No Plans to Bring the PS Vita Tales Games to the US Because the System is “Doing Relatively Poorly”

Hideo Baba, Producer on the Tales franchise, was recently interviewed and asked a bunch of questions, with one of the more interesting answers revolving around the Japan-only Tales of Innocence R and Tales of Hearts R.
- PSLS

[Snookies12]

......

[Sev]

I have to agree. Well said.

[Snookies12]

Haha, sometimes silence says it all.

[aCasualGamer]

....

If he's concerned over poor Vita sales, yet he'd rather have 1,40 million potential buyers than 4,5 million? Last time i checked, there are more Vitas sold in the west(America and Europe) than in Japan... This is... absurd... illogical... mind-numbing... ignorant.

YEEEEEESSSSH!

[dedicatedtogamers]

I haven't followed the Tales series, so maybe I'm speaking out of turn, but...

...haven't the Tales games ALWAYS had issues with localizations? There are like, 40 Tales games in Japan released over the years. Maybe five of them were released outside of Japan? Okay, I'm exaggerating, but this news doesn't seem unusual.

[sunnygrg]

There's a reason "games" are called system sellers.

A strip joint won't make money if there aren't any new and refreshing strippers.

[juandren]

^ boobs will always make money

[MrWonderful]

@juandren
No sir boobs will not always make money. Do you want to pay money to see a pair of floor dragging breast because I sure don't. They must be nice in order to be profitable. Also I didn't give you the disagree btw.

[sikbeta]

It's nothing but the truth, Vita is selling really bad and of course games sell worse on that platform, why burn cash to bring the games here when bigger games like ACL and COD:BOD can't even reach 500k with bundles included...

[Godchild1020]

@ sikbeta
It funny that you say that because according to Vgchartz (I know Vgchartz), both AC:L and COD:D sold about 600K and that number could have reached a million if not more if we could get digital sales and I believe in Europe AC:L came as a digital copy in the bundle.

So, while it is true the system is not selling as well as most of us would like it to be selling. The games are selling, when they are available. I'm sure if we could get digital sales, you would be to believe that. Wasn't it reported a month ago, that Demon Gaze sold 25K just digital alone in its first week or so? I know that is in Japan, but that is the only game I know that has reported digital sales that is solely on the Vita. Also RCR, but that is on the PS3 as well.

[NewMonday]

then let XSEED do it if they don't.

[Tultras]

@sikbeta

The vita WAS selling really bad, not its doing okay, not good, but okay.

Secondly both P4, ACL and COD vita sold REALLY WELL, given the attachment rate. ACL sold around 600k I believe, on a consumer base or 2mil ( at that time ), that's pretty amazing if you ask me.

[nukeitall]

I remember when the PS Vita price, line up and features was cheered like the second coming of Christ!

Turns out, all the love from the hardcore gamers wasn't enough....

[FFXI101]

@aCasualgamer
I agree with you. I don't understand the logic behind it. I, myself own a vita and work at retail store. The compalin I heard from most vita owners is that there aren't enough game for them(physical disc, not the downloadable ones) and I have to agree with them. I wish there are more vita games then what we have now.

He should know one of the main reasons for the slow sales is not enough games and the other is the price point. to real ease more games would encourage gamers to support it, want to buy it. But he got it backward.

[dbjj12088]

My thoughts exactly.

[LOGICWINS]

This is a good thing. It implies that sales are the only thing holding Tales games away from the Vita. Once sales pick up, then we shall have them!

[wishingW3L]

for the sales to pick up the system will need more games. It's kind of a redundant contradiction.

[LOGICWINS]

More games are coming. Wait for E3.

[RememberThe357]

"Redundant contradiction?" lol You coulda just said "chicken or the egg." I actually just sat here and thought of redundant contradictions. It's kinda cool honestly, harder than I thought it's be.

On topics though, this does suck for people wanting to get their hand on this game and Sony has really dropped the ball with the Vita. It's looking like the PSP all over again; great hardware, not enough compelling software.

[trickman888]

"Wait for E3"

LOL yeah, like how E3 saved the Vita last time, right?

