A few days ago, an interview with David Sirlin caught some media attention, specifically the note on Xbox Live Arcade’s download restrictions being a challenge for development on Super Street Fighter II Turbo: HD Remix. While reporting on that article, I presented a short rant about downloadable media versus tangible media, in favor of the latter.

After discussing the matter further within the online community, I’ve since come to my senses. I understand that this is a problem that rests on the head of XBLA for their restrictions, not Capcom’s development team. I also accept that in the big picture, the ultimate goal is to make SSF2T: HD as accessible to as many people as possible. Meanwhile also proving that the 2D fighting game genre is still profitable, thus encouraging developers to produce more. Making a game that is purchased via download keeps production costs low and available to anyone without having to worry about retailers deciding whether or not to carry it. It’s not how I like it, but I agree it’s the best course of action.

Then the other day, I see the trailer for Arcana Heart, due to release on PlayStation 2 this April. First of all, I’ve tried to follow the small-press/doujinshi game scene as best as I can. Most of all, the fighters. It excites me to see games like that given notice and published for the mass market. Lord knows I wish they’d put Melty Blood: Act Cadenza ver B out in North America! And while I’ve never played the game before, I’m willing to consent to the modest $30 price tag upon it’s release.

But now I’m angry again. Lemme get this straight: A long-lived, popular franchise owned by a high-rolling developer won’t invest in producing it’s next game into tangible media…but a small-press unknown title within the same struggling genre will? How does that work???

I suppose you could get into the argument that much like the SNK fighting game collections that have recently been released, all Atlus is doing is repackaging an already-made product and just porting it onto a current-gen platform with some bonus features and updated bug fixes. It’s easy to just drop an old product into a new package.

But unlike the SNK collections, Arcana Heart doesn’t have the nostalgia factor that would draw people to give their game a shot. People remember playing Fatal Fury when they were younger and are more willing to shell out $15 for a collection of them all on their current consoles. I don’t see the same amount of people willing to do so for Arcana Heart, with it’s $30 price tag. And that’s if enough retailers are willing to put it on their shelves.

So I go back to thinking about SSF2T:HD and I feel jaded. It’s kinda like when you were a kid and you found that your friend Johnny’s mom buys him Count Chocula cereal. Then you beg your mom to buy you Count Chocula, only your mom won’t buy it cuz she says it’s too expensive. And even though you know that the store brand raisin bran is better for you in the long run, you’re still pissed that Johnny gets to eat Count Chocula for breakfast and you don’t.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 3:34 pm and is filed under Business, Games, Street Fighter, rants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.