I'll grant you that. I've paid enough attention to mainstream video game fans and news to know that the PS3 and PSP have struggled to succeed. For some publishers, it's been much less risky to publish only tried-and-true hits for those systems. For instance, I glanced over niche site RPGamer's list of "All" (as opposed to upcoming) titles released for PSP and PS3. There were quite a few ports, remakes, and multi-platform games.
That makes sense. Several video game companies have received a lot of criticism for relying on a stable of franchises which don't change much from year to year. And Konami is definitely not the only company which has neglected some of its Japanese properties. See this topic:
...Having said all that, I thought about your sample letter, considered my own thoughts, and began writing my own. My version ended up using just one or two of your sentences. The writing is somewhat informal, while striving to be polite. (I might soon read advice on how to write persuasive letters...) It's also a little long, so I've placed it in spoiler tags. And I included some reasons for why I said specific things in italics:
To the staff of Konami:
I appreciate efforts that Konami has made in creating games for both small and large groups of fans. Over the years, Konami has created and localized a variety of titles, ranging from mainstream to niche games.
I learned from How to Make Friends and Influence People that it's wise to begin with praise or compliments.
Unfortunately, one of Konami's major Japanese franchises has not yet received an official English localization. I refer to the Tokimeki Memorial series. Not even the Tokimeki Memorial games on internationally successful consoles, such as the first two Sony PlayStation consoles and the Nintendo DS, have been professionally translated.
AFAIK, the PS1, PS2, and the DS were internationally successful. Each one has/had a wide userbase, so combined with the *relatively* low costs of creating software, each system had some crazy experimental games released in English.
I created this letter for two reasons. The first reason is to persuade the staff of Konami that localizing the 2009 PSP game Tokimeki Memorial 4 for the Playstation Store may be profitable. The second reason is to persuade the staff of Konami that localizing one of the Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side games for the Nintendo DS may be profitable.
The timing for release of a Tokimeki Memorial title in English may not have been right until recently. A mere ten years ago, individuals who owned video game consoles who sought an experience similar to Tokimeki Memorial had very few options. Now in 2010, quite a few more similar games exist in English, including but not limited to a wider variety of Harvest Moon games, the two Ar Tonelico titles, Persona 3 and 4, Princess Debut, and two different versions of Riviera: The Promised Land. In the next few months, there will be an official English translation of a Sakura Wars game, as well as Record of Agarest War, and Mimana Iyer Chronicle. In other words, games in English with dating simulation influence have grown in number and popularity.
I thought about mentioning Konami's galge-influenced PS1 game Azure Dreams, which had an English version... but it seemed out of context.
Over the last few years, games such as the ones listed above have helped to inspire a community of English-speaking game designers who have ambitions of creating content similar to the Tokimeki Memorial series. These fans have independently released quality, complex dating simulations such as Summer Session, The Flower Shop, and the Cute Knight series. Members of this community continue to work on projects with Tokimeki Memorial influence, such as Shira Oka and Lucky Rabbit Reflex.
There have been a few professionally made dating simulations on video game consoles which were written originally in English. Konami created one, named Brooktown High, in 2007 for the PSP. Though I purchased it, I have read that it was not a success. It received mixed reviews. However, please be aware that other video games with western sensibilities as well as romantic relationship elements are succeeding. I refer to sandbox games and western RPGs. Several popular games from these genres have included dating simulation elements into their gameplay, and have brought relationships in video games closer to a mainstream level of acceptance.
It's probably a good idea to mention that Konami did publish Brooktown High. I paid about $40 for it at GameStop, and it's still in my collection. For better or worse, I don't recall seeing that game on shelves afterward, or in bargain bins. Not sure if anyone else bought it. Its reviews on Metacritic range from positive to negative, averaging to to 51 out of 100. ...But I'm not sure if it would be relevant to state that Bioware's games, as well as series such as Fable and GTA, have romantic sidequests.
It is possible that one reason why Konami has not yet released an English edition of a Tokimeki Memorial games is concerns over whether such a niche title can be profitable. Translating and releasing a game for the first two PlayStation consoles was an expensive risk. However, that risk has been reduced through new distribution services, as well as changes in the video game market.
It is unfortunate that quality niche titles on the PlayStation Portable have often been ignored, and have sold poorly without a pack-in incentive. However, since the Playstation Store was established, publishers have been able to reduce the costs such as packaging and physical distribution. Companies have begun to release niche PSP games, such as Holy Invasion of Privacy, exclusively on the Playstation Store.
I mentioned "pack-in incentive" because Atlus' 2009 remake of Persona 1 for PSP included a full two-disc soundtrack. But I didn't mention whether Holy Invasion was a success, because I don't know how many people bought it on Playstation Store.
Therefore, I believe this may be a chance for Konami to release an English edition of Tokimeki Memorial 4 without the risks and expenses involved with the disc-based format. If Konami is willing to publish Tokimeki Memorial 4 on the Playstation Store, then the game will have a chance to find an audience. In this specific format, the game could earn back the money spent on localization.
Here's one article which gives a specific example of how a recent niche PSP game didn't succeed in its UMD release: http://games.ign.com/articles/101/1015167p1.html Scroll down to the discussion about Pangya.
The video game market has changed over the years. Until the Nintendo DS became a successful platform, companies and fans often assumed that only young men enjoyed games. However, the DS has evolved into a console with many games in English aimed at young women and families. This includes European games, American games, and games translated from Japanese. Furthermore, the console has software which previously only existed on computers, or which rarely received an official translation.
In Japan, Konami ported the first two Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side games from PlayStation2 to the DS, and recently announced a third Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side game exclusively for the DS. I do not believe these titles could have succeeded in English on the PlayStation2. However, I believe the games could succeed in English on the DS. The Girl's Side series would not contrast sharply with games that are currently on shelves. Keep in mind that the DS has plenty of nonviolent and cute games, many of which are aimed at a female audience.
I've seen some female-oriented DS games, such as Princess Debut, in bargain bins. Not every game which tries to reach this audience will succeed.
The market for PSP games on UMD is struggling, but the DS game market is still thriving. Since most DS titles do not appeal to the niche group of fans who use technology to steal and modify games, that means publishers whose games appeal to other groups of fans have a greater chance of success.
To sum all this up: if the Konami staff chooses to localize a Tokimeki Memorial title for a viable format such as the Playstation Store or the Nintendo DS, then Konami will not regret the results.
Sincerely,
[my full name],
Guaranteed purchaser of a localized Tokimeki Memorial game
