I mean, you're not wrong. I'm just wondering why you're so invested in this argument when you don't seem to be the target audience. Game's not for you. That's ok. You're allowed to not buy it.
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Nintendo's marketing of Xenoblade 2 has so far been abysmal
- Thread starter Shunt
- Start date
After Xenoblade 2, Monolith Soft/Nintendo needs to branch out and create new IP or revisit older franchises for their JRPG outside of this series. I would love a third Baten Kaitos game, or a sequel to the DBZ rpg on DS. And hire new character artists and gameplay designer.
monolith is already branced out, they been helping a little in lots of Nintendo games, mostly Mario and Zelda cause monolith is a god with it comes to world in the design and tech approach. reason why some of the biggest (if not the biggest) Open World map run on the WiiU hardware (XBCX and BOTW)
I don't like that kids pants. I don't think its a good reason to not want the game. I enjoyed the first two (first much moreso). I really can't muster any interest for this newest title.
I agree with all of your points Nirolak, and want to add one of my own: The character designs are just... bad, particularly the main female blade protagonist, who is so overly sexualized and gratuitously designed that it completely turns me off. I laughed when I saw the box art, where they intentionally position the female character in such a way that she's partially hidden by her "wing". I feel like perhaps NOA is aware of how ridiculous her design is.
Definitely lost my sale because of this primary reason.
Have you not played any of the Xenosaga games? This is nothing compared to Kosmos and Telos.
I mean Monolithsoft's individual RPG IP, not their work in assisting in other dev's titles.
They're confirmed working on a new IP already. Probably a 2019 or 2020 release.
Magilou was good and thats all that matters o3o
Also its baffles me how some people think they are a measuring bar
>The games fails to grab my attention so that means its has poor marketing
Er... That's what the purpose of marketing is.... And..... it has nothing to do with the quality of the game.
I mean, we have no shortage of awful games with awful practices with incredibly effective marketing, that sells vulgar amounts of people a product before the game is even done being made yet.... And then once the marketing is gone instantly fades into obscurity, can be picked up for a fraction of the price... But isn't, which is why you can find dozens of copies of these games that just came out a few months ago lining the shelves of gamestop.... All of which were originally bought for a high price stranger.
The quality of marketing, is not synonymous, with the quality of the product.
Guys, you need to get the corporate worship under control.
As others have undoubtedly said, they're going to push Mario through the end of the year. However, it'll probably get a push for the next few weeks on a level similar to Fire Emblem Warriors.
Eh, Telos was the most extreme "fansevice" got in Xenosaga. And in spite of that Saga 3 is still arguably one of the best PS2 RPGs. I'd say Pyra hovers between the Kosmos designs. Her Blond counterpart seems to have a way better design if you ask me though.
Fanservice in the Xeno games has always been something that I just take with rolling eyes. It's certainly not ideal. But I still get the great character dynamics that these games present pretty consistently and am willing to let that go for that reason alone. Some are not willing to do that, it's perfectly reasonable for them to do so.
Oh wow 16 pages. It seems like most people in this thread just simply aren't interested in the game and are blaming the marketing as their reason, and are then claiming the game is just bad.
Regarding the marketing, other than appearing in directs, the game made an appearance in every sizable convention like gamescom and pgw, and just got featured in an ad called close, and will surely get its own full version as we get closer to release
They marketed it, they've shown Story in E3, they've shown the gameplay systems multiple times, they've shown multiple areas, they have released 4 samples of music, described the game's theme in the last direct and in interviews, and are posting blade designs occasionally in twitter.
All of the above make the game, and will stick with you throughout the whole thing. if nothing resonates with you then its not bad marketing, its just you not liking the marketing and what they're showing.
As Nirolak said, the game doesn't clash well with the Switch audience at the moment, which is understandable, and its clear there is barely any hype for the game, which is also understandable. I'm hyped though, and so are some of the others here or elsewhere, and have hope that the game will deliver greatly as the first jrpg on the system. (Memories of Tales of Symphonia on Gamecube)
Regarding the marketing, other than appearing in directs, the game made an appearance in every sizable convention like gamescom and pgw, and just got featured in an ad called close, and will surely get its own full version as we get closer to release
They marketed it, they've shown Story in E3, they've shown the gameplay systems multiple times, they've shown multiple areas, they have released 4 samples of music, described the game's theme in the last direct and in interviews, and are posting blade designs occasionally in twitter.
