Why not visual novels on Steam?

Lurpsukka · 12-07-2010, 08:26 AM

I would gladly pay for Japanese visual novel games (non-adult) if they were easily available on Steam.

Some kind of achievement system would be neat addon as well.

Content and genre

Many visual novels are centered around drama, particularly themes involving romance or family, but visual novels centered around science fiction, fantasy fiction, and horror fiction are not uncommon.

Traditionally, PC-based visual novels have contained risque scenes even if the overall focus is not erotic (similar to the "obligatory sex scene" in Hollywood action films). However, the vast majority of console ports do not contain adult material, and a number of recent PC games have also been targeted at the all-age market; for example, all of Key's titles come in family-friendly versions, and two have never contained adult content at all. Also, all of KID's titles are family-friendly.

Eriako · 12-07-2010, 08:31 AM

I would not mind seeing more games from other countries just in general. I'm not sure that the current Steam demographic would be all that interested in these, but if Steam did decide to push forward in this regard, they would probably get a whole new section of people.

That said, it's not really Steam who would be doing the localization. Not many western companies seem eager to translate these sorts of things. Even most of the anime subs/translations are kind of lackluster. Manga can be better, but that is probably why they hike the price up for it.

Zorlac · 12-07-2010, 08:37 AM

If this lead to steam getting the Dogwitch novels (look it up) I'd be the happiest person on the planet.

MADDOGGE · 12-07-2010, 08:42 AM

I think eventually Steam sees itself becoming THE DD Service for all media. Give it a few more years. Most people like one stop shopping if the price is right. Now all they need do is fix the silly Euro/Pound == Dollar thing and overthrow a few governments to get support in all countries.

AnubisArc999 · 12-07-2010, 08:53 AM

What is the point in non-adult Visual Novel games?

Zorlac · 12-07-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnubisArc999

What is the point in non-adult Visual Novel games?

No one's talking about games here.

Washell · 12-07-2010, 09:05 AM

Why not music or movies or tv shows? Why not garden furniture or kitchens?

Steam sells games and strategy guides for said games. It's not a bad idea to stick to a niche in the market when you do it so well. Plenty of companies failed trying to expand in markets they're not familiar with.

If you see a hole in the market for DD of visual novels, perhaps create a startup yourself?

phillibl · 12-07-2010, 09:08 AM

I would rather stick to Games only. They are the best at what they do and I would hate for that to be wasted elsewhere. I like having a game only platform controlled by a private company.

Lurpsukka · 12-07-2010, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Washell

Why not music or movies or tv shows? Why not garden furniture or kitchens?

Steam sells games and strategy guides for said games. It's not a bad idea to stick to a niche in the market when you do it so well. Plenty of companies failed trying to expand in markets they're not familiar with.

If you see a hole in the market for DD of visual novels, perhaps create a startup yourself?

music/movies/tv-shows != video games

Visual novels however are video games therefore Steam should consider them as a sellable product. If we can get games like Recettear on Steam I'm pretty sure we can get some other good Japanese titles out there.

Zorlac · 12-07-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurpsukka

music/movies/tv-shows != video games

Visual novels however are video games therefore Steam should consider them as a sellable product. If we can get games like Recettear on Steam I'm pretty sure we can get some other good Japanese titles out there.

What kind of logic says that visual novels are video games? This makes no sense at all.

Eriako · 12-07-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zorlac

What kind of logic says that visual novels are video games? This makes no sense at all.

A lot of them can be C.Y.O.A. style. It's a game, just not a type many westerners are used to.

phillibl · 12-07-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriako

A lot of them can be C.Y.O.A. style. It's a game, just not a type many westerners are used to.

I would call that closer to an interactive movie than a game.

Majesty of War · 12-07-2010, 09:17 AM

No thanks I don't want a comic book seller as a requirement to play PC games.

Zorlac · 12-07-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriako

A lot of them can be C.Y.O.A. style. It's a game, just not a type many westerners are used to.

A visual novel is a book with lots of pictures to show what's going on. Very much like larger comic books.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Majesty of War

No thanks I don't want a comic book seller as a requirement to play PC games.

This also makes no sense. Really, are you guys even thinking before posting?

Eriako · 12-07-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillibl

I would call that closer to an interactive movie than a game.

Fair enough, that's a little how I felt about Final Fantasy XII to be honest. Not that I didn't love it anyway.

Reccetear is a lot like one, though, and that seemed to go over well.

12-07-2010, 08:26 AM	#1
Lurpsukka Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 314 Posts: 2,298	Why not visual novels on Steam? I would gladly pay for Japanese visual novel games (non-adult) if they were easily available on Steam. Some kind of achievement system would be neat addon as well. Content and genre Many visual novels are centered around drama, particularly themes involving romance or family, but visual novels centered around science fiction, fantasy fiction, and horror fiction are not uncommon. Traditionally, PC-based visual novels have contained risque scenes even if the overall focus is not erotic (similar to the "obligatory sex scene" in Hollywood action films). However, the vast majority of console ports do not contain adult material, and a number of recent PC games have also been targeted at the all-age market; for example, all of Key's titles come in family-friendly versions, and two have never contained adult content at all. Also, all of KID's titles are family-friendly.

12-07-2010, 08:31 AM	#2
Eriako Join Date: Jul 2010 Reputation: 2732 Posts: 333	I would not mind seeing more games from other countries just in general. I'm not sure that the current Steam demographic would be all that interested in these, but if Steam did decide to push forward in this regard, they would probably get a whole new section of people. That said, it's not really Steam who would be doing the localization. Not many western companies seem eager to translate these sorts of things. Even most of the anime subs/translations are kind of lackluster. Manga can be better, but that is probably why they hike the price up for it. Last edited by Eriako: 12-07-2010 at 08:38 AM.

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12-07-2010, 08:37 AM	#3
Zorlac Join Date: Jul 2008 Reputation: 267 Posts: 3,664	If this lead to steam getting the Dogwitch novels (look it up) I'd be the happiest person on the planet.

12-07-2010, 08:42 AM	#4
MADDOGGE Join Date: Jan 2008 Reputation: 8126 Posts: 25,016	I think eventually Steam sees itself becoming THE DD Service for all media. Give it a few more years. Most people like one stop shopping if the price is right. Now all they need do is fix the silly Euro/Pound == Dollar thing and overthrow a few governments to get support in all countries.

12-07-2010, 08:53 AM	#5
AnubisArc999 Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Reputation: 623 Posts: 1,980	What is the point in non-adult Visual Novel games?

12-07-2010, 09:05 AM	#7
Washell Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 5622 Posts: 6,630	Why not music or movies or tv shows? Why not garden furniture or kitchens? Steam sells games and strategy guides for said games. It's not a bad idea to stick to a niche in the market when you do it so well. Plenty of companies failed trying to expand in markets they're not familiar with. If you see a hole in the market for DD of visual novels, perhaps create a startup yourself?

12-07-2010, 09:08 AM	#8
phillibl Join Date: Oct 2008 Reputation: 292 Posts: 1,495	I would rather stick to Games only. They are the best at what they do and I would hate for that to be wasted elsewhere. I like having a game only platform controlled by a private company.

12-07-2010, 09:17 AM	#13
Majesty of War Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Reputation: 184 Posts: 1,414	No thanks I don't want a comic book seller as a requirement to play PC games.