The Idolmaster

[Ladybird]

This rhythm game/simulation series has already installments on the Xbox, PSP and the DS. You play the part of a producer of a music studio and try to help prospective pop idols to succeed in their careers.

We haven't had any games like this, and it is a popular series in Japan. Personally I'd prefer a portable version, but any would do.

[AdrianMorales]

The games are being produced and published by Namco Bandai so you will have to ask them.

[Ladybird]

But isn't publishing games made by other companies the thing Atlus USA does most?

[Tivor]

It is, but Namco Bandai has to allow Atlus USA to localize it first, which, if history is any indication, they won't.

[DamageCity]

Idol games are lame. I would venture to say a visual novel would make more money than an Idol game in NA.

I poo on this thread.

[Ladybird]

I don't see any reason why it would do worse than a visual novel. It's closer to a traditional game.

[landlock]

It is, but Namco Bandai has to allow Atlus USA to localize it first, which, if history is any indication, they won't.

Sky Crawlers and Fragile say there is a chance. Plus Atlus have done Namco Bandai games before.

Not really that interested in this, I'd be happier to get the other one Love Plus. Though I would be tempted if it did ever come out.

[DamageCity]

I don't see any reason why it would do worse than a visual novel. It's closer to a traditional game.

*facepalm*

[Ladybird]

Are you here just to make stupid comments or do you have something actually meaningful to add?

[DamageCity]

Are you here just to make stupid comments or do you have something actually meaningful to add?

a little of bit of both. Anyways hasn't crap like this allready been suggested? and in all of ATLUS USA's history makes you think they would be interested in publishing this?

[Ladybird]

you don't want this game. Yes, I get it. Now that you've made your point, why are you still here?

This board is set up that Atlus can directly hear from their customers what they want to play. So far they've been very open-minded bringing games that nobody else would. I can't tell you how many times I've heard people crying "it's never going to happen!!!" about a game, and we ended up getting it anyway. Let Atlus worry about what they want or do not want to do.

[Onion of Mystery]

Simmer down, people.

[iDOL15]

I want it to come to the states so badly. The series has a LOT of potential to make it here in the U.S. as long as it is in good hands.

[zeda12123]

I think the game would be very good here in the US. Cathy songs, fun activities,fun sanerios. I think a cool feature would be to choose language, for example, having the songs in japanese and the dialoge in english. I can dream anyway~

[monkmaster79]

I've always wanted to try the Idolmaster series. I don't think NB would let Atlus localize it though. They're jerks like that. >.>

[Haldo]

If it's possible, I really, really want to see this game dubbed. Oh, Namco...

[zergrussian]

As ashamed as I am to admit this, I would probably buy an idolm@ster game. :(

[Tivor]

If it's possible, I really, really want to see this game dubbed. Oh, Namco...

Eww, no.

But then again, I'm not one to scream "Everyone must enjoy original Japanese voices!!!" so if they do dub it, they really ought to give us a language selection option. Everyone's happy.

But of course, I'm getting ahead of reality........ Oh, Namco....

[SdKfz]

I'd definitely buy this, all three if it is the SP games. Idolm@ster is very popular in Japan and I'm sure there are quite a few people wanting a english release.

[Hraesvelgr]

I'd definitely buy this, all three if it is the SP games. Idolm@ster is very popular in Japan and I'm sure there are quite a few people wanting a english release.Quite a few as in a hundred or so. Maybe a thousand if you were really lucky. And I'm being generous here. Some other people might get interested if they knew it was going to be released, but the game really wouldn't do too well, even on a niche level. If Atlus is going to release a game that's less profitable, I'd rather see Growlanser or something.

[SdKfz]

I'd definitely buy this, all three if it is the SP games. Idolm@ster is very popular in Japan and I'm sure there are quite a few people wanting a english release.Quite a few as in a hundred or so. Maybe a thousand if you were really lucky. And I'm being generous here. Some other people might get interested if they knew it was going to be released, but the game really wouldn't do too well, even on a niche level. If Atlus is going to release a game that's less profitable, I'd rather see Growlanser or something.

You may be right on Atlus not making a profit, but definitely more than a thousand people would want this. It even has its own fan translation: http://www.tsukuru.info/tlwiki/index.php?title=Idolmaster_SP (although it's pretty dead at the moment) Google also brings up almost 3 million hits for "idolmaster translation" if that means anything

[Ningyo]

Even though I'm not a die-hard fan I'd still go for this if it was released - I like managing sims like this.
I can see that it could be difficult though... I'm not sure of the market either. But one can hope?

[PluggedBus]

Registered an account today just to support this thread.

BTW, the superior sequel has been released since the previous post in this topic. I'd happily import it if it was region free despite me knowing very little Japanese. People tell me that I should just shut up and learn Japanese but I have a bad memory so learning a second language would be tough and something as complex as Japanese would be impossible unless God were to intervene. If I were to learn a second language it would be Latin because it would be interesting to know and being a dead language means I wouldn't have to keep up with anything.

