KH3D Releasing in Europe First Makes No Sense

[hatok 6,413]

I'm not talking from a personal perspective here, I'm talking business.

The first KH sold 3.6 million units in North America, 1.2 million in Europe

KH2 sold 2.2 million units in NA. 0.6 million in Europe

Days sold 1 million in NA, 0.2 million in Europe

Re:Coded sold 0.4 million in NA, 0.06 is Europe

And Birth by Sleep sold half a million, Europe sold a third of a million.

It costs more money to localize for Europe, because it requires additional languages. Languages that Square Enix are pointedly ignoring for DDD.

So on a purely logical, sales based basis, Dream Drop Distance should be released in North America first, a place that only requires an English localization, and has the highest KH sales bar Japan (Even then, KH has sold better in NA than Japan a few times)

Beyond even THAT, currently there have been slightly more 3DS sales in North America than in Japan, and quite a few more than in the REST of the world.

So basically, if you do the math, Square Enix had a choice between something that had consistent high sales, a relatively low cost of translation, and the largest amount of people who own the system they are producing for, or Europe.

Honestly, I don't see why they couldn't just have a universal release date, they're so close together as is.

But seriously, what the logic?

[Wuver 920]

Go ask square enix's logic if you wish to know their logic.

 

Lol, True though, but we gotta deal with it.

[Nikolasvanitas 358]

Really guys why should we fight about which region gets a KH game first ?Cant we all get allong?Its not enought that other gamers make fun of KH and us the fans of this series, we foolishly argue with each other about silly things,

Please lets not fight about trivial things such as this,we are giving a bad name for the kh fans in the gaming communtiy

Edited June 22, 2012 by Nikolasvanitas

[DChiuch 5,773]

I completely agree, I don't understand. The European version being out for 11 days will hurt American sales as people will have had 11 days in order to watch English footage on YouTube and be spoiled. Those who are saying "11 days isn't much", yes it is, it's an eternity in terms of game coverage-- people manage to get whole walkthroughs up within a couple of days.

[Wolf on the Run 391]

the answer is easy square is starting to like us Europeans more then the americans JK

Who knows the reason its just how they did it maybe they thought it was time to let Europe have the first go for once

[Keyblade King 12 486]

I think it's possibly to get sales up for the European release. There's gonna be a lot of hype for the DDD release and so hopefully it will get more sales and besides that, the guys are probably thinking how bad the sales are going to be because they're releasing the game on the 3DS and so they're targeting the area where the game sells worse.

But yeah, I don't see the point of not having a universal release.

[rikufan25 170]

the answer is easy square is starting to like us Europeans more then the americans JK

Who knows the reason its just how they did it maybe they thought it was time to let Europe have the first go for once

 

But looking at it from a business perspective, it's not wise to let Europe go first.

[Wolf on the Run 391]

But looking at it from a business perspective, it's not wise to let Europe go first.

 

not everything needs to be about business and besides either way its still going to come out in america 11 days after we get it so either way there still going to get there money

[HarLea Quinn 26,501]

I think it should be a universal release . There isnt a logical reason presented why this cant happen .

[hatok 6,413]

the answer is easy square is starting to like us Europeans more then the americans JK

Who knows the reason its just how they did it maybe they thought it was time to let Europe have the first go for once

 

You can't make business decisions like that. Making a decision on a whim, particularly a superfluous one like this one, is a good way to minimize sales, and drive a comany into the ground.

I completely agree, I don't understand. The European version being out for 11 days will hurt American sales as people will have had 11 days in order to watch English footage on YouTube and be spoiled. Those who are saying "11 days isn't much", yes it is, it's an eternity in terms of game coverage-- people manage to get whole walkthroughs up within a couple of days.

 

My thoughts exactly. I'm getting Dream Drop Distance day one, and while I've spoiled the general plot, and a bunch of Japanese cutscenes, the English version will be fresh enough to warrant seeing it again, and actually understanding it. Never mind that the literal translations we get tend to be a little... wrong (LINGERING SENTIMENT!) now I've got about two weeks of free time, with nothing better to do than to browse the internet. If I were less of a fan, I'd just watch it, adn I imagine that's what a lot of people will choose to do (I also predict that these videos will have a lot of comments asking if the game was leaked or something)

I think it's possibly to get sales up for the European release. There's gonna be a lot of hype for the DDD release and so hopefully it will get more sales and besides that, the guys are probably thinking how bad the sales are going to be because they're releasing the game on the 3DS and so they're targeting the area where the game sells worse.

