Ace Combat 6 (possible X360 exclusivity + huge online gameplay support = ADV X360!)

[Digital-Nitrate]

In the Mega PS3 thread, Duck (who likes promoting XB360 games in the PS3 thread ) posted:

EDIT: Ace Combat 6 has now lost exclusivity as well:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=147185

That link was to a blog discussing the 'article' which came out ONLY in Japan from Famitsu.

This caused a discussion on the merits of the article, and those posting on the blog, many of which were saying the pics in the article looked "amazing" and that because there is no mention of PS3, that it appears that it will be an exclusive title for XB360.

Obviously many are clearly jumping to conclusions based on very little information, and what information that is provided may not even be from Namco, the developers of Ace Combat.

One issue though I would like to address is the "quality" of the "pics" that are supposedly from AC6.

Duck was kind enough to post a link to the direct scans of the AC6 Famitsu article:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5856470&postcount=208

But frankly, all of these look like conceptual drawings. However, seeing as many people, including Duck, are saying they look great, and even better than AC5, I thought it might be interesting to compare them with similar sots from AC5 (which came out over two years ago, and frankly wasn't all that much better looking then AC4, which came out over five years ago):

AC6?

AC5

AC6?

AC5

AC6?

AC5

AC6?

AC5

AC6?

AC5
(click on any to enlarge)











​

OK, so clearly the AC5 shots look much better than those in the Famitsu article, but then again, those "shots" clearly appear to be conceptual, and could just as well come from any number of sources.

Still, for fans of this series, this story is at the very least a reminder that Namco is clearly working on a new Ace Combat, and hopefully it will take advantage of what the PS3 has to offer. 👍

 

[DuckRacer]

Even though I was already done with this, I'm putting in my final word.

In the Mega PS3 thread, Duck (who likes promoting XB360 games in the PS3 thread )

You know, Ace Combat 6 is a PS3 game.

That link was to a blog discussing the 'article' which came out ONLY in Japan from Famitsu.

And it was a preview. I mean hell, look at the Zephyr, for example. GameInformer is the only magazine that confirmed it. They didn't have Microsoft officially confirm it in their magazine, but hey, it's going to happen.

This caused a discussion on the merits of the article, and those posting on the blog, many of which were saying the pics in the article looked "amazing" and that because there is no mention of PS3, that it appears that it will be an exclusive title for XB360.

...And for the record, I doubt it'll be 360 exclusive. I know it will be multiplatform, however.

Obviously many are clearly jumping to conclusions based on very little information, and what information that is provided isn’t coming from Namco, the developers of Ace Combat.

And how do you know that?

One issue though I would like to address is the "quality" of the "pics" that are supposedly from AC6.

Duck was kind enough to post a link to the direct scans of the AC6 Famitsu article:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5856470&postcount=208

But frankly, all of these look like conceptual drawings. However, seeing as many people are saying they look great, I thought it might be interesting to compare them with similar sots from GT5 (which came out over two years ago, and frankly wasn't all that much better looking then GT4, which came out over five years ago):

You mean AC4 and AC5.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Even though I was already done with this, I'm putting in my final word.

We will see if that holds true.

You know, Ace Combat 6 is a PS3 game.

Glad to hear it, as you earlier posts appeared to be going out of the way to suggest the possibility that it would be an exclusive XB360 title:

Well, when you don't see any mention of the PS3 version you have to wonder...

I wouldn't be surprised if MS threw in some money to make it X360 exclusive.

So, you apparently "know" that AC6 is a PS3 title, thus your above statements were clearly untrue. After all, if you knew it was a PS3 title, then you wouldn't "wonder" about why PS3 wasn't mentioned in the article, and you would be "surprised" if it became an exclusive XB360 title. Either that, or you are not telling the truth, and that you do not know that it will be a PS3 title, only that you believe it will be.

And it was a preview. I mean hell, look at the Zephyr, for example.

At least the Zephyr leak had actual photos and explanation of where they got the photos from, not conceptual art with no credit to where they came from.

...And for the record, I doubt it'll be 360 exclusive. I know it will be multiplatform, however.

While it may be a multiplatform release, which i am actually in favor of, as it means more fans supporting a great game series. 👍

However, you and I do not "know" that it will be... unless you are suggesting that you have information directly from Namco that says that it will be. If you do, by all means share it with us. Instead of dancing around the question of how “good” those drawings are in that article.

And how do you know that? [that the info in that article is not from Namco]

Good point, I've reworded it:

"Obviously many are clearly jumping to conclusions based on very little information, and what information that is provided may not even be from Namco, the developers of Ace Combat."

 

[Tornado]

OK, so clearly the AC5 shots look much better than those in the Famitsu article, but then again, those "shots" clearly appear to be conceptual, and could just as well come from any number of sources.

