Limited Run Games (producing physical copies of digital games)

[Aussie2B]

I wonder if there's maybe a difference in thinking between those who have been following and/or buying from the beginning versus those who came along later. Those who came later could look back on LRG's history and see appeal in the quick sell-outs, as an indication of rarity. Me, I've always wanted the print runs to get bigger and last longer from the very beginning, and I was happy when they seemed to be getting bigger with each release. The fact that they've gone backwards and reduced print run sizes to that of the early days and even smaller has been a source of continuous frustration for me. I understand if LRG had to play it safe in the beginning, but they should have the financial stability now to take even the slightest amount of risk that a game won't sell out in less than a week. And I think they should be able to keep a game in stock for weeks or even a month without it harming them. I can also understand if new developers/publishers they're working with want to play it safe, but when it's a developer/publisher who has already released games through LRG, they shouldn't continue to be so afraid of the sales. Degica has worked with LRG before, so there's really no excuse for the woefully inadequate print run they did for Nurse Love Addiction. And the fact that LRG seemingly had a lot more confidence in Kero Blaster being a quick sell-out than Nurse Love Addiction just shows they really have no clue what they're doing in terms of estimating demand. Instead of calling us all "armchair CEOs", they should maybe put a little value in the comments of longtime LRG shoppers saying their underestimating demand of an upcoming release. At least as much value as they put in seeing a handful of people saying they're going to pass on a game.

[Aussie2B]

The first batch of LRG's first PSVR game, Pixel Gear, has gone up. Good luck to those going for it.

[megasdkirby]

Skipped it. I'm never going to get a PSVR. Plus I've seen the game digitally for around $1.50. $25 is too much to be honest.

[kupomogli]

So much for Badland Games supposedly being so consumer/gamer-friendly and being able to do what LRG does but so much better. I preordered the physical Vita release of Velocity 2X back in August, and after months and months and months of delays, the thing finally comes out, and copies of the game don't even include the merch that's advertised as being included right on the front of the dang case. What a royal screw-up. They did a pretty nice job with Axiom Verge, even if the outer box was ridiculously flimsy, but this bait and switch with Velocity 2X is just sad.

My copy of the game has been received but I don't get my mail where I live, so it's currently being held where I have it sent to.

What I've heard with Velocity 2X though, is that it no longer has the DLC codes as vouchers, that all the content is on disc. So while the disc still displays there's DLC codes and a making of video, they included it in the games UI instead. I don't know about you, all the delays for the content to be later included on disc is fine with me.

There were a lot of people requesting LRG delay the release of N++ because the devs already had the new content patched on PC and PS4 was some time in 2018. So double the content that's already included in N++, but nah, as usual they don't bother listening to anything their fans state. LRG got into this business because they wanted to "preserve these digital games." However, 90% of their releases aren't even prepatched despite some being on the console over a year before the physical release.

Titles like Rabi Ribi, Cosmic Star Heroine, Salt and Sanctuary. Yes, we hear from LRG that the devs are having trouble getting CSH on a Vita card or Salt and Sanctuary is having issues, despite the game being purchasable from the PSN for a year. You know what else LRG told us? They told us that Rabi Ribi would be releasing from LRG first, so wait for their version instead of preordering the PAL release from PQube. You know what I didn't hear, despite PQube's release, I haven't heard of the LRG release since its supposed release in the summer of 2017. Imagine that, LRG lying to fans to make them ignore the PQube release. The game is nothing more than a fish hook to drag their fans along while they continue to sign and publish shit games while waiting on the ones that they really want. I mean sure, they've signed and published good games too, but rarely, very very very very very rarely. Ys Origin and Wonderboy were fish hooks as well, the problem is, they were signed on from Play-Asia as well which is popular, so LRG stepped up their efforts to get their purchases out asap.

Here's the other thing. BadLand games is quality over quantity, and the games launched at $20 for the base edition and $30 for the collector's editions. Not $30 which is more than likely what they would have cost at LRG being premium titles, and $65 for the collector's editions. Over double the cost if you want a collector's edition from LRG.

And it's not that LRG didn't try to get Axiom Verge and Velocity 2X, the developers just didn't want to go through them(Doug was even pissed off they didn't get Axiom Verge.) Same with the developers of Hyper Light Drifter which isn't from BadLand but they also tried to get, same with multiple other big name games that they tried to get that later released with different publishers, like Darkest Dungeon for instance(which was rumored to have been a LRG for awhile but just looks like they only were having talks to get it published.) With so many big name games that we've heard LRG has went after now coming out under different publishers, as I stated in the other post, they probably don't want their names to be tarnished by being tied to LRG. Also, when all of these games are going at retail through stores like Amazon, Best Buy, etc, the price is "technically" lower as they're not being sold direct from the publisher, meaning that the profit is split between publisher, developer, third party, and Sony instead of just three. Considering anything that goes through Best Buy and Amazon is also a 20% discount and free shipping the prices aren't even close, making the collector's editions of LRG now almost THREE times as much.

[Aussie2B]

I don't recall Badland Games ever stating that the Velocity 2X DLC would be distributed with vouchers nor that the documentary wouldn't be on-disc/card, and that's not what I was talking about. What I and everyone else is complaining about is that they advertised a physical soundtrack and a paper booklet with the Vita version, which weren't included, and even the front cover of the game advertises those extras.