But yeah, I don't see the point of not having a universal release.

 

They thought about how bad the sales would be, so they decided to undermine their sales further by releasing first in the place that is the least likely to have a lot of sales? With a lazy, non-translated release no less!

not everything needs to be about business and besides either way its still going to come out in america 11 days after we get it so either way there still going to get there money

 

Everything needs to be about business when you ARE a business

And that's just it, they WON'T get their money, there are eleven days of temptation waiting between its release now, which can only negatively affect the sales.

Because they'll see the ending a decide the series is too stupid to continue supporting

[Roxan nudge 16]

It really matter as long as we get the game in America

[dusk 910]

I completely agree, I don't understand. The European version being out for 11 days will hurt American sales as people will have had 11 days in order to watch English footage on YouTube and be spoiled. Those who are saying "11 days isn't much", yes it is, it's an eternity in terms of game coverage-- people manage to get whole walkthroughs up within a couple of days.

 

I agree that 11 days will hurt your sales. BUT, if KH3D would be released in America first, then we Europeans would have to spoil ourselves 11 days. I think that Square is just being nice and let Europeans have something befire Americans even once, not being spoiled and ofcourse they may pump up European sales by doing this.

Also agree with Flaming Lea's idea.

[Xalaru 445]

I still don't see what the problem is. It's released everywhere, regardless of when, and the fact it's a mere few days difference is what makes me unable to see what the point in this 'buisness perspective' is. Doesn't matter which place it's released in first, it'll sell the same amount in those places either way, so...? Also doesn't matter if people end up spoiling themselves with game coverage beforehand, that's their problem, and if that affects them buying it for God knows what reason (if you're a fan of KH, then spoilers or not you would still want to buy it) then that's up to them. It'll happen either way. SE is probably just trying to please the European fans (for once) and it's greatly appreciated. Besides, it's a mere 11 days and there's not much point in questioning the logic behind it because that's what's happened, understandable reasons or not.

 

/yes I live in Europe but my point is still valid

 

Have to admit I don't get why it wasn't a universal release though, considering how small the time gap is. Only thing in this thread that's annoying me though is that people seem to be acting like the European fanbase either don't exist, or are meaningless just because there's fewer of us. Maybe SE is trying to change that.

 

Note that I don't know much about business, I could care less about that kind of stuff while I'm still in school, but this is just my common sense.

Edited June 22, 2012 by Xalaru

[Beauller 17]

I completely agree, I don't understand. The European version being out for 11 days will hurt American sales as people will have had 11 days in order to watch English footage on YouTube and be spoiled. Those who are saying "11 days isn't much", yes it is, it's an eternity in terms of game coverage-- people manage to get whole walkthroughs up within a couple of days.

 

He's right

[rikufan25 170]

You can't make business decisions like that. Making a decision on a whim, particularly a superfluous one like this one, is a good way to minimize sales, and drive a comany into the ground.

My thoughts exactly. I'm getting Dream Drop Distance day one, and while I've spoiled the general plot, and a bunch of Japanese cutscenes, the English version will be fresh enough to warrant seeing it again, and actually understanding it. Never mind that the literal translations we get tend to be a little... wrong (LINGERING SENTIMENT!) now I've got about two weeks of free time, with nothing better to do than to browse the internet. If I were less of a fan, I'd just watch it, adn I imagine that's what a lot of people will choose to do (I also predict that these videos will have a lot of comments asking if the game was leaked or something)

They thought about how bad the sales would be, so they decided to undermine their sales further by releasing first in the place that is the least likely to have a lot of sales? With a lazy, non-translated release no less!

Everything needs to be about business when you ARE a business

And that's just it, they WON'T get their money, there are eleven days of temptation waiting between its release now, which can only negatively affect the sales.