I'm incredibly surprised in the fact that you are comparing a magazine scan to an actual game shot. And why in hell is the cover of the box of AC5 thrown in there? Kicks and giggles?

However, you and I do not "know" that it will be

Much like you don't "know" that those shots are renders.
If it wasn't Namco, I would be very tempted to say how far off base criticising Duck's very possibly true assumption actually was. Or I could point to the list of great PS3 exclusives that didn't stay exclusive.
However, being Namco, who usually acts almost like a second party developer, I'd say that the chance of it going to the XBox will be about 30%. Ish.
The chance that it will be a 360 exclusive, however, is nonexistant.
Also, just because the only magazine to cover it was Famitsu doesn't necessarily relegate it to being false. It can just mean that Famitsu got the story first, which is very possible because

1. Famitsu is a huge gaming magazine, easily dwarfing most others. This would possibly allow them easier access into a company, or perhaps into certain people within companies.
   
2. Famitsu is a Japanese magazine, and Namco is a Japanese company. Odds say that the Japanese magazine may get info from the Japanese company before any of the American magazines.
   

My opinion on how the game looks? Not applicable (to anyone), because we can't compare the shots in Famitsu (regardless of whether or not they are actual game shots as opposed to renders) to the actual game photos of AC5. Far too much detail would be lost simply from the transition from game shots to print, not to mention from print to computer.
They look pretty damn good for magazine scans, though.









I will also say that, completely irrelavent of any arguements you and me have shared (and I would prefer if you didn't take this personally), exaggerations are NOT the sign of the apocalypse; and perhaps you would come in contact with less... lets say "argumentative" viewpoints if you would stop treating them as such. Picking a post apart by its insignificant problems rather than the point they contain is what I've noticed starts a lot of the arguments you are involved in, whether you are in the right (which you usually are, so don't take this part the wrong way) or not.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

I'm incredibly surprised in the fact that you are comparing a magazine scan to an actual game shot. And why in hell is the cover of the box of AC5 thrown in there? Kicks and giggles?

That was the point I was making. If you read the blog, and Ducks comments, they are specifically saying how good they look. Based on what though? They look very much like drawings to me, and as you said, they are also just scans in a magazine... that said, despite all that, they also do not "look" better than AC4 or AC5.

Will AC6 look better than either? As I said, I would be absolutely shocked if it didn't, but if the end result looks anything like those pics, it wont.

However, being Namco, who usually acts almost like a second party developer, I'd say that the chance of it going to the XBox will be about 30%. Ish.

And I think it will be an even higher probability than that, but only Duck is claiming to actually "know" that it will be a PS3 title - which I think is 99% chance that it will be, but I don’t know that it will be, and Duck has not shown how he would know that it will be, and in fact has even said how it might not be. So as I said before, if he knows that it will be a PS3, why does he also point out that it might not be. Go figure.

Also, just because the only magazine to cover it was Famitsu doesn't necessarily relegate it to being false.

I didn’t say that, only that it looks dubious. After all, Famitsu isn't the only one breaking news on game titles, and when it’s about an exclusive title changing sides, that's huge news... if true.

In addition, if Namco was releasing information about AC6 coming to XB360, especially as an excusive title, why would it limit that information to a market that makes up for less than 5% of all the XB360 customers?

Famitsu is a huge gaming magazine, easily dwarfing most others. This would possibly allow them easier access into a company, or perhaps into certain people within companies.

Famitsu is a Japanese magazine, and Namco is a Japanese company. Odds say that the Japanese magazine may get info from the Japanese company before any of the American magazines..

And yet in no way does that assure us that the information is genuine. Mind you, I’m not saying that it isn’t, only that we have no proof that it is.

I will also say that, completely irrelevant of any agreements you and me have shared, exaggerations are NOT the sign of the apocalypse; and perhaps you would come in contact with less... lets say "argumentative" viewpoints if you would stop treating them as such. Picking a post apart by its insignificant problems rather than the point they contain is what I've noticed starts a lot of the arguments you are involved in, whether you are in the right (which you usually are, so don't take this part the wrong way) or not.

The problem as I see it with exaggerations, particularly gross ones is that besides misleading anyone who isn’t aware that they are exaggerations, they, the exaggerations, themselves distract from the point... which you and I agree is the important thing in a discussion.

Any first year college public speaking class will teach you that when debating, never to exaggerate as it can quickly discredit your opinion, and draws attention away from the point you are trying to make.

When people use exaggerations on a regular basis to support their argument it not only detracts from the point, but it is usually an indication that they don't have much support for their argument to begin with and must use exaggerations to try and hide that fact.

That said, I appreciate your suggestions, and I will try not to let minor exaggerations get under my skin.