[SilentNegotiator]

Wait for E3? .....You bought a Vita, didn't you, Squidward? [image]

Sony should have subsidized Vita until it could get out of the loop of "needs games, won't sell"...you can't expect third parties to take that risk.

[GrandTheftZamboni]

@RememberThe357

"Redundant contradiction?" lol You coulda just said "chicken or the egg."

I too was thinking of some Redundant contradiction, but all I had in the fridge was some pizza leftovers.

[rainslacker]

Isn't the Vita doing better in the US than Japan though? I mean until the recent price drop I remember reading an article about that. Not to mention EU/US combined for localization is a bigger market than Japan is.

This also seems like the kind of game that many Vita owners right now would buy.

[himdeel]

Japanese developers make no sense this generation. If they no longer export their games no one will care when they do.

[Fullmetalevolust]

Operation Rainfall should get on that, isn't it what they do? They petition to localize games...right?

[chaos-lockheart]

it's doing poorly because YOUR NOT FREAKEN SUPPORTING IT WITH YOUR GAMES!!!! It's a stalemate, gamers not buying because there's no games for it, and developers see no ones buying so they don't make games for it. Some times I just think developers are so stupid, this simple logic they can't understand.

[DA_SHREDDER]

bwahhahaha, the crappy action jrpg overrated piece of series poo is gon3! 4 Eva!

[Ritsujun]

Shred DA_SHREDDER. =D

[Main_Street_Saint]

Eva? The anime?

[PopRocks359]

Shouldn't you release games to help it do better then? Usually when a console has a small install base, you expand its library to bring in more potential consumers. While I understand the need to make profitable products, I don't see how developers can't see that notable software will move quality hardware.

[wishingW3L]

it never been like that and never will be.

[StockpileTom]

It used to work like that before publishers lost their will to take even the smallest risks...

[maniacmayhem]

That doesn't work at all. You are releasing an already niche title to a device with a small install base.

The return might not even cover the port to the system.

[PopRocks359]

What I'm saying is, they're not releasing a game on the Vita because the install base is small. Shouldn't they support it, possibly with another, smaller game to help move units? Why not a new iteration of Pac-man Championship Edition? Something to expand its library and increase the chances of a sale?

Besides, Monster Hunter is pretty niche in the western market and it boosted Wii U sales in the UK.

[sherimae2413]

but... but... atelier totori also a niche title suddenly pop out of psn! its just a lame excuse

now i hate nb, i love tk! ^_^

[nirwanda]

@poprocks nintendo paid for a monster hunter's exclusive and would have supported a localization but sony obviously won't get involved and it's a business decision that a jrpg may not sell well outside Japan to a limited market.

[CrescentFang]

@sherimae2413 technically the game was already translated and localized before (I would imagine not as much work had to be done compared to it's PS3 localization). TK didn't even give it a physical release, because it's niche and on the Vita

[maniacmayhem]

Everything and anything costs money to port to any system. A new iteration of PM:C would still require more production and cost. I understand what you are saying but there really is no guaranteeing that there games would increase the install base by much.

Pac-Man:Championship is a great game but I doubt anyone would rush out and buy it for the Vita.

[Kur0]

there is no port needed, there are two tales games out for the Vita in Japan already.

[GillHarrison]

It costs quite a bit of money to localize a game. They had analyzed that the rate of return on the title would not be worth the investment.

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

It's not their responsibility

[phantomexe]

Too all, remember what this man said the next time you decide to bash the WiiU. Well said poprock and lots of agrees.The vita needs games like the WiiU needs games.

[Wedge19]

Ouch. Well there you have it. Chicken and egg conundrum? Do devs support it, or do customers support it?

[TrendyGamers]

Great way of summing it up.

[ApolloTheBoss]

+Well said for you, sir.

[STK026]

I think the issue with the Vita is that it has been out for a year or so now with a respectable amount of good games, yet sales do not reflect that. When the PS3 came out, it didn't sell very well at first, thanks to a high price point and a lack of great games (Resistance and Motorstorm are both good games, but nothing exceptional in my opinion). Developers and publishers knew that with a good amount of software, sales would go up.