Velocity 2X is priced at $29.99, and with the Vita version, you get absolutely nothing but the case, cover, and game. The PSN price is $20, so LRG would've priced it the same. The key difference here is that LRG has never once promised to include a soundtrack and manual with a game, took people's money, and then shipped them the bare game. It'd be like if, after the endless wait, LRG shipped bare copies of Skullgirls, without the extras. Badland Games pulled a total bait and switch, and so far the only thing they're owning up to is that the cover was misprinted.

[megasdkirby]

Thanks for the info, Aussie2b. I forgot I had pre-ordered that. Just cancelled my order...I hope Amazon does cancel it.

[kupomogli]

I don't recall Badland Games ever stating that the Velocity 2X DLC would be distributed with vouchers nor that the documentary wouldn't be on-disc/card, and that's not what I was talking about. What I and everyone else is complaining about is that they advertised a physical soundtrack and a paper booklet with the Vita version, which weren't included, and even the front cover of the game advertises those extras.

Velocity 2X is priced at $29.99, and with the Vita version, you get absolutely nothing but the case, cover, and game. The PSN price is $20, so LRG would've priced it the same. The key difference here is that LRG has never once promised to include a soundtrack and manual with a game, took people's money, and then shipped them the bare game. It'd be like if, after the endless wait, LRG shipped bare copies of Skullgirls, without the extras. Badland Games pulled a total bait and switch, and so far the only thing they're owning up to is that the cover was misprinted.

Well there's your problem, you got it for the Vita. I'm j/k. Sorry that happened. I didn't realize that, I only saw it on the PS4, and I didn't hear from BadLand games that the DLC was on disc, saw a post about it while looking it up.

[Bojay1997]

If it was mostly about making game players happy then the print runs would be larger, if games are selling out within minutes or days then there's still more demand than what's produced. It's collectors that want to own things because they're exceptionally rare and that's who these releases are marketed to.

When I bought the PC version of Thimbleweed Park from Fangamer it was last November, physical copies are still currently in stock. It's not even counting all the physical copies that were originally made available to the backers on Kickstarter. There's no shortage of this collectors edition even when it's not a wide retail release in any way.

LRG has never said that they are "about making game players happy". They are about releasing games that wouldn't otherwise get a physical release for collectors and gamers and running a successful business that allows them to keep doing that. One of the challenges of releasing niche products in the volume they are trying to do it is that if the print runs increase too much, the unsold stock will destroy the viability of the business. As I've pointed out many times, there is a reason that so many niche publishers disappeared in past generations and why a number of LRG's competitors will likely disappear in the near future.

Fangamer is a fine company, but they make most of their money on merchandise where the margins are high and the risks are relatively low. There is a reason why Fangamer hasn't done regular console or PC releases and frankly, Fangamer parlayed the investment that Kickstarter backers of Thimbleweed Park such as myself made and essentially just printed extra copies of the CE that was promised to backers. I don't have an issue with what they did, but their financial risk was reduced significantly and frankly, they can risk having the game in stock because other than putting in intermittent orders for more copies, they haven't really spent anything on design beyond what the KS campaign creator paid them initially. Heck, they're even going to be able to use most of those design materials in this partnership with LRG to release Thimbleweed for PS4 and Switch.

[megasdkirby]

Didn't know this was a thing...

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1869209521/oddworld-abes-origins-book-and-game-collection/rewards

[kupomogli]

Momodora was announced ages ago and is finally coming out March 30th.

[Gameguy]

LRG has never said that they are "about making game players happy". They are about releasing games that wouldn't otherwise get a physical release for collectors and gamers and running a successful business that allows them to keep doing that.
Based on what you've said, LRG isn't about making money, or about making their customers happy. It's about existing for the sake of continuing to exist. That really is a unique business model. :roll:

In more practical terms to ensure not overproducing a print run, the best way would be to set up a preorder type system. Orders are left open for a limited time, and the number of paid orders they get would dictate the size of the print run they make. The way it's set up now there's still more of a risk of potentially overproducing copies. Even limiting the collector's version to a small number while not strictly limiting the regular version would make more sense. But that's not the best way of artificially inflating value and demand now is it.

[Aussie2B]

Skullgirls and standard copies of Ys Origin were open preorders. The standard copies of Switch Thimbleweed Park will be as well. Unfortunately, gamers/collectors don't tend to make a move unless you light a fire under their butts. If you tell them a finite print run number, they'll bite, but if you tell them a game will be manufactured based on how many preorders are received, they assume the game will be common and pass on it, even though the sales are typically lower for similar games under that sales model, resulting in even rarer games. It's pretty sad and pathetic when much bigger games, like Shovel Knight on Vita and the games Gaijinworks has released, struggle and and sometimes fail to get the same kind of sales that LRG can get in a single day, sometimes in a matter of an hour or even minutes, on games that aren't nearly as well-known and regarded. In my dream world, open preorders would always outsell games sold in LRG's manner so we could entirely eliminate this mad dash to buy games, but until collectors wise up and realize open preorders don't automatically mean common games, this is the necessary evil we have to put up with for these sorts of games to sell more copies, which benefits both the developers and collectors in the long-term.

