What gives, Japan? What did we lowly Westerners do to you? Did we offend you in some way?
I am quickly becoming sick and tired with the incredible gulf of time that forces its way inbetween release dates worldwide like the weird person who hangs out with you and your friends, y’know, the one who nobody really likes? No-one knows how they got there but damnit, they’re gonna get in your way anyway.
It all comes down to compatibility issues, apparently. But, seeing as how all of our equipment usually comes from Japanese companies in the first place, why do they deliberately give us different versions of things? Why are our games consoles PAL? Why, for the love of all that is good and holy, can they not simply be a games console, not discriminated like some bad form of racism?! I have a dream… I dream that no gamer should have to sit and wait for half a year just to see their much hyped new release finally become available in their region. I dream that all of my freaking Virtual Console games will work on my damned component cable. Thats right, I currently have 5 VC games that I can’t play without faffing around with the bloody wire. For you figures fans, thats £30 or 4000 Wii Points worth… wasted.
And it’s all because of this personal vendetta Japan has against us Westerners. Giving us inferior equipment. Well, you know what? Screw you Japan! I’ll build my OWN damn TV.
When he’s not out loitering, Alasdair likes to write his random thoughts down.
He’s told it’s called a ‘Blog’
P.S: Before anyone comes up offering an actual reason why we get different versions of stuff, I don’t want to hear it. Being British, complaining about stuff is the only enjoyment I get, leave me be!
P.P.S: I actually don’t have anything against Japan, or Japanese people. Nor does DarkZero. Or Britain. Or anyone else you think I represent.
Sean
May 10th, 2008
Are you drunk, Al?
Lloytron
May 10th, 2008
WTF? What a random post!
For a start, this has ALWAYS been the case, and if anything things are better now than they ever have been!
There are actual reasons for this. First of all, the PAL/NTSC thing is due to differing TV standards in various regions - its nothing to do with the console manufacturers at all. It takes time and effort to make games run on multiple standards, although this is pretty much a non issue these days due to intelligent dev tools. SO don’t blame nintendo, blame the people that defined out TV standards years before consoles were even invented!
Localisation is a huge issue. Japan releases only need to support Japanese. US releases only really need to support English, yet PAL releases need tocover all of Europe - so thats English, French, German and Spanish at the very least. For a text heavy game thats a hell of a lot of translation, graphical rework and implementation.
Third is logistics. nintendo is a small company, comparatively. Only a very few companies can launch a product globally on the same day, supported with effective marketing and distribution. Nintendo can’t do this, so they have to cherry pick the countries for their roll out plans. They sell the most in Japan, followed by the US, followed by Europe. So its a no brainer as to which countries they should launch in first.
Alasdair
May 10th, 2008
Nope, I don’t drink. I just had that sudden epiphany and decided to blog it.
Alasdair
May 10th, 2008
‘P.S: Before anyone comes up offering an actual reason why we get different versions of stuff, I don’t want to hear it. Being British, complaining about stuff is the only enjoyment I get, leave me be!’
Lloytron, I guess you didn’t read that…
Lloytron
May 10th, 2008
I did, I just chose to ignore it
Sean
May 10th, 2008
Plus, you can’t just write an ill-informed opinion piece and magically protect yourself from criticism just by saying no-one’s allowed to criticise it.
Alasdair
May 10th, 2008
I would’ve thought it was obvious that I was venting anger for people to relate to, rather than attacking anything. Hence why I put those two parts at the bottom. I already know the real reasons for these problems but its nice to enjoy poking fun at things sometimes. Not everything is super serious argument causing stuff.
novat0
May 10th, 2008
Wow,
Alasdair has seriously made me question the mental capacity of game fans.
Alasdair
May 11th, 2008
Glad to be of service
Next time you want to make a statement like that, don’t. Its wrong on so many levels for so many reasons.
You guys have all collectively ruined this blog post. It’s so obviously not serious, and yet you all think I’m delusionally reciting what I think is the gospel truth. Theres a freaking Scrubs picture at the top, just how serious do you think it is?! Next time, I guess I’ll make it multi-coloured to keep the spammers at bay.
Lloytron
May 11th, 2008
Spammers? WTF? Blimey, sorry for actually explaining the reasons behind what you were ranting about. Next time you feel like venting put a big “I am venting I don’t actually give a shit about the subject or the reasons behind it” label, and disable the “We welcome your opinion, feel free to add your comment below.”
Ruined the post? Jesus, the original article already did that! Don’t be so touchy!
Andi
May 11th, 2008
What have we learned today?
