Yasuhiro Wada (Harvest Moon) and Yoshiro Kimura (Little King's Story) joined the No More Heroes developer about a year ago. Now, they've apparently left. Kotaku's following up. [Siliconera] More »
As mentioned in the latest Famitsu, Little King's Story is headed to the PS Vita. Apparently, it's a port of the Wii version, but will make use of the Vita's specs. [ゲーム情報！ゲームのはなし] More »
#goichisuda
Earlier this year, Tokyo-based Grasshopper Manufacture snagged Akira Yamaoka of Silent Hill fame from Konami. This month, it also signed two more "name" developers. More »
Grasshopper Manufacture has added even more talent to its roster, according to a report from the latest Famitsu. Yasuhiro Wada, former president of Marvelous Interactive (and creator of Harvest Moon), and Little King's Story director Yoshiro Kimura, have joined Suda 51's team as chief operating officer and chief creative officer, respectively.
"We haven't released a single [original] title in the past year, which is something that caused a lot of regret in my mind," Suda told Famitsu (according to 1UP's translation). "Having these two people join Grasshopper will make us a more sturdily-organized company, and it'll improve our development, technical, and release skills." Both have previously worked as producers for Grasshopper games, including both No More Heroes. Suda suggested that the new hires could help Grasshopper expand into new genres, including games for all ages.
Pretty much everyone can guess why No More Heroes is being released again -- Marvelous needs money. During a Q&A presentation (PDF link, Japanese) about its fiscal Q2 2010 earnings, Marvelous boldly revealed that three out of its four 2009 Wii releases lost money, though it didn't say which was the winner. Muramasa sold 47,000 units in Japan, the company said, not specifying American sales. Arc Rise Fantasia, which will be published Stateside by Ignition, sold 45,000 copies. Little King's Story sold 26,000 copies in Japan, 37,000 copies in North America, and 67,000 in Europe. Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga, which came out in September in North America, sold just 16,000 copies (Japanese sales, which started in October, are not mentioned). Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility on Wii somehow sold 57,000 units in 2009 despite being a 2007 release in Japan, a 2008 release in America, and not out until October in Europe and Australia. Because of lower development costs, Marvelous said, PSP software was more successful, with four out of five releases making money on similar sales numbers. Half-Minute Hero was Marvelous's overall best-performing title, at 70,000 copies sold. [Via Siliconera]
Reader Wait1minuteplz decided to take his Little King’s Story preorder gift on some adventures around the world. It’s always nice to have a friend at your side, no matter how big or little! You can see just where the Onii stress doll ended up in the video below.
Direct link here
To get a better [...]
Yoshiro Kimura is the creator of Little King's Story, likely the only game in history to be the inspiration for a giveaway of one hundred hamburgers, one hundred bananas, and one hundred coupons for a visit to a spa -- all simultaneously. We spoke to Kimura during Tokyo Game Show about the secrets of the Wii game, about that rather strange contest, and about a can't-miss concept for a game about an old man drinking on a bench.
Yoshiro Kimura is the creator of Little King's Story, likely the only game in history to be the inspiration for a giveaway of one hundred hamburgers, one hundred bananas, and one hundred coupons for a visit to a spa -- all simultaneously. We spoke to Kimura during Tokyo Game Show about the secrets of the Wii game, about that rather strange contest, and about a can't-miss concept for a game about an old man drinking on a bench.
Click to see full bento box. Warning: may cause incredible jealousy and/or hunger.
Making a video game is no easy task. XSEED's Christine Nakashima had been working long hours on the Wii game, Little King's Story. Thankfully, someone noticed her effort! Her sister stayed up late one evening, making a Japanese-style "bento" box for Christine, featuring various characters from the game. Perhaps we have a bias for looking at adorable things ... and then eating them, because this looks far more appetizing than Little King Story's other food promotion.
Hey, it’s Little King’s Story! It’s that game that is at retail right now, and is most likely being ignored by millions and millions of Wii owners. I swear, it’s almost like Pikmin…a Nintendo franchise! At least rent the game and try it out!
Japan hasn’t had the pleasure of enjoying Little King’s Story just yet, but they will soon. That means that it’s time to kiss up to the press! Check out some more pictures at the link below from the Little King’s Story press event that Marvelous put together. Even Mr. Wada stopped by [...]
A portion of a Siliconera review…
Little King’s Story’s stellar localization, although maybe it should be called that since the Japanese version hasn’t been released, makes the world and all of the self-aggrandizing kings memorable.
“I think it’s safe to say that Little King’s Story is a prime example of knowing never to judge a book by its cover. A fine mix between classics such as Harvest Moon, Pikmin, and (oddly enough) Command & Conquer, Little King’s gameplay is an innovative melting pot of genre-bending ingredients, thickly applied to [...]
A portion of an IGN review…
One of the deeper and more engaging Wii-exclusive adventures out there. Give it time, and Little King’s Story will pull you in. Bring on a sequel.
Full review here
A portion of a GamePro review…
An intriguing blend of real time strategy, life development and role playing action, Little King’s Story proves itself as a fun-filled and wholly engaging experience for even the most jaded gamer, all wrapped up in a deceptively cute package.
Full review here
