Deathsmiles PAL release (DATED: Feb 18th)

[Sumez]

I actually feel really ashamed that I wrote them for the replacement disc, which they had to pay to ship to Denmark. I haven't checked if the replacement is a cd-r, but even if it is, it's definitely very professionally produced with a quality color print on it, so for a niche game like this, the expenses for this process must have had at least some volume. I hope they count it as a general loss, and don't apply it specifically to the budget for DeathSmiles.

In a worst case scenario, RSG had planned a release of DFK BL, but had to can it because of their loss on this release.
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

[exquisite_torture]

I'll have all the extra game content I can get, but I'd much rather RSG didn't bother with costly extras and used the funds to secure more games.

[mice]

I actually feel really ashamed that I wrote them for the replacement disc, ...

You should.

Good thing I read this, because I was about to send them an email.
Now I'll just burn the audio cd myself.

[Zeron]

Yeah I didnt bother with the replacement CD-R if I actually pop in the disc it will be in my PC.


But nevertheless amazing support from Rising Star Games

Cheers!

[Skykid]

I actually feel really ashamed that I wrote them for the replacement disc, which they had to pay to ship to Denmark.

My god, does this commercial kiss-assery ever end?!

You paid them for a game with a bonus CD, they fucked up the bonus CD. It's their fault. You have every right to be dissatisfied because you paid money from your pocket for it. From wages you went to work to earn.

Jesus Christ, it's amazing you folk aren't all flat broke.

[hipgnosis]

My god, does this commercial kiss-assery ever end?!

You paid them for a game with a bonus CD, they fucked up the bonus CD. It's their fault. You have every right to be dissatisfied because you paid money from your pocket for it. From wages you went to work to earn.

Actually they didn't fuck it up, they just released it lossless on a DVD. People didn't realise this and demanded for a CD that has lower quality but is playable on traditional CD-players.

So yeah, it was pretty great from them to release it in higher quality to begin with.

[spadgy]

I can see both side here.

I did apply to get the CD, and it's great they're happy to send the disk. Mine came fast and was very well packaged.

[Sumez]

My god, does this commercial kiss-assery ever end?!

You paid them for a game with a bonus CD, they fucked up the bonus CD. It's their fault. You have every right to be dissatisfied because you paid money from your pocket for it. From wages you went to work to earn.

I don't care if they fucked up. Really, no one hast the right to demand an audio cd, all that was promised was the soundtrack, and you got that. The fact that they DID choose to send out replacement CDs just shows how much they care about their customers. They didn't even require anyone to prove that they bought the game! That's, honestly, very non-commercial of them. And I basically abused that gesture by writing them for a CD I probably won't ever put into my CD player anyway, just because I have a collector's hungering for completeness.
Of course, they know it can generate some loyalty among their customers which might benefit them in the long run, but I really don't think it makes that much of a difference for a publisher.

DeathSmiles was a budget release for a niche market - if all RSG cared about was money down their pocket, there are a bunch of other titles they can grab without worrying about risky titles like Cave shooters, so I think fans should do what they can to support them if they want them to continue the trend of localizing Cave games.

[spadgy]

Knowing the RSG team relatively well (in a professional context) I can say that it really does seem those guys care about bringing Japanese games to the UK and getting them recognition. Sure, they care about making a living too, but they do care about the games.

[Skykid]

Knowing the RSG team relatively well (in a professional context) I can say that it really does seem those guys care about bringing Japanese games to the UK and getting them recognition. Sure, they care about making a living too, but they do care about the games.

Yes they do, I had a good chat with the chap who handled Deathsmiles PR distribution and he was very positive about it. That said, I'm perfectly sure he'd agree that they had a major boob with the CD. It's meant to run in a CD player, regardless of whether or not it's a lower audio quality than lossless files on a DVD.

Supporting small publishers bringing you Japanese games you love is done at retail, at the point where you hand over your cash to purchase the end product. Should the end product be at fault, there is no reason on Earth you need to feel sympathy or shame for requesting a fixed or replaced version of what you already paid for once.

Rising Star have dug deep, shown humility and provided an admirable no-questions asked replacement service. But essentially they're a business and that's their responsibility. Your responsibility ends when you pay for their product.

