Can An Actual Release be Far Behind?
It’s a little unusual for any company to start an online campaign for one of its own products. But this morning, Sega–presumably Sega West–began a push via its Facebook page for fans to like and share a post plugging a Western release of Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F for Playstation 3. It should be noted today marks the Japanese release of the same game on the same platform.
For those unaware, the Project Diva series is a rhythm game based on the vocaloid singing synth known as Hatsune Miku. In Layman’s terms, Miku is a virtual singing app, but the persona has won great acclaim in Japan, along with a cult following in the West with concerts and more. Sega has taken advantage of the Hatsune Miku brand with multiple successful game releases in Japan, but no home or portable console edition have ever made it to the West. A localized version of Project Diva F was shown at last year’s E3, but nothing’s come of it until now.
As of this article’s publication, the call to action has been “liked” on Facebook more than 2,000 times, and “shared” more than 1,700 times. That’s just within the past hour. The question is, given how we’re fairly close to the release of a non-BC Playstation 4, does Sega see the support of a growing Miku fanbase overcoming a release on a soon antiquated console?
We will let you know if this goes anywhere.
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SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY, SEGA!!!!! GIVE ME A DATE AND I WILL PREORDER THIS GAME FASTER THAN SONIC CAN RUN!!!
Well, I already have the japanese vita version, and as I don’t have PS3…. buuut, still liked the facebook post
would be awesome for anyone who’s a Miku fan and has a PS3
How awesomely uninteresting.
“Tokyo Teddy Bear” has the best music video in this game. :U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBCyH47oDto
Also I think it’d be cool if they did a western Vocaloid artist’s song as a western release exclusive. :L
“CiRCuS MoNSTeR” maybe?
http://circus-p.bandcamp.com/track/circus-monster-eng-ver
Ah who am I kidding. :U SEGA won’t do anything but a straight port like they’ve been doing for all of these re-releases…
“But none have ever made it to the West”…that’s..technically not true. The two iPhone Miku games did release here in the West. Miku Flick and Miku Flick/02 are both currently on the iTunes Store and have been since early 2012.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a console release just to see what the fuss is about. Who knows taking the risk may pay off for Sega and it may end up just as big here too. Like it or hate it, extra cash for them means more games for us.
I am so. fucking. tired. of Miku. and vocaloids.
Having seen them around and blindly followed and whored out for anime conventions for the past what, 4, 5 years? I don’t get it.
Omg they sing.
Omg they don’t exist.
Omg they have 0 personality.
Omg it’s Miku.
Omg my dick in your mouth.
I wish nothing harder than for vocaloids and the blind fandom behind it to just fucking die off, and that there’s ANY support for it disgusts me.
Before someone decides to try and be witty by thinking this post is me just joking or trolling: no this isn’t an act I’m pulling off here. Nope, my hate for the vocaloids is that genuine.
Oh boy! Playstation stuff really needs more great rhythm games like these to stand in for Parappa and Vib Ribbon, especially in the West. It’s boring just having Rhythm Heaven, and only on Nintendo stuff!
Hoping for this to be a sign of SEGA starting a campaign for the rest of the Miku games to come to the West, and possibly her being another one of the ASRT DLC characters if she isn’t already the one.
@MM2
If they didn’t have generic anime teen girl designs for freaks to fetishize over nobody would give a shit, of course those types have developed a persecution complex so thick they refuse to admit how utterly creepy it is.
PS3 will probably still be supported, even after the release of PS4.
Well it’s nice to see SEGA gauging the demand for their JP only games in the west. If this is successful then they may perhaps do this kind of thing for their other JP only games, as well. Here’s hoping!
Thanks for the clarification, Tenko. The story has been updated to reflect that information.
-T
Good, good, let the butthurt flow through you!
“I am so. fucking. tired. of Miku. and vocaloids.”
This, honestly, she/the fake vocals really suck. Sorry guys. The BACKGROUND music is great though, if they could get someone to actually sing the song, not be computer generated/auto tuned to death, it wouldn’t be so bad. For some reason, that teddy bear thing someone linked to reminded me of the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Opening. Look up “Yui Again” on youtube. Eh, anyway, I have no interest whatsoever in this Miku crud if they don’t fix the vocals. It’ll just come off really annoying if they just turn the words to english.
