SNK/Playmore Acquires the DC??

VinylBoy · Sep 17, 2002

A hypothetical question... but one to ponder on. Please... NO FLAMES. Just discussion.

What if SNK/Playmore was to "take control" of the Dreamcast and use it as one of its main consoles after Sega officially stops supporting it? People complain that SNK needs a new system... and the Dreamcast does pretty well with game translations. Sure, nothing beats the AES or MVS... but the DC ports do pretty well for themselves, and allows so many more people to get the games at a cheaper price.

Think of the possibilities... without having to re-create new hardware, they can acquire an already established larger home user base in Japan AND the US. Then, all they would have to do is continue getting companies to do the ports on a timely fashion after the AES cart was released. The NGPC could become the official "VMU", allowing more interactivity and portability for certain games. From there, all they would have to do is make their older Neo Geo CD titles compatible... and maybe that could be done with just a simple boot disc.

We know that there's not a chance in hell that this would probably happen. But if you could do something like this and you were in SNK/Playmore's shoes, would you consider it?

TonK · Sep 17, 2002

Originally posted by VinylBoy:
A hypothetical question... but one to ponder on. Please... NO FLAMES. Just discussion.

What if SNK/Playmore was to "take control" of the Dreamcast and use it as one of its main consoles after Sega officially stops supporting it? People complain that SNK needs a new system... and the Dreamcast does pretty well with game translations. Sure, nothing beats the AES or MVS... but the DC ports do pretty well for themselves, and allows so many more people to get the games at a cheaper price.

Think of the possibilities... without having to re-create new hardware, they can acquire an already established larger home user base in Japan AND the US. Then, all they would have to do is continue getting companies to do the ports on a timely fashion after the AES cart was released. The NGPC could become the official "VMU", allowing more interactivity and portability for certain games. From there, all they would have to do is make their older Neo Geo CD titles compatible... and maybe that could be done with just a simple boot disc.

We know that there's not a chance in hell that this would probably happen. But if you could do something like this and you were in SNK/Playmore's shoes, would you consider it?<hr></blockquote>

Thats a sweet idea.

But there is a LOT of technology in the guts that will be wasted.

Still a sweet idea.

SNKJorge · Sep 17, 2002

I wouldn't mind either, as long as people stop saying that the ports are better than the originals!!!

Takuma79 · Sep 17, 2002

i have to agree with short20

its a great idea, but i want people to stop crapping on the aes

SPINMASTER X · Sep 17, 2002

Instead of Acquiring the DC ...

WHY DON'T THEY JUST FUCKING ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO USE THE NAOMI FUCKIN HARDWARE LIKE A SMART COMPANY WOULD

thank you.

BIG BEAR · Sep 17, 2002

No need to change..
The MVS harwdware is worldwide and ideal for those who just can't keep a home system right now..
There is still alot to be explored in game creating on MVS..
Naomi Hardware commits suicide I believe and DC hardware is not durable...
MVS will be the TRUE mainstay in arcade gaming before it's all said and done..
Also, what is stopping Playmore from coming out with more games for the DC anyway??
No need to really produce more DC hardware..I guess response to their latest productions will determine whether they will release more titles for it.
-BB

Kidnemo · Sep 17, 2002

Would be great.

But I think the number of arcades that still have mvs' in place would prevent this from happening irl.

Hot Chocolate · Sep 17, 2002

Too-short and Spinmaster make a good point

chimpmeister · Sep 17, 2002

To us as fans, this is a fantastic idea. The DC userbase is much larger than the Neo Geo home and arcade userbase combined, so the market is potentially much higher. Unit sales could be much higher and the cost of manufacturing DC GDROMs is pretty low. And the DC hardware is excellent, in many ways better than the PS2.

However, the reality is that the DC is considered by most developers to be a "dead" system. For pure quantity sales, the PS2 would be a much better bet, unfortunately. Its all about an installed user base, and the PS2 has the largest despite its relatively poor design.

