Zoids Revolutions - Get it while it's hot!

[Tyrann]

Took a few tries, but just pounding him over and over with Hayate helps too. Can get his life down to 1/3 with one transformation. And the stray shots from Volcano really helps too.

[Königbreaker]

I finished it!!

[Andy F²]

Kandrw, how would I go about poking tomy with this?


Oh, and I think I've figured out the muiltiplayer bit. Fingers crossed...
Or not. It works fine without a router but I can't get it to work through a router. Something to do with port forwarding...can't be fussed with it any more.

[Königbreaker]

So there's a chance for an upgrade?

[KAndrw]

Very, very carefully.

It would be very unusual for a publisher to accept an unsolicited game. You're going to have to be quite diplomatic. For starters, you should expect that they will not even look at anything you send unless you include a release form, stating that you agree that them looking at your submission does not constitute an agreement of any sort between you, and that if they publish anything similar in the future you have no hold over them.

I don't know whether they have anything like that on the Sony websites - I couldn't find it, and my Japanese isn't good enough to hunt very far. If in doubt, follow the guidelines for a different company selling a totally different product:
www.atlas-games.com/information_writer.php

I've only ever pitched ideas in house, but here are some of the things I think you should consider:

* Submit a gameplay video in the style of teaser trailers used by other games, cutting between exciting bits with some music in the background.

* Submit a version of the game with everything unlocked, as well as a clean version.

* Include a Japanese version of your cover letter and release form. Chances are that they will speak English far better than you can write (or convince somebody else to write) Japanese, but it shows respect.

* Likewise, you may want to look into knocking out a japanese language version of the game, since Tomy will be unlikely to be interested in an English-only game.

* Specify what platforms you are aiming for. PC is not considered a gaming platform in Japan, so I would recommend PSP (and maybe PS2) - it has a big enough install base that a 2D game could be successful.

* State what sort of contract you would be interested in - do you want to assemble a development team yourself, or would you like to join an established team?

* Are you prepared to relocate to Japan.

[Tilly]

I can help with really basic translation bits and the video editing part if you do decide to try anything, as well as editing of the English half of any proposals...

[Andy F²]

Good lord, that looks complicated. I haven't a clue how I could convert the game into something for a PSP!

Filling in all those forms for something Tomy probably wouldn't even glance at seems a waste of time. Do you honestly believe the game would stand a chance if I were to do all this?

..I wish I knew someone who'd done something like this before. Then I could keep bothering them with questions. ;D

Thanks for the offer, Tilly.

[KAndrw]

That's why you want a coder or two who has programmed for PSP before. You've already done most of the hard stuff, it would just be a case of optimising stuff and pushing the frame rate.

Filling in the forms will be hard work. I think there's a good chance Tomy would be interested, especially if they can negotiate a deal that screws you over and makes them lots of money. Dash was dire, but they published that. Here is a game that has already been made, so they can make far more accurate decisions than they would have made about Dash. If nothing comes of it, you can at least expect to become known to Tomy, and perhaps would have better luck in the future.

2D is a bit of a stumbling block - you might have to get some 3D artists and animators in to change the look of the game. But equally the PSP's most popular game right now has no 3D at all (Loco Roco), and Tomy have been known to take some risks.

Personally, I think Tomy would be interested, providing you are able to get through to the right people.

Alternatively, you can take the longer route and release a japanese version of the game online. Become known to japanese zoids fans and games, and pitch to Tomy once you have that fanbase behind you.

Or whatever

[Königbreaker]

I started the game over today.. I just beat Gyorg, but nothing happened.. I'm just stuck in the room without him.

[Andy F²]

See? I told you not to keep cheating.

[Königbreaker]

XD

I just teleported out of the level and destroyed myself..


I beat the game again, and didn't screw up on the Gairy part this time either.

[Shenny]

Uh, now that I finally have money, I want to get it but you don't have any. What was the GBP price?

[Königbreaker]

I got mine for GBP 7.49.

[Shenny]

Kay, could I get your email (by PM, duh) so I'll know who to toss this cold, hard cash to?

[Königbreaker]

[e-mail]