Alasdair
May 11th, 2008
“Next time you feel like venting put a big “I am venting I don’t actually give a shit about the subject or the reasons behind it” label.”
‘P.S: Before anyone comes up offering an actual reason why we get different versions of stuff, I don’t want to hear it. Being British, complaining about stuff is the only enjoyment I get, leave me be!’
I did do that, actually. To make it obvious that this was not a serious look at the specific details of our technology. But you just had to ignore it to try and look good, didn’t you.
Lloytron
May 11th, 2008
Try to look good? wtf?!!
I get that it wasn’t a serious post. I don’t get why it was necessary to post it though. Why are you so upset that I actually explained some of the reasons behind the issues that you made in your post?
I mean come on - is this your personal brain dump space? No one else allowed to comment unless its OK with you first?
Just because your post was a waste of everyones time isn’t my fault!
Lloytron
May 11th, 2008
“What have we learned today?”
That Alasdair takes himself too seriously
Matt
May 11th, 2008
“What have we learned today?”
That Alasdair frequently confuses the blindingly obvious with epiphany.
“like the weird person who hangs out with you and your friends, y’know, the one who nobody really likes? No-one knows how they got there but damnit, they’re gonna get in your way anyway.”
IRONY!
Lloytron
May 11th, 2008
Actually what we have really learned today is that the RSS feed needs to be changed! I realise now that this is in Alasdairs blog section of the staff blog. So I guess he has the right to post whatever nonsense he wants (although the obligation to actually respect others comments and make vaguely relevant posts is still there)
However I browse this site and others mainly through RSS, and I realise now that blog posts are mixed in with news, so the difference is not immediately apparent.
john
May 12th, 2008
i thought it was a funny post. these things can be all too frustrating. and as a fellow brit i concur that moaning does indeed satisfy me in some primal way and critcism of my criticism is not appreciated
Monkey Rimmer
May 12th, 2008
GOD BLESS THE BRITISH ABILITY TO MOAN!! As a fellow Brit I also love to follow that age old past time of moaning. I feel it is my God given right as a British White Male to get everything off my chest.
Now… the weather… bloody hot! Too bloody HOT! I know a coulpe of months ago it was really cold… and grey…. and wet…. but now this sodding heat! We can’t win!!!
Why does the cable TV pack in just before your program starts??? Why is there not enough bog roll when you’re desperate to go?! Why when you’re in a rush, does every traffic light hit red as you approach the junction? Why when you’re in a rush on foot, do you get stuck behind some diddering old fart who’s got all the time in the world?!
I feel your pain Alasdair, get it all off your chest mate…. we’ll just moan about you after you’ve cleared your frustration!
Lloytron
May 12th, 2008
Why does the cable TV pack in just before your program starts???
because it only packs in when you are using it, and you only want to use it when something is on that you want to watch…
Why is there not enough bog roll when you’re desperate to go?!
Because most of the time there is enough, but you only notice when there isn’t.
Why when you’re in a rush, does every traffic light hit red as you approach the junction?
As above, you don’t notice when you are in a rush and it goes green, only when it goes red.
Why when you’re in a rush on foot, do you get stuck behind some diddering old fart who’s got all the time in the world?!
Same as above!
Sorry, couldnt’t resist!
And yes there is a reasons that busses come in threes
Monkey Rimmer
May 12th, 2008
Why does someone always have to have the answers? lmfao
Manuel
May 12th, 2008
Sorry guys im gonna use this blog to ask something, a few days ago i did purchase the wii lan connector and i started playing online super smash brothers, but i have problems trying to reach someone to play with, in some sites are indicating that if you play with friend codes of other players you dont have this problem, this is true?, if it is please send me a couple of your friends codes and also the friend codes of the people you play with, this in order to start playing online, i really appreciate all the help you can give me.
and i disagree with alasdair on this one, and agree with loytron, but i do think alasdair can write on this because it is his beliave on this and also is good to scream out loud when something is bother you , so go ahead and write when something is troubling you. not a good post though
Rob
May 12th, 2008
Ahhhh Britain. The simple truth is, this blog doesnt need an explanation, im sure most people feel your pain mate, and those who dont are trying to pick holes or be cocky about things.
I see your point exactly, and guys? Just level with him.
Manuel
May 13th, 2008
Guys, for the love of God, would anyone help me with this?
steve
June 5th, 2008
you suck
steve
June 5th, 2008
thought id revisit this old thread and reply. Ally your twisting in the wind a bit here, I don’t know why your posting redundant stuff like this anyway. We all have to live with delays, so get used to it, or leave the country.
But god still loves you, so buck up!