[Gameguy]

I've pretty much stopped caring about rarity unless it's for old consoles, I would only buy modern games if it's something I want to play. Buying something rare for the sake of it being rare doesn't appeal to me anymore. Not if I have to fight for it. And it would need to be cheap. I guess I'm just getting old.

[mailman187666]

Not to derail the conversation but funny story:

I just listed my plague road on eBay that I got from my blind box order. I had opened and played it and wasn't a fan so I went to sell it at used prices. Then I realized that they had sent me the Kickstarter variant. I never even realized it was the Kickstarter one till now. So come to find out I really lucked out on my blindboxes. Too bad I have already opened the game, but glad I didn't ship it out.

[Aussie2B]

I should probably move my Kickstarter variant Plague Road copies sometime too. I stopped caring about variants, so I'd be cool just hanging on to my standard copy.

I think with LRG, some are motivated by the desire to own rare games, and others are motivated by the fear that they won't be able to get a game later on, not without paying a premium at least. When collectors pass on open preorders because they assume they'll be common, it's not necessarily that they don't want the games at all, but rather they think they'll be able to get them easily at a later point in time, maybe even for significantly less. There's definitely a lot of psychological mind game stuff going on with collecting, and it's unfortunate that a lot of this kind of thinking is to the detriment to collectors, at least to people like me who want all games to be as plentiful and affordable in the years and decades to come as possible.

[Bojay1997]

Based on what you've said, LRG isn't about making money, or about making their customers happy. It's about existing for the sake of continuing to exist. That really is a unique business model. :roll:

In more practical terms to ensure not overproducing a print run, the best way would be to set up a preorder type system. Orders are left open for a limited time, and the number of paid orders they get would dictate the size of the print run they make. The way it's set up now there's still more of a risk of potentially overproducing copies. Even limiting the collector's version to a small number while not strictly limiting the regular version would make more sense. But that's not the best way of artificially inflating value and demand now is it.

That's literally not what I said as is very clear from what you quoted me as saying. To repeat, they are about releasing games physically that wouldn't get a physical release otherwise and building a successful business that continues to allow them to do that. As others very accurately pointed out, the limited nature of the releases allows them to sell out and continue to release more games. They make profits based on short term volume over numerous releases, not long term sales of fewer titles. LRG is by far the most successful niche publisher in modern history and they seem to understand what's in the best interest of their business. I can understand potential buyers being frustrated with some aspects of their business, but with some minimal effort, it's usually pretty easy to buy their releases. If it's too much work for you or if you just don't care, that's cool too because you can always buy the same games often for far less digitally or not at all.

[megasdkirby]

So this week is yet another release..."Kill The Bad Guy".

So, that makes 10 games for Friday?

Ok, Im kidding, but seriously, I think 3-4 different releases? And if you are variant collector, the price will literally be rape for your wallet.

[Aussie2B]

I thought, if anything else, Friday would finally get the missing #98 release, which is supposedly a shmup. I sincerely hope they're not planning on tacking on even more releases.

Since there's nothing Vita planned for Friday thus far, I'm presumably going to enjoy another break. The CEs for Munch and Nurse Love Addiction, plus the standard Vita releases, have been enough of a hit on my wallet from LRG lately. I wonder if LRG is trying to take advantage of the tax refunds a lot of people are getting. Though, for me, as a self-employed person, this is a tighter time of the year, as I usually owe Uncle Sam a fair chunk and have my first estimated tax payment for 2018 due soon too.

[kupomogli]

Since there's nothing Vita planned for Friday thus far, I'm presumably going to enjoy another break.

I thought you bought their PS4 games only if they were exclusive to the PS4? You're interested in Rabi Ribi, so why aren't you interested in getting Momodora? You've purchased worse that's for sure.

[Aussie2B]

I stopped buying their PS4 releases a long time ago, only making an exception for Wonder Boy, and I've said as much many times since. It was with Skullgirls where I stopped buying their games for every platform and switched to only buying the PS4 exclusives, and then I stopped buying the PS4 exclusives after Flinthook. I'll probably sell off most of my LRG PS4 games eventually, just keeping the ones I really want like Wonder Boy and Shantae: Risky's Revenge and the few I've already opened like Firewatch, Shadow Complex, and Lost Sea. Momodora looks like something I'd be eager to play and buy were it on Vita, but I already have a big enough backlog of PS4 games, and I'm not collecting for that system, so I don't especially care about it if it's only for PS4. I'll be buying Rabi-Ribi for Vita. I have no intention of getting the PS4 version.

I also could not possibly care less about your judgments on what I buy. I buy stuff for my own enjoyment, not for your approval.

[kupomogli]

Senko no Ronde 2 finally coming out. I'm not getting the CE, but it has a CE that includes soundtrack, illustration DVD, and artbook. Images are on the link below, just scroll down.

