Want to see an interview with G.Rev's president? I need help

[Randorama]

Explain to me better what that means.

There is a comment in 6B ending... Leiji Bowman (if i remember correctly) sends a mail to the Earth comment, saying "the seeds have sown" . In one episode of Captain Harlock, Queen Rafflesia says to Harlock " we the seeds we have planted haven't grown well" (or something like that). Also, who's the woman in the attract mode, since we're there?

[ResOGlas]

I'm not going to ask them about region free simply because I know they are aware of the demand already and will surely do what they can.

That's the one question everybody cares about...

I don't feel it's rude to ask, merely if all it does is solidify the american demand in his eyes. Japanese business is built upon the foundation of horrible decisions, and they need any input they can get.

If you still don't want to ask about the region-free, at least ask if there are plans to bring Senko no Ronde to American 360. We're all willing to buy the game, even if it means we have to wait an extra 6 months for a stateside release.

Seriously, ask.

But he already knows. They read all of your email, and they are company that has proven themselves very loyal to their fans. IF it is their decision to make (and truly, we don't know that it is, as there aren't any documented region free games in japan for 360), I KNOW they will choose to make the game region-free (unless they have concrete plans for a domestic release that they don't want to undercut, but I think that's unlikely). They know that they got a lot of business on imports from Border Down and Under Defeat, and they appreciate this market. There's nothing to be gained from bringing it up in an interview. Your voice has been heard, and we will know for sure in a couple months anyway.

I will be asking questions about the western market and their fans in the west during the interview in a way that I think will create something more interesting to read than a fact that will soon become apparent whether I ask or not.

If G.Rev wasn't interested in their fans in the west they wouldn't be doing this interview, would they? Have a little faith.

Okay, I hear ya' on that note.

We all know that when G.Rev first became a company that the Naomi was the most powerful Arcade platform on the market and that G.Rev was excited to develop for it. Does he feel interested in any of the new hardware that has come out recently such as the Sega Lindberg or the Taito Type X? We all know the Sega Naomi is becoming outdated, but G.Rev has been working magic with the old system and has proven that it has a while to go before they have an absolute need to move on.

[neoalphazero]

I do have one question.

I'm interested in his opinion of the hori shooter market. Border Down represents the only original hori shooter IP (not part of a larger series) since Progear (I think) in the arcade. Is there simply a lack of demand for the games, technical hassles, or not in tune with current arcade shooters?

*-neo

[Frogacuda]

We all know that when G.Rev first became a company that the Naomi was the most powerful Arcade platform on the market and that G.Rev was excited to develop for it. Does he feel interested in any of the new hardware that has come out recently such as the Sega Lindberg or the Taito Type X? We all know the Sega Naomi is becoming outdated, but G.Rev has been working magic with the old system and has proven that it has a while to go before they have an absolute need to move on.

This is a good question, but it was asked in another interview, so I won't be asking it. Basically he said that they are interested in Lindbergh, but they also recognize the unique opportunity that Naomi provides with its installed base.

[stellarola]

http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/index.ph ... tInterview <--
DCSCENE INTERVIEW, check it.

[chtimi-CLA]

What does he think of the future of the arcades in Japan?

Does he like pure 2D shooting games and do they ever plan on making any?

Does he have any clue of the rabid fanbase for Japanese STGs among the international community?

I would also propose we send him a list of western websites devoted to Japanese STGs. A damn long list.

Good questions.
Maybe the one about getting the rights to the TF series too if you think that doesn't sound too unrealistic.

[ResOGlas]

http://www.dreamcast-scene.com/index.ph ... tInterview <--
DCSCENE INTERVIEW, check it.

Interesting read. I'll sleep on it and see if something good to ask comes to mind.

[zinger]

Explain to me better what that means.

There is a comment in 6B ending... Leiji Bowman (if i remember correctly) sends a mail to the Earth comment, saying "the seeds have sown" . In one episode of Captain Harlock, Queen Rafflesia says to Harlock " we the seeds we have planted haven't grown well" (or something like that). Also, who's the woman in the attract mode, since we're there?

Another vote for this!

[ResOGlas]

How about the initial concept of their games? Is the complete idea for a game laid out before design and programming, or do you work on a story and design as the game is in the development process? In other words, does the game grow as whole as time goes on or is there already prepared ingredients that just need to be put in the oven. ( I hope this question makes sense to you guys)

Another question that I'm curious about is have they considered the current portable market? With powerful systems like the PSP available, it seems that portable games are finally pushing their way into the general home console market. I think that games like Border Down, Senko no Ronde, and Under Defeat would all be glorious on the PSP.

