A theory on "Lightening" Force

[Edmond Dantes]

As most of us know, Sega stupidly renamed Thunder Force IV to "Lightening Force" in North America.

Now, renaming the game at all was stupid, I won't dispute that. What I just hit on was a possible explanation for why they added the letter E to "Lightning."

I just did a quick google search, and found this Wikipedia article about a show called "Lightning Force" which is about an anti-terrorism team. Perhaps Sega added the E to differentiate from this show and avoid trademark disputes?

(Of course... they could've just called it "Thunder Force IV" but, well, Sega...)

[Ed Oscuro]

yeah, I've actually run into the name of that series before and thought it was odd

I can't imagine what self-respecting marketing person looked at this and thought it was a good idea. If there was a trademark conflict it would've made sense for it to be with Thunder Force, in which case I'd find a different name than Lightening Force. Any name.

My pet theory involves Crisco, the (dough) Lightening Force.

[BulletMagnet]

If memory serves Rob used to theorize that since "lightening" is an actual word it was a completely intentional choice on the part of the translators/localizers, though I always found the selection a bit too awkward on its face to agree.

My pet theory involves Crisco, the (dough) Lightening Force.

If true, then both companies missed a killer cross-promo opportunity.

[BIL]

Sounds plausible. Gun.Smoke was allegedly titled as such to avoid a dispute with the TV Western series.

[Jeneki]

Perhaps they mean it has lighter gameplay elements than the rest of the series. Or it's a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

[Edmond Dantes]

Perhaps they mean it has lighter gameplay elements than the rest of the series. Or it's a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment.

I can almost believe that second one.

[soupbones]

I would simply chalk it up to a spelling error.

Stupid shit like that still happens today.

[TransatlanticFoe]

The weird part is Thunder Force III got a Genesis release but not a PAL release (as far as I've been able to tell). Quite why they'd rename IV for the Genesis then release it unchanged for PAL is bizarre.

[MOSQUITO FIGHTER]

[Edmond Dantes]

I would simply chalk it up to a spelling error.

Stupid shit like that still happens today.

You'd think someone would catch the mistake when they were programming the title screen (which has the ships fighting as enlarged letters of the game's title scroll past) if it were indeed an error. But nope. the E is there as well.

[BIL]

Depends on the English literacy of those involved, especially considering it's a Japan-developed game. If a screwup like the RE Revelations spine could happen in these more connected times, I could easily see some guy at Sega USA circa 1992 telling some guys at Tecno Soft via Sega of Japan about the change, the production going ahead with a silly typo, and nobody wanting to waste time and money correcting the game code and printed materials once it was spotted.

OTOH the copyright theory is interesting and plausible too.

The best thing about it all is the ridiculousness of changing the name to begin with, ruining any brand recognition the poor series might've accrued by that point. Unless somehow copyright was involved there too (and the issue was resolved by the time Working Designs localised Thunder Force V: Perfect System).

[Ed Oscuro]

Lightning Force (TV Series 1991–1992) - IMDb
With Meat Loaf, George Takei, Wings Hauser, Marc Gomes. The adventures of an elite anti-terrorist unit, dispatched to various critical and hazardous missions.

Meat Loaf.

Come on Technosoft, you let Meat Loaf cramp your style?!

p.s. "The Last Nazi" SE01 EP04

[BulletMagnet]

Meat Loaf.

Come on Technosoft, you let Meat Loaf cramp your style?!

They would do anything for shmups...but they won't do that.

[Edmond Dantes]

The best thing about it all is the ridiculousness of changing the name to begin with, ruining any brand recognition the poor series might've accrued by that point. Unless somehow copyright was involved there too (and the issue was resolved by the time Working Designs localised Thunder Force V: Perfect System).

Probably more likely Sega was just dumb and for some reason thought people would rather buy a new game than a game with "IV" in the title.

It seems like the American side of things believes all sorts of stupid B.S. when it comes to marketing. Like the reason there's no question mark in the title of the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is because apparently they thought that would lower sales. And w'ere on top of the world, gentlemen