The game is $40 on PSN, might be $50 or $55 from LRG. Nothing about DLC has been announced, but other games like Furi and Oddworld have the DLC included. I'd think even if the DLC is from other companies, the game and the DLC is still licensed to the original publisher for release in the US.

http://senkoro.com/en/products

*edit*

Also, check your emails for the sign up email that should be sent out in the next week or so I'm assuming, because Play-Asia is releasing a limited edition of X-Morph Defense. It's a shoot em up tower defense hybrid. Looks really good. Only 3000 copies. PS4 only.

https://www.play-asia.com/blog/2018/03/26/x-morph-defense-playasia-exclusive-ps4/

[Aussie2B]

The first batch of the Switch CE of Thimbleweed Park and the PS4 releases of Thimbleweed Park, Kill the Bad Guy, and Momodora have all been put up, and preorders for the standard Switch version of Thimbleweed Park have opened (and will remain open until April 13). Momodora went fast, as did the Thimbleweed Park Switch CE.

Nothing for me today, but good luck to those shopping.

[megasdkirby]

Days later and they still have copies of all Thimbleweed and something bad guy. Josh and Doug must be shitting bricks. 😂

[mailman187666]

So I saw a picture of LRG's PAX East booth for this year https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DZ-8NZoX0AAoimL.jpg

I have tickets to go to PAX for Friday and I really hope they don't sell out of their exclusive covers today. I want to at least grab the bit trip and Senko no Ronde 2. 900 and 1000 copies doesn't really give me much hope since tens of thousands of people go to PAX each day. Either way I'm sure I'll find something that I haven't picked up yet at their booth.

[Aussie2B]

I'm just hoping I can grab the Bit.Trip variant on the site on the 13th. I hope they have something new for Vita that day so I can combine shipping, considering that was the reason I passed on the standard copies (since it was the only Vita game for sale that day).

[megasdkirby]

I may just pass over that PlayStation 4 shooter it's just too expensive. I may consider doing an exchange for the odd World collector set for the Vita.

[Aussie2B]

Even though I'm visiting family this month and using slow as molasses internet, I managed to get the Vita Bit.Trip PAX variant without a problem. It's just a bummer there was no advantage in waiting versus buying the standard version a while ago, outside of getting a rarer version, since everything else for sale today was either something I didn't want or something I've already bought in one form or another.

I hope everyone else managed to grab whatever they wanted.

[kupomogli]

I bought Senko no Ronde 2 alone thinking that it'd sell out quick because of the limited supply, because I didn't bother a previous time getting The.Bit.Trip and I do actually like the game(own it on the 3DS and PC) I saw the PAX copies still available so I purchased them then.

I then put in a ticket requesting that they combine my orders and if I could actually have a regular version of The.Bit.Trip instead of the PAX variant. Honestly, I don't care about the rarity of the two. The cover of the PAX variant looks pretty stupid and I'd actually rather have the original versions cover. Not going to sell it, so I couldn't care if it was more expensive or not.

[Spartacus]

And another competitor enters the fray.
Super Rare Games. Anyone else hear of them? I Googled indie games the other day and ran across this article... https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-02-20-super-rare-games-bringing-limited-edition-indie-games-to-nintendo-switch

It was an interesting read and even mentioned competing with the likes of Limited Run Games and how their business model differed. I checked them out at https://superraregames.com/ and bought Human: Fall Flat. I was sort of surprised I could still purchase the game, as it was released March 9th.
Let me tell you, it sure was nice ordering a game in a nice leisurely fashion instead of the frantic sniping experience I have at both Limited Run and Strictly Limited Games. Play Asia recently notified me they were changing the way they sell their exclusives from a per-order sign up process to the the exact same way Limited Run does - due to costumer requests. Really! :beaten:

Anyway, I figured the OP wouldn't mind this post as there aren't too many people here and most seem interested in physical copies of indie games.

[Aussie2B]

I don't mind at all. The more info on limited physical releases, the merrier. I sometimes post about releases not from LRG in this topic myself. Thanks for the heads-up on Super Rare Games. This is the first I've heard of them. I'm surprised they got the Switch version of The Flame in the Flood, considering LRG did the PS4 version. I wonder if that means Super Rare Games is giving developers a better cut than LRG.

It's funny how most of the LRG copycats are doing either Asian or European releases. With the ESRB fees, I guess this business concept isn't so profitable anymore for an American startup.

[megasdkirby]

There was a company that had rights to 99Vidas. I really regret missing out on the chance to get the Vita copy. Is it possible that LRG might release this game?

[mailman187666]

There was a company that had rights to 99Vidas. I really regret missing out on the chance to get the Vita copy. Is it possible that LRG might release this game?

Not sure about an LRG copy but I do know 99 Vidas is free right now on PSN with PS+.

[megasdkirby]

Yup, got it a few days ago. Seriously enjoying it. Wish I had known of the release of it from Strictly Limited Games. Hope I cam trade a copy of it for something else.

[kupomogli]

There was a company that had rights to 99Vidas. I really regret missing out on the chance to get the Vita copy. Is it possible that LRG might release this game?

LRG passed on publishing this title and SLG then picked it up. Probably not.

[Aussie2B]

If anybody hasn't yet bought and wants Future Unfolding for PS4, it's still available with the vinyl.

[kupomogli]

Siralim is one of the games that will be released next week, April 27th. Looked it up and the game actually looks really interesting.