Down the road the XBox should come up in numbers, but right now it doesn't have a huge user base available itself. However in terms of pure hardware it is the best available, so naturally I'd rather see games developed on it than on the other systems out now.

VinylBoy · Sep 17, 2002

Originally posted by SPINMASTER X:
Instead of Acquiring the DC ...

WHY DON'T THEY JUST FUCKING ACQUIRE THE KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO USE THE NAOMI FUCKIN HARDWARE LIKE A SMART COMPANY WOULD

thank you.<hr></blockquote>

On a home console, that wouldn't matter. Last time I checked, I don't think many game systems had Naomi boards in them. That would mean that you would want them to upgrade their arcade base by abandoning the MVS and going to a more current format. Ideally that sounds good, but they already have about 500,000 MVS systems in operation worldwide. I'm not sure how many Naomi board systems are there (it should be pretty high), but to ignore this already highly established customer base at this stage of the game would not be good.

Besides... if this whole scenario I dreamed up while making a great tribal track (I should call it "Playmore"... hee hee hee) ever did come true, they would have to start small before going big. If they were to acquire the Dreamcast and continued to make games for it, that would mean millions of people that would have access to their games at a very low price, regardless if they're still using MVS or Naomi boards in the arcades. Only foolish people would have tossed out or sold back their Dreamcast (I NEVER sell back systems)...

Once they were able to establish a stronger home market as well as maintaining their steady MVS userbase, then maybe an upgrade of their hardware could be in order. And by that time, Naomi boards would probably be just as "bad" as the MVS since there would be something newer... well, at least to graphical whores anyhow.

Mr. Chimp: What number of Dreamcast units would you think would have sold worldwide at this point? PS2 owners have to be somewhere beyond 5 or 6 million at this point...

[ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: VinylBoy ]

chimpmeister · Sep 17, 2002

Originally posted by VinylBoy:


<snip>

Mr. Chimp: What number of Dreamcast units would you think would have sold worldwide at this point? PS2 owners have to be somewhere beyond 5 or 6 million at this point...

[ September 17, 2002: Message edited by: VinylBoy ]<hr></blockquote>

Supposedly Sony claims that there are over 30 million PS2s sold worldwide (of course, allowing for their shoddy product quality you can assume that a good chunk of those are broken/dead/trashed). DC sold quite a few units itself before the end, and sure there are tons out there but unfortunately almost no new games are coming out for the DC and it is perceived as a "dead" system, even by the fans. Many people probably packed their DCs away to make space for their new PS2 junkboxes (yes I have a PS2 finally, but I didn't shelve my DC by any means).

So anyway, the DC is kind of a lost cause . . . if Playmore were to maximize its profits, they would develope for the most abundant console out there, which right now is the PS2.

Franco Bash · Sep 17, 2002

Very good idea. It would also make sense for them, if they own the entire SNK catalogue of games, to release those on some of the current consoles. I am sure there would be enough of a fan base there to sell lots of those older titles if the prices were low.

SPINMASTER X · Sep 17, 2002

Originally posted by BIG BEAR:
No need to change..
The MVS harwdware is worldwide and ideal for those who just can't keep a home system right now..
There is still alot to be explored in game creating on MVS..
Naomi Hardware commits suicide I believe and DC hardware is not durable...
MVS will be the TRUE mainstay in arcade gaming before it's all said and done..
Also, what is stopping Playmore from coming out with more games for the DC anyway??
No need to really produce more DC hardware..I guess response to their latest productions will determine whether they will release more titles for it.
-BB<hr></blockquote>

Naomi commits suicide??? That fuckin sucks.

Hot Chocolate · Sep 17, 2002

I happen to think that the Naomi hardeware suits some games more than others. Take a look at MvC2, sure to me it's not a "real" fighter, but the backgrounds look sweet!

VinylBoy · Sep 18, 2002

Originally posted by Yung Burnout:
I happen to think that the Naomi hardeware suits some games more than others. Take a look at MvC2, sure