As I working today I was struck by a thought - not the random kind either. The kind of thought that comes to when you've been toiled with a long time problem, a puzzle as it were, and there was a missing piece you could not quite locate. Often the piece is looking you right in the face, and it takes sometime to sink in - but when it does you feel liberated. As though, you've found the meaning of life and then some. Well this thought may not be so glorified as that, but I figured it'd be worth a shot to share before I go into depth on the dynamics of how it could work successfully. Now I'm a fan of Stardock and their products and games and I'm also a fan of Capcom and their products and games. But there is one game in particular that Capcom has command of, but it's doing poorly here in the United States. And at the moment, it hasn't a snow ball's chance in hell as making it state side without some outside influence. I'm talking about Monster Hunter, and more importantly the PC version of Monster Hunter called Monster Hunter Frontier.
Monster Hunter Frontier is the only port of the series brought to the PC, turning it into a MMORPG of sorts which pits hunters against massive dragons. Now there are quite a few reasons why the United States hasn't seen this title yet, and probably never will.
Now the game has seen a steadily progress in success on the PSP in the United States, and is now on the verge of getting onto the Nintendo Wii. But still, Monster Hunter Frontier has been out since 2007 in Japan and of course is extremely successful in Japan. The game has been properly marketed or sold in the the US - this is where I think Stardock can step in and show Capcom a thing or two on how it is done.
Before I offer this suggestion to Capcom USA, I'd like some feedback not only from Stardock, but also the community. Because I'm interestied in the idea of Stardock working with Capcom to bring Monster Hunter Frontier to the West. This means US, Europe, ect. The game can be sold through Impulse, hosted and maintained on Stardock servers. This game requires a monthly fee, and it certainly deserves one. It's not short game, that is for certain. It just needs a lot of new direction state-side to really bring out the potential that has been so boldly shunned by the vast majority of the US gaming community.
Direct Quotes from Sven's Blog: Read more on his thoughts of MHFO from a year ago.
Harder Than it LooksSuffice to say, this is not a "spend $750K localizing, $500K on cost of goods and $500K on marketing, ship it and you're done" type of project the way many of you are making it out to be.It’s a multi-million, multi-year commitment to effectively launch a new business unit in the West. It would be the launching of service, not a product and we don't intend to undertake any such venture in a haphazard fashion (the fallout would be legendary if we did).Which brings me to my last point.The resources Japan has dedicated to MHF are considerable. They are indeed part of an entirely new business unit for that territory (called our Online Business Unit). They are the tip of the sword. We are not and it will take some time before we are able to allocate/get approved the necessary resources. For fans, that’s the unfortuante reality.Give Up Hope?Now, all of that said, does that mean Frontier isn't coming Westward some day? No, it doesn't. I've always said we'd be revisiting those decisions in 2008 (and the ultimate decision could wind up being to "talk about it again in 2009 if things aren’t aligned properly in 2008").If we're just making a decision about potentially committing resources in 2008, even if it does happen it's far enough away that you probably don't need to be thinking about it any time soon.On top of all of this, there's the overarching brand strategy to consider. We need to grow the Monster Hunter brand on other platforms in the West before there's a proper audience for Frontier here. Our Western management group has been charged by the powers-that-be in Japan with growing the MH brand as a strategic initiative for the company.Please note, there are things in motion that I'm optimistic will allow for this to happen. When it does, you will see the appropriate financial commitment from our office. But also please be aware, these also aren't any time in the immediate future. As I have been doing for a couple years, I am requesting your continued patience and commitment to MH.
Here is more information about this game:
http://www.mh-frontier.jp/
http://monsterhunter.wikia.com/wiki/Monster_Hunter_Wiki
Many of my clients are into this title. Most of them are people you would not think as gamers.
On a side note, I suggest to Frogboy several years about doing a Japan thing and even volunteered to be the point man since I live here but he rejected the idea.
True, but when it comes to this title I see a lot of potential with it and Impulse. Since Impulse is one of the new engines of Stardock's product line, it'd be quite monumental to make a game that was sold on impulse and played via the Impulse Reactor. I know it seems far fetched, but the kind of support this game has isn't the normal 'gamer' kind as Spartan did point out.