Now while you get scrolls with your main character to cast a limited amount of spells, you can really do little else but attack, but every monster in the game has an element as well as a unique effect. So where it looks interesting at is you basically want to build your party around the monsters effects, equipping each monster with artifacts which will make the most use of the effect that monster has, and then attacking monsters based on the rock, paper, scissors of elements, but also based on what monster effect is more dangerous. Party build and the enemies you're fighting is really where all the depth comes from. Will pick this up for the PS4 and Vita, I'll probably never open the Vita version, but it seems a better fit for portable than console because the graphics.

*edit*

I thought a little bit more about it and Siralim is basically a procedurally generation dungeon with nothing unique about the environments. Randomized treasure boxes, etc. If all you can do is attack and you're with a very specific party for a good amount of time, it's obvious that the game can become very very very repetitious since the game has little else going for it than party customization and synchronization. It's honestly a good concept, but is it a good enough concept to double dip with all of its limitations(ie, everything else.) Well, you'll find out later when I post on the forum about how LRG goes back to bottom of the barrel trash or not, depends on how long it takes me to play it because as of right now I'm playing through Ys8 and The Evil Within 2, and after finishing those two it'll be Yakuza 6 and Darkest Dungeon that have priority over everything else.

[Aussie2B]

Preorders for the Switch versions of Flinthook and Mercenary Kings were opened today, and the second batch of the Tribute Treasure Box is going on sale soon.

It kinda sucks that they announced the PS4 and Vita LRG releases of Mercenary Kings ages ago and we're still waiting, meanwhile the Switch version was only announced fairly recently and is already up for sale.

[megasdkirby]

Reason why I didn't go get this batch
I want the Vita version at the very least. Plus $90 now is tough for me.

Haven't gotten none of the Switch games.

[kupomogli]

Isn't it obvious. LRG is trying to ride the Switch hype while it's still there. Right now there's very little to few games on the Switch to compete against, so there's no doubt a lot of people who want literally anything retail they can get their hands on. That's why they're offering all these Switch games up for preorder instead of a set amount.

*edit*

The LRG releases plus two other shitty Kemco RPGs are releasing on the PS4 as a collection. It's currently only been announced in Japan but this garbage will more than likely make its way west since the games are already localized. Including this in the LRG thread since it technically has something to do with LRG as it includes two of their published games.

https://gematsu.com/2018/04/kemco-rpg-selection-vol-1-coming-to-ps4-on-july-26-in-japan

[megasdkirby]

Siralim and Volume up for grabs. Got Siralim for Vita only.

Decided not to get repeats. So if they have the game in PS4 and Vita, Vita will always win. Besides, I can play them it on a PSTV.

[kupomogli]

Siralim and Volume up for grabs. Got Siralim for Vita only.

Decided not to get repeats. So if they have the game in PS4 and Vita, Vita will always win. Besides, I can play them it on a PSTV.

I don't feel so bad after getting Siralim on both PS4 and Vita because it's a low print run on both. It'll either hold its value or appreciate. Siralim is definitely a better Vita purchase just due to the retro graphics, but since I think the PS4 may eventually end up with the highest quality physical library I'm getting every purchase I have interest in on the PS4. I'll probably keep getting Vita titles as well, will make me feel better on my Vita purchase rather than feeling like the system itself, the second Vita I bought, and both Vita TVs rather than feeling like I wasted a bunch of money on unsupported hardware, even though in reality, it's pretty much unsupported hardware outside of ports.

[megasdkirby]

I don't feel so bad after getting Siralim on both PS4 and Vita because it's a low print run on both. It'll either hold its value or appreciate. Siralim is definitely a better Vita purchase just due to the retro graphics, but since I think the PS4 may eventually end up with the highest quality physical library I'm getting every purchase I have interest in on the PS4. I'll probably keep getting Vita titles as well, will make me feel better on my Vita purchase rather than feeling like the system itself, the second Vita I bought, and both Vita TVs rather than feeling like I wasted a bunch of money on unsupported hardware, even though in reality, it's pretty much unsupported hardware outside of ports.

I've finally decided to only get games I want. Now, if its a Vita game, I may just get whatever it is. But for the rest, only what I want.

Lately, LRG has been very abusive with it's releases.Tomorrow is a crappy fish/shooting game, Aaero, and a "mystery" game that is surely Pixel Junk Monsters 2. Ive decided to NOT get any of them because, quite frankly, none interst me. I feel odd, but at the same time, relieved that I've finally broken the cycle, which was abusive. And my wallet is very happy as well.

Then next week we have a Ruiner variant (don't care), some goat game craps, and who knows what they dececide to throw in at the last minute.

IMO, LRG is getting very very greedy. Sad, as I really liked them.

[Aussie2B]

Yeah, I haven't been buying a lot from LRG lately and there's not much on the near horizon I plan to buy either, but I'm happy to have the break. I'm glad they at least delayed the surprise game in order to do a proper announcement. I've been thinking for a long time that LRG really needs to grow a backbone and put their foot down when their clients make idiotic requests. Just because that's what they want doesn't mean LRG should always oblige. It'd be one thing if it were preorders open for weeks, but the CEs for this surprise game have a finite quantity. Nobody wants to take time out of their busy schedules to be on LRG's site at a specific time for a game they're not even sure if they'll want.