Because they'll see the ending a decide the series is too stupid to continue supporting

 

It may be 12 or 13 days because some people get their preorders a few days earlier than the release date.

[hatok 6,413]

I agree that 11 days will hurt your sales. BUT, if KH3D would be released in America first, then we Europeans would have to spoil ourselves 11 days. I think that Square is just being nice and let Europeans have something befire Americans even once, not being spoiled and ofcourse they may pump up European sales by doing this.

Also agree with Flaming Lea's idea.

 

Solution? Simultaenous release. Throw in a worldwide simultaneous release, and you'll probably INCREASE sales.

I still don't see what the problem is. It's released everywhere, regardless of when, and the fact it's a mere few days difference is what makes me unable to see what the point in this 'buisness perspective' is. Doesn't matter which place it's released in first, it'll sell the same amount in those places either way, so...? Also doesn't matter if people end up spoiling themselves with game coverage beforehand, that's their problem, and if that affects them buying it for God knows what reason (if you're a fan of KH, then spoilers or not you would still want to buy it) then that's up to them. It'll happen either way. SE is probably just trying to please the European fans (for once) and it's greatly appreciated. Besides, it's a mere 11 days and there's not much point in questioning the logic behind it because that's what's happened, understandable reasons or not.

 

/yes I live in Europe but my point is still valid

 

Have to admit I don't get why it wasn't a universal release though, considering how small the time gap is. Only thing in this thread that's annoying me though is that people seem to be acting like the European fanbase either don't exist, or are meaningless just because there's fewer of us. Maybe SE is trying to change that.

 

Note that I don't know much about business, I could care less about that kind of stuff while I'm still in school, but this is just my common sense.

 

You don't just 'do a favour' for Europe. When you are a business, you do things that make money, and focusing on a smaller group of fans is not the way to do that. And as DChiuch said, every day between the release will increase the chances of somebody spoiling the game and not buying, or just deciding it's not worth it.

And an eleven day gap is not going to win many new fans in Europe. Granted, there could be an increase in sales because Europeans don't have to worry about leaks like they did before, but increasing sales in a place that has had low sales previously is generally not a good idea if it means forsaking a place that generates most of your sales.

It really matter as long as we get the game in America

 

For me and you? Sure. But for Square Enix, they need to worry about money, and this was an overall bad business decision.

[Nikolasvanitas 358]

I completely agree, I don't understand. The European version being out for 11 days will hurt American sales as people will have had 11 days in order to watch English footage on YouTube and be spoiled. Those who are saying "11 days isn't much", yes it is, it's an eternity in terms of game coverage-- people manage to get whole walkthroughs up within a couple of days.

 

I understand your point Daniel but on the same way arent the videos of Kingdom Hearts from KH13 or Khinsider or Cyberman spoiling people the same way?

What i mean is that videogames are fun when you explore things on your own,fighting battles and witnessing the crucial events that reward your efforts for finishing the game,so i think that gamers will want to play the game especially since the gameplay is really good in KH3D ,they wont be satisfied just by watching the videos in youtube

Also please dont take this in a negative way

[Xalaru 445]

You don't just 'do a favour' for Europe. When you are a business, you do things that make money, and focusing on a smaller group of fans is not the way to do that. And as DChiuch said, every day between the release will increase the chances of somebody spoiling the game and not buying, or just deciding it's not worth it.

And an eleven day gap is not going to win many new fans in Europe. Granted, there could be an increase in sales because Europeans don't have to worry about leaks like they did before, but increasing sales in a place that has had low sales previously is generally not a good idea if it means forsaking a place that generates most of your sales.

 

Okay, maybe that wasn't their reasoning then. But you don't know every single financial situation going on in SE right now, they clearly had their reasons, so from their business perspective it was obviously the right thing to do, regardless of whether or not the public understand the reasoning.

If it wasn't in SE's best interest to release them in this order, then they wouldn't do it.

Edited June 22, 2012 by Xalaru

[hatok 6,413]

Okay, maybe that wasn't their reasoning then. But you don't know every single financial situation going on in SE right now, they clearly had their reasons, so from their business perspective it was obviously the right thing to do, regardless of whether or not the public understand the reasoning.