All of the above make the game, and will stick with you throughout the whole thing. if nothing resonates with you then its not bad marketing, its just you not liking the marketing and what they're showing.
As Nirolak said, the game doesn't clash well with the Switch audience at the moment, which is understandable, and its clear there is barely any hype for the game, which is also understandable. I'm hyped though, and so are some of the others here or elsewhere, and have hope that the game will deliver greatly as the first jrpg on the system. (Memories of Tales of Symphonia on Gamecube)
Not every game benefits from throwing more marketing dollars at it. What do people think they're so much smarter than Nintendo when it comes to these decisions? Don't you think they have numbers and data and make their decisions based on that? No that can't be. Nintendo obviously has no idea what they're doing. Please listen to me, random forum person.
And no, that's not corporate worship.
And no, that's not corporate worship.
Almost as many pages and views as the ongoing "official" Xenoblade Twitter thread that's been going on since the start of the new forum.
Just goes to show that even here, negativity gets more hits and views than positivity.
Yeah, it never ceases to amaze me how so many think they know more or could do a better job than the people who are actually paid for their work.
Instead of "Lazy Devs", it's now "Lazy Marketers!"
Because the Xeno- games are possibly my favorite series out there. I love Xenogears and Xenosaga. Thought Xenoblade was one of the best JRPGS of it's gen. Bought a WiiU for Xenoblade Chronicles X and thought it was amazing. Bought a Switch for Xenoblade. It will be the only Switch game I play this year.
I like Monolith Soft and JRPGs. How am I not the target audience. Is the target audience kids? I doubt kids are the ones that are going to be playing this.
You can be a fan of series and be skeptical. You do know that right? Especially when that series has pretty much avoided most of the present problems.
Yeah, let us have our positive views only echo chamber!
I think it's somewhat reasonable to be dismayed that this game seems so niche when Xenoblade(1)'s style had much more mass appeal -- even if it never got a chance to prove it. It seems very implausible that this will be a break out hit, and if the game is as good as the 1st (still holding out hope) it will deserve a better reception than its style and marketing are going to get it.
X was more accessible than this one too, frankly, though the doll faces were transparently weird.
X was more accessible than this one too, frankly, though the doll faces were transparently weird.
I'm getting some serious flashback vibes to when Zelda: Wind Waker was first unveiled with the whole "is this just for the kiddies!?" and everyone going ape trashing the art style. And yes, practically everyone did. Even though it was going to be another great Zelda game, people had already made up their minds and declared the game to likely suck, not sell, because of the art.
Monolith has not made a bad Xeno game. Yet some people seem absolutely certain this will be one for some odd reason.
Monolith has not made a bad Xeno game. Yet some people seem absolutely certain this will be one for some odd reason.
That looks interesting, glad they're stepping away from the Mecha theme and going for the Medieval.
This is a series that changes style and tone with every game that releases from it. you were probably lucky that Xenoblade released on the Wii, maybe somehow Xenogears. If those 2 games were to be released these days, they'd probably get similar criticisms.
Monolith HAS made bad Xeno games. I would hardly call Xenosaga 2 a "good" game though it has its good points. But they've always been on a relatively upward trajectory as a developer which is why it's easy to be optimistic about them.
I'm in this boat. I really would love to see more from that series. I wonder if Bandai Namco would be cool with Nintendo buying the IP from them to just hand to Monolith, then while we're at it, get some HD remakes of the first two and possible some redone voice work, so everyone in the first game doesn't sound like they're talking from inside a tin can.
However, is it safe to assume that Monolith has 2 major teams at play? One was working on XCX while the other on XC2? If so, then it's definitely possible for them to have a new game out possibly every 2 years.
Excatcly. I'm not sure what is up with the modelers at Monolith Soft, but the actual art and character designs have never strayed to well......this kind of anime look and as someone not into I guess modern anime save stuff that I guess skews older(Gundam Unicorn, Gundam ThunderBolt, Lupin, ect) this is extremely unappealing.
