Questions to ask SeaBass if you have the chance.

[V-9]

Fellas. Full leagues license is not possible because EA own exclusive rights to most of the top leagues in addition to their lower divisions. The only thing KONAMI can do is get rights to each individual clubs and makeup a generic league name ie. English League or Spanish League instead of EPL or La Liga. Getting individual club's licenses is more expensive than the whole league. I believe the same thing applies for official tournaments. Ea own's exclusive rights to Euro2004 and FIFA2006. I same applies for official tournaments in each of the league EA's has the rights to.

The referee on the pitch is possible. But maybe there is some truth to the frame rates issue by having a ref on the pitch with his own AI. Remember the ref is not going to run like a headless chicken all over the pitch. He has to follow where the actions are. Which in most case is where the ball is. But I would like to get official words from Seabass on the ref issue.

 

[Gascoigne USA]

Yeah, I still think if it can be done in fifa with "better" graphics it can be done in WE, and he doesnt have to have much of a AI, follow the area of play.. These guys just want him there to make it look more real I guess.. me I dont give a rats ass if there is a ref there or not. It makes no difference.. and would make the game no better or no worse. Thats the least of my questions.

 

[akvelocity365]

The refs on the pitch would definitely add a whole new dimension to the game. The comments about the PS2 not being able to handle that is total bushwah! I think that KONAMI would have to push to DVD if they want to add "realistic" refs with excellent AI. I would assume that by the next version, assuming no FE will come out, WE8 will be on DVD if they actually make big changes without taking anything out!

Disk space brings me to another topic, maybe it's just me, but with everything added to each series, there is something taken away, i.e. chants for national teams! Maybe it's just me, but to create an excellent football environment where the player can feel totally immersed in the action, the audio is just as important as the visual! Chants, though miniscule to gameplay add a lot to a players engrossment in a game. It gives the player that added realism and the ability to believe they are playing a real football match! Why take away an aspect from prior versions that worked so well? I think it all comes down to KONAMI wanting to stick with CDrom.

This whole topic though, it is too bad we don't have the ability "yet" to make a difference. It's obvious that sales for the WE games are miniscule in regions outside of Japan! How many people actually purchased this game?! The answer will obviously be proof enough to why KONAMI might not even be giving us a second glance on our thoughts! First of all, WE needs to become extremely popular in the US for us to even have a chance express our concerns to SeaBass and company! It's a shame, but it seems like the only way anything can happen is if we, the US WE players spread the word, make an organization, clubs, whatever, because as it is now, at this rate, we will never have a voice to KONAMI!

 

[V-9]

Originally posted by akvelocity365
The refs on the pitch would definitely add a whole new dimension to the game. The comments about the PS2 not being able to handle that is total bushwah! I think that KONAMI would have to push to DVD if they want to add "realistic" refs with excellent AI. I would assume that by the next version, assuming no FE will come out, WE8 will be on DVD if they actually make big changes without taking anything out!

Disk space brings me to another topic, maybe it's just me, but with everything added to each series, there is something taken away, i.e. chants for national teams! Maybe it's just me, but to create an excellent football environment where the player can feel totally immersed in the action, the audio is just as important as the visual! Chants, though miniscule to gameplay add a lot to a players engrossment in a game. It gives the player that added realism and the ability to believe they are playing a real football match! Why take away an aspect from prior versions that worked so well? I think it all comes down to KONAMI wanting to stick with CDrom.

This whole topic though, it is too bad we don't have the ability "yet" to make a difference. It's obvious that sales for the WE games are miniscule in regions outside of Japan! How many people actually purchased this game?! The answer will obviously be proof enough to why KONAMI might not even be giving us a second glance on our thoughts! First of all, WE needs to become extremely popular in the US for us to even have a chance express our concerns to SeaBass and company! It's a shame, but it seems like the only way anything can happen is if we, the US WE players spread the word, make an organization, clubs, whatever, because as it is now, at this rate, we will never have a voice to KONAMI!

There will not be a FE this year. KONAMI is focusing on the PC version instead. Notice how there is no info on the J league version either this year. Maybe there won't be one either.