Finally, much like Cave, G rev started out with a puzzle game and changed over to the shooting genre for the majority of their titles. Does G rev now consider themselves as a Shooting (shmup) company, or do they have the interest to transition into different genres in the near future?

[theevilfunkster]

I'd ask if there would be any possibility of a Border Down Re-release, given the success of Under Defeat.

[Frogacuda]

Finally, much like Cave, G rev started out with a puzzle game and changed over to the shooting genre for the majority of their titles. Does G rev now consider themselves as a Shooting (shmup) company, or do they have the interest to transition into different genres in the near future?

It's my understanding that they made Star Seeker because it was something that could be made quickly and cheaply to generate the overhead neccessary to make Border Down. I'll be asking about this though.

[Specineff]

I wonder how aware they are of us foreigners awaiting their games too. While they certainly think of the local market when releasing their games, aren't they pleased to know that we do buy their stuff? (Sorry if I'm not shaping this question correctly. I'm hungry and short on sleep)

[Frogacuda]

I wonder how aware they are of us foreigners awaiting their games too. While they certainly think of the local market when releasing their games, aren't they pleased to know that we do buy their stuff? (Sorry if I'm not shaping this question correctly. I'm hungry and short on sleep)

I think like 1/3 of Border Down's total sales were from importers. I think they know.

[CMoon]

Good questions.
Maybe the one about getting the rights to the TF series too if you think that doesn't sound too unrealistic.

Actually, why would they try to get rights to Thunderforce when their history lies with Darius. If anything, I'd think they'd be trying to get rights to that.

Hah! They need to make Project Gunfrontier 3: Super Giant Darius "Metal Black Attack"

I love the fact these are some of the same people (I assume) who've been doing my favorite games since...well...since a really long time ago!

[Frogacuda]

Good questions.
Maybe the one about getting the rights to the TF series too if you think that doesn't sound too unrealistic.

Actually, why would they try to get rights to Thunderforce when their history lies with Darius. If anything, I'd think they'd be trying to get rights to that.

Hah! They need to make Project Gunfrontier 3: Super Giant Darius "Metal Black Attack"

G.Rev isn't getting the rights to anything. They are a very small company that was barely able to scrape together the funds to make Border Down without a license. The only way I see this happening is if Taito wanted to outsource a new Darius to them and have G.rev produce it under contract. Which, IMO, would probably be a very smart move, as I can think of no one else better equipped to handle it.

I love the fact these are some of the same people (I assume) who've been doing my favorite games since...well...since a really long time ago!

I'm not sure if this is true or not, actually. There's a ton of overlap between G Darius and Border Down's staff, and some with RayCrisis and RayStorm as well, but I haven't found any direct link between them and any earlier Darius or Layer Section games. Not even sure on Metal Black, odd as that seems.

[CMoon]

I'm not sure if this is true or not, actually. There's a ton of overlap between G Darius and Border Down's staff, and some with RayCrisis as well, but I haven't found any direct link between them and any earlier Darius or Layer Section games. Not even sure on Metal Black, odd as that seems.

Border Down is definitely the spiritual successor to G-Darius and Metal Black, but as you say, does this actually mean it represents an evolution of thought by the same people, or is the overlap in staff coincidence? A real connection would do a lot to explain why G-Rev is so awesome, but it isn't like they need it. Connection or no, their games rock!

[Frogacuda]

Border Down is definitely the spiritual successor to G-Darius and Metal Black, but as you say, does this actually mean it represents an evolution of thought by the same people, or is the overlap in staff coincidence? A real connection would do a lot to explain why G-Rev is so awesome, but it isn't like they need it. Connection or no, their games rock!

I know. I doubt anyone else out there could make a better successor to Metal Black than G.rev did, but I just want to make sure we have our facts straight.

[Randorama]

Hyroyuki Maruyama started as a programmer ("bit pattern") on Metal Black, Yack was the Musician (and designer or programmer? One of the two roles) on said title. Hideyoshi Katoh designed Rayforce and Raystorm, and if i remember well (too lazy to check on game-history.com...) worked on G.Darius with Maruyama and 4 other current G.Rev staffers. Everything should be in the mame history file, if i remember well.

[gameoverDude]

Makoto Fujita, Masakazu Takeda , Shunsuke Ono, R. Hideyuki Katoh, and Hiroyuki Maruyama (president) are members of G.Rev.