Hilariously, this one has the best 3d modeling. They actually translated the character designs well this time.
Monolith has two teams, but one is only a Content team, and they helped out on Zelda and other games. The primary game team is by itself, and the reason they were able to get X2 out 2 years from XX is because they reused the engine, and probably cut some features, like clothing customization.
Right now their primary team is likely transitioning fully to the new IP they announced before, while the content team just keeps on chugging on content for whatever needs their contracted for.
For posting in an OT once the game is out, if you're not going to buy the game and have nothing to contribute beyond voicing criticisms you have already expressed extensively in a thread like this, I think the best posting practice is to not post at all. People who are playing the game will want to share and discuss their experiences with the game. It's not a matter of echo chamber, rather it's about you not echoing yourself over and over for the sake of making your opinion known.
As far as I can tell there actually aren't any mecha in Xenoblade 2... possibly a first for the Xeno games. Of course we'll see in the final product.
Of course those are a Takahashi thing to begin with. The new IP is being directed by someone else. Takahashi will probably continue to make Xeno games. Pretty sure they want to release a game every 2 years so it will likely be the new IP in 2019 and next Xeno in 2021.
I mean not really. Gears and Saga are pretty similar in tone. Chronicles X carries on that sci-fi mecha vibe, but without the more philosophical bent. It's more grounded. Blade was more of a classic adventure story but it diped it's toes into identity issues and whatnot. Still, all of these games attempted to be a bit more highbrow and skewed older. The character designs for all of them were not really otaku baity. Hell if anything afer Saga they made the designs even less big eyed anime looking.
I have the CE pre-orded. I'm buying the game and I can discuss the game however and wherever I want. If I want to share my negative experience with the game I'm going to. I love replies like this because they basically say "oh you can't do that, but if your opinion aligns with mine go ahead".
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pls be switch... would be a bummer if its 3dsThey're confirmed working on a new IP already. Probably a 2019 or 2020 release.
Nice synthesis. Count me among the hyped, in part for the memories you mentioned.
I was getting these vibes as well. To be fair, I can understand folks feeling uncomfortable with the individual designs and that turning them away from the game. One person's fan service is another person's "torture porn." To each their own. But the blanket dislike of the art style reminds me a lot of Wind Waker. Some of the critiques are more nuanced (e.g. a feeling of disjointedness across guest character designs), yet reading through the thread many are not. Not sure what marketing can do about that. I wonder, was Wind Waker marketed in a special way to compensate for its then divisive visual change?
It's Switch. 3DS not getting new games after the next few months.
Takahashi's stated reason for choosing this style and Saito as the Lead Character Designer is he felt that his style of characters lent themselves well to being very expressive in their facial features, which is something he wanted to really show off and accomplish because as you know, past games' expressions (especially X) were very plastic-doll like.
http://nintendoeverything.com/takah...ation-than-x-no-multiplayer-side-quests-more/
Zelda's gameplay is easier to market though. Xenoblade's gameplay, is just honestly not exciting to watch. I'm being honest there, I don't enjoy watching the battles (if I've watched lets plays of both predecessors I've always skipped through the actual battles), but I do enjoy playing them, it is a big difference IMO.
Opinion will change if more previews/reviews are positive. There hasn't been any "negative" previews to my knowledge, but then again, that is admittedly due to the way Nintendo has gone about things thus far and not having many previews being done.
http://nintendoeverything.com/takah...ation-than-x-no-multiplayer-side-quests-more/
It's been a long time of course so my memory is hazy. I'm not sure if Marketing did anything "special" for Wind Waker aside from the usual showing it off at trade events and previews. And through that over time people started to realize this was going to be a good Zelda game, and of course by the time it launched the critics praised it, many changed their tune.
Zelda's gameplay is easier to market though. Xenoblade's gameplay, is just honestly not exciting to watch. I'm being honest there, I don't enjoy watching the battles (if I've watched lets plays of both predecessors I've always skipped through the actual battles), but I do enjoy playing them, it is a big difference IMO.
Opinion will change if more previews/reviews are positive. There hasn't been any "negative" previews to my knowledge, but then again, that is admittedly due to the way Nintendo has gone about things thus far and not having many previews being done.
