Death Smiles: Countdown to North America Invasion

[ShmupSamurai]

Hmm, I might get this when it comes stateside

[StarCreator]

I just got this game and I am experiencing the same thing. Although I used the standard av cables first (looked like shit) and then switched to hdmi, but now the screen is off to the left of the tv. Anywho, what am I doing wrong here. There seems to be no in game resolution options. how much of the screen should it take up in xbox mode?

Make sure you start the game while connected to Xbox Live (any region, doesn't have to be Gold) so that you get the latest patch. This sounds like the issue that affected displays running at 1366x768.

[Momijitsuki]

Does that matter? It was at least DLC somewhere, so it should be just like GOTY versions of games that throw in DLC.

It does matter, because upon first release in any certain country, it has to contain 1000 points on the disc. DLC has to be separate. Once DLC has already hit the marketplace in that country, then they can release it as a disc. There might also be a policy about having achievements the same in every region as well, but that's not entirely confirmed. It is confirmed from a developer that Microsoft will refuse certification for production of a game if it has more than 1000 gamerscore on the disc at release or if the original 1000 points is not obtainable out of the box without purchase of other content.

Am I the only one who finds this an absolutely horrible practice? Sorry, you can't publish your game, you have too much gamerscore.

That's not particularly true. You can have as much content as you want, you just can't give more than 1000 gamerpoints.

[MrPopo]

It does matter, because upon first release in any certain country, it has to contain 1000 points on the disc. DLC has to be separate. Once DLC has already hit the marketplace in that country, then they can release it as a disc. There might also be a policy about having achievements the same in every region as well, but that's not entirely confirmed. It is confirmed from a developer that Microsoft will refuse certification for production of a game if it has more than 1000 gamerscore on the disc at release or if the original 1000 points is not obtainable out of the box without purchase of other content.

Am I the only one who finds this an absolutely horrible practice? Sorry, you can't publish your game, you have too much gamerscore.

That's not particularly true. You can have as much content as you want, you just can't give more than 1000 gamerpoints.

Right, but that is one of the most arbitrary of reasons for denying a game the ability to be published. And in turn it develops a mindset that led to legions of "No trophies = no buy" posts on GameFAQs after the PS3 added trophy support. It's not like the things you need to support if you want it to be a Live game. Those make sense, as they enhance the gameplay. Achievements don't enhance gameplay. Everything done with achievements (with some notable exceptions where they actually give you something, like Mass Effect) can be replicated by writing what you do down on a notepad and then reading it off to friends.

[evil_ash_xero]

Though somewhat unrelated, shmups are not doing well in terms of reviews, which WILL make it much harder to sell deathsmiles.

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platfor ... 4?q=raiden
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platfor ... s?q=raiden
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platfor ... 0shikigami
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platfor ... ers%201945
http://www.metacritic.com/games/platfor ... collection


Unless we want this game to fail, we're going to have to be the ones to do all the marketing.

I was really curious to see how this game does with the critics. I consider it easily better than all those you have listed. Also, this will come with 3 different versions of the game, and the longest version(MBL) almost has 10 stages, which is pretty big for a shmup. Not to mention the design is great, and the game is unique and fun(I have a hard time seeing it being referred to as 'another shmup').
At the same time, i'm ready to be disappointed by western critics.

[manaka]

Keep in mind, if this does include Black Label on the disc, there will be an entirely different achievement list, as Microsoft's policy is that you cannot release a game that has more than 1000 gamerscore out of the box. Anything above 1000 HAS to include DLC.

Mega Black Label is indeed included on the disc. As for the gamerscore... just wait a while.

[Acid King]

They could just put the MBL data on the disc and make the unlock key a free download. They wouldn't have to change the achievements then.

[MachineAres 1CC]

Right, but that is one of the most arbitrary of reasons for denying a game the ability to be published. And in turn it develops a mindset that led to legions of "No trophies = no buy" posts on GameFAQs after the PS3 added trophy support. It's not like the things you need to support if you want it to be a Live game. Those make sense, as they enhance the gameplay. Achievements don't enhance gameplay. Everything done with achievements (with some notable exceptions where they actually give you something, like Mass Effect) can be replicated by writing what you do down on a notepad and then reading it off to friends.

This is utterly wrong. First of all, its not arbitrary in the least bit. They're trying to maintain a system that gives an equal opportunity to every gamer and every developer out there and keeps it on a regulated level. They established a system as a standard and without having rules to keep a system in place, there won't be a system for long. This is kinda like if game retailers could just sell games for whatever they want with no input from the developer. There would be chaos everywhere and there would be a broken system. Business is done the way its done for a reason.

They don't enhance the gameplay itself, but they can easily enhance your gameplay experience with a game, as the developers put them there as a reason so you have an incentive to explore all the different angles of gameplay the game has and is a more inviting way to put you up to the challenge of overcoming whatever kind of resistance they could come up with in the programming. Not only does it help to guide you through to exploring your games more fully, but "writing things down on paper and reading them" is nowhere near as official and easily accessible as achievements. Anyone from anywhere in the world can see your achievements with a click of a button or visiting Xbox.com, you can keep up with some of your friends and what games they've been playing recently and how far they've progressed in it, you can see which games some of your friends have so you can ask to play online if you want to, all without even having to be online at the same time. Its like keeping a log of your gaming life and you can share it with others if you wish. I don't see why you wouldn't want to be able to communicate things to your friends if you have friends who are into gaming, unless you're just a socially devoid hermit or something.

