Namco Bandai promises “continued support” for Tales series
Just make sure you a copy or two.
October 10, 2011 / 03:29 PM EDT / (@salromano)

Namco Bandai has promised “continued support” for its Tales role-playing game franchise. Speaking to ShackNews, Namco Bandai associate brand manager Josh Sepielli said that there’s now “a lot more coordination with Japan” regarding the series.

“There’s going to be continued support for the Tales series that we’ve never had before,” Sepielli told the site. “We’ve taken a lot of steps as a company from the point we’ve released Vesperia to where we are now. There’s a lot more coordination with Japan when we’re getting these games, when we’re getting information. We’re going to start getting the timing closer together. We’re very focused on being a lot more international.

Asked if that means Tales of Xillia is headed westward, Sepielli responded: “Moving forward, there’s going to be a lot more support for the franchise.”

Sepielli’s enthusiasm casts a bright light on the series’ future, but a future is any not without sales.

“The fan base is very hardcore; but at the same time, they don’t make a very large audience,” Sepielli admitted. “I’d be lying to you if I said if these games bomb, they’re going to turn around and make Xillia.”

Namco Bandai is currently bringing over Tales of Graces F for PlayStation 3 and Tales of the Abyss for 3DS. Everyone, pre-order two copies of each.

Read More: 3DS, PlayStation 3, , , , , ,
Share and Discuss
Guidelines
  • dart2087

    I’m glad that Namco will continue providing support to the Tales of franchise . :)

    • Schtolteheim Reinbach III

      @dart2087: support they will give, but that doesn’t mean they will bring xilla in the west…

      • AdamBoy64

        Th@Schtolteheim Reinbach III: That’s true. There’s absolutely no assurance they will bring out Xillia..

        I guess all we can do is support the series.. but even if there is good sales of Abyss & Graces F, yeah, they might not bring it over.

        All we can do is all we can do, I guess.

        • FaithlessMr

          @AdamBoy64:
          Sure, nothing is certain. But from a business/corporate point of view, if some product actually gives them SOME profit (not an insane profit, but at least SOME profit) or at least covers up for the localization expanses and actually gives the company more brand recognition/loyalty by the fans, then I really don’t see a reason as to why they wouldn’t keep on giving us tales games in the west as long as we keep on purchasing them.

          Nothing is certain, ofc, but to simply expect they will downright ignore us from here onwards just because it’s something I don’t seem to comprehend either, nor do I think it will actually happen. I mean….c’mon, they’re saying they’ll keep on supporting the tales series, the ball is in our court now.

          We’re (the fans) are partly to blame from now on if the series dies in the west. Sure, to expect a million seller would be unrealistic, but I’m pretty sure not even NB is expecting that much out of the game, something which Sepieli said himself in the interview, but they are expecting some margin of profit, and that’s where we come in.

  • AdamBoy64

    Great to read this from Josh Sepielli of Namco.

    And yes, we must do absolutely all we can to support these upcoming releases if we want Tales to have a future in the West.

    • Sal Romano

      @AdamBoy64: I like this Sepielli guy.

      Hope I meet him soon. Give him a personal thanks. He seemed so enthusiastic about Graces F in that video.

  • FaithlessMr

    I’m definitely doing my part. I’m going to get Graces F for sure and I need to pick up a 3DS for Abyss.

    Now I also hope that everyone who wants Xillia badly stops to think and realize that if they don’t at least give Graces a try (which is basically as good, minus the seinen artstyle that Xillia seems to go for), chances are Xillia will go down the drain like all the future “Tales of localization” related projects.

    Anyway, gotta think positive and stay focused, I can’t wait for both of dem games and I’m glad things are a-changing for this series. Namco Bandai, you’re earning my respect back yo :3

  • FinalFantasy_fangirl

    I’ll get both because I want Xillia and the vita tales

  • Charlie

    I’m buying Tales of Graces F day one!!!!
    This is the sort of company that needs our support people.

  • RyougaZell

    I want Graces F. Im not sold on Abyss though.

    • KingdomPersona

      @RyougaZell: I hope you don’t pass on it I haven’t play it yet but I hear great things about it so that why i’m getting the 3DS version.

      • RyougaZell

        @KingdomPersona:
        I already own the PS2 version. And from what I’ve read, the 3DS version doesn’t add anything. That’s why I’m not convinced.

        • KingdomPersona

          @RyougaZell: oh so you don’t have to buy it if you play it already :P

          • RyougaZell

            @KingdomPersona: Problem is that Namco seems to be telling us that if this two games don’t sell well, we won’t be getting Xillia or Innocence R later on =(

      • Sal Romano

        @KingdomPersona: Even if I don’t have a 3DS by then, I’ll pick up two copies. One to eventually play. The other I’ll just keep sealed somewhere.

        • KingdomPersona

          @Sal Romano: Me too lol can’t wait to play it :)

  • Schtolteheim Reinbach III

    basically what Sepielli was referring to, if you translate the “Moving forward, there’s going to be a lot more support for the franchise.” is FUCK THE WEST! YOU AIN’T GETTING SHIITTTTT!

    So FUCK YOU TOO BANDAI, keep releasing crappy games and you’re company won’t be there, and Oh tekken really SUCKED ASS!

    • KingdomPersona

      @Schtolteheim Reinbach III: Go Somewhere else TROLL FUCK YOU TOO

      • Schtolteheim Reinbach III

        @KingdomPersona: we’ll it’s not trolling, but rather fact! Namco does not value their audience in the west, it’s a damn fact!

        • KingdomPersona

          @Schtolteheim Reinbach III: Well they NEVER SAY what you say but whatever ok

          • Schtolteheim Reinbach III

            @KingdomPersona: don’t get butt hurt man! but don’t get me wrong, I would love to play these tales (xillia and vesperia) in Ps3, oh we’ll we can just give out false hope

    • Dimentionalist

      @Schtolteheim Reinbach III:
      Well, they are releasing Graces F.

  • whiteferrero

    I’m getting graces F for sure.! oh w8, it’s on ps3 right?

    • KingdomPersona

      @whiteferrero: Yes

    • AuroraXIII

      @whiteferrero: What’s your point? Any jrpg fan owns a PS3. You do too, right?

      • Schtolteheim Reinbach III

        @AuroraXIII: PS3 did not get that much love in the JRPG department compare to 360 though…

        • AdamBoy64

          @Schtolteheim Reinbach III: I think I can name a couple of RPG’s on 360 that have interested me over the years..

          But I do recall Microsoft invested into RPG’s a bit in the first few years of the 360, but not much since then..

  • Sardrellas

    Localizing Xillia would be the best decision they would ever make… EVER!!