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If you are going to buy the game then that is a different matter. From your posts it sounded like you were not going to play the game. You seem like you taking things a tad too personally. There's no need to be defensive about my suggestion.
The quote doesn't apply to you then. You replied to:
its really easy to make xenoblade chronicles look exciting.. just show the environments
rahxephon... even some of the tales games have deeper stories than you would think
Yeah. I'd definitely argue this is the XBC's games' main draw. XBC easily has one of the most imaginative settings I've seen next to Planescape: Torment.
Well according to Takahashi, yes, the target audience for this game IS supposed to be kids. Or that was his intention, to make a memorable fun grand adventure, with a touch of boy meets girl, the likes of which he has fond memories of as a young boy. Stuff like castle in the sky... Er or more temporally accurate considering his age galaxy train 999.
He specifically said that in that regaurd, is was going to be a departure from the last two. He wanted to do something different. Which is great! It still has that trademark monolithsoft unmatched world/exploration design, an engaging combat system.... But just a family friendly adventure, that can really bust Xenoblade out out of its niche status, as many many of the fundamental components of the game itself are setting imaginations on fire, with world building and design being front and center on what's getting the new Zelda and Mario so much attention from such a huge audience...
Except.... Thanks to certain REALLY bizarre design choices, this game is unmarketable to the audience, Takahashi wanted to make a fun memorable adventure for.
Which is why the games marketing seems to be handled the way it was. Its marketing for people who already know about the series.
And yes, absolutely, the corporate worship needs to be brought under control
First Takahashi never said that the target audience are Kids.
And second what is this corporate worship bs, god forbid that there are people that like what they have seen about the game
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USER WAS SUSPENDED FOR: Picking a fight back up after returning from a 24h suspension. 1 week.
Sigh....
Did you even think about, maybe, googling anything to see if maybe, juuuuuuust maybe he actually did say it before going into full must defend product mode? No of course not. Why think about it when you can fox it:
A young adult story with a taste of boy-meets-girl. Lately it feels like all I've been doing are games full of devastation, like where your hometown burns down at the start, or the spaceship you're riding crashes(oh wait, that is all I ever do). Sometimes I just wanna try something different!
I want to make something that people can look back on fondly one day as something that really shaped their lives. Something like what I loved as a boy, like Oliver!(by Carol Reed) and Galaxy Express 999(by Rintaro).
-- That's why I started working on this game.
I'll leave the stories about the solemn old men and hot stylish guys to someone else(even though there's way more demand for that stuff), and go ahead with this.
-Tetsuya Takahashi on Xenoblade 2.
This, the instant immediate unthinking, unreasoning, non checking defense of the product, against any and all manner of discussion or critisism, or literally ANYTHING that is not 100% 'everything about this is awesome!!!!'. That no matter what other aspects of the game you praise any part that contains any criticism will be quoted and referred to as derailing blind hatred of the game...
That is not people who just enjoy a game. This is people that go bat crap insane at a fake review that a person didn't even write, and leap screeching to the keyboard to defend the honor of the product without ever even checking to see what is really going on.
This is corporate worship. And it is rampant in here.
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If you want to buy a game you don't like and post about how much you don't like it in the OT I can't stop you. I was talking about people who will not buy it coming in to derail it. It has happened in OT's before. There are games I don't like or buy but I don't bother telling everyone all the time in their fan communities OT or whatever. If I bought a game I did so because I was interested in it and if I then have issues or did not like it I will perhaps voice that in an OT it makes sense.
Anyway I don't want to get into another argument here I already got one ban for responding to insults and attacks. Peace.
I have read before the statement and nothing suggest that the game is aimed at kids and the game will almost assuredly get a Teen or higher rating but thank you for helping me proving my point.
And you are one of the most defensive people in this thread you made insults to a poster and got banned, and now everyone who disagrees with you is a fanboy and then you play the victim card so yeah you are not better than the so called corporate worshipper
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I think 16 pages in, there's really not much worth discussing any more. The general consensus (not just here, but everywhere) is this:
- This game isn't really in line with any market trends in the West
- As a result of this, NOA/NOE are understandably hesitant to spend money marketing it
- However, they do understand it will find its dedicated niche, hence the Collector's Edition
- In Japan, the game is being positioned as a product that appeals to the high-presentation anime games market (Tales etc.)