On the other hand, the Vita has games, may it be Uncharted:GA, Gravity Rush, Lumines, Persona 4, etc. Yet, sales are still relatively low. Furthermore, the general perception is that the Vita doesn't have games.

At the moment, developers might be hesitant to support the handheld, as they know it has games, but isn't selling very well. On the other hand, consumers don't seem to realize the Vita does have games, and are hesitant to purchase the product.

Either way, I do hope developers continue to support the Vita, as it has great potential.

[StockpileTom]

The egg predates the chicken. The first chicken must have hatched from the egg of something that wasn't quite a chicken...

Publishers suck these days... they shift all the risk to the consumers when they are the ones that should be taking the risk to make the money. They are so paranoid of bombing out that they often miss out on big opportunities to hit it big... opportunities to innovate...

[animegamingnerd]

well f*** there goes my reason to own a vita for now besides persona 4 golden which i already own on the PS2

[Veneno]

I actually understand your sentiment. The Vita right now needs solid jrpgs. P4 Golden is a good start, but its an old game and it can't carry the system by itself. Same with Disgaea 3 vita.

Im getting sick and tired of developers saying they dont want to take risks. THEN GET THE F*** OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE SUCCES REQUIRES RISK.

[Hanso]

Ys Celceta is coming 2013 for Vita new exclusive Jrpg!!

[StockpileTom]

Yeah... even when they do take a risk on a niche game or new innovative idea they often just send it out to die with no advertising...

[illtornworld]

So us owners who have Vitas doesnt matter? This is bs. What a way to be done, you look forward to a game and boom They drop this on us....Seems like we dont matter to them. smh

[Yodagamer]

it is bs, as in business sense. You can't sell a product if you don't think it will sale. Unfortunately it's how it works and it has effected the wii u and the 3ds at launch as well

[LOGICWINS]

Okay, so why don't you get all your Vita owning buddies to start a kickstarter to cover dev costs for the Tales series? You want the games right?

[rainslacker]

That's not a bad idea logic. Although a petition could probably be just as effective. We'll probably see one next week.

I think the only thing we could have hoped for is if the DS version were to be released in the US as well to offset localization costs. There's really no hope of that now though.:(

[knifefight]

"No plans" eh?
http://rpgland.com/video/ki...

[Capt-FuzzyPants]

KH always sells in America. Tales aren't as popular over here. Plus that is on the PS3. The PS Vita doesn't have anywhere close of an install base compare to the PS3.

[knifefight]

Wow I had no idea.

Could not have imagined. Here I went and posted that video thinking that the whole thing applied exactly and 100% to this situation instead of just the Namco Bandai parts. I thought you could copy and paste situations like that with perfect accuracy. I am amazed to find out that this doesn't work.

Does that change the fact that Namco Bandai always says "no plans" no matter what? Lemme know.

[The 10th Rider]

@knife fight,

Seriously? Apply what you just said to every situation. Basically what you're saying is that if a developer says there are no plans to localize the title it doesn't mean anything either way. That's not true.

It is true that plans can change and any title could eventually end up localized. But in this case we're talking about a game with less overseas demand that Kingdom Hearts on a system with a smaller install base. His comment means exactly what it says: "if the numbers increased considerably, then it’s something we could consider." Until then, don't expect anything. Simple as that.

[knifefight]

No need to focus on Kingdom Hearts, this is about Namco Bandai. Look back through history and see all the times Namco Bandai has said "no plans" and then announced something. As the posted video points out, it's kind of a lot.

Point is "no plans" also means "no news."
It means, don't mark your calenders for a release, but don't rule it out from ever happening. Nothing to see here. ;)

I can promise you for a certainty that the next Tales game either will or won't be released internationally.

[The 10th Rider]

True, however:

As you said, his comments certainly don't count out the possibility...but they also imply that, unless the Vita's sales improve, it won't be happening. That's gives us a bit more inside info than a typical "No plans" comment. In this case, that inside info is looking pretty negative.