@MM2: I actually am fond of vocaloids. I do not see how someone could be so condemning and insensitive of it when it all comes down to personal preference and all games being the mere product of fiction and fantasy. Of course, you can feel free to tear down the game all you wish, but it is rude and inflammatory to pass judgement that those who enjoy these game have also “blindly followed” them and have been “w****** out” by them. Please respect me and others by not doing this or do not say anything at all.
Must. Support. Campaign.
yet still, did anyone knew that sonic 4 episode I and II are free in the samsung app store? I just found out right now!
*yawn*
I wonder if it’s related to the Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed DLC poll, come to think of it. Didn’t Miku take the #1 spot? Or at least was in the top five.
I don’t quite know if this would be relevant but I wonder if this would help those MMD modeling guru’s out there that make some really excellent things out there?
Always nice to see Sharon Apple I MEAN Hatsune Miku growing in power I MEAN Popularity….well as long as I have my VF-19 nearby I’m not afraid…unless she has Ghost X-9…then it could be a problem…
On a more serious note…ummm…I don’t really have any opinion one way or another. I’m not really a fan or a hater so I really have no opinion and this comment is literally worthless…but at least I got to make a weird reference so it’s all good lol
Points to Dalek for the Macross callback. Worthless, non-redeemable points.
-T
@Ryan Bloom
I’ve heard that apparently they buried links to that petition all over the place even to people who have no idea what the hell SAASRT is to flood the polls, they might have been giving out links that automatically signed the petition I’m not sure. Compare this to SEGA fans being upfront about getting Segata, Vectorman and Ryo in the this SEGA themed racing game, they didn’t resort to tricks hence why some of them took awhile to reach a 1,000.
@Ryan Bloom:
Fun and quick recap: Hatsune Miku was in the number 1 spot until the last several days of the polling in which period she was overtaken by Ryo Hazuki, having a slim lead of less than 200 votes. It is therefore quite probable that there is some connection or correlation between these two requests, however remotely unrelated they may seem. Time will tell!
fucking YES!!!!!
@Hifihedgehog
Yeah it still baffles me that Ryo won. He was already in the game recently. While he should of been in this one from the start, since he wasn’t, it’s someone elses turn to be in a Sega Superstars Racing game. Not saying Miku, just saying another SEGA character that hasn’t already been in Sega Superstars Racing yet.
When I started seeing her face I knew she was popular. I just didn’t know how popular. Now I know….
@Shark
Segata F’n Sanshiro they went to the trouble of getting the go-ahead to use him only to put in as a easteregg in the Race of Ages track instead of making him playable what?!
I don’t know what Ryo would drive in this since they got rid of bikes, a forklift transformer?
@Shark: The entire campaign was filled with surprises. At the beginning, I did not expect Hatsune Miku to come up from the bottom of the ranks to surpass Segata Sanshiro who had a host of legitimate video and forum campaigns across the web. Then add to all of that the fact that Ryo Hazuki, who had only 1000 or so votes, threw something out of left field by finally getting to the top with 1000s of votes within a matter of a few days or so. It makes me wonder how many people cast multiple votes with false credentials to try to get their favorite character in, as this smells of dirty dealing and classic cheating, but who is to tell?
@SSJSonicXX14
Wow, you are really fucking insufferable you know that? So now not only do I have to have a persecution complex and be a pervert to be a Miku/Vocaloid fan, but now I’m a cheater in bullshit PR polls too? Do the world a favor and never teach and never breed.
@MM2
@Hifihedgehog
I think what surprised me the most about the poll was Nack/Fang being added like more than halfway through the time limit and still managing to almost make the number needed to be considered. If he had had the whole time since the start he may have been in the running too along with those that did get the number of votes.
