To clarify a few points since my last post, there already are Asia releases for IMAS - SP and L4U were released under the Asia region,and some did come with English items, not subs but instruction type of stuff. This is actually very common for Japanese games released in Asia, usually they include some limited instructions in Chinese and English. Initial D for the PS3 was done like this. All namco need to do is add in subs. Some Japanese companies are starting to include their own (bad) english subs on DVDs for anime and movies in Asia, its not perfect but its enough to understand it.
An international full release will cost too much, its not just about localisation, its about ratings - everything has to be approved by your country's government agency before it can be released officially, and shops cant sell things which are not rated, in the UK it has to be given a age rating for example, I don't know if/what the US does but I assume they have something similar, my point is to get a game approved, the publisher has to pay for it. Further I think there is something with the region locking related to certification, as far as I know the only "region free" Xbox games are US releases, maybe this has something to do with how the US rates/classifies things being that its an American console, ie something like "if it passes US law then its good for the world with user discretion" kind of thing? I'm not sure how Sony manage it, but someone did say something about that in another thread which i cant find atm.
Yes, but then again, the game is Japanese. I'm not talking about the language, I'm talking about "the game was built around, and was targeted for, Japanese"
You can't, say, compare an English subtitled iM@S with English subtitled Naruto, both got different genre. People around the world like to kick each others' ass, but producing a girl that will eventually develop that "unstated obvious reason"? not many outside Japan like that idea.
Throw in Futami Twins and you've just got a rating killer.
I take issue with a couple of your points there, namely "Japan got ideas so unique it is weird" Every country in the world has ideas which another will call weird, or wrong or whatever. It all depends on your own personal experiences, that dosnt mean that you, or me, our nations etc have any right to say whats right or wrong or weird. If you dont like Japanese ideas, then you have some simple choices, either be careful when buying Japanese stuff, dont buy it, or accept it for what it is. That applies to other places/things/people etc as well.
As for the DLC, some US / int games come with DLC, the idea of clothes and songs for idols is a perfect example of how to make DLC work. It works in Asia for IM@S L4U and IM@S SP.
I'm sorry if you are offended by my way of wording, maybe I should clarify:
Every country in the world has ideas which another will call weird
As you already know (and posted) some of Japan's unique ideas are called "weird" by other countries. Do you see my point here? That means converting a Japanese idea for use outside of Japan
could be a bad idea.
That's what I mean by "Japanese ideas should stay Japanese" and "Japan got ideas so unique it is weird. Trying to convert it into English version (not English subbed) is... well... idk..."
I was replying to a comment that was talking about re-voiced iM@S for international version (maybe not globally, one random country, whatever it is, would do). It is impossible to recreate the same experience is what I mean
When I said "American Idols won't get DLC", I mean "American Idols" (as in an American version of THE iDOLM@STER featuring... well... American girls) won't be popular enough to warrant DLCs.
Now, I know there actually is a game titled "American Idol", that game is about karaoke. I'm not talking about that one.
Okay, well I say enough OOT here. Sorry if my post offended any of you, I didn't mean any harm nor sarcasm nor whatnot that could hurt your feelings (or make you think I'm a bad guy).
Have a pleasant day (or good night, it's 8:50 PM here)