Naomitsu Abe is also listed in Border Down's staff, and there's a special thanks to Norihiro Furukawa (Wiz Master, Joutohei Nakayama).

In Metal Black, Yasuhisa Watanabe was also a "game designer".

[neorichieb1971]

What was the last 2D SPRITE game that G.REV did? Must have been a while ago!

So my question would be: Would you explore 2D again using the power of the new consoles?

[Frogacuda]

What was the last 2D SPRITE game that G.REV did? Must have been a while ago!

Doki Doki Idol Star Seeker, which came out in arcades and on DC in about 2002. AFAIK this is also their only sprite based game. I'm not positive any of them even worked on pure 2D games at Taito.

[Frogacuda]

Hyroyuki Maruyama started as a programmer ("bit pattern") on Metal Black, Yack was the Musician (and designer or programmer? One of the two roles) on said title. Hideyoshi Katoh designed Rayforce and Raystorm, and if i remember well (too lazy to check on game-history.com...) worked on G.Darius with Maruyama and 4 other current G.Rev staffers. Everything should be in the mame history file, if i remember well.

Maruyama's name doesn't appear in Metal Black's credits.

Producers : Senba Takatsuna, Hori Takamasa
Game designers : Senba Takatsuna, Hori Takamasa, Kuroki Naoya, Ohno Tomohiro, Seguchi Takashi, Mizobe Kumi, Watanabe Yasuhisa, Jun Sawaki, Ishikawa Katsuhisa
Art directors : Senba Takatsuna, Ohno Wepokichi
Programmers : Tarabar, Kuroki Naoya, Seguchi Takashi
Hardware engineers : Jun Sawaki, Takeda Tomio
Decorator : Kumi Mizobe
Sound (Zuntata) : Yasuhisa Watanabe (Yack.), Ishikawa Babio
Bit pattern : Moriyama Yoshihiro, Tanaka Kuniaki, Nakahara Yoshikatsu, Tsuneoka Masatoshi, Vap-Awave
Cast : Ho Lee Chan, Zuntata, John Neianik 8th, Sakou Menme

Also, "Design" in japanese game credits generally refers to graphic design, i.e. art, not game design as we understand it. And Yack is not a G.Rev employee, just a collaborator (like Sakabon, who also worked on RayStorm and RayCrisis).

[Frogacuda]

Makoto Fujita, Masakazu Takeda , Shunsuke Ono, R. Hideyuki Katoh, and Hiroyuki Maruyama (president) are members of G.Rev.

As far as I know, this is the entirety of the original staff, in fact. They only had 5 employees until after Border Down was completed. I believe they have 8-10 now.

[Randorama]

Also, "Design" in japanese game credits generally refers to graphic design, i.e. art, not game design as we understand it. And Yack is not a G.Rev employee, just a collaborator (like Sakabon, who also worked on RayStorm and RayCrisis).

Yeah, and speaking of ex-Taito people, can you ask them who else collaborated with them, aside Sakabon? I suppose that the Doki Doki and the Under Defeat illustrators are ex-Taito as well, but that's only speculation (and i can't check the credits on Doki Doki, i don't have the DC here, sadly).

[Frogacuda]

Ok, just a little status update for anyone interested. The interview has been completed and is awaiting Gaijin Punch's translation magic. A cursory glance using Amiki has me pretty pleased. Some interesting tidbits. He mentions that Senko no Ronde Rev X is being considered for a Western release.

[Ed Oscuro]

Looking forward to it, especially any revelations of Taito 2D era staffers (but it's all good). :)

[Frogacuda]

Looking forward to it, especially any revelations of Taito 2D era staffers (but it's all good).

There aren't any such revalations, sorry. With email interviews you need to ask broader, more open-ended questions to get something readable. You can't really ask questiones with one sentence answers or it comes off like a disconnected sort of "list". Gotta work with the medium.

He does talk about the decision to leave Taito and strike out on his own, though.

[Twiddle]

He mentions that Senko no Ronde Rev X is being considered for a Western release.

[Frogacuda]

He mentions that Senko no Ronde Rev X is being considered for a Western release.

I won't be sure until Gaijin Punch gives me a proper translation, but it sounded as if he said that they are in talks with 2 or more interested companies, but they want to be able to bring it out in the best possible form.

[GaijinPunch]

Got it in the mail today. I can probably hack this out in a day or so. He speaks pretty straight up. I can spoil the prize on the one question at hand if Frogacuda says so. If not, you'll just have to wait for the magazine to publish it.