If anyone is feeling guilty about asking for a proper music CD replacement, don't be so bloody stupid and get one ordered ffs.

[cools]

My second replacement OST arrived today, this one undamaged Props to RSG for sorting it out. It fits in the case nicely with the other 3 discs too, no need to bin/otherwise store the original.

Not that I'll ever listen to them, but that's not the point.

[BPzeBanshee]

I ordered one through the mail thing, it's been quite some weeks now and I suspect they're probably not doing international mail or something. Then again Deathsmiles from UK took near on five weeks so...

[Sumez]

They do international. I got mine last week.

[The Swaying One]

Is there a trick to pulling your familiar into your hitbox or doing 180's in modes other then 1.1?

The only versions of this game I can tolerate are the 1.1's. Being able to pull the familiar is so vital because of how badly implemented the hell mode is.

The issue I have with suicide bullets is that they track your location from when they spawn which is several seconds after the enemy has been destroyed. Worse still is that if you path into the position of where an enemy has been destroy the delayed suicide bullets will spawn at odd angles behind your familiar leaving you completely vulnerable. You can yank your familiar around to ensure the suicide bullets that spawn in your face don't kill you, but is there anyway to do this outside of 1.1?

[everlust]

Where did you guys contact them for the replacement?

Contact Us form at their website?
Need to provide information, like a proof of purchase serial no, or just request and address?

[BPzeBanshee]

Where did you guys contact them for the replacement?

Contact Us form at their website?
Need to provide information, like a proof of purchase serial no, or just request and address?

there was a post with an email address on their forums somewhere. also been quoted in this thread if you can be bothered looking back a few pages.

[spadgy]

The issue I have with suicide bullets is that they track your location from when they spawn which is several seconds after the enemy has been destroyed. Worse still is that if you path into the position of where an enemy has been destroy the delayed suicide bullets will spawn at odd angles behind your familiar leaving you completely vulnerable. You can yank your familiar around to ensure the suicide bullets that spawn in your face don't kill you, but is there anyway to do this outside of 1.1?

I'm not actually sure what your not happy with here exactly. Do you have a replay on the boards of your non-1.1 modes? I think it might be as simple as the fact that you may need to just learn to rely less on canceling suicide bullets (though fielding them and canceling is essential). Also, preempting, the delay you mention (which is surely less than a second in most places) is all part of the game once you've triggered Death Mode.

Where did you guys contact them for the replacement?

Contact Us form at their website?
Need to provide information, like a proof of purchase serial no, or just request and address?

there was a post with an email address on their forums somewhere. also been quoted in this thread if you can be bothered looking back a few pages.

Try this post on the RSG forums! Strangly, no proof of purchase needed, but anybody thinking to exploit RSG's good nature in that regard should consider the impact causing unfair expense to RSG will have on the chances of future Cave releases in the UK.

[everlust]

Thanks guys. Before i did send a message through the contact form. I'll wait on the reply to that.
Really great of RSG to do this, especially with no hassle.

[torisuRSG]

I ordered one through the mail thing, it's been quite some weeks now and I suspect they're probably not doing international mail or something. Then again Deathsmiles from UK took near on five weeks so...

Hi,

Please email me, torisu [at] risingstargames.com again - if you ordered the disc a few weeks ago you should have received it by now.

Thanks,

torisu

[spadgy]

Hey torisu!

Welcome, and thanks!

[torisuRSG]

No - thank you all

[BPzeBanshee]

Thanks for letting me know torisu, quite amazing to have a company rep sign on to a forums to get in contact with a customer.

I sent an email just now with the address and nothing else, was there anything else besides my snail-mail address I was supposed to add?

[Skykid]

Thanks for letting me know torisu, quite amazing to have a company rep sign on to a forums to get in contact with a customer.

Yes, doubly nice to see RSG going to lengths to actively encourage purchasers to request replacement CD's, and not feel that they need to take a cold shower and cut their wrists with razorblades out of shame.