[Nate-Dog]

Well that sucks, I don't even have a Vita but any chance to play more Tales games would be well appreciated. Maybe somewhere down the line when things pick up.

Although I don't know why this article has a picture of Milla from Xillia on it. The news about future Western versions possibly having the option to use Japanese dialogue sounds fantastic though.

[JonnyBigBoss]

This is just sad.

[illtornworld]

@yodagamer i know... but still. Atleast have it as a digital game with the PS3 version. You know..

[ThePsychoGamer]

Despite the small install base, JRPGs have been doing well on the Vita, You'd think they also take that into consideration.

Well hopefully they will at least allow a different publisher to bring these games over (Like they did for Time and Eternity)

[LastXeno]

I'm enjoying the 1 JRRPG currently on Vita.

[-Gespenst-]

Sad. Well hopefully the Vita will pick up this year and encourage them. Too many Tales games we don't get a chance to play in the west.

[illtornworld]

JRPGS is the sole reason i bought a Vita. Well FFX remaster to be exact. but still. Tales games are extremely fun! And Vita is perfect for it.

[Heavenly King]

They want the system to sell more, but they dont release the game they already have for it.....

Does not compute.

[LastXeno]

Nintendo, now's your chance. You already have the Shin Megami Tensei, Etrian Odyssey, Monster Hunter, Dragon Quest, etc locked up as exclusives.

[Tewi-Inaba]

Tales of H *The original* is ON the DS
That didnt make it to NA either tho.

Sadly tales isn't that popular in the states, even though they're really great games

[lodossrage]

this is very catch 22.

They want the install base to be there for them to make it worth it to bring the games.

But at the same time, an install base doesn't grow unless there are games available to buy on the system.

Very vicious cycle

[Knight_Crawler]

Yes but its Sony's job to make sure that the install base is there.

Sony needs more 1st party Japanese developers and more JRPG games on the VITA - the west does not give a F about the PS3 and deserve Sony's love.

[lodossrage]

That's not Sony's job alone.

Third parties carry some of the weight as well. You can't expect an install base to be sizable if those customers have nothing to play. So third parties have to take the risk sometimes as well.

And for the record, you need to correct yourself. AMERICA seems to not "give a F about the PS3". Because from what I see, EUROPE also counts as "the west" and they sure as hell care about it.

[leahcim]

a console with 100 games aprox and only 8 or 9 of them worth the price... so sad

[tiffac008]

If the install base is the reason we are not getting an English version of those Tales Of games for the Vita then why didn't they release them on the DS before?

Those games came out on the DS first, the DS was selling like hotcakes and we got zip back then too. Come on Baba, don't do this to us twice.

[MrWonderful]

Looks line ill be dusting off my Japanese books lol

[rataranian]

So how about 3DS? Cause I'd buy one to play Tales.

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

well 3DS does have Tales of Abyss which is also on PS2. It would be kool to get another tales game on 3DS tho.

[Simon_Brezhnev]

I dont understand why cant they just put it on PSN with subtitles. Wouldnt that cost a lot let money.

[Kratoscar2008]

Tales isnt a good series anyways, is for a reason that Tales games stay in Japan. Tales of Legendia was the only Tales game i liked, TotA sucks, ToV is too cliched and so on, ToX 2 is the only one im interested because its an actual RPG.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

So you never played Tales of Graces then? Cause honestly I think it's the best one to date.

[Kratoscar2008]

I heard the gameplay is great but saw some videos of the MCs...... not a good impression to say the least, i totally fell in love with the ToL cast the rest of the other Tales not so much i have yet to see a Tales female to surpass Chloe Valens.

Im going to pass on the first Xillia because i have heard the MC is worse than Luke´s and im not sure how can you manage to surpass Luke when it comes to annoying.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

It's one of those things that grow on. I'll admit for Ni No Kuni, I hated Oliver at first, but I learned to like him over time.

[Belking]

Nothing new here. Vita has been doing poorly since it hit the market.

