The Falcom Thread

[nocturnal YL]

Last time when Ys VIII for Switch was new, we already learned that they couldn't handle multiplatform releases, so this isn't exactly news.

I'd say it's fair. Their assessment that their users are on PlayStation seems accurate to me. This is the case for a lot of Japanese game series historically associated with PlayStation, even without the PS Vita around. Demand for Switch versions of these games are rising, but it's still a small portion in comparison.

[Nester the Lark]

New trailer for Ys IX from TGS.



Looks like they've improved the facial animations over Ys VIII. Also, there seems to be more of an emphasis on vertical movement. Influence from Breath of the Wild, perhaps?

[Nester the Lark]

According to Gamespot, NISA has announced that Trails of Cold Steel III is coming to the Switch in Spring 2020.

I'm not into the Trails series, so I don't plan to get this, but it's nice to see another Falcom game on the Switch.

EDIT: Announcement trailer:



I suppose it is noteworthy that Cold Steel III was originally developed specifically for the PS4, so the fact that it's getting a Switch port could be a positive sign for Ys IX in the future.

EDIT 2: So, the Switch port is not being handled by Nippon Ichi, but by Engine Software, who also ported Ni no Kuni to Switch.

[Nester the Lark]

Falcom's annual shareholder meeting is scheduled for December 18. They'll probably announce next year's game there.

Ys IX just came out, so it'll likely be either the first game in the next Trails/Kiseki story arc, or something original.

[Nester the Lark]

Falcom just had their shareholder meeting. Here is the long and short of it:

- They announced that the games in the "Crossbell Arc" (the name for the story arc covered by the games Ao no Kiseki and Zero no Kiseki, originally released for the PSP) are being ported to PS4 next Spring. Here is the official site. Overseas fans have been wanting these games in English for several years, so this renews hope for that.

- Hajimari no Kiseki is the next game in the Trails series, and will release next year. It will follow multiple protagonists and switch between them. It will also begin to wrap up the overall narrative of the series. Here is the official site.

- Asked about releasing games multi-platform, Toshihiro Kondo reiterates that Japanese sales are still strongest on PS4, but adds that PS4 and Switch were about equal overseas. (It seems that the PC ports have not been as successful.) He also acknowledges that there has been growing demand for Switch versions of their games. While their focus is still on the PlayStation brand, their current strategy is to release their games on PS4 first, and Switch later.

Here is Endless History's Twitter thread covering the whole meeting.