iDOLM@STER 2!!

[Elixir]

They're making it exclusive because iM@S fans would feel betrayed if it were released for the PS3. It would probably sell better on the PS3 though. No actually, it would DEFINITELY sell better on the PS3. Also people like hatimaki would run riot with endless bragging.

I wonder if they'll make a limited edition iM@S Xbox 360 Slim? If so, I'll have to buy it.

[digi162]

Forcing you to form a party of trios?  Sounds like they should of named this game Tales of Idolm@ster instead.

[H4ataraxia]

first, id like to say that yukiho's new voice sounds great.

secondly, i hope the game still allows options for solo versions of songs... I know it says 3-5 idols for performances, but sometimes solos are fun too.

the storymode/producing mode only allows trio and up producing, no solo or duo
but who knows, they might have a something like "office mode" from the SP games and allow solo or duo performances

[RoninatorMarx]

Its almost as if it kills them to let anyone outside of Japan play iDOLM@STER

I don't think so. I bet they are just trying to get more cash as possible. To quote Wikipedia's article on regional lockout.....

From the region lockers' point of view, the result is a higher income, less intra-brand competition (because there is no rivalry or free trade between competing territories), and greater control of price in affected markets.

[Scotty]

Doesn't apply to idolmaster, since idolmaster basically has no form of competition outside of japan.

[Elixir]

Just saw the Inside Xbox Idolm@ster Special by Rolling Uchizawa and Hikari Yamaguchi. I think Hikari's favourite idol is Yayoi. She actually plays through a vocal lesson without messing up! I wonder if it was edited a few times?

Anyway, the Namco Bandai building looks amazing. I'd love to go there. Maybe try to push for a Vesperia localization while I'm at it.

[Scotty]

Push? You better raid that building. I've been dieing for Vesperia on PS3.

Also, I'm almost positive that any game footage ever shown on inside xbox is always edited.

[Elixir]

Off-topic: Vesperia was so good that I played through it once in 2008, then again in Japanese maxing all levels. Such a great game.

Apparently the Japanese PS3 version has English voice tracks (don't know how they pulled the data from the disc, then again I don't know how they pulled the models from iM@S) where I believe the English VAs were sent back for additional voices... Namco might have decided not to localize it afterwards.

[Aya Kyunik]

Thanks Cael K and H4ataraxia :3

Technically we also have new and experienced staff members who've worked on different video games... or more like they've just piled up at our front door and said "I want to work on IM@S!" lol. Its very difficult to work on these motions and I think its going to be pretty exciting, so please stay tuned for more.

If I knew more Japanese I'd be one of those guys who would want to work on the model/texture or animations -_-;

I'm actually surprised that the game is going to be exclusive for 360 again. If anything, I would of thought they'd release it on 360 and PS3.

I wonder if they'll make a limited edition iM@S Xbox 360 Slim? If so, I'll have to buy it.

As I said before, I both relish and dread this possibility. My income can only provide for so much ;_;

[Scotty]

Cups of noodles.

Cups of noodles everywhere.

[Elixir]

As I said before, I both relish and dread this possibility. My income can only provide for so much ;_;

Well, it's certainly possible but since the Slim can't use faceplates, it's a bit of a disappointment. I want to continue using my Miki faceplate and won't be able to do so. I think I'm going to wait and see if there's any images available before preorder, before comitting.

Actually, come to think of it... this would be a bigger issue as I have DLC across three accounts and they would only be playable on their respective accounts if I changed consoles. Even after license transfer...

Anyway, welcome back Kyunik, long time no see.

[Cael K.]

Cups of noodles.

Cups of noodles everywhere.

Humans can survive on nothing but cup noodle and soda for a week. I know.

They might be able to go longer, but I think at that point I snapped. Assuming I'm the average, humans can only continue eating the same food for a week before they really want something else. Or become aware that they're malnourished and attempt to eat better.

Back on topic...

Well, it's certainly possible but since the Slim can't use faceplates, it's a bit of a disappointment. I want to continue using my Miki faceplate and won't be able to do so. I think I'm going to wait and see if there's any images available before preorder, before comitting.

I got the Precious Album for the stickers mainly... but once I got it, I found I couldn't really bring myself to put the stickers on. They look so nice on those sheets...

They're making it exclusive because iM@S fans would feel betrayed if it were released for the PS3. It would probably sell better on the PS3 though.

The way I see it, most of the core audience already has the 360. I mean, they have the original game. A smaller amount of the core audience has the PSP, but no 360, coming in from SP. Even smaller still, own a DS for DS.

Between a PS3 and a 360 (in Japan)...
People with a PSP have a higher chance of also owning a PS3.
People with a DS have a higher chance of also owning a PS3.
People with neither a PSP or DS have a higher chance of just owning a PS3.

... So, I figure that most new people that would come into Im@s... would own a PS3 before a 360. So your core audience consists of people who own a 360, you have to release on that, but... is it that more expensive to develop for the PS3 as well now? Or, even scarier, were not that many people brought in over the years that there wouldn't be much profit to be made from the one system that most people in Japan who own a console system have?

However... from a quick read of the article, I'm not sure I picked up anything saying exclusivity, just that they really wanted to release for the 360 (without mentioning any other system). Maybe that's just me. Of course... I think it might be exclusive at this point. Maybe not, we can hope, maybe a year down the line at least.

[RoninatorMarx]

... So, I figure that most new people that would come into Im@s... would own a PS3 before a 360. So your core audience consists of people who own a 360, you have to release on that, but... is it that more expensive to develop for the PS3 as well now? Or, even scarier, were not that many people brought in over the years that there wouldn't be much profit to be made from the one system that most people in Japan who own a console system have?

Which kinda leads us to my point a while back. They probably just want more profit out of it, so making a game exclusively for one console is what would they normally do. If ever they plan to release it to another platform, I'm guessing we probably won't hear about it until some time later.

[Scotty]

I don't see why limiting access to a product would increase its profits. Explain.

[Lunarian]

maybe the producer make a contract with microsoft so the game will only release on xbox