 2. NIS 3. Gust

I hope they recover :)

[Constraint]

Yeah, a Phantom Brave sequel would be great!