[AquaRhapsody]

I can personally vouch to having going out of my way to import the game Idolm@ster SP: Wandering Star and then making a Japanese PSN account so I can buy the Perfect Sun version digitally. I would love to see this game brought over to America. I lent the game to a friend (and neither of us speak Japanese) and he doubted he would like it and ended up loving it. It would attract sim gamers, people into RPGs, people into rhythm games, and people who like Japanese couture and music. These series of games have it's own active forum (http://www.project-imas.com/) of fans who daily clamor about it, even if they don't own or haven't played it, and make requests of which idols they would like to perform what songs. Some people have even imported Japanese Xboxes to play the games and spend money on Japanese Microsoft points to have the latest DLC. Personally as a fan who watches countless Idolm@ster videos daily wouldn't even want like a "full" translation, I'm one of those fans who want subs of what the characters say and the songs sung, not dubbing over the idols. Just English menus, dialogues, and song subs with the original Japanese voices.

[Kenji]

Hmm... iDOLM@STER...

There's this really cool (horrifying?) thing about how the girls are essentially interchangeable, singing the same songs and wearing the same costumes and achieving the same levels of popularity. It's like a producer's dream: Mass-produced, probably low-cost pop idols who can be switched out whenever the market demands it, or tossed out whenever they begin to cause problems. That's a fascinating concept... and has nothing to do with Project iM@S's intentions.

Beyond that, the songs aren't very good, the dancing is badly choreographed, and the whole thing, from premise to execution, is kinda creepy. Sure, I like Makoto and (my generous reinterpretation of) Miki, but I can't overlook what iDOLM@STER quite obviously is. That starts with what it isn't: A game.

It's funny: The very thing that fascinates me about iDOLM@STER, which isn't true in the game itself, is quite true when it comes to the business model behind the game. What Project iM@S (and, by extension, Namco Bandai) is selling isn't a talent management simulator, which the game would technically be, but a mass-produced series of low-cost pseudo-girls whose existence and prominence is dependent on market data.

The management sim gameplay doesn't exist to excel as a simulation, but to introduce the player to the girls. The crappy songs and dances don't exist to be good songs and dances, but to position the girls as "cute." The game, itself, doesn't exist as a game, but as a marketing ploy to sell the CDs being produced alongside it. I suspect these CDs are where the money's at: They're sold at EP prices, but without the overhead or royalties that go along with actual EPs by actual pop artists.

That's fantastically cynical. That iDOLM@STER 2 has apparently run aground in Japan says something for the longevity of such a fundamentally cynical concept.

The problem iDOLM@STER runs into, in terms of localization, is twofold. First, the game can't, and wasn't meant to, function on its own: Bringing the game means bringing the entire merchandising apparatus that it was designed to serve as a gateway to. Second, the American idol scene functions on completely different principles from the Japanese one and, because of that, requires an older image. Not only would it be impossible to sell the iM@S girls outside of that tiny Japanophile niche, but it would come off as extremely creepy to anyone who isn't aware of the cultural context these girls are being sold in (and even knowing the context doesn't prevent this from being creepy).

[Olethros]

I'm can't remember if I've ever made a point of putting it on the record, but I personally think Kenji is one of our most rare of posters: someone able to combine vast knowledge and solid common sense into a single post. :)

[HotLimit]

Hmm... iDOLM@STER...
It's like a producer's dream: Mass-produced, probably low-cost pop idols who can be switched out whenever the market demands it, or tossed out whenever they begin to cause problems. That's a fascinating concept... and has nothing to do with Project iM@S's intentions.


Yeah, I think THAT'S the game that anyone looking at this from the outside wants. Pop star management sim, why have they (they being a competent developer looking for more than a few bucks from a cheap mobile app) not made that game yet? Creepyness be damned, where's my virtual Justin Bieber game? - "Excellent, now tweet about how you love your fans, muahahaha! Tweens are no match for my capitalist exploitation!" "What do you mean you're having him perform at the Molsen Amphitheater? Dissolve contract!"

[APPLE 01 DOJ]

I own Live 4 U & 2nd Vision.

While 2nd Vision is a far more complete gaming experience I think that Live 4 U would do so much better stateside. It'll be considered simply a rhythm game and all the japanese subculture will be pushed under the rug. The exact opposite is true for 2nd Vision.

...although I think Dream Club Zero would do better. Most Americans understand the concept of getting a girl drunk to have fun.

[Kenji]

@ Olethros: I'm a bit late, but thank you much. :)

Yeah, I think THAT'S the game that anyone looking at this from the outside wants. Pop star management sim, why have they (they being a competent developer looking for more than a few bucks from a cheap mobile app) not made that game yet?
All kidding aside, why the hell not? I would be far more welcoming to iDOLM@STER if it actually sought to excel at these things. There are plenty of rough-shod games I give a pass to, because they have interesting concepts and it feels like the developers actually tried. Controlling a stable of cute girls in a cynical, myopically profit-driven business environment is actually a very interesting and thought-provoking concept. There are a ton of pertinent criticisms that can be made about modern business without descending into the FFVII-style evil corporation of evil.

I mean, look at this. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJFfG_qVMH8) "The iDOLM@STER" is one of the better songs in the catalogue, the girl is cute, and she's actually pulling a pleasing singing voice, but the dance choreography is horrible! I don't expect it to be platinum-worthy material, but I do expect it to not make me wince in embarrassment.

Then there's the stupid burger song. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykji1zvtpeA&feature=player_embedded) Nobody would buy an EP featuring something like this.

And I don't think anybody did.