Siliconera recently posted a new, all-things-Mega Man interview with none other than Brett Elston, Capcom Unity's own community manager. Among topics discussed, Elston talks a little about Mega Man's viability at retail. With so many digital releases in recent years, can we expect to pick up a boxed game anytime soon? Here's what he said:
"It’s entirely possible we’ll find an idea or concept that warrants a full disc release, but for the immediate future, digital feels like the right way to experience Mega Man. What form it takes, and which platform(s) it appears on, would need to suit the game and the intended audience. That said, the perceived quality of a digital title should be quite strong these days; just because something arrives via download and not in a box doesn’t mean it’s “lesser” in some way."
Personally, I have no preference. BUT I will say this: I do miss running to the store to pick up a boxed Mega Man game and adding it to my shelf. The Mega Man 9 Press Kit in my possession doesn't quite cut it. It's no substitute.
For the full interview, head over to Siliconera. (Image Source: Capcom Unity)
I know Universe is canned, but it'd still be nice to get something like Harmony of Despair.
ReplyDeleteNo retail release means they have no faith that it will sell well enough, which I guess it's understandable, but it stil hurts.
ReplyDeleteI can see why they are digitally releasing Mega Man games these days instead of making them retail avaliable, because no-one buys the damn things when they do the latter. Just look at how poorly ZXA, OSS and SF3 sold. (There's probably some more examples but I am too lazy to list ha)
ReplyDeleteSo much wrong though, im pretty sure Capcom dont care much with Mega/Rockman....mmxsf is maybe a cool fangame but not really a good official game. MM10 was better for that.
ReplyDeleteI need a mm&bass style or the return of Rockman Online, not easy way like Rockman Xover...omg....
Zerker, OSS was just a failed port. They promised something interesting but didn't manage to live up to our expectations. So it is not surprising that it was poorly sold.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's not "lesser", but I still vastly prefer having physical copies of my games.
ReplyDelete@ 5:48PM Anon - I never mentioned anything about OSS being a good port or not, I was simply using it as an example alongside SF3 and ZXA to show that retail Mega Man games have sold poorly compared to digital games such as MM9 and Xover(?).
ReplyDeleteIf Capcom has to have their teeth metaphorical pulled just to release a digital title what makes you think retail will EVER be a viable platform for Mega Man again?
ReplyDeleteThey didn't sell poorly to me.
ReplyDeleteNow then, Proto...mind if I buy that shelf off of you?
@BassDS: Not mine :)
ReplyDeleteA retail game would be wonderful as I love to collect physical copies of games. However, if the next game that is released is digital, I certainly wouldn't mind. I just want something that has effort put into it and is released to be played on the television.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, while I dislike Digital as the future of Games, I understand that it cuts costs tremendously. Cost of production and shipping is enormous, which raises the price on the final product, and sets the bar as to 'how many units" they need to sell to make the money back. With digital there is no issue with that, and you don't have the issue of the used game's market leeching from the total sales.
ReplyDeleteAnd like they say, the quality of Digital downloads is pretty good nowadays. Waeren't the two legends games released over PSN in japan or something? and those used to be full retail disc games. I can totally imagine a GOOD 3D mega Man game on something like the Wii-U for Download.
But yeah, theres nothing quite like going to the local store and buying it, showing off that Mega Man pride.
There's nothing inherently wrong with digital released games. It's just that I fear that they're just going to keep pumping out uninspired ports or more rehashes of the 8-bit games instead of something new using the Megaman formula.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of the day, it's not that Megaman isn't popular that keeps the games from selling its that they either make crappy games (Eg. MMX7) Or they make something so new and different it alienates older fans, despite being quality made (Eg. MMZX and Advent.)
As long as we aren't doomed to more 8-bit games, I'm cool with digital Megaman. Just make something worth my money, Eg. Not XOver or Streetfighter X Megaman (I don't care if it was "just" a fangame. If it's Capcom's idea of a quality product, I want no part of them anymore!)
This saddens me, personally, because I'm only able to get wifi on the Nintendo Wii. I can't get wifi on any DS platform or any other console for that matter. So I seriously feel left out when it comes to most digital-only releases.
ReplyDeleteNo retail does mean a lower expectation of quality CAPCOM PR GUY, I expect another 8 bit MM game coming soon based on his comments alone. RIP MEGA MAN
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think there's a valid point here.
ReplyDeleteWill we see Classic in its current format in any physical format? No. The same also applies to X. They are too short to warrant a $50+ purchase and lack enough content and replayability to warrant a physical release. They will be digital releases unless their format and set up are drastically changed. Exceptions like Command Mission are obvious here. ZX is on the verge of falling into this category.
BN and SF? Currently, if they are expanded slightly, they can definitely warrant a 3DS physical release. I say that because the Vita is associated with home console quality... and BN/SF doesn't quite have that feel.
Legends? This definitely can warrant a retail release, especially the home consoles. The problem is it doesn't have enough guaranteed units, and a game like that WILL rack up costs quickly as it expands. Digital would cut off part of those costs, but if the numbers are guaranteed, we'd def have that retail sale.