Regarding KONAMI trying to fit the game one CD, you are correct. There is no other words to describe KONAMI's decision to do that other than "CHEAP ARSE". You think that a game selling that well in Japan, they could have at least put it on DVD ROM with more chants instead of trying to compress everything to fit on a CD.

I have to disagree about WE/PES not selling well outside of Japan. PES2 sold over a million units in Europe despite its flaws. The European market is football crazy. If KONAMI expects to sell well there, they have to cater to the European market. You can get by not purchasing the licenses in Japan, but in Europe and America it is another story. As I stated earlier, KONAMI's biggest failure is MARKETING outside of Japan. It is obvious that the series is getting rave reviews from games critics. But that has not translate into sales. The main reason is marketing which includes public relations. They don't make an effort to connect with their fans. How about building a decent website like EA does with FIFA2004 and get the fans involve. Make the fans feel like they are part of a "FOOTBALL TRIBE". There are no outlets for fans to voice their opinions and suggestions on how the series should progress. After all, it is the consumers who buy the games.
We have many great ideas in this thread. It is unfortunate that KONAMI will never see any of it.

 

[seabass]

Some nice ideas guys. I'll think about them.

 

[akvelocity365]

I am not referring to the PES or WE International series. I am talking about the WE games directly from KCET! How many people bought WE6 straight from Japan or through a gaming shop that imports WE6 (and later) that live in Europe and the U.S.? I would assume SeaBass and company will be most effected by sales of their direct product and consumers in that market since that is the majority of their cash machine. Hence why I made that long statement about the U.S. sales figures being way too low for us to even catch notice of KCET!

 

[V-9]

Originally posted by akvelocity365
I am not referring to the PES or WE International series. I am talking about the WE games directly from KCET! How many people bought WE6 straight from Japan or through a gaming shop that imports WE6 (and later) that live in Europe and the U.S.? I would assume SeaBass and company will be most effected by sales of their direct product and consumers in that market since that is the majority of their cash machine. Hence why I made that long statement about the U.S. sales figures being way too low for us to even catch notice of KCET!

The WE series is make for the Japanese market. Why would Seabass and co worries about international sales of the WE series? Any sales they get internationally for the WE series is gravy. What they should be concern is when the series is brought to other markets (Europe and North America) in the forms of PES and WE International. If sales in those series are not good, then they should examine what they are doing wrong. What is wrong is mostly the marketing, IMO. The other is no attempt on KONAMI's part to build a sound relationship with the fans of the WE/PES series. I know we all say that EA will never catch up to KONAMI in the gameplay department, but I am not sure that will be the case within the next few years. If FIFA2003 manage to outsold PES2 by a large margin with an inferior gameplay last year, imagine what FIFA2004 will do with an improved game engine and more license leagues and teams. They even have the South Americans and Mexican teams in FIFA2004. KONAMI seems to focus on Europe more with WE7 and PES3 with no South American teams. If they expect sales to skyrocket in North America with WE7 International, it's not going to happen with no Latin teams.

Sales are important because that is how companies make money. With money they can purchase more licenses or hire talented people to make the game even better.

 

[Internazionale]

Originally posted by seabass
Some nice ideas guys. I'll think about them.

Are you a representative from SeaBass ?!

 

[akvelocity365]

That's what I said initially, they don't care about any international sales of their game because, one, it's made for Japan, two, their isn't a big enough market internationally for people who buy their game, hence, they basically could care less what we think. Yes, they should pay interest in why the game sells horribly in the US and places second to an inferior FIFA game in Europe! Obviously they don't care though, as long as they have their market in Japan with a few international sales splattered here and there, they might never try to start a good customer company relation with markets outside their region! (assuming they have good marketing in their own region of course) It's a dayum shame too, how can such a great game have such horrible marketing! There is so much wrong with that company, I don't really know where to begin. It's pretty annoying when it all comes down to it

 

[V-9]

Originally posted by akvelocity365
That's what I said initially, they don't care about any international sales of their game because, one, it's made for Japan, two, their isn't a big enough market internationally for people who buy their game, hence, they basically could care less what we think. Yes, they should pay interest in why the game sells horribly in the US and places second to an inferior FIFA game in Europe! Obviously they don't care though, as long as they have their market in Japan with a few international sales splattered here and there, they might never try to start a good customer company relation with markets outside their region! (assuming they have good marketing in their own region of course) It's a dayum shame too, how can such a great game have such horrible marketing! There is so much wrong with that company, I don't really know where to begin. It's pretty annoying when it all comes down to it

