Sakura Taisen series

[gekiganwing]

After all this time, it looks like a few fans are finally trying to translate a Windows version of Sakura Wars 1. The discussion thread is at http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/561890-s ... e/61925087 . Like all fan projects, there's no guarantee that it will be finished. So don't hold your breath yet.

In case you're wondering, I learned about this project through the Romhacking.net main index. I don't have a GameFAQs account -- at least not at the moment.

[gekiganwing]

The last time I posted in this thread, I reminded people that it's wise to be patient with fan translations. It has been a while since the last update. Unfortunately, I don't know if the ST1 for Windows project is still on-going. But before you panic, be sure to add a friendly and helpful message to the GameFAQs thread.

Something new and worth mentioning: today, I learned about a group of fans on Facebook who are campaigning to get the PC versions of Sakura Wars 1 through 4 translated, and on platforms such as Steam and Gamersgate. The Kiss Me Sweet campaign started a few weeks ago. Their goal is to get a company (more likely than not, NIS America) to license, translate, and sell the games online.

Does this have even a chance of succeeding? Good question. I don't know how much the licensing fees would be. Even though the Sakura Wars franchise is showing few signs of life, I believe its rights are still owned by SEGA and Red Entertainment. Furthermore, it was disappointing to hear that not many people bought Sakura Wars 5 on PS2 or Wii. Even if it's becoming easier to sell games on Windows, I'm not sure if anyone will take the risk of publishing the older games.

If you want to support this effort, then I recommend writing a polite and on-topic comment for the Facebook group, and on NIS America's bulletin board. Make sure they know that you would be ready and willing to buy these games.

(An aside: I wrote nearly all of the above message on the Megatokyo forums, and then copy-pasted the text here. Just so you know.)

[redeyesblackpanda]

Ah... it's a wonderful series I got 5 for the Wii (Yes, I own one of those ) It's fun as heck

[LVUER]

Something new and worth mentioning: today, I learned about a group of fans on Facebook who are campaigning to get the PC versions of Sakura Wars 1 through 4 translated, and on platforms such as Steam and Gamersgate. The Kiss Me Sweet campaign started a few weeks ago. Their goal is to get a company (more likely than not, NIS America) to license, translate, and sell the games online.

This. And we also need for a petition for translation of Valkyria Chronicle 3.

[gekiganwing]

I occasionally saw the Wii version of Sakura Wars 5 in Best Buy stores, but passed it by. I bought the PS2 version so that I could hear both the original actors and the dub actors. While the sales were low overall, I've heard that the game sold better on PS2.

And I remember seeing a campaign to get Valkyria Chronicles 3 localized. Not sure if it's still active. If the game were ported to a device other than the PSP, maybe it would have a chance...

One of my favorite bloggers, Jeremy Parish, reported that while SEGA is releasing at least one unusual and not-that-commercial game in English, the future of the company is looking bleak. The company has a history of great games, but a lot of its franchises have been abandoned, or lost their respect after too many spinoffs and sequels.

[redeyesblackpanda]

Oh, I was quite annoyed by how I couldn't get the original voice acting. I guess that's what I get for not owning a PS2...

[LVUER]

And I remember seeing a campaign to get Valkyria Chronicles 3 localized. Not sure if it's still active. If the game were ported to a device other than the PSP, maybe it would have a chance...

Are you talking about the fan-translation project of Valkyria Chronicle 3. You can look for them via google and they also post their works in YouTube. And the project is still active (last post only several weeks old). I can't wait...

But according to SEGA, there is no official plan to localize them... not even in the future (due to low sales of US version of Valkyria Chronicle 2). Still, they said to never give up and keep petitioning this to SEGA, who knows if they will re-make it as HD version and localize it on Vita.