Post by SkyeWelse on May 29, 2013 12:21:42 GMT -5
Hi Everyone,
John Szczepaniak, author of the article titled: "Falcom: Legacy of Ys" featured in Games TM Issue 111, is going to be writing a new book that focuses on getting a great deal of new information and material from various Japanese developers working in the gaming industry for the last 30 years. His goal is to get as much new material that we never knew about in the most accurate way possible, hiring a professional team of interpreters and translators and going over there to meet and interview many of our favorite Japanese developers face-to-face.
It's a very interesting project and a noble cause, but he's going to need support if he is to pull it off.
The Untold Story of Japanese Game Developers
I've asked for John to provide some information as to what direction he would be asking about in regards to Falcom, and other groups such as the founding of Quintet.
Here is some additional information that can be found at the Kickstarter page as well.
Project Aim:
A book with more Japanese developer interviews than any other; a wealth of untold anecdotes from Japan's video game history in English.
Pledge Info:
For a Digital Download pledge £12 or more. A printed copy of the book including international postage requires a pledge of just £25.
Limited edition printed copies, signature editions and DVDs containing photos, audio interview recordings and special video footage can be obtained for pledges ranging from £35 upwards.
-Thomas
John Szczepaniak, author of the article titled: "Falcom: Legacy of Ys" featured in Games TM Issue 111, is going to be writing a new book that focuses on getting a great deal of new information and material from various Japanese developers working in the gaming industry for the last 30 years. His goal is to get as much new material that we never knew about in the most accurate way possible, hiring a professional team of interpreters and translators and going over there to meet and interview many of our favorite Japanese developers face-to-face.
It's a very interesting project and a noble cause, but he's going to need support if he is to pull it off.
The Untold Story of Japanese Game Developers
I've asked for John to provide some information as to what direction he would be asking about in regards to Falcom, and other groups such as the founding of Quintet.
"As for Falcom, I want to ask about its founding - it started off as a shop. I want to get all those rich details you usually hear about as legend. Does anyone have a photo of it when it sold computers? I'd ask someone from that era, if I get hold of them, to sketch me the layout of the office in the 1980s. Where did people work?
I'd ask about this video interview:
www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm9068920
They invited kids around to preview games early. That's pretty cool.
Someone I know who worked with Falcom mentioned that a lot of staff left at one point - I'm wondering if anyone knows why and can comment?
Unreleased games? Did they work on anything but not bring it out?
There relationship with Sega. Popful Mail is one of my ALL TIME favourite games. I want to know about its development across so many different hardware formats.
Did they watch game Center CX's playthrough of Dragon Slayer IV. What was playtesting like during that time. That game was tough.
Man, if I was lucky enough to chat with some long-time Falcom staff veterans, I would literally spend an entire day's worth of interpretation fees just talking to them alone. The full 8 hours, and maybe a second half day for good measure.
I'd ask about their archives, if they still had legacy hardware, if I could photograph it, and so on. Really dig deep into the obscure stuff."
I'd ask about this video interview:
www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm9068920
They invited kids around to preview games early. That's pretty cool.
Someone I know who worked with Falcom mentioned that a lot of staff left at one point - I'm wondering if anyone knows why and can comment?
Unreleased games? Did they work on anything but not bring it out?
There relationship with Sega. Popful Mail is one of my ALL TIME favourite games. I want to know about its development across so many different hardware formats.
Did they watch game Center CX's playthrough of Dragon Slayer IV. What was playtesting like during that time. That game was tough.
Man, if I was lucky enough to chat with some long-time Falcom staff veterans, I would literally spend an entire day's worth of interpretation fees just talking to them alone. The full 8 hours, and maybe a second half day for good measure.
I'd ask about their archives, if they still had legacy hardware, if I could photograph it, and so on. Really dig deep into the obscure stuff."
Here is some additional information that can be found at the Kickstarter page as well.
Project Aim:
A book with more Japanese developer interviews than any other; a wealth of untold anecdotes from Japan's video game history in English.
"There have been many books on video games, alongside an ocean of interview material. There are, however, few which are in English and focus on Japan. Given the global impact of Japanese video games, and the country's rich history which is seldom documented in English, I feel this needs remedying. While there are plenty of books produced in Japan, seldom are they made available in English.
There are so many Japanese developers from over the decades who have fascinating stories, but they don't have the opportunity to communicate with English speaking audiences. Even sadder, renowned developers continue to pass away, preventing further discussion.
My proposal: enact a solution akin to an ocean-bound icebreaker. I'll fly to Japan in September, hire the best Japanese/English interpreters money can find, and then - using my extensive list of contacts - make stuff happen. Interview as many developers as possible in less than three months, with a focus on undocumented information and developers who have never been interviewed before. Transcribe the English interpretation, then edit, design and create the most extensive, most comprehensive, most ambitious book about video games ever envisioned. This epic tome will contain trivia and stories of Japanese video game history never documented anywhere else in English.
I've interviewed over 100 people in the last 9 years. The list of publications I've written for is extensive, my work extremely popular - one of my articles on The Escapist was Slashdotted. Those who frequently read Retro Gamer or Hardcore Gaming 101 will know my work, and the passion that goes into it. I also have the determination and - most importantly - the industry contacts.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Nintendo's Famicom and the MSX home computer - now is the time to create such a book. If you like the idea, please share it. We just need to get the word out there, and make history. The more backers, the bigger this project can be!
Let's make this happen - let's spread the word."
John Szczepaniak.
There are so many Japanese developers from over the decades who have fascinating stories, but they don't have the opportunity to communicate with English speaking audiences. Even sadder, renowned developers continue to pass away, preventing further discussion.
My proposal: enact a solution akin to an ocean-bound icebreaker. I'll fly to Japan in September, hire the best Japanese/English interpreters money can find, and then - using my extensive list of contacts - make stuff happen. Interview as many developers as possible in less than three months, with a focus on undocumented information and developers who have never been interviewed before. Transcribe the English interpretation, then edit, design and create the most extensive, most comprehensive, most ambitious book about video games ever envisioned. This epic tome will contain trivia and stories of Japanese video game history never documented anywhere else in English.
I've interviewed over 100 people in the last 9 years. The list of publications I've written for is extensive, my work extremely popular - one of my articles on The Escapist was Slashdotted. Those who frequently read Retro Gamer or Hardcore Gaming 101 will know my work, and the passion that goes into it. I also have the determination and - most importantly - the industry contacts.
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Nintendo's Famicom and the MSX home computer - now is the time to create such a book. If you like the idea, please share it. We just need to get the word out there, and make history. The more backers, the bigger this project can be!
Let's make this happen - let's spread the word."
John Szczepaniak.
Pledge Info:
For a Digital Download pledge £12 or more. A printed copy of the book including international postage requires a pledge of just £25.
Limited edition printed copies, signature editions and DVDs containing photos, audio interview recordings and special video footage can be obtained for pledges ranging from £35 upwards.
-Thomas
