Aksys Game Announces New Titles for Localization for 2017

Today at Anime Expo 2016, Aksys Games named several games that are to be localized for the 3ds, PS4, PS Vita and PSN for 2017. Per retweets via RPG Gamer here are the titles:

Tokyo Xanadu
@RPGSite: Proof Aksys Games is handling Tokyo Xanadu #AX2016 http://twitter.com/RPGSite/status/749711362499063809/photo/1

@RPGSite: Tokyo Xanadu will get both a physical and digital release on Vita. Out hopefully the first half of 2017. #AX2016

Collar X Malice:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Collar X Malice in 2017 for Vita. Otome fans here went wild #AX2016

Period Cube:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Period Cube for Vita in 2017 #AX2016

Bad Apple Wars:
@RPGSite: Bad Apple Wars will be out in 2017 for the PS Vita #AX2016

Code Realize Future Blessings:
@RPGSite: Code: Realize Future Blessings fan disk being localized by Aksys Games. New routes #AX2016

Exist Archive:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games now showing a trailer for Exist Archive. A good reminder how many games they're localizing. #AX2016

Shiren the Wanderer:
@RPGSite: Shiren the Wanderer trailer. Very excited for this one! #AX2016

They have also announced a few titles for the 3ds:

Chase Cold Case Investigations:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Chase Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories for 3DS eShop, out this Fall. From makers of Hotel Dusk. #AX2016

Ninja Usagimaru:
@RPGSite: Aksys Games is localizing Ninja Usagimaru, a title for the Nintendo 3DS eShop this Fall #AX2016

Aksys also reported that they are trying to localize Hakuoki: Sweet School Life but there hasn't been confirmation of it coming over as of yet.

This is a shit load of titles coming for next year and I haven't even gotten thru my current patch of games. I look forward to trying to tackle them all and so can my Vita. I'll update you guys on the information as it comes out.

Until Next Time,
DreaPoetic

Sources:

Twitter:
RPGSite: @rpgsite

Website:
www.RPGSite.net

Aksys Games:
Twitter: @aksysgames

Website and Image:
www.aksysgames.com

Why Don't We Have More Visual Novels?

In the recent years I have become acquainted with visual novels. I'm an avid reader on a good day so when I discovered that I could play a game that was actually a story and I didn't need to "play" the game I'm like sign me up. So i delved into my first visual novel which was Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom on my PS3 published by Aksys Games. It was an otome game meaning that it was a reverse harem. For those not familiar with that concept it means that the main protagonist is female and she is the one surrounded by gorgeous men who are trying to woo her. Needless to say, the game had all of the typical anime tropes as well as a bit of history, although not entirely factual, along with romance. It took me hours to finish that game and it was worth every second.

Fast forward to now. I have managed to play 4 other visual novels that were all on the Vita. There is at least one that I know of that is coming out this year but I haven't heard of too many more. From my research there are a ton of visual novels on Steam which is probably the only reason why I would explore PC gaming but even those have to be fan translated into English. I also tried to play one of the many mobile offerings but those are pay to progress which I refuse to spend my money on (read: again lol).

I guess my question about it is why is that the case? I suppose the reason for it would be that there isn't an audience for it here but I disagree. We want these games but they just aren't coming out as frequently as they other titles and genres from Japan. My only other thought is that because they are so text heavy that they have been having issues justifying the cost of localization for a few thousand sales. I already play a ton of games with only Japanese voices so to me they don't even need to be voiced in English.

Are visual novels not really wanted in the West? Are they only for weeaboos like me? What can we do to get them to bring over more titles besides supporting kickstarters and complaining on official forums? Let me know what you guys think?

Until next time,

Drea Poetic

Sources:

All images are owned by Aksys games.

Image:

https://www.google.com/search?q=hakuoki+demon+of+the+fleeting+blossom&prmd=visn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjD2d7smrzNAhUCbB4KHYTzBmIQ_AUICCgC&biw=360&bih=560#imgrc=UBgW-oofaTWkyM%3A