Namco Bandai is bringing the 3DS version of Tales of the Abyss to North America in February next year. After that, Tales of Graces F for PlayStation 3. Speaking to Siliconera, Namco Bandai marketing VP Carlson Choi exlpained why Abyss was decided for 2012, and the company’s motive to bring more Tales games westward.
“It was more timing in terms of a market perspective. The holiday season in the States, it’s pretty risky,” Choi explained. “Any game you put in the holiday season you have to make sure you have a good followers behind it. Because there are only so many dollars out there. We want to make sure we get a nice window and there is an upcoming announcement. When consumers hear it they will go ‘Oh, that’s why’.”
Choi is most likely referring to Tales of Graces F, also announced for a 2012 release. Asked if they’re planning on bringing all the downloadable costumes over, including the .hack, Idolmaster, and other sets, Choi said, “We’re working on all of those details. Our goal is to bring as much as possible to the market.
“We’re actually looking at a much longer term beyond those two titles of what we can to do bring the Tales series to the fans in the States,” he added.
We’ve some suggestions, Carlson. Tales of Xillia, Innocence R, and Vesperia for PS3 are a nice start.
Tales of the Abyss is due for 3DS on February 14.