If it wasn't in SE's best interest to release them in this order, then they wouldn't do it.

 

Square Enix isn't infallible. They've made plenty of bad business decisions before. Like trying to make movies. And the fact of the matter is, I can't think of a good reason to do what they're doing in light of the information I have gathered. You shouldn't assume Square Enix is right just because they chose to do something, especially if you yourself can't think of a reason why it's not (And if you do have one, by all means share it, that's the purpose of this topic)

I understand your point Daniel but on the same way arent the videos of Kingdom Hearts from KH13 or Khinsider or Cyberman spoiling people the same way?

What i mean is that videogames are fun when you explore things on your own,fighting battles and witnessing the crucial events that reward your efforts for finishing the game,so i think that gamers will want to play the game especially since the gameplay is really good in KH3D ,they wont be satisfied just by watching the videos in youtube

Also please dont take this in a negative way

 

I like to play the game myself, and clearly so do you. That's why we're both buying it. A lot of fans aren't that dedicated. For example, suppose a person was considering buying a 3DS for KH3D, but wasn't sure. Then the game comes out eleven days before it comes out where he or she lives. They watch it on youtube, and decide 'You know what, I've already seen this game, I don't need to buy a 3DS just to get this'

Sale lost.

[Nikolasvanitas 358]

Square Enix isn't infallible. They've made plenty of bad business decisions before. Like trying to make movies. And the fact of the matter is, I can't think of a good reason to do what they're doing in light of the information I have gathered. You shouldn't assume Square Enix is right just because they chose to do something, especially if you yourself can't think of a reason why it's not (And if you do have one, by all means share it, that's the purpose of this topic)

I like to play the game myself, and clearly so do you. That's why we're both buying it. A lot of fans aren't that dedicated. For example, suppose a person was considering buying a 3DS for KH3D, but wasn't sure. Then the game comes out eleven days before it comes out where he or she lives. They watch it on youtube, and decide 'You know what, I've already seen this game, I don't need to buy a 3DS just to get this'

Sale lost.

 

i agree with you but dont you think many youtube channels would also spoil people the same way even if it was released first in USA?if you see Cybermans65 videos of KH3D many people leave comments that now that they have seen the game they dont have to buy the game

Sale lost

[hatok 6,413]

i agree with you but dont you think many youtube channels would also spoil people the same way even if it was released first in USA?if you see Cybermans65 videos of KH3D many people leave comments that now that they have seen the game they dont have to buy the game

Sale lost

 

Solution. Universal release.

[Nikolasvanitas 358]

Solution. Universal release.

 

true that would be a great idea but i guess SE has Japan as their first priority

[MickeyTheMick 175]

Sales loses Sales loses I watch like all cyber man videos and I want to see how and where to find thing when it came out. I watched before Disney wanted it deleted so I spoiled the whole game but I still want to play its not about spoils sometimes it's about strategies and gameplay

[Xalaru 445]

Square Enix isn't infallible. They've made plenty of bad business decisions before. Like trying to make movies. And the fact of the matter is, I can't think of a good reason to do what they're doing in light of the information I have gathered. You shouldn't assume Square Enix is right just because they chose to do something, especially if you yourself can't think of a reason why it's not (And if you do have one, by all means share it, that's the purpose of this topic)

 

Yes, I know no-one is perfect and even companies make mistakes. Even though you don't know this is a mistake, you're just basing it on past sales. But either way, that's what was decided, that what's happening, and even if this decision WAS possibly not the right thing to do, Square-Enix clearly did it for their own reasons which they believed right at the time. That's how all decisions are made, it's whatever the people in question believe is in their best interest (yes I'm talking about business-wise) even if it might not be. Naturally, I have no idea what went through their heads when they decided to do this so I'm unable to speak for them and I'm only voicing my own opinion on this, but the fact of the matter is that they had their reasons even if we can't work out what they could be.

Though, seeing as I have no evidence or whatever to back my point up, I'll just... leave the discussion to all of you business-minded people who actually know what you're talking about finanical-wise.

[MickeyTheMick 175]

Guys you notice if we get realsed later that means our game will never have an bugs or stuff so that's good for NA