Rising Star have certainly shown themselves as a company of great standing, and they brought Europe a Cave game to boot, what more could you ask... *cough, cough* Daiffukatsu *cough*

[spadgy]

Rising Star have certainly shown themselves as a company of great standing, and they brought Europe a Cave game to boot, what more could you ask... *cough, cough* Daiffukatsu *cough*

Akai Katana?

Go on RSG!

[torisuRSG]

Thanks for letting me know torisu, quite amazing to have a company rep sign on to a forums to get in contact with a customer.

I sent an email just now with the address and nothing else, was there anything else besides my snail-mail address I was supposed to add?

No, that's fine. We'll send it this week.

[edit]

And, you're welcome.

[torisuRSG]

Thanks for letting me know torisu, quite amazing to have a company rep sign on to a forums to get in contact with a customer.

Yes, doubly nice to see RSG going to lengths to actively encourage purchasers to request replacement CD's, and not feel that they need to take a cold shower and cut their wrists with razorblades out of shame.

Rising Star have certainly shown themselves as a company of great standing, and they brought Europe a Cave game to boot, what more could you ask... *cough, cough* Daiffukatsu *cough*

Aha! Well, a number of people suggested we should publish this game... I think CAVE have been encouraging people to do that, so let's see what happens - no promises at the moment though.

[Drachenherz]

*snip* Daiffukatsu *cough*

Aha! Well, a number of people suggested we should publish this game... I think CAVE have been encouraging people to do that, so let's see what happens - no promises at the moment though.

I guess people without a Jap Xbox 360 would be eternally thankful to RSG if you'd pick it up and publish it in the PAL-territory.

But... As Shmups are still considered a very, very niche genre here in the west, maybe one game at full price wouldn't be incentive enough for the "standard" consumer to buy it.

As the DoDonPachi Series never have been ported to PAL-Consoles (with the exception of DDP Res. for iOS)...

Why not go the full extra mile and make a DoDonPachi-Collection on 1 Disc? Like pressing the following games on the Disc:

DonPachi
DoDonPachi
DoDonPachi II - Beestorm
DoDonPachi Dai Ou Jou WhiteLabel/BlackLabel
DoDonPachi Resurrection; White Label; Ketsupachi.

I guess I'd sell my left testicle for such a collection...

Yes, one MAY dream, why do you ask? *gg*

Edit: And sorry, I forgot my manners, welcome on these boards torisuRSG!!

[dan76]

For God's sake don't bring over DFK 1.5 without Black Label... I'll show my support and buy almost anything by Cave - but not 1.5 (again). Akai Katana is a better choice.

On topic - Thanks RSG for the replacement cd. Nice one.

[Skykid]

Aha! Well, a number of people suggested we should publish this game... I think CAVE have been encouraging people to do that, so let's see what happens - no promises at the moment though.

Only because Dodonpachi is probably the best known of Cave's IP's outside of Japan (and you don't have to try to market 'loli's' to people) and DFK has iphone exposure too.

As mentioned though, having the BL included is a must, at least for fans. Most of the regular gaming population will be happy with 1.5 cos they won't know any different.

[Weak Boson]

Aha! Well, a number of people suggested we should publish this game... I think CAVE have been encouraging people to do that, so let's see what happens - no promises at the moment though.

Only because Dodonpachi is probably the best known of Cave's IP's outside of Japan (and you don't have to try to market 'loli's' to people) and DFK has iphone exposure too.

As mentioned though, having the BL included is a must, at least for fans. Most of the regular gaming population will be happy with 1.5 cos they won't know any different.

I'd prefer Akai Katana to be localised, partly because I doubt that your average consumer is going to be bothered to get into DFK. Deathsmiles was a great choice for localisation because it's relatively easy to get into; not just for survival, but score as well. A situation in which people pick up a package containing 1.5, Black Label and the DOJ and Ketsui arrange modes and only go through it once in a while for a quick blast seems less than ideal. If you're trying to create a buzz about these games then it must be important that people can appreciate them as fully as possible.

The other reason is that I've already spent like a hundred quid on 1.5 + BL; but even so I've only just been able to get into 1.5. Of course I haven't played AK, so it may be even worse in this regard, though from what I gather this isn't the case.