True Fantasy Online shifts to PlayStation 2? Perhaps PC...
Doomed Xbox RPG revival chatter emerges.
Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino made some interesting comments in the holiday issue of Japanese gaming magazine Dorimaga relating to the spectacularly canned Xbox online RPG True Fantasy Live Online.
According to the magazine, Hino-san believes that there is a strong chance the game may be ported across to another platform, being ready for retail within a 12 month window - incredible and unexpected news if true.
As you may remember, the canning of TFLO was one of Microsoft's most embarrassing moments in its push for acceptance from the Japanese game-buying public. The game was touted as the figurehead of the firm's understanding of the Asian market, though was cancelled outright, with no substantial or credible reason being offered. It is believed that relations between Microsoft and Level-5 became strained, with an eerie silence hinting at a legally-enforced period of hush.
Hino-san declined to mention which platform or platforms TFLO might move to, though the PlayStation 2 and PC are thought most likely given the installed base of Sony's machine and ease of port a PC version would enable.
Expect an update on this interesting story breaking within the next month...
According to the magazine, Hino-san believes that there is a strong chance the game may be ported across to another platform, being ready for retail within a 12 month window - incredible and unexpected news if true.
As you may remember, the canning of TFLO was one of Microsoft's most embarrassing moments in its push for acceptance from the Japanese game-buying public. The game was touted as the figurehead of the firm's understanding of the Asian market, though was cancelled outright, with no substantial or credible reason being offered. It is believed that relations between Microsoft and Level-5 became strained, with an eerie silence hinting at a legally-enforced period of hush.
Hino-san declined to mention which platform or platforms TFLO might move to, though the PlayStation 2 and PC are thought most likely given the installed base of Sony's machine and ease of port a PC version would enable.
Expect an update on this interesting story breaking within the next month...
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Comments
acidviper 4 Jan 2005 14:36
1/8
He should go GameCube to piss everyone off. Well at least if they go PS2 the harddrive might be useful.
Joji 4 Jan 2005 14:38
2/8
Think this kind of game would be better aimed at the established PC/PS2 online rpg market especially places like Sth Korea and China.
Just bad luck for MS that they didn't try to resolve any problems between them and Level 5. TFLO could have done well on a superior Xbox Live service. How it will fair on Play Online is questionable. Cross your fingers tightly it pans out the goods properly.
Just bad luck for MS that they didn't try to resolve any problems between them and Level 5. TFLO could have done well on a superior Xbox Live service. How it will fair on Play Online is questionable. Cross your fingers tightly it pans out the goods properly.
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Autobot 4 Jan 2005 15:36
3/8
There was no reason for the canning SPoNG? Remember you were the ones that posted the news saying the reason for the canning was that the game was taking too long and was too expensive. The same time this game got cancelled other MMORPG were cancelled for the same reason.
In my opinion, MMORPGs are never fun because when you start playing you are doing pretty good (assuming you buy it the day it comes out). If you play casually like 1-2 hours every other day you can never get anywhere. There are a bunch of those people who play 6 hours day and destroy you in like 10 mins. Its not fun unless your the one killing people. I don't have the time to invest tht much time on an online game so they are never fun for me.
I like quick games that you can play a whole game in like 1-2 hours.
games like Halo, DDR, Burnout,Guily Gear, and Unreal
In my opinion, MMORPGs are never fun because when you start playing you are doing pretty good (assuming you buy it the day it comes out). If you play casually like 1-2 hours every other day you can never get anywhere. There are a bunch of those people who play 6 hours day and destroy you in like 10 mins. Its not fun unless your the one killing people. I don't have the time to invest tht much time on an online game so they are never fun for me.
I like quick games that you can play a whole game in like 1-2 hours.
games like Halo, DDR, Burnout,Guily Gear, and Unreal
Joji 4 Jan 2005 16:12
4/8
Indeed, and whne they realise that quick fix games for people with less time are where they should be going the public will hopefully get online more.
When we are older we have less time but more money so they need to meet us half way.
A GC version would be nice but doubtful. A REVOLUTION version online would also rock.
When we are older we have less time but more money so they need to meet us half way.
A GC version would be nice but doubtful. A REVOLUTION version online would also rock.
LUPOS 4 Jan 2005 17:01
5/8
Hino-san declined to mention which platform or platforms TFLO might move to, though the PlayStation 2 and PC are thought most likely given the installed base of Sony's machine and ease of port a PC version would enable.
you know when they first canclled the game the main reason was that it was takign to long and costing to much. Imagine if it came out today on the xbox... it would have less than a year to be played before the xbox2 comes out, and with all the money they woudl have to put into it that just isnt enough (assuming there would be some kind of extra monthly service charge). so whose to say that the "other platform" isnt the xbox2? seems like the most likely option to me since M$ was probably already planning on comming out with the xbox2 early and they had already pumped a ton of cash into this game. I find it hard to believe they would just let it go. As for putting it out on the PS2 that is just laughable! there are only two games availlable that use the hard drive and one of those is FFXI, do you really think that the couple thousand people that spent all that money for the hard drive and FFXI are going to want to play another MMORPG? They are probably still playing FFXI and will keep playing it untill they get a different FF game to play. Plus the graphical down grade that would be required would take a long time to implement and there is probably no way the game would work wiothout the hard drive. considering the new version pstwo doestn even have room for the hard drive and sony said specifically that they believe anyoen who would by the hard drive already has a ps2 and a hard drive i dont think sony woudl offer much support. The pc however is a resonable idea except that there are already several fantastic MMORPG's availble for it and there woudl be alot more competition. If it came out on xbox2 it woudl be the only game in the genere for that console.
maybe its just wishfull thinking on my part, but it seems like a very reasonable wish.
_____
acidviper 4 Jan 2005 17:19
6/8
Joji wrote:
Think this kind of game would be better aimed at the established PC/PS2 online rpg market especially places like Sth Korea and China.
I think that it may appeal, but you are underestimating the popularity of Ragnarok Online. Supposedly RO owns the competition for anime-MMORPGs with Internet Cafe's specifially for RO. I'm not sure how you can justify another similar game when the fanbase for RO is too strong and TFLO will cost more.
Stryfe01 5 Jan 2005 00:12
7/8
I often wonder why I bother to read your site. In the end it always gives me a great laugh though. How is it that other online publications are saying that the interview had him saying that it could be possibly revived for Xbox 2 and PC ? Yet Spong so far is the only site saying PS2 and PC ? Please explain this one...Microsoft and Level 5 own the IP. They would have to sell the rights to Level 5 exclusively. Why would they do that ? Secondly why would level 5 revive it for PS2 when Sony has screwed anyone who did'nt buy a PS2 Hdd already ? Think before you post crap. Wait...Keep posting it. It brightens my day. Lol
boilingpoint 22 Jan 2005 16:16
8/8
I have to say I agree with everything Lupos said.
XBOX2 is what the game will appear on and Microsoft will keep it quiet to spring a suprise mega launch title on us. I hope :D
XBOX2 is what the game will appear on and Microsoft will keep it quiet to spring a suprise mega launch title on us. I hope :D