[CrescentFang]

It's a pretty wise decision tbh even though I don't like it. It's not like it's his decision not to bring the games over. They need to make money...

[profgerbik]

What?

http://n4g.com/news/1226568...

[CEOSteveBallmer]

Sigh, Do they not realize if they release a game like that in the U.S. it would surely boost the sales of the system?? They are playing safe. Nothing good comes out of it. business is a risk and I suggest they take it.

[porkChop]

I don't understand what's with Japanese devs this gen. They're so fucking dumb. By the time they end up localizing their games they look and feel out of date, and they won't sell much because western gamers have moved on. But then Japanese devs have the nerve to complain about us not buying their games. If you treat western gamers like shit then don't expect them to buy your games.

Anyways, what makes no sense about this is that there are far more Vita's in the west than in Japan. I mean your excuse for not localizing the games is because of poor Vita sales, so your big idea is to limit the game to a region with even less Vita's sold.

[Nate-Dog]

You do realise how big a difference there is in Japan and "the West" which is regarded as an agglomeration of all of North America and the West of Europe among others, right? How do you figure they'll sell more Vitas in Japan than there so easily?

[GdaTyler]

Since a console is doing badly in their opinion, they won't support it and then ask themselves later why it won't improve. No sales no support, no support no sales. ಠ_ಠ

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

Catch 22. It won't sell unless it has software, however, software won't be made on it unless it sells.

Solution? Sony throws in a price drop and it might sell more. Hence increase developer interest, hence more sales due to upcoming games.

[TongkatAli]

That sucks! Going to order me another beer : (

[erikthegman]

tales of vesperia would be sexy on the vita screen

[Ck1x]

Most of you Sony fans are the biggest hypocrites! So this is a developers reason for not making a game avaible to all on the Vita and yet you trash the WiiU in every article because it is suffering the same 3rd party fate right now... Until the install base improves on both machines, I really don't expect the situation to change much. Unless money swapping is involved!

[TongkatAli]

Wii U owners say "you can't compare a handheld to a console" yet look at what they're doing, haha.

[Nacht]

Original Tales of Hearts was released on NDS and NDS User Base is quite large in the US at that time yet Baba still wouldn't do the localization

[DivineAssault]

Drop that price out here & maybe itl increase.. There might not be a whole lot of vita owners in the west but the ppl who do own it, more than likely are core gamers who want games like that... Look at all the 3ds owners in the west, then look at how much tales of the abyss sold... I bet those vita tales games sell more than that did if localized!

Vita prolly isnt selling as well as it could because WE DONT have games like this yet.. Sony needs to drop the price here so it can pick up because i dont want to import tales of hearts but i will if i have to

[killerorca258]

Very true man, according to official statistics, North American and European Vita owners spend an average of 18.6 hours a week on their Vita, and between 86-88% are extremely satisfied with their Vita.

[Whxian]

this sucks and seems like the only choice is importing the games................

[killerorca258]

I stopped being concerned about the Vita, sales, games and whatnot months ago. The Vita is doing fine, definitely not great but passably fine. It has at least 100 new videogames this year,and what with the PS4 connectivity and PS Plus the Vita will steadily grow stronger like the PSP, the PSP was certainly not a runaway success, and even if it takes another year or two, the Vita will stabilize. Try not to be too concerned guys, Sony has invested far too much into the Vita to let it die, the Vita will be supported until at least 2017. Just my opinion

[stragomccloud]

Unless people release software, people won't buy hardware. And because hardware isn't selling, people aren't releasing software?

Let us ponder that one for a moment.

Developers have to take the risk, if they just subtitled the thing, it wouldn't be that expensive to bring over.

[brettski]

Maybe they don't understand the current exchange rates...

[landog]

put them up digital only......then all you need to pay for is english text translation

[Whxian]

that would be great, but they probably wont do that either, i kinda doubt such ideas even reach them

[Simon_Brezhnev]

Thats what i said and i agree.

[MoreRPG]

The vita needs more exclusive games that takes full advantage of the system (new killzone game) not just ports of the console version.

[dungeonboss]

Good thing the Vita plays import games...