I think you misunderstood what I'd said. Yes, the WE series is intended for the Japanese market. And yes, any international sales of the WE series should be viewed by KONAMI as gravy. But if KONAMI is thinking that selling a million units in Japan is good enough for them to survive, they are sadly mistaken. I don't believe that is their line of thinking because why would they even bother to bring the PES series and WE International to Europe and North America. KONAMI is a global company. Global companies need to think global not just their neck of the woods if they want to make money. Not only that, KONAMI is also a public own company. The board of the company has to answer to investors if no profits are coming in. Japan is a small market when compare to Europe and North America. There are money to be made in the North American and European market with footie games. KONAMI made an investment when they bring the Winning Eleven series to other markets. But KONAMI has to realize that gamers in these markets are different than those in Japan. You can't expect to make up pseudo names to replaced clubs and players that they loved and support and expect to sell well. Yes gameplay is important but so is authenticity which includes licenses. KONAMI just need to do more than what they are doing now if they want to make money in the West.

 

[akvelocity365]

It's clear that Konami are a global company, selling their gameplay engine to the US and European markets. It's too bad we are even discussing this issue though. I don't see KCET commitment at all to truely immerse WE into the US sports gaming culture. They "hand" the engine over to Konami of America who basically translate the interface then distribute. I just see their view upon our market as some extra pocket cash to scoop up. Maybe my opinion is wrong or I just don't understand, but the commitment level of Konami to deliver above and beyond what they can is obviously non-existant. They eventually will have to go all out, include more world teams and license basically every squad since they don't offer any leagues. Those FIFA fans will finally have a reason to buy the game since all they were looking for in the first place was official this and official that. I would like to know how serious KCET is with the European and US markets though? Why can't they adapt their games to the markets and actually give them selves a good reason for having these huge delays in release dates from region to region? Ah well.

 

[V-9]

Originally posted by akvelocity365
It's clear that Konami are a global company, selling their gameplay engine to the US and European markets. It's too bad we are even discussing this issue though. I don't see KCET commitment at all to truely immerse WE into the US sports gaming culture. They "hand" the engine over to Konami of America who basically translate the interface then distribute. I just see their view upon our market as some extra pocket cash to scoop up. Maybe my opinion is wrong or I just don't understand, but the commitment level of Konami to deliver above and beyond what they can is obviously non-existant. They eventually will have to go all out, include more world teams and license basically every squad since they don't offer any leagues. Those FIFA fans will finally have a reason to buy the game since all they were looking for in the first place was official this and official that. I would like to know how serious KCET is with the European and US markets though? Why can't they adapt their games to the markets and actually give them selves a good reason for having these huge delays in release dates from region to region? Ah well.

I know what you mean. They are genius at making footie games but utter moronic at marketing.

You might be PO at this information but KONAMI of America don't really translate WE7 International. The translation is done by the folks at KONAMI of Europe. As a matter of fact, PES3 has a 50/60 hz option meaning that the game is compatible with PAL and NTSC PS2. So PES3 which once KONAMI handed it over to KONAMI of America to edit some PES3 graphics to WE graphics, is pretty much done. I don't know why KONAMI can't release PES3 and WE7 International at the same time. I am getting PES3 once it comes out. No need to wait for until February of next year when I can play PES3 on my PS2 and also the PC version will be out before WE7 International. Another great business decision by KONAMI.

 

[Tom Green]

You guys say it like if the US market was some massive footy market just waiting to be conquered by konami... Seriously, FIFA barely sells above 200,000 here, keep in mind the US had a great participation in last year's WC, which may have excited people a bit.. But the thing is, people don't even care about soccer games, even if they have the fancy covers, and licenses and stuff, you guys know about World Tour Soccer right? The game has all the licenses, tons of leagues, competitions, options, and even decent gameplay. It sells like sh1t. What do the licenses matter when your audience doesn't even know what the premiership league is, do you think we get soccer on public access or even cable channels like in the rest of the world? Of course not.
Americans won't care if WE7:I is released 6 months after PES3, cause they don't even know what PES3 is.
I think Konami's fine as it is, it has the European and Japanese market at it's feet, and nothing can be done about the American market, 2/3 of the biggest markets in the world should be enough for them to make a profit, and hopefully keep producing quality games.