[StarCreator]

Mega Black Label is indeed included on the disc. As for the gamerscore... just wait a while.

Do you work for Cave and/or Aksys?

[Ganelon]

Why is that needed? It's listed right in their list of features.

[Exarion]

The large amount of inconsistencies in the Aksys press release, and the fact that all of the inconsistencies pertain to things added in MBL, mean that it might not actually be included. Also, someone said earlier that they could not think of a better publisher for this game: Atlus would be slightly better, because people know what an Atlus logo means in terms of difficulty, whereas Aksys is more known for the game being unusual. It doesn't mean anything if you're familiar with this particular game though.

[HeLGeN-X]

God damn, my local arcade had this and they recently took it out for some fucking gay ass adventure game with samurai.

I only got to play it 2 times, managed to defeat 2 whole stages, but got owned on the complete challenges.

Which arcade in NYC had this? So pissed I missed out on playing this at an arcade...

My bad yo, I do not live in NYC anymore, I meant in Japan where I am living now. Do you go to Chinatown Fair?

[Elixir]

Hahaha, I so called Aksys. That hint Siliconera gave about "something yummy" was perfect.

Maybe I'll start practicing 1.1 again.

[t0yrobo]

I don't really care much about the dlc issue, at least it seems like it will be available in some way. I want to know if they have any plans for a limited version of the game, and if it's worth getting over the regular.

[Shelcoof]

I don't really care much about the dlc issue, at least it seems like it will be available in some way. I want to know if they have any plans for a limited version of the game, and if it's worth getting over the regular.

I care seeing how I haven't gotten the time to ordering Japan-Xbox Live Points. Good thing I held off

I already own SE and LE Death Smiles... so I'm hoping the release over can be less of a pain on my wallet

[evil_ash_xero]

I wonder if full Full Voice Mode will be included?

I missed out on that.

[spl]

Where is the PAL version huh??? We don't even have Raiden IV yet in PAL!!! Complete BS.

[Sasupoika]

Yes, I too do call this bullshit. I want shmups in Europe too.

[BulletMagnet]

You guys silently mocked our meager domestic shmup library during the PS2 era, now it's our turn.

Seriously though, it would be nice if everyone could get a shot at these without having to import...wonder why it never seems to happen everyplace at the same time?

[NR777]

God damn, my local arcade had this and they recently took it out for some fucking gay ass adventure game with samurai.

I only got to play it 2 times, managed to defeat 2 whole stages, but got owned on the complete challenges.

Which arcade in NYC had this? So pissed I missed out on playing this at an arcade...

My bad yo, I do not live in NYC anymore, I meant in Japan where I am living now. Do you go to Chinatown Fair?

Yeah, I do...but they only have Gigawing ( that's where I got the 1cc ), Raiden Fighters, and a gutted Mars Matrix cab that now holds Superpang.

[Mero]

Where is the PAL version huh??? We don't even have Raiden IV yet in PAL!!! Complete BS.

You guys silently mocked our meager domestic shmup library during the PS2 era, now it's our turn.

Indeed

I seriously doubt we'll see any of these games get a PAL release. During the PS2 era we were lucky enough to have several publishers that were willing to put these games out(especially 505), alas it looks like thats not the case anymore. Oh well....

PS. congratulations on the good news North America

[honorless]

Surprised no one's cross-posted this yet:

Dude seriously, wait til' you see what the publisher has planned for this US launch.

<3 x 1000

courtesy neogaf

I hope this means we're getting the JP LE, since Aksys releases nice LEs upon occasion. But since this is a MarkMan post, it seems likely that we'll be getting the DS arcade stick instead. (Maybe we'll get both.)

either way
get hype NTSC-U/C
(get hope PAL )

[Square King]

get hype NTSC-U/C

Hype get! Might have to finally invest in a 360-compat stick now.

[Shelcoof]

Any idea when DS is gonna be released?

[chempop]

I think they mentioned it's scheduled for this summer. I'm curious if it will be a budget title...

[Phellan Wolf]

I think they mentioned it's scheduled for this summer. I'm curious if it will be a budget title...

I don't think it will be budget, ,but won't be sold for full price that's for sure, just like Raiden IV.

[gs68]

I'll be ready to rock Deathsmiles with my Seimitsu-modded FSTE.

[Ghegs]

The controller/converter discussion now has a thread of its own.

[GaijinPunch]

How much was Raiden 4?

[BulletMagnet]

How much was Raiden 4?

The US version retailed for 40 when it first came out, if memory serves...also worth considering is that it came with a soundtrack CD. Who knows what pricing strategy Aksys will go with, though...just gonna hafta wait and see.