Granted, this one game is just the zenith of this bad trend of decreasing time between a game's announcement and its sale date. Even though it's no longer zero time between the two, this mystery game is still getting announced only a few days before the sale date, and there have been other games in a similar boat. LRG's customers have been begging them endlessly to announce games/sales dates further in advance, and they keep going in the opposite direction of that, giving milquetoast responses along the lines of "that's what our clients want". I don't see any solution coming unless LRG makes their clients play by their rules and not the other way around. Their clients know how to make games, not necessarily how to sell them, and they need to understand that. There's only so far you can sacrifice consumer-friendliness for developer-friendliness.

[kupomogli]

And if there was more of an announcement date for their games, they might actually get better sales. Announcing two weeks ahead of time rather than just a week gives it that much more time to get some exposure before the release of the game. You've got to wonder how many interested people there would be with a even just a week longer.

That being said, why stop at two weeks? Why not a month or two. Make some hype for your releases, or atleast anything that would do marginally well. I mean hype Siralim or the Kemco games or towards the RPG market. Maybe it's because me and my friends were all pretty big RPG fans or maybe I just get that vibe, but it feels that RPG fans in general seem to have an attachment to collecting games and if you see how desperate some of the RPG fans now days are, throwing praise at obvious garbage like Shining Resonance for example, targeting that group of people would definitely net you a larger quantity of titles sold.

For everything else you might not be able to target a specific audience, announcing early without a print size might allow them to sort of judge the print size and see how many more they may be able to produce and sell.

[Aussie2B]

Well, they just announced the sales date for Cosmic Star Heroine and another Kemco RPG, Antiquia Lost, with two weeks notice. I'm glad to see Cosmic Star Heroine finally coming out.

[megasdkirby]

I seriously hope Cosmic Star Heroine is ONE per customer. The game has aassive following, and lots of people want it. I hope Doug isn't stupid...

[Aussie2B]

What I don't get is why Cosmic Star Heroine has a set print run size. I know LRG said something recently about at least one Vita game coming soon having open preorders like Ys Origin did. If Cosmic Star Heroine doesn't warrant that, than which of their upcoming releases does?

[megasdkirby]

Unless they are referring to a CE numbered edition. Perhaps the standard version is preorder.

[kupomogli]

Cosmic Star Heroine is the only LRG that some people I know actually care about. Atleast two people I know that haven't bought any LRG want to buy this game.

I agree with everyone I've seen, they really need to do open preorders on this game, but I don't know if it's going to happen. Apparently they were disappointed with the Ys Origin preorders because they planned on a certain amount before they decided to make it open and then they sold 1000 less copies on one platform and around 500 more copies on the other platform(which obviously would have sold if they didn't do preorders.) So LRG seems to not even want to take the chance with preorders anymore even if a game has the potential of selling better than their expectations. Because instead of worrying about the people who really want their games, they worry about whether the games will sell out in 30 seconds and that they'll be able to sell more copies because "scalpers."

I'm planning on getting two copies for PS4 and two copies for the Vita. The hype is real. Well, it's not real enough for me to get a collector's edition as I don't care about those anymore, but real as it'll ever be. LRG, plz don't f this up.

[megasdkirby]

I hope they do NOT make it more than one per customer per platform. Because if they make 2000 copies, there will only be 1000 people that will have a copy (worst case scenario).

This is why I seriously hope Doug and Josh aren't stupid as fuck here. They know of the demand; anything higher than ONE per customer is ludicrous and will cause a bloodbath.

[kupomogli]

They haven't did one per customer since way back when. I'm talking around the time Abe's Odysee or somewhere around then. People say why don't they do one per customer literally ever single game, never happens. It honestly never happens and I don't expect it to here either.

The thing is, we know this is their biggest release, they know it's their biggest release. They've already said they have a 10,000 game and it might be this one, or this one might be even bigger. Ys Origins sold 8000 and 9000 for PS4 and Vita so maybe 11,000 and 10,000 here would meet demand?

[Aussie2B]

1 per customer has happened a lot of times, but it's usually applied to second batches after first batches sold out really fast at 2 per customer.

[Colorado Rockies]

It has a reversible cover, which all but guarantees it will not be 1 per customer. They know damn well people will buy 2 of each for Vita and PS4 because of this. You can also bet that there will be an overpriced CE, Soundtrack, and other crap like t-shirts etc. Might as well milk their customer's for all their worth.

[Bojay1997]

They haven't did one per customer since way back when. I'm talking around the time Abe's Odysee or somewhere around then. People say why don't they do one per customer literally ever single game, never happens. It honestly never happens and I don't expect it to here either.

The thing is, we know this is their biggest release, they know it's their biggest release. They've already said they have a 10,000 game and it might be this one, or this one might be even bigger. Ys Origins sold 8000 and 9000 for PS4 and Vita so maybe 11,000 and 10,000 here would meet demand?

They just did one per customer on the Merc Kings/Flinthook Tribute Box CE. They are also doing one per customer on the Ruiner variant.