 

[Tornado]

That was the point I was making. If you read the blog, and Ducks comments, they are specifically saying how good they look. Based on what though? They look very much like drawings to me, and as you said, they are also just scans in a magazine... that said, despite all that, they also do not "look" better than AC4 or AC5.

That was more of a comment to both you and Duck than to just you about how comparing the games in either a positive or a negative light is pretty pointless, so I hope you didn't take it the wrong way.

I didn’t say that, only that it looks dubious. After all, Famitsu isn't the only one breaking news on game titles, and when it’s about an exclusive title changing sides, that's huge news... if true.

All rumors start small, I guess.

In addition, if Namco was releasing information about AC6 coming to XB360, especially as an excusive title, why would it limit that information to a market that makes up for less than 5% of all the XB360 customers?

Maybe to slow the rate at which it would spread. Thats the only reason I can come up with, though one would think it would make more sense to just not tell anyone at all then. Crazier things have happened (such as the VF5 port to the 360) for seemingly no reason..
​

And yet in no way does that assure us that the information is genuine. Mind you, I’m not saying that it isn’t, only that we have no proof that it is.

I understand. I was just offering suggestions that may be why Famitsu has the information first. This may all be crap, but it may be true as well. My Japanese is horrible, so for all I know the bloggers could be taking a few liberties with the translation.

The problem as I see it with exaggerations, particularly gross ones is that besides misleading anyone who isn’t aware that they are exaggerations, they, the exaggerations, themselves distract from the point... which you and I agree is the important thing in a discussion.

I disagree to a level. I think exaggerations are helpful to help prove a point, so long as factual evidence is used to back said exaggerations up to a degree. In that respect, I guess my definition of exaggeration may be closer to the definition of an opinion, but whatever.
I understand where you are coming from, in any case.

 

[Omnis]

I guess AC6 will be AC5 with HDR.

 

[a6m5]

I don't know if this will help or not, but I spotted this:
http://www.gamespark.jp/modules/news/index.php?p=1591
According to this blog, "Beautiful Katamari" and "Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation", both for Xbox 360(and by Namco) popped up in the Blockbuster database. They have (cell phone)pics of what seems like the monitor at one of Blockbuster stores.

Just sharing the info. Don't care about the game, or the system.

 

[DuckRacer]

Well, it looks like it is X360 exclusive. Literally no mention of PlayStation on the official website yet there's X360 and Xbox Live stuff everywhere.

http://translate.google.com/transla...ndow=1&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=/language_tools

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

Thanks for the link. I don't see anything in there that makes it clear there won’t be a PS3 version, other than no mention of it, but there could be any number of reasons for that, including the possibility that they are developing a different version for the PS3.

I think the days are over for 3rd party exclusives, unless MS & Sony are willing to pay those developers a lot of money that they would have otherwise made had they been able to sell it on both platforms. That said, I will be very surprised if Namco isn't developing AC6 or possibly even a more advanced version for the PS3. If not, will Ace Combat be the first series that was exclusive to the PS to become an exclusive title for Xbox?

Regardless, there are still a lot of unknowns surrounding this story. I'll be very interested to see how all of this develops. Thanks again for the link Duck, and if/when you find out more, please keep us posted!

 

[Tornado]

That said, I will be very surprised if Namco isn't developing AC6 or possibly even a more advanced version for the PS3.

Or, they could do what Konami did with MGS2 and Substance: Sell it on the 360, wait a little less than a year, and then BAM! Directors cut that is multiplatform or PS3 only.

If not, will Ace Combat be the first series that was exclusive to the PS to become an exclusive title for Xbox?

I dunno if I quite understand what you are saying, but doesn't Ridge Racer count?

 

[a6m5]

I checked out few of the Japanese blogs, and they sound pretty sure this version of AC6 is for X360 only, and one guy did put it just like Toronado did, comparing it to the RR6.

P.S. They kept going "hako-only" in these blogs. "Hako" is a "box" in Japanese. Box only? Does it not come with the game? Then I realized that it's an translated nickname for the Xbox 360.

 

[DuckRacer]

http://www.gamesradar.com/us/xbox360...03103143872047

Interview with the AC6 devs... and judging from their responses, it looks like this'll be a 360 exclusive.

 

[Solid Lifters]

http://www.gamesradar.com/us/xbox360...03103143872047

Interview with the AC6 devs... and judging from their responses, it looks like this'll be a 360 exclusive.

Well, that sucks. I don't see why, though. It makes no sense for anyone to pay for this title to be exclusive.

To be honest, I haven't liked this game series since Ace Combat 4, so not really a big deal. I've had enough of this game. But, I still liked the idea of playing a PS3 version of this game. Looks like that's never going to happen. Really, not that huge of a loss.

