Playmore Keeps Whistling in the Dark! - Stinger Report
Word on the Street
(27-2-03) Attempting to be seen as more than just a redemption and pachinko purveyor, Playmore has released a list of SNK licensed titles that they will be releasing for the console platforms this year. Amongst the line-up however a number of Neo Geo MVS titles were announced:
May 2003 - Shin Gouketuji Ichizoku NeoGeo
July 2003 - Metal Slug 5 NeoGeo
October 2003 - SNK vs. Capcom NeoGeo
As only the Atlus made Gouketsuji Ichizoku (US name Power Instinct: Matrimelee) was seen in a working format during AOU there has been a lot of skepticism regarding the release dates or the availability of these titles. As previously observed by the REPORT, with the loss of Capcom from video amusement, Playmore and Sun Amusement were bound to become bolder about actually promising a date on SNK Vs. Capcom.
It has been suggested that Playmore has not used the SNK name effectively of late, the SNK NeoGeo USA web page only came on stream a few weeks ago, and seems to have been watered down while the representatives continue to try and adjust their legal attack against Gray Importers. This particular offensive seeming to come to a grinding halt with rumors that the first alleged suppliers of counterfeit cartridges were wrongly accused. The name of a once prominent Korean partner (MEGA Enterprises) has been hinted at as a supplier of the games in question; a name air-brushed off of recent Playmore web literature.
The possible merger of Sammy and SEGA caught Playmore off guard, and creating a massive new competitor on both pachinko and video game fronts. The Sammy ATOMISWAVE had already started to erode NeoGeo MVS sales; the possibility of an empowered Sammy/SEGA could prove a dangerous new rival. The dangers of the ATOMISWAVE against a company finding it difficult to keep its Korean partners in tow is an issue everyone at Playmore would like to avoid.
What Could this all Mean
Compounded by legal action with Azure and the possibility of damages being sought by angered distributors pounced on in recent raids, Playmores sudden largesse claiming sequels of big hit games on the horizon (such as a fifth version of Metal Slug) seems more like PR damage control than anything else. MS5 will be the first time that the MVS popular shoot-em-up series will be marketed away from Apple Industries.
Other games hinted at included SNK Vs. Capcom spectacular, have to be placed into perspective. The announcement by Sammy to release Guilty Gear XX: #Reload so close after releasing Guilty Gear X: V. 1.5 shows the pressure to steal the 2D arcade fighter crown from the exiting Capcom and aging MVS, a battle Playmore will feel hard put to.
Word on the Street
(27-2-03) Attempting to be seen as more than just a redemption and pachinko purveyor, Playmore has released a list of SNK licensed titles that they will be releasing for the console platforms this year. Amongst the line-up however a number of Neo Geo MVS titles were announced:
May 2003 - Shin Gouketuji Ichizoku NeoGeo
July 2003 - Metal Slug 5 NeoGeo
October 2003 - SNK vs. Capcom NeoGeo
As only the Atlus made Gouketsuji Ichizoku (US name Power Instinct: Matrimelee) was seen in a working format during AOU there has been a lot of skepticism regarding the release dates or the availability of these titles. As previously observed by the REPORT, with the loss of Capcom from video amusement, Playmore and Sun Amusement were bound to become bolder about actually promising a date on SNK Vs. Capcom.
It has been suggested that Playmore has not used the SNK name effectively of late, the SNK NeoGeo USA web page only came on stream a few weeks ago, and seems to have been watered down while the representatives continue to try and adjust their legal attack against Gray Importers. This particular offensive seeming to come to a grinding halt with rumors that the first alleged suppliers of counterfeit cartridges were wrongly accused. The name of a once prominent Korean partner (MEGA Enterprises) has been hinted at as a supplier of the games in question; a name air-brushed off of recent Playmore web literature.
The possible merger of Sammy and SEGA caught Playmore off guard, and creating a massive new competitor on both pachinko and video game fronts. The Sammy ATOMISWAVE had already started to erode NeoGeo MVS sales; the possibility of an empowered Sammy/SEGA could prove a dangerous new rival. The dangers of the ATOMISWAVE against a company finding it difficult to keep its Korean partners in tow is an issue everyone at Playmore would like to avoid.
What Could this all Mean
Compounded by legal action with Azure and the possibility of damages being sought by angered distributors pounced on in recent raids, Playmores sudden largesse claiming sequels of big hit games on the horizon (such as a fifth version of Metal Slug) seems more like PR damage control than anything else. MS5 will be the first time that the MVS popular shoot-em-up series will be marketed away from Apple Industries.
Other games hinted at included SNK Vs. Capcom spectacular, have to be placed into perspective. The announcement by Sammy to release Guilty Gear XX: #Reload so close after releasing Guilty Gear X: V. 1.5 shows the pressure to steal the 2D arcade fighter crown from the exiting Capcom and aging MVS, a battle Playmore will feel hard put to.
) so just what did go down between MEGA and Playmore?
!)