[megasdkirby]

It was Pixel Junk Monsters 2. A shame...

[kupomogli]

I actually liked the first Pixel Junk Monsters, but for $39.99? No way. It's not that good, I'll just stick to the first one on my PSP. Also, the deluxe edition is being sold on PSN and will get all DLC as well for only $21.99 yet the LRG version is $18 more? Seriously? It's a bit ridiculous how much LRG out prices just about every other indie publisher on the market and hasn't had backlash because of the rarity.

"IIt's rare, you can buy the game digitally if you want to play it, physical releases are a luxury." This is all true. Not going to argue with it. But you don't see other publishers being scummy about their pricing. I don't even have to list any other publishers because other publishers are far more competitive with their pricing, far more fair to the fanbase that purchases their games. That, and I've listed many games that were cheaper many times over, publishers that have been paying for the ratings board listings since day one. These publishers didn't cry about having to now pay more licensing fees so they're going to jack up the pricing of all their games in the near future. Most of these publishers price the games the exact same price that they sell for digitally, not $10, $15, sometimes even $25 more as there are digital games that they've released $5 or less but their minimum of $25 rule still had them out price most other indie publishers.

"But LRG isn't as big as those publishers. The risk! THE RISK!!!!!!!!" I've heard it said here often. What risk? LRG knows the games will sell in 30 seconds or less. If they don't, then a week, but the games will sell out regardless. Any risk of not completely selling out is compensated for the amount the game is overpriced and the amount they're actually making off the top. Some of this goes to the devs, some goes to Sony, but they sell it from their own store front, they're the publisher and the retailer so make both profits that would normally be split.

Hell, Kemco is releasing a collection of four of their RPGs in Japan for less than the cost of the LRG releases of the same titles. These are some of the games that LRG has already released and as a collection, Kemco is pricing them less than LRG single releases. After seeing this, I'm betting the licensing for the really cheap games is in LRG favor, so there's no reason their pricing should be so high.

Also, the ESRB rating fee is what, $3000? But they're going to increase the price of each game by $5 when they do it in the near future? What about those games that have more than 3000 copies sold, which is just about everything. So we're not just paying the ESRB fee, we're paying an additional $4 on top of that. LRG uses the ESRB fee as an excuse, but it's an easy way to screw us out of even more money while the people blind to their greed keep throwing money at the computer screen like there's no tomorrow.

[kupomogli]

Overpriced as shit and 99% of their games never have the latest updates.

Axiom Verge? Latest update. Velocity 2X? Latest update and all DLC on disc. Senko no Ronde 2? Version 1.00 with a update download of 1.05. Additionally, we not only not get the Sega DLC, which is obvious, but even the developers own Assault Suits Valken DLC isn't included, but hey, still gotta add that $15 more dollars! You know, because of "risk."

[megasdkirby]

Anyone get their games today? I totally passed on all of them. I want to concentrate on Cosmic Star Heroine CE for Vita.

[Colorado Rockies]

Yeah nothing for me today either. Next week I'll defintely get Cosmic Star and Antiquia for Vita though. Just the standard version of CSH - I feel all their LE's are overpriced cash grabs.

[kupomogli]

After June 13th, LRG is going to slow down releases. Atleast until they pick it up again starting the following month, or a mere two weeks later.

[megasdkirby]

After June 13th, LRG is going to slow down releases. Atleast until they pick it up again starting the following month, or a mere two weeks later.

I think their idea of slowing down is that, instead of offering ten games weekly, they will offer only 9.

[Aussie2B]

Best way to get a slowdown with LRG is to just cut back on what you choose to buy. I'm quite content skipping everything but Vita. Though they seem to be dropping hints at possibly releasing 8-bit Adventure Anthology, and I may grab that for PS4 if they do.

[kupomogli]

Does anyone know if there were any rumors or confirmation of 20XX getting a LRG or any retail release for that matter?

[kupomogli]

Cosmic Star Heroine is a preorder? It's not going to be super rare and sell out in two seconds? Preorder canceled!! J/k. Very smart move for keeping an open preorder, everyone has been interested in this one.

[megasdkirby]

Except for the CE edition. And since they put two per customer, it's gonna be a bloodbath.

[kupomogli]

I considered the collector's edition just now after looking what it offered and looking at the price. But honestly. $35 for all the stuff would be good if I opened it, thing is, if I get the collector's edition I'm never going to open it so all I'll see is the box. It's no different than the standard box with the game in it at that point, except it costs more, it can get damaged easily, the space it takes up, etc.

Viewing the contents though, I do think that this is a worthwhile collector's edition for those who are interested. The price seems to atleast match what's included. Infact, I think what's included if purchased regularly would exceed the price of this collection. Hopefully those of you going for it get one. I've got another 35 minutes to contemplate whether or not I'll go for it.

*edit*

So I wasn't even considering the collector's edition at all. After looking it up and making the comment here about how it looks like a good collector's edition and that the price is good for what you get, I at that moment actually made myself interested in it.