Xover? No. It was always be digital.
I "really" wanna see a retail release. Its just cooler...I don't no how to put it into words but its just better.
ReplyDeletehey i have snk vs capcom card fighters ds too :D
ReplyDeleteDisappointing. It's not that retail games are objectively better, so much as it is that carving yourself an overly-specific niche gets you, well, a niche product.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, going to retail means having some kind of confidence in Capcom's ability to expand on the traditional formula. And, outside of Legends, I have to admit I haven't seen that yet. Universe wasn't it. Powered Up wasn't it. Online could have cut it, but we all knew that wasn't leaving Korea anyway. ZX/Advent were a start, but they definitely had their kinks. Bottom line: Capcom has some proving to do, and unfortunately, if they stick to digital-exclusive Mega Man, it says that they're still not up to the task.
Why don't you release any for Steam then you maniacs.
ReplyDeleteI prefer my Megaman padding-free.
ReplyDeleteAny Megaman game sold at retailers would demand more than a few dollars.
And so the consuming gamers feel like they're getting their "money's worth", Capcom would fatten the game with a hub world, lots of dialog and story, side missions, repeating levels, collect items missions, time attack levels...
all topped off with more modern graphics, sound and gameplay that only serve as an insult to the polished, endearing and everlasting goodness that keeps us playing the NES Megaman games to this day.
I'd have paid $40 for Megaman 9 if I had to. But not many gamers will pay more than $10 for an 8-bit game. It wouldn't be worth it to retail it, otherwise it wouldn't be good enough to buy if they did and utilized the changes I mentioned.
RULE OF THUMB IN THE GAMING INDUSTRY: If it's not broke, don't fix it!
@McWhalen: Actually... you have a good point there.
ReplyDeleteWhere is Megaman on PC other than SFxMM? NO WHERE.
I mean look at Sega! Go on Steam and you'll find a ton of older Sonic games, and even Generations! This is an untapped market for Megaman Capcom! USE IT.
(Cus I'd be down to own Megaman games legitimately on my laptop to play them anywhere. Sonic CD on steam ftw)
Sounds like they don't have faith in the brand. Retail is still very important.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe a good HD 3D Mega Man game doesn't exist yet. Capcom's shot themselves in the foot so many times with the franchise lately that they've convinced themselves and many others that it wouldn't work. Ugh. Crazy people.
@Rockman Craze: Sticking too closely to "if ain't broke don't fix it" is one thing that got Megaman into this current rut (I think). As much as I like Classic MM's traditions, if Capcom never tries anything new, MM will likely stay in this rut.
ReplyDeleteAt this point I feel I'm in the "as long as they make a quality game" camp. I've been a mega man fan since I was a little kid. Right now I've just turned 27 and I feel I own a lot of mega man stuff from games to figures to posters. While my collection is important to me I feel that I want to own less stuff. I'm starting to feel like I need to be less materialistic as I grow older so maybe going the digital route isn't such a bad idea (at least for me). After all, I'll always treasure the collection I have...
ReplyDelete@Rockman Craze: Go look at Sonic Generations for an anniversary game. Do you understand what you are seeing in this game?
ReplyDeleteClassic Sonic demonstrates what Sonic was during the first 3 games. Simple 2D gameplay of platforming with speed and the spin dash. Modern Sonic demonstrates what the franchise has evolved into. A mix of 2D/3D gameplay with the new mechanics added over each game(light dash, bounce, homing attack, the wisps, boosting).
Now look at SFxMM. Do you see anything that achieves that? Oh wait. NO.
It's still the same set up. 8 bosses, many of the weapons are similar to earlier games weapons(Ball from MM8, shield weapon). There is no sign of evolution anywhere in this fangame or an attempt to try anything new. It's more of the same and it has nothing to show for the past 25 years. It's the same reason why I feel Reaverbots game has no right to call itself an anniversary game. It's not doing the franchise any justice and it's showing everything wrong with the franchise, with the majority of the fangames(at least Classic), and everything wrong with the majority of the fans that support and make them. Nobody is willing to move beyond the ancient archaic set up of the NES and SNES days. IT's time TO WAKE UP AND SEND A SIGN PEOPLE.
I have to agree. Even though we have nothing but fan-games to look forward to anymore, I am also getting rather tired that the majority of fan-games are based on the same old NES or SNES set up, with the NES step up being the most common in regards to Classic fan-games. People can argue that the NES set up is easier to work with, and it is actually, but it's still not doing a lot of favors. We desperately need something new, and neither Capcom nor fan-game creators are really that willing to give us something like that. That said, kudos to the people who are making different things.
ReplyDeleteI will say this, that recent digital release of Sonic CD was bloody excellent. Added Tails, let you choose soundtracks, played and looked great.
ReplyDeleteIf that happens to other Megaman releases, color me excited.
If, mind you.
I would love having a physical game. It's just something worth it cause you go to the store and buy it or that you order it online and waiting to get it. And the process of opening it and looking at the pamphlet as you insert the game into the console. =D
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