Also the fact that the guys at Sumo mentioned him specifically in an interview about the roster of the game. He even got a mention in the History of Sonic the Hedgehog book, mentioning fans are waiting for his comeback, and given Sega did QC on the book they must know about it. It’s nice to see he still has a lot of love in the community and people working with Sega still make reference to his existence and how many people would like to see this (in my opinion) unique baddy make a come back.
It was also awesome to see how many votes Ristar got, I would personally love to see a new Ristar game, even if its a digital only title. As long as he gets treated better than Konami’s Rocket Knight!!
Hifi: “@MM2: I actually am fond of vocaloids. I do not see how someone could be so condemning and insensitive of it when it all comes down to personal preference and all games being the mere product of fiction and fantasy.”
I condemn the vocaloids and Miku especially because there is NOTHING behind their fame and it’s literally the otaku crowd’s fault she even got popular. She could have been just one of those “oh you” Japanese things that show how unique something can be to help market something but now she’s a stock animu character reject that never appeared in any anime but most people would never know that having seen her face plastered from here to the country of the Rising Sun.
Miku is the characterization behind a program used to generate music with a (in my opinion, so take this part with a pinch of salt) shitty autotune voice. She is just a FACE to a program, and she wasn’t the first either (If I remember there was at least 2) but she’s the most popular because Japan’s otaku culture likes becoming severely attached to random things and lolita-esque “cute” characters of things.
To top it off the Vocaloids are treated like they are MORE than just some characterization of a product and -that- is what bothers me: the literal god-like worshipping of a single fucking character. It’s the idea of literally having done NOTHING and becoming popular. Nobody is going to argue that the Sonic fandom is weird for having people get so attached to (character name here) that they have fanon where they’ve married a character, but at LEAST it has a universe, a reputation, a name, and (holy shit) a personality of their own.
~~”Of course, you can feel free to tear down the game all you wish, but it is rude and inflammatory to pass judgement that those who enjoy these game have also “blindly followed” them and have been “w****** out” by them. Please respect me and others by not doing this or do not say anything at all.”~~
I don’t have to owe you shit. We’re on the internet, and if I think you’re a fucking moron for pushing money towards SEGA for something like this which isn’t even something of a first party affair for SEGA, then I’m going to say it. You’re a sheep: you and everyone else that latches onto these blank-slates of would-be mascots.
Skai: Damn right it is my opinion, and it’s at least better worded than just posting a clip from that movie here.
@MM2
Yeah, I didn’t have a whole lot of time after writing my comment to Mr. Insufferable over there so I went with something I thought would be funny. (I’m not funny, I should never do this.)
I could agree with your argument if this was during her initial boom, but by this point they have gone a decent length to establish a “character” behind the character. Everything from promo art to the chosen official songs and the one official manga help build on Miku’s character. Her character IS still very generic though, I will never argue otherwise. I’d argue that a lot of her fame, comes from the fact that “she” covers songs from popular artists, not unlike say Powerglove or The Redwings. This has nothing to do with your argument, but also, I personally find the tonage of (most) of her versions to be oddly “soothing”. Guess they just weirdly resonate with me, I usually hate autotune.
GOD DAMN IT NO.
KEEP THIS DISGUSTING OBNOXIOUS FANSERVICE ANIME CHARACTER FAR AWAY FROM HERE. I SAY BURN HER TO ASHES AND DEFENESTRATE HER FANS.
Ugh…. okay, I’ll start by saying this: I have no ill feelings to those are fans of this franchise. Nor will I slander them. Each has there own likes/ dislikes, and what I like you may not.
I’ve never cared for Vocaloids, but I only find its extreme popularity unsettling; masses of people willing to spend a lot of money to watch a CGI animated hologram stand on stage, and sing a computer generated super auto-tuned group of Japanese pop/ rock songs.
I just kinda see it as nothing more as Japan being eccentric and inventive as usual.