I ended up thinking about it and determined that I'm keeping a sealed copy for the PS4 either way, and why even buy two Vita copies when I'm never going to open either of them. I figured I'd get one standard PS4 copy, one collector's edition, and one Vita copy. Honestly. I shouldn't have even bought the standard copy and just got two PS4 collector's editions, one to open, the other one to keep sealed. I think I'll consider buying a second one during the other batch and then seeing if they can remove my standard copy and merge the two orders. I'll be working though so might not even get the chance to depending on what's going on.

[megasdkirby]

I only got the CE edition of CSH and Antiquita, both for Vita.

I will now start selling my old LRG releases, particularly those i am not interested much in. Add in a Wonderboy CE and Night Trap CE in there as well.

Wanna start slimming down and concentrating on life more than games, if that makes any sense.

[RPG_Fanatic]

Wanna start slimming down and concentrating on life more than games, if that makes any sense.

Same here, I'm basically going to sell off my collection. I really don't play games that much anymore and plan on only keeping maybe 10-20 games and get rid of the rest.

[Aussie2B]

Today is the day for the Vita version of Super Hydorah (both standard and CE copies), Iron Crypticle for PS4 (with an optional OST), and Splasher for PS4, and preorders for Slime-san for Switch have opened up, with a CE that has a finite print run and extra merch available. It's also the last day one can preorder a standard copy of Saturday Morning RPG for Switch.

Just a Hydorah CE for me. The CE and extra merch fatigue among LRG's consumer base is real, since there's still a good amount of the Hydorah CE and the Iron Crypticle bundle left, even though the standard copies sold out fast.

[kupomogli]

I didn't realize they announced Iron Crypticle, just thought someone posted it as a suggestion for Limited Run Games since they also released Aqua Kitty. I actually watched gameplay at that time and it interested me so I'll pick it up, that and I actually like Aqua Kitty. I missed it this morning because I didn't know it existed, I don't check my email often, but the soundtrack bundle is still available meaning I should have no issue picking it up during the second batch.

If anyone is interested, X-Morph is on Play-Asia with a limited release of 3000 copies. Not sure if they're placing a standard version on the site after the limited edition is gone like some of the other titles but you can always use MYPSVITA for $3 off and all Play-Asia exclusives have free shipping(not sure if it's still free if combined with anything else though.) The game is the combination of a shmup and tower defense game, includes all the DLC. Here's the traile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARGi0n0CXlE

[Aussie2B]

LRG did their silly E3 "press conference" today and made a whole slew of new announcements. I updated the opening post with all the info, but I'll copy and paste the totally new stuff here:

Golf Story (Switch) - Available: September 2018
Iconoclasts (PS4 & Vita) - Available: 2018
Observer (PS4) - Available: July 2018
Thumper (PS4 & Switch) - Available: July 20, 2018
The House in Fata Morgana (PS4 & Vita) - Available: 2019
Senran Kagura: Bon Appetit (Vita) - Available: 2018
Cosmic Star Heroine (Switch)
Yooka-Laylee (Switch) - Available: August 2018
Spelunky (PS4 & Vita)
Exile's End (PS4 & Vita) - Available: July 2018
Phantom Breaker Battlegrounds Overdrive (PS4 & Vita) - Available: 2018
Dust: An Elysian Tail (Switch)
Double Switch (PS4) - Available: 2018
Kingdom: New Lands (Switch)

They also gave a bunch of time frames for older announcements (some just a season or month, others a specific release date), so check the opening post for that info.

Even with me ignoring basically all their non-Vita stuff, I feel like there's a ton to be excited about. I'm so happy that, after all the hinting, The House in Fata Morgana has been confirmed. LRG getting XSEED to work with them is a nice surprise, and I almost bought Senran Kagura: Bon Appetit digitally a while back but didn't on the slim chance it could get a physical release. All in all, I'm pretty pleased with how the final year of LRG Vita releases is shaping up so far.

Edit: Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention that Oceanhorn for Switch is up on their site and will be available for preorder for a month.

[kupomogli]

Going to get Spelunky, might get Phantom Breaker, might get CSH on Switch.

[Colorado Rockies]

Pretty good lineup. I'll get all the Vita games and maybe Golf Story, which would be my first Switch game from them.

[Aussie2B]

It's been over a week now, and the Vita CE of Super Hydorah is still available. I think this is the longest any game that wasn't an open preorder has been available from LRG? It's great to see a game's stock last this long. I wish this happened with every release. It just sucks that the standard version sold out so fast, so anyone who still wants may feel forced to pay for the extras even if they don't want them. I hope LRG doesn't take any negative messages away from this being in stock so long, but if they do, I'd prefer the message to be that people are getting burned out on their CEs, rather than waning interest in Vita games as a whole or shmups or what have you. I'd be perfectly happy if the vast majority of the Vita games they have left to release don't receive CEs.

[megasdkirby]

I thought that as well,but I think Pixel Junk Monster 2 wins. There was like 60% when the listing got pulled down. I think it was their worst selling game.

And yes, I hope this trend continues. That way, we get less of those asinine LE/CE's.

THis week, Im only getting the Vita game, and ONLY because I want an LRG complete set. I know it's going to be hard, knowing that I still need Breach and Clear for Vita (trying to do a trade for a CIB sealed New and Tasty), but I will continue trying, nonetheless.