The PC version likely has a higher chance of success than the console version, and it it was made readily available through Impulse with Demos, Online Purchases, and easy Monthly Payments - it may really be successful state-side.
It will only be as sucessful if people buy and play it. Not an insult to the game or anything(I dont know enough to judge it) but it will only do well if there is a market for it. Which Im assuming(Not the best thing to do), Capcom has already looked into it state-side and said not enough interest.
BUT HEY!!!! I could be 100% wrong here. Which I dont mind.
Well the biggest issues with Monster Hunter is that not very many people it exists. And those that do know it's around, really can't play it because it's pretty much only aviable on the PSP here in the States. The game has also had a lot of problems getting a solid online, something newer PSP titles will remedy this year. But that's just it, they'll still be PSP titles. There is no love for the PC version!
I'd want a megaman game that listened to my demands (megaman 9 was good, and X8... but in general, the series has not been as good of late as it should be)
At first I thought a PC version of monster Rancher, which was like "WOW, that would be awesome" but then I realized I was wrong. Especially since that isn't capcom '
For what it is worth, more than dozen of my clients play MH and shockingly enough they are all manager class, older people at large companies; I find that very interesting to say the least. Several of them told me they play with friends and coworkers (sometimes at work) but most often at night or on the weekends. They keep asking me to try but I cant do the language so no chance there.
One possibility- Capcom is making a PC version of SF4.
Crazy idea: offer to take the project, invest in GGPO ( a technology used in emulation that is quite superb, and is for sale/license fairly cheaply), integrate that into SF4, then put the game on Impulse.
The hardcores with comps powerful enough will lap it up, and you'll make a good profit.
Another possibility is to try working with SNK and bring KOF games to the PC (particularly these three: KOF XII, KOF 2002 UM, KOF 1998 UM). None of those have been emulated, and you just got to convince SNK that people will buy it instead of pirate it. (Generally, with arcade emulation- it got pirated heavily due to the fact that emulation let you play others online, while the legit versions didn't and were inferior ports) GGPO would work here as well.
Sorry to go off on a soapbox, but this is something I really want done, and you guys would be the best guys to do it.
Monster Hunter fits better under Stardock's Gamer Bill of Rights. It's a very powerful and beaitiful game, but it requires surprisingly little to run prefectly on PCs. They didn't go all out, they've always done well turning very little into a whole lot. One thing people might missunderstand, is that Monster Hunter is not one of those boring Korean Hack-n-Slash games. It's a very action packed, critical thinking Japanese dragon hunting game. Big difference!
Where do all you guys find time to play all this anyway.
Added some insights from Sven, posted a year ago on his blog. I just felt I'd bring this in, because it seems like cooperation with another company may help bridge the gaps of the issue he outlines.
Isnt MH a MMO??? If so then your gonna find it even harder to make a market in the West due to the masses of MMO already here. And the simple fact that WoW is king. Blah!!!!!
True, but many MMOs in the US are just slight variations of the exact same thing. Sadly there are none like Monster Hunter here state side, if there was I'd be playing it.
Isn't Capcom the publisher of Age of Booty http://www.impulsedriven.com/agebooty that use SECUROM for DRM, even when buying with Impulse ...
I meant for an MMO
Those weapons are massive. My eyes about popped out when I saw the size of that axe/halberd, and the ones that come after that are bigger still.
I like the look and the music track is catchy, but I don't get a particular feeling of I should go buy this game now! It does need proper marketing to get noticed and succeed, but if the challenge is what keeps gamers coming back then it could be very successful in its target demographic.
Problem is, not everyone is looking for a challenge in their MMO. One of the reasons why the 'mainstream' MMOs are successful is because they usually cater to the full range of gamers, regardless of skill level. If Monster Hunter wants to muscle in then it's going to have to persuade some people to ditch easy-moding.
Am I the only one who finds the idea of using anti-pirating software, to prevent piracy, for a game about pirates somewhat amusing?
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