This is a surprise. North American DS Download Stations (at participating stores) have added the ability to form a Brother Band
with "1st MegaMan (Classic series MM)" in MegaMan Star Force 2
(Ninja/Saurian versions).
In addition to 1st MM, users can also download the secret Battle Cards, "King Grand Ranger" and "Le Mu."
The
promotion previously ran in Japan way back in December 2007.
Participants of the Wave Masters tourney received 1st Rockman and the
two cards as gifts.
Still playing MMSF2? Head down to your local DS Download Station and download away.
More info at: http://protodudesrockmancorner.blogspot.com/2008/10/form-brother-band-with-megaman-himself.html
Shooting Star Rockman 3 (MegaMan Star Force 3)
is set to release in Japan in two months. That's coming up quick. Now I
ask, what specifically has Capcom done to hype it's release? A
website/blog, a new manga adaption, Wave Command Cards and a lone event
giving away measly pieces of merchandise. That's it.
In the
past, Capcom of Japan has branched out to other multiple forms of media
to hype and milk these upcoming EXE/Shooting Star styled games,
specifically with toys/merchandise and an annual animated television
show aimed at youngsters. This marketing tactic proved incredibly
successful for the past six or seven years, attracting multiple
newcomers to the franchise.
Strangely, CoJ isn't following this pattern this year..
SSR3 will be released without the aid of merchandise (primarily Takara-Tomy toys) or an animated adaption (usually supplied by Xebec Inc.). To make things ever more stranger, Capcom of Japan did not outline their RM marketing strategy in their annual report. Like at all. Instead, Capcom made it apparent they shall heavily invest in the Monster Hunter series.
Sure,
we've still got a months worth of announcements, but usually, these
marketing plans are announced mid summer. We're past that point now.
So, what's going on? Simple: The Shooting Star series is a financial failure.
Let's break it down:
-Each
entry in the series has sold below expectations: SSR1 sold around
500,00 units (combined total of all three versions), Capcom had hoped
to reach 700,000. (a number that was previously met by EXE series
entries.)
SSR2 sold around 300,00 (both versions combined). Capcom had hoped to ship at least 600,000.
-The
ten minute animated series (broadcasted on Coro Coro Comic's 'Oha!
Coliseum') saw a 25% ratings drop* compared to EXE animated adaptions.
Season two ('Tribe') was canceled prematurely at episode 21. (*number
based upon weekly Japanese TV ratings website. Site no longer shows records of SSR ratings)
-Because the anime has done so poorly, Capcom has yet to give rights out to release either seasons on Region 2 DVD.
-I've
been told Takara-Tomy lost a hefty sum of cash on SSR merchandise. In
fact, it was previously reported that SSR toys were being pulled from
store shelves and placed into bargain bins months after their release
(Info courtesy of old PRC correspondent "Link")
When you
look at the statistics all together, the SSR series isn't doing so well
compared to it's predecessor. So, what has Capcom done from here? Cut
back on spending.
Instead of wasting money on toys and TV shows,
Capcom has invested in small methods to hype SSR3's release in hopes of
gaining some sort of profit:
-Continue production of the
Shooting Star manga in Coro Coro Comics. Current artists is being
replaced by fan favortie artist, Ryo Takamisaki of EXE manga fame. (set
to debut December)
-Continue production of the "popular" Wave Command Cards
-Produce a central hub that collects all SSR3 related news and other nooks and crannie's.
Now,
it seems we've returned to the pre-EXE 4 era, the time when there were
few pieces of EXE merchandise and no animated adaption. Still, Capcom
did profit.
It's sad to admit we've hit a low point in Rockman's popularity in Japan...mainstream wise.
"Mainstream"
refers to the group of consumers who purchase the hobby style Rockman
games and related merchandise (primarily elementary school children).
The mainstream (example below) doesn't give two
hoots about the Original, X, DASH, Zero and ZX series. These are the
folks Capcom has been catering to since the debut of the EXE series.
Upon
the end of the EXE series and the debut of the SSR series, this
audience began to dissipate. Slowly but surely, this audience will
continue to dissipate until there are none left.
It is EXTREMELY
important Capcom does not loose this audience. It's because of these
new, younger fans this franchise is alive today. Without the EXE
series' profits, Rockman would have become a thing of the past.
The
traditional Rockman games and characters are slowly moving toward
"cult" status, enjoyed only by long time fans and the hardcore. In
order to keep Rockman's name in the public eye (the mainstream), Capcom
must continue to support the hobby style games. I don't know how
they'll do it, but they must continue to support this audience. Whether
it be through the revival of the successful EXE series or the birth of
a new one, Capcom cannot abandon ship.
Interestingly, the future holds a possible paradigm shift.
Rockman
9 has not only indicated fans want new entries in elder series, but
also brought veteran fans back to the franchise; fans who've abandoned
it because of the hobby style Rockman games.
If
Capcom can successfully create new entries in older series that are
easily accessible (possibly through download) and affordable, they can
profit off of the hardcore/veteran fans once more. Who knows, if the
traditional styled games become popular again, we may witness the birth
of a whole new generation of fans.
“SSJ4”, an individual claiming to have played the final version of
Rockman 9, has requested I post up some tidbits on the blog. Be
forewarned, I don't know how trusting this source is, but the tidbits
sound awfully convincing.
SSJ4's quotes:
Downloadable Content "-DLC is intact for all three versions (Wii,XBLA,PSN).
-Access to DLC is on the Boss Select screen, bottom right corner.
-Capcom
plans to upload new content every so often. Possibility DLC won't be
available until two to three weeks after the game releases. (speaking
of the game's release, Wii users can look forward towards the 22nd of
this month...although they've discussed delaying it till the following
week due to a BIG Virtual Console title that might take the attention
away from RM9)
-Noteworthy DLC: +Buster
Shot Mods: Buster can fire different kinds of pellets such as a three
way spread buster and a homing shot. No weapon energy used.
+Shooting
Star Rockman: Rockman from the Shooting Star series is a playable
character. Once downloaded, you can equip him in the Costume menu.
(Japan only)+Remixed Music: Download remixed BGMs, replaces 8-bit music.
To read the rest of the rumors, head on over to:http://protodudesrockmancorner.blogspot.com/2008/09/convincing-rockman-9-rumors-surface-dlc.html
two
hoots about the Original, X, DASH, Zero and ZX series. These are the
folks Capcom has been catering to since the debut of the EXE series.
Rockman
9 has not only indicated fans want new entries in elder series, but
also brought veteran fans back to the franchise; fans who've abandoned
it