Money NOT well spent, MS.

 

[Digital-Nitrate]

http://www.gamesradar.com/us/xbox360...03103143872047

Interview with the AC6 devs... and judging from their responses, it looks like this'll be a 360 exclusive.

A) The link doesn't work. Try just putting in the article's titles and add a hyperlink to it.

B) If they do not say it will be a 360 exclusive, then why jump to any concusions? Especially when there isn't even an official 360 release date. In other words, it's far too early to be second guessing based on so little official information.

 

[V1P3R]

I never did get to try AC5 but I'm sure AC6 will be just as good or better.

 

[Omnis]

You know what? Who cares if AC6 is xbox only. I'm sure Konami will bust out a superior Deadly Skies for the Playstation as a response. I had a hell of a lot more fun playing Airforce Delta Strike than I did with Ace Combat.

 

[LaBounti]

Nothing is stopping anyone from making a Arcade Flight Combat game. A 360 exclusive just means that someone else can step up and make a AFC game and have it sell being the only kind on the system if its any good.

 

[V1P3R]

For the heck of it... is AC5 worth getting for $10?

 

[under18carbon]

Yes. Worth every bit of your $10.

 

[DuckRacer]

For the heck of it... is AC5 worth getting for $10?

Of course.

 

[slackbladder]

This link mentions AC6 as being exclusive for the 360.

It's almost been two weeks since we broke the news that longtime Sony-exclusive Ace Combat had bailed and taken refuge on Xbox 360. We also promised you a ton of new coverage, and said coverage begins now. We've got a weeklong look at Fires of Liberation, the eleventh overall game in the series, which lands exclusively on 360 this fall. If you've never had the pleasure of taking a $30 million joyride, this is the best possible place to start working towards that lofty dream. Each day begins a new topic, so please, click away.

Sony are still battling the problems that come with being released later than your nearest competitor. If the 360 didn't have an install base of some 7 million more than the PS3 then there would be no issue.

 

[Omnis]

Nothing is stopping anyone from making a Arcade Flight Combat game. A 360 exclusive just means that someone else can step up and make a AFC game and have it sell being the only kind on the system if its any good.

So I suppose this is Konami's chance to dominate the market in that regard.

If you've seen what they've done so far with Professional Baseball Spirits 4 (not to mention MGS4), you cannot doubt that their AFC game would blow the doors off graphically, and it already has the legacy of Deadly Skies I and II to contribute to excellent gameplay.

 

[LaBounti]

This link mentions AC6 as being exclusive for the 360.

Sony are still battling the problems that come with being released later than your nearest competitor. If the 360 didn't have an install base of some 7 million more than the PS3 then there would be no issue.

I don't get what you are saying. Gears of war(best game on the system i guess) has sold maybe 3million, Ace Combat 6 will not sell 3 million. There are 3 million ps3 sold so far and it was just released in Europe. Thats clearly not the reason. Also the buzz is its not coming out on PS3, it's not multi platform. Sony's knew it would be an uphill battle but its far from a problem.

This clearly isn't Namco's doing(alone). If it were install base it would be on the Wii.

 

[slackbladder]

Surely an install base of 10 million is a safer bet for selling a product than one of 3 million, from a business perspective. There's a chance of selling three times the amount. But then again Microsoft seems to have paid for it to be exclusive so maybe it isn't part of their thinking.

But with other games like DMC4 going multi-platform surely cold hard economics plays its role? If it were the other way round would Capcom have made it multi-platform just for the 360?
Anyway, I realise in this day exclusives are rare. I just think with AC6 it's Sony's loss.

 

[LaBounti]

True about having 10 million VS 3 but thats not the case. Its clearly an exclusive deal with Microsoft if anything. Other wise it would be multiplatorm. By Fall There could be 7 Million PS3 out there. AC6 isn't coming out tomorrow. All of there games would be on 360 if it were the case.

 

[slackbladder]

It would seem to be a timed exclusive if Kotaku are right. linky

 

[Tornado]

Surely an install base of 10 million is a safer bet for selling a product than one of 3 million, from a business perspective. There's a chance of selling three times the amount.

Be careful with that. While I'm not sure of the series popularity in Japan, I can think of one other series that is no longer PS3 exclusive where the extra 360's sold won't mean much for the game's bottom line sales.

 

[DuckRacer]

Be careful with that. While I'm not sure of the series popularity in Japan, I can think of one other series that is no longer PS3 exclusive where the extra 360's sold won't mean much for the game's bottom line sales.

Armored Core 4?

 

[Tornado]

What? No.
I should have phrased that sentence better:
While I'm not sure of Ace Combat's popularity in Japan, I can think of one other series that is no longer PS3 exclusive where the extra 360's sold won't mean much for the game's bottom line sales.