@sketchingaway: Thank you for politely explaining yourself, not condemning or slandering. It takes a lot of will power and raw intelligence, as you displayed, to say something without attacking the opposition as if they were stereotypically all guilty of the same crime. And I agree with you: I will never pay several hundred dollars for a ticket to a vocaloid concert for the life of me, and I find it disheartening that this becomes the childlike fantasy or schoolgirl obsession of millions of people for something that never even approaches the experience of the real thing. Yet the same can be said of any area of interest, including Sonic the Hedgehog (or Justin Beiber–yes, let’s be fair here, even with the negativity some of us feel towards his creative works and fandom!), so does that mean that if someone likes something that that makes them stereotypically equal to the diehard radical minority that spend millions of hard earned dollars and days and weeks of their lives to savor as a maddening vice? No, definitely not! That is wrong.
Thank you. I just don’t see the point in attacking and arguing pointlessly over something. Namely fictional characters, subjects, etc. It does nothing for anyone, nor does it make the comment sections more enjoyable.
My point is: each to their own. I don’t have to like what others do. Likewise I don’t have the right to criticize those who have different opinions, and vise versa. Common sense to just show respect for another’s opinions. Even if its not the same as yours. That goes for anything.
I’ll only by opinion say that I find the Vocaloid designs wonderful, and the concept very intriguing– but way over hyped.
But hey, whatever floats someone’s boat and is entertaining to them. I have no reason to care what other people do with their lives and interests.
Thank you again, if somewhat repetitively, for a very refreshing response because lately I have almost wondered if I could strike up a polite discussion here about the material presented instead of having to worry if someone would be needlessly attacking me for what I had to say.
And as a matter of fact, I am actually in the process of putting together a network of web sites that will include a new Sonic fan site, the Sonic Hub ( thesonichub.com ), as a key component in its release chronogram. I was wondering if you would not mind joining on once I get all the pieces together and give it the final finishing touches, because the aim of the web site is to have a place where creative minds can share and savor fan material. Among such, there would be a no-questions-asked, all age friendly filtering and moderation policy which would not allow this sort of monkey business or else banning would come into play for such offenders, meaning a quiet, no-stress fan site once and for all for the people who really want it. I really do not want to say much else or I will certainly spill the beans on a really cool surprise project I have been dreaming up for a while now, but just suffice it to say that the site will allow fans from around the world to connect with each other and the object will be in offering on place where artists and lovers of fan creativity can just enjoy themselves. How about it?
I see no no to thank me; whether its online or offline– I just show natural respect. We really should feel free to have a community where anyone is free to talk about whatever and not fear aggressiveness of different opinions. Opinions are fine– I just do see it valid to throw meaningless dirt in each others face irrationally over simple things.
As for your little site thing, it sounds interesting, as I can see where you’re going with in the idea. A place for fans by fans, but with the way an online community: fun, and stress free. As far as joining I’ll keep it in mind… as a young artist in college, I do have myself busy obviously. But I will definitely think about it.
Cool, and that is my mentality!
As for the website, I am actually a very busy engineering student, so the release date is stationed a little far out from now, the ETA being June 23rd. Meanwhile, I will need all the time I can get to get everything logistically and operationally in place. Until class gets out, it will be mostly hush-hush until I can devote a good amount of time to do some serious work on it, but stay tuned!
The other sites if any of them happen to suit your interests:
Audiophilic.com: Your one stop source for the low down on all portable and low-cost HiFi solutions.
PaulaFernandesUSA.org: The only American fan site in existence for the Brazilian musical sensation. (Available in English and Português Brasileiro)
@Tristan: Sorry for spamming, if this constitutes such!
I find it amusing that individuals such as MM2 can articulate their statements so well that it may impress upon its readers that what they write is indeed worthy of being retained after reading. Quite possibly the implied thoughts could be retained and used as a mental guideline for how one ought not to think.
It seems that MM2 has a considerable amount angst when faced with the reality that others get enjoyment from what he does not enjoy, to the extent that he does not understand how it could be enjoyed, let alone deem it worthy to even exist. It is fair then to allow people this same consideration towards his own statements and opinions, who deem them not worthy to exist let alone read.
People ought not take statements or opinions such as his to heart, try to understand them or try to reason with the individuals that made them. These people are not offering their opinions as a form of discussion, rather more like a verbal expression of the angst they have of the subject in question projected outwards towards others, most of the time bereft of consideration of others.
