The Idolm@ster - JP Xbox 360 -1/25/07

[youth]

Just got an Xbox 360 & am looking forward to the next-gen JRPG Blue Dragon & hopefully many others if it succeeds in the states. Anyway in my research before choosing the 360 I discovered this title The Idol Master. http://www.idolmaster.jp Damn what an appealing looking game catering to otaku tastes!

I have some questions for anyone who might know more about the title. What would it take to get this game out in the US? Is this an Xbox 360 exclusive? Where can I buy The Idol Master faceplate? http://shop.765.jp/idolmaster/01/im50_00_00_00.html Thank you.

g'day
youth

[DiGiKerot]

Me and Johnny have been going on about this one for ages.

Other than the arcade machine its ported from, it's a 360 exclusive at the moment. I wouldn't count on there ever being a US release (infact, its one of the main reasons I ended up going for an import 360 rather than a domestic one) - aside from the subject matter not being particularly to mainstream US tastes, and the youthful age of most of the girls, there is plentiful dialogue and a whole load of very J-pop songs. Honestly, if they were to do a US release they'd have to pretty much do a complete retooling of the whole game.

I don't know about sourcing a faceplate - at the moment I'm just wondering if this is the same one as is coming with the LE boxset...

--edit--
Oh, and for those following these things, the iDOLM@STER Xenoglossia pre-site updated with a new front image of the Twins and some new mecha and character designs and stuff, plus a date for the final site! Wooo!

[lostnomad84]

From my understanding Idol Master is indeed a 360 exclusive. However, you have to understand, unlike in Japan, the arcades are basically dead here in the states. I have never seen an Idol Master machine here in the states, so the chances of this game ever getting to the states is slim to none.

As for Blue Dragon, I think it will make it here to the states. A lot of people outside of Japan support the 360 and I just hope Japanese companies will realize that even though the consumer base for the 360 is not strong in Japan, and they will still develop games for the 360. Blue Dragon did well for a 360 title in Japan and maybe it is a sign of hope people are willing to take a look at the system, as long as there are good games on it.

[Chacranajxy]

Originally Posted by lostnomad84

As for Blue Dragon, I think it will make it here to the states. A lot of people outside of Japan support the 360 and I just hope Japanese companies will realize that even though the consumer base for the 360 is not strong in Japan, and they will still develop games for the 360. Blue Dragon did well for a 360 title in Japan and maybe it is a sign of hope people are willing to take a look at the system, as long as there are good games on it.

Blue Dragon is confirmed to be coming to the states.

[quenelf]

Originally Posted by youth

What would it take to get this game out in the US? Is this an Xbox 360 exclusive? Where can I buy The Idol Master faceplate?

1. A miracle.

2. Yes, or at least, it hasn't been announced for any other platforms (that I've seen reported).

3. Don't know.

You didn't ask the fourth question which is, will the game be region-free? Some X360 games are, but generally this isn't known until the game is actually out. If it is, you could probably play it on a US 360. (Of course, depending on your Japanese skills or lack thereof, this might not be much help.)

--quen

[youth]

Obviously this wouldn't be a mainstream title & I know chances are slim, but there are companies out there (Altus & NIS?) who specialize in bringing over niche titles. If this game were to be brought over here, how much do you think it would sell? Are there enough otaku out there to sell a couple thousand copies though I think something like this could appeal to the girl gamer demographic too.

And that would be great if it were region free. I don't know Japanese, but I'd get it anyway if that were the case.

g'day
youth

[DiGiKerot]

Atlus and NIS may go for niche titles but they still stick to the established genres like RPGs and, err, SRPGs. iMAS is totally outside of their areas, not to mention the fact that its for 360 - it just doesn't have the installed base to make it remotely worthwhile. A couple of thousand otaku-based sales is probably being optimistics.

[lostnomad84]

Originally Posted by youth

Obviously this wouldn't be a mainstream title & I know chances are slim, but there are companies out there (Altus & NIS?) who specialize in bringing over niche titles. If this game were to be brought over here, how much do you think it would sell? Are there enough otaku out there to sell a couple thousand copies though I think something like this could appeal to the girl gamer demographic too.

And that would be great if it were region free. I don't know Japanese, but I'd get it anyway if that were the case.

g'day
youth

Because companies like Atlus are so small, they tend to go for more mainstream titles that have some following. Atlus usually does not print a lot of games upon release, so they tend to just try to get a game that will sell enough units to guarantee a profit.

If Idol Master will fall into one of those categories, well I could not begin to guess. There have been titles in the past that got popular because of importing, they established some fanbase, and as a result a company decided to gamble and bring it over to the states. Microsoft is a company that seems to be listening to a lot of their consumers, so if a demand begins to arise, it is possible for the title to be exported. However, since I have never seen an Idol Master machine in the arcades here in the states, nor has the game been released in Japan yet, it is too soon to say if the game will ever make it over here. But, I will say the chances are very slim to nil that it will be exported outside of Japan.

[Chacranajxy]

Originally Posted by lostnomad84

If Idol Master will fall into one of those categories, well I could not begin to guess. There have been titles in the past that got popular because of importing, they established some fanbase, and as a result a company decided to gamble and bring it over to the states. Microsoft is a company that seems to be listening to a lot of their consumers, so if a demand begins to arise, it is possible for the title to be exported. However, since I have never seen an Idol Master machine in the arcades here in the states, nor has the game been released in Japan yet, it is too soon to say if the game will ever make it over here. But, I will say the chances are very slim to nil that it will be exported outside of Japan.

Considering the nature of Idolmaster, there's no way in hell that Microsoft would consider bringing it to the US. And considering how seldom Japanese 360 games are region free, I don't know if anyone outside of Japanese and Asian 360 owners will be able to play this.

I really wish there was a way to play imports...

[Magic_Knight]

Originally Posted by Chacranajxy

I really wish there was a way to play imports...

Same here. I've had my eye on this game even before I bought a 360. If by some miracle this game is region free, I will be sooooooo happy.