- Part of the reason Xenoblade 2 exists is to help attract other such games/developers to Switch
- As a result of this, Japan's marketing largely focuses on character spotlights (the Blades)
- Monolith Soft have indicated on numerous occasions that their long-term interests lie in games with global appeal and player communication
- Xenoblade X was their first attempt at such a project. A second project along these lines is presently being developed
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No, the poster claims I did, and you regurgitate unchecked claims. Anyone can see what was actually said, but let's face it, the truth doesn't matter does it? Man why does this tactic seem so familiar....
And yes, he very specifically states he is making a game for the younger crowd. He literally says he wants to make an adventure the likes of which he remembers fondly from when he was a boy, and lists examples of wonderful works of art, many a child from the era has very find memories of. You have to deploy amazing mental gymnastics to get around this.
And supporting your arguments isn't 'defensive' its how people who respect words, and good faith, do as such.
I have read the thread and i saw the insult so yes it happened, its the truth, you got banned for that so i dont dont undertand how can you say that it was nothing.
He doesnt say that, he wants to make a game that the player will remember fondly like him with Oliver and Galaxy express 999.
And supporting your arguments doesnt require to throw insults and calling fanboy to whoever disagrees with you.
Alright, thanks for that, if that is the point to take off XBC2's marketing a fanservicey blades, that it's targeted to a specific, mostly Japan-based audience, then I can sort of make peace with it. Not because I think it's the right thing to do, but because it's not something I can do anything about.
If I were Nintendo I'd get this game into the most hardcore of followers who were adamant fans of the original and XCX. So, for example, I'd get review copies in the hands of people like Matt Peckham of Time, Alex Fuller of RPGamer, and Derek Heemsbergen of RPGFan, all of whom rated XCX at a 90 or above. This would be well in advance for them to complete the game and gather their thoughts. Based on the fact these individuals rated XCX so highly, odds would be in Nintendo's favor that these outlets would be similarly enamored with the sequel. Granted there is no guarantee they would love XC2 but odds are favorable that if they loved XCX, they would love XC2.
Once initial reviews came out, hopefully, consistent in their glowing regard as they were for XCX, other outlets would begin craving XC2 as well. Nintendo would then tie in the completion of Super Mario Odyessy and Breath of the Wild with the launch of XCX. Firstly by saying that now that the ride of Super Mario Odyssey is coming to a close, a new adventure by developers of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch on December 1st. Sure there's a little hyperbole there but it's also kinda' true. Then focus the marketing campaigns on the Titans and match the landscape imagery to resemble the vastness of Breath of the Wild in order to hammer home that relationship between this on BotW.
If the game is genuinely great, further reviews will help to establish that fact.
Once initial reviews came out, hopefully, consistent in their glowing regard as they were for XCX, other outlets would begin craving XC2 as well. Nintendo would then tie in the completion of Super Mario Odyessy and Breath of the Wild with the launch of XCX. Firstly by saying that now that the ride of Super Mario Odyssey is coming to a close, a new adventure by developers of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch on December 1st. Sure there's a little hyperbole there but it's also kinda' true. Then focus the marketing campaigns on the Titans and match the landscape imagery to resemble the vastness of Breath of the Wild in order to hammer home that relationship between this on BotW.
If the game is genuinely great, further reviews will help to establish that fact.
Also there are already ads featuring xenoblade 2 and the game was shown in every direct so far
Hmm... I think you've exaggerated the design angle in this scenario. A sequel to a game isn't going to be easy to market to a newer audience, even if the designs were "child friendly" as it were. This also doesn't follow the idea that Nintendo wants to branch out to other markets. They are already known for being child friendly.
I think that the target market is completely different to the one you have described.
Whaaaaaaaaaaat.They're confirmed working on a new IP already. Probably a 2019 or 2020 release.
That concept art looks great!
That second pic has a very (I'm sorry) Dark Souls vibe. With a single knight exploring some ruins.