On topic, although I have not tried the Japanese version, I do look forward to a western release of Project Diva to experience it first hand in English as I do enjoy music as well as games.
I affirm and agree that this is the perspective that I feel towards MM2′s comments, because they are not worthy of any consideration in the slightest degree even by the most layman of readers. However, in more particularly addressing what has been said, it is also important to note that his commentary is the verbal equivalent of graffiti which is to the passerby an eyesore, being clearly and objectively full of pessimism, disrespect and immaturity. I also do not deny the fact that this form of communication in which he has engaged is, as tssznews previously considered, “inflammatory,” which tssznews has traditionally disallowed in any of the comment sections of its articles. This, when reasoned and considered in its entirety, means that such commentary should be promptly and strictly deleted, both for the sake of the immediate viewership of the site as well as the future viewership of the site, who would naturally expect an air of professionalism and tact throughout the site as a whole. This is the reason why this ought not to be occurring, no matter the measure of tolerance we may display towards this manner of behavior by such persons as MM2, no matter the measure of patience we kindly exhibit towards it, as this is totally and utterly unacceptable for the overall environment and attitude which people come to expect on such a site as tssznews, both in its content and commentary.
Hifi and sketching, please for the love of God stop thanking each other. Your posts are going to make me have a reading seizure.
I don’t care about Miku, or vocaloids, or “Pop” music or whatever the devil you kids listen to nowadays. I just hope the release of this game in the West doesn’t spark some surge of growth in the population of the vocaloids fanbase. The world doesn’t need anymore weaboos on this planet
I’ve got nothing against the fans themselves, but I don’t see the appeal of Vocaloids and I wish Miku and her “crew” would disappear off the face of the earth. I know they aren’t going to fade away into obscurity any time soon, but hey, a guy can dream.
@Nuzakami90
Yeah, if anything the thankfulness was a bit repetitive, but a reading seizure? Don’t exaggerate so much. Lol It’d be different if it was like the anime character Shinji Ikari– saying I’m sorry and “I won’t run away” by the minute. (On that note, feel free to dismiss that reference if not known.)
On the subject at hand, is the existence of Miku/ Vocaloids really affecting your life or what you do with your time? Have the people that do like it done anything to you, or really deserve to be condemned for their interest in it? No one has to like or dislike what you do. Food for thought. In any case, You’re free to your opinion, however. I won’t fight Them.
I don’t like the franchise either… but I’m not gonna hold it against the ones who do. It certainly isn’t the worst thing out there in the world… it is just too overhyped and over popular, though. That much I agree.
I just sit back and be amused at the Vocaloid fandom, as the characters, and the way fans react to them, is so bizarre, so strange to a westerner like myself, that the fandom itself keeps me entertained. (So much that I picked up the Fei-Yen figurine of Miku as I find it hilarious.)
My thoughts on the matter:
1. Yes, I believe it is tied to the SASRT petition, probably as a response to her unexpected popularity in the petitions.
2. If she got ballot-stuffed, I would argue Ryo Hazuki and Segata Sanshiro got ballot-stuffed too. I do not believe Miku fans would be any more or less underhanded than fans of other popular characters in the petitions. There were many characters I wanted more than her, but I do not, and should not, feel hurt that she beat them all.
3. While MM2′s comments were inflammatory and provided no useful insight except to his personal opinions, and are definitely unnecessarily extreme, I don’t think they should be removed unless someone feels genuinely harmed or threatened by him. I believe all opinions deserve to be heard, even vile and hateful ones like his. (I would’ve liked to toss him into Anime Expo 2011′s Mikunopolis event to see what he’d do.)
4. I am neither for nor against this franchise in English, but I would be interested in seeing it make the leap across the Pacific Ocean so I can play rogue anthropologist more directly.
5. Graffiti can be beautiful too. I live in a city with many prominent and well-respected graffiti artists who make works bursting with passion, talent, and attention to detail. I know what was meantby this though, as those artists are the overwhelming minority among all graffiti-sprayers here.