Ys Seven Coding Grievance [Response Update!]

Editor's note: This was sent today at 9:35 AM, GMT+1 time. The address was taken out for privacy reasons. Otherwise, this mail was actually sent towards comments@xseedgames.com in this entirety with the title "Ys Seven Gripe.", with minor adjustments to fit editorial purposes. Feel free to follow up on that example, if you agree with the statements below. Thank you.

16 August 2010

Dear developers of Ys,

I don't usually do this sort of grievance mailing to hard working people, but I'm considerably upset at the moment.

You see, I've been looking out for the day that Ys Seven would come out since your announcements to continue the series and bring more RPG's to the PSP system after so long. This was more than exponentially heightened, once I saw the sublime collector's edition you had planned for the game. Before watching any actual footage, I knew this would be one of the only games ever to convince me to follow the current generations of games.

I'm a 26 year old, that has been picking up games on Atari 2600 since I was 3. Usually, I'm an oldschool gamer that grew up on SNES and Master System, which is why I'm playing the original Ys right this moment. Whether good game or not, this would be the only collector's edition I would purchase in over a decade, because it was just marvellously constructed. Not only that, it would also be the first current gen title I would purchase on launch day in over a decade as well.

Now, a day before release, I've searched far and wide and have come to the realization that not only the collector's edition will solely be available in the North American region, but will also be coded for that region. In addition that this leaves me utterly wanting, I would not be able to play it right here in Europe, even if I would go completely out of my way to import an edition (setting me back immensely in shipping). I find myself offended by this arrangement, as I had set my hopes for this wonderful collector's edition a long time ago, relatively.

By this mail I therefore wish to express that offence and also my lack of understanding on the matter. I just cannot see why Europe isn't a viable market for you to release your product, where North America is. I assure you we have a considerable large base market for both PSP and RPG games here as well. Even so, I would've gladly helped rally the online and mouth to mouth campaign for the promotion of this; as I did to this day. Sadly, I cannot further this effort and am now leaving to spread my grievances about this, where I first was very optimistic. I do not believe in speaking for a majority, but I do believe I'm only one of many consumers duped by this. In my city alone, I understand there is a following in the thousands for RPG's and even more for PSP games in general, as we're a university city. This alone, and the fact I live mere yards away from the city "nerd shop", would've made the easiest and most effective word of mouth operation I could imagine, spreading like wildfire.

I hope you will consider this "faux pas" for further ventures of your merchandise. For now, I must regretfully abandon any following and optimism about your works. Something I find shameful, as I believe you do your best to complete a quality product. I disclose to you my full name and address, as I do not want to viewed as merely destructively criticising your projects. I communicate this to you in all sincerity. It is my hope this will get read and noted for future reference.

Dearly disappointed,

Daav Valentaten, NoobFeed.

-18/08/2010 - RESPONSE:

Hello Daav,

Though we can't condone the practice of importing our games into territories that we're not licensed to publish in, last I heard there is no region-code protection to prevent people from playing UMDs from another territory on their PSP so from a technical standpoint it should work.

We do not have a physical presence in Europe, that is why we can't release UMDs and other packaged goods over there. However, we can release PSP games as digital downloads on the European PlayStation Store, so we're working on that now and with any luck will have it available for purchase in about a month's time.

Thanks for your interest in Ys SEVEN, and hopefully we can get it up for sale on the European PlayStation Store sometime soon.

Ken @ XSEED Games

-

And all was seemingly right with the world again. Although the response doesn't completely debunk the fact it might not work. As I had researched before, it showed me on several sites that it would be NTSC coded. Perhaps that was just a way to note the exclusive release in America, but I'd find that odd. And just downloading the game will not grant me access to the Collector Edition, so I have no idea why that was brought up.

But now I am looking into getting hold of a site that will let me own the Collector Edition.

This has become the next trial apparently, as all smaller sites that allow me delivery have sold out by now. Amazon will not let me ship the item to my address and Gamestop only accepts credit cards. That's a shame, because it would be $75 with air shipping to my address. Converted, that would total in a bit less than €60 which is the price we pay for games here anyway! Needless to say, I was willing to go for that.

So in fact, I'm no real further than I was before, until I find a magical way to get a hold of the game.

Until then, I appreciate the fact they took the time to respond (after some prodding on Facebook).