 

[V-9]

Originally posted by Tom Green
You guys say it like if the US market was some massive footy market just waiting to be conquered by konami... Seriously, FIFA barely sells above 200,000 here, keep in mind the US had a great participation in last year's WC, which may have excited people a bit.. But the thing is, people don't even care about soccer games, even if they have the fancy covers, and licenses and stuff, you guys know about World Tour Soccer right? The game has all the licenses, tons of leagues, competitions, options, and even decent gameplay. It sells like sh1t. What do the licenses matter when your audience doesn't even know what the premiership league is, do you think we get soccer on public access or even cable channels like in the rest of the world? Of course not.
Americans won't care if WE7:I is released 6 months after PES3, cause they don't even know what PES3 is.
I think Konami's fine as it is, it has the European and Japanese market at it's feet, and nothing can be done about the American market, 2/3 of the biggest markets in the world should be enough for them to make a profit, and hopefully keep producing quality games.

Sorry Tom, but World Tour Soccer was sh!te. The gameplay is nothing special. And it has the same amount of license as WE6I that being the FIFPro license. WTS has all the top leagues but none of them are license. So are all the teams. WE6I sold more copies than WTS 2003.
I realize that the US is not a soccer loving nation but it has the potential. But WE7I is not only sold for the US market only. You get the Canadians, Mexicans, Central Americans and even South Americans if KONAMI even bother with those areas.
I just don't get why FIFA could be release worldwide at the same time and WE7I and PES3 can't and they are essentially the same game.

 

[valioso]

the problem with the sales in North America is that by the time it gets released is 6-7 months after release everywhere else.. at which pt.. anyone that really wants to play already has a modded PS2 from pass Konami games and have already imported it.. so they miss sales.. if they release it at the same time worldwide they would sell more copies..

 

[Paco de Lucia]

I've been a regular critic of Konami's incompetence in everything related to marketing -- sales, distribution, PR, customer relations, promotion, etc.

But they showed they had some balls with plans to release WE7:I, following the relative WE6:I flop (sales-wise). Now let's look at the bright picture.

For the sake of argument, the U.S. market for PS2 footy games is some 300,000 units.

EA commands some 66 percent of that, but WE6:I already has 20 percent of the market on its first go around in the U.S.

Step 1 is fixing release dates, which many of you already pointed out. WE7:I sales likely ain't gonna top 100,000 in 2004, but if Konami fix release dates, the future starts looking better and better.

 

[embraceuk1]

My question is simple why after 8 since SWOS 96 has this game not implemented SWOS like career features e.g.

1. Crowds that react to the game. @ examples: 1 nil song if you score if a team equalize your not singing anymore.

2. Players values increase or decrease due to form and perfomance levels ( FIFA 2004 has this now so should be in next PES or WE).

3. Proper league structures more teams you dont have to make the league names correct if you dont want to buy licences etc.

 

[culo]

Originally posted by embraceuk1
My question is simple why after 8 since SWOS 96 has this game not implemented SWOS like career features e.g.

3. Proper league structures more teams you dont have to make the league names correct if you dont want to buy licences etc.

I completely agree and am very frustrated by this.

My guess is the reason is that whilst SWOS was developed by a UK company which understood the beauty and meaning of the domestic league structure, KCET are Japanese and probably see the most meaningful European football as being Champs' League stuff.

They're edging in the right direction, but taking a hell of a long time to get there. Licensing is such a bogus reason.

 

[PRO_TOO]

some of u got probs a cant understand! a ref on the pitch!? is that really important!? it wouldt make the whole game more realistic, no doubt, but is it really important!? NO! i play soccer by myself, and sometimes i wish there where no ref on the pitch! just someone who says foul or not foul over a speaker system!

anyway, get focused on the really important things... and whats the really important thing??? IMO it's the gameplay, things like freekicks (back passing, nice that someone noticed that), corners, running, shooting and so on...

 

[embraceuk1]

yes people wanting refs is stupid when you are playing the game you will never look at them anyway if you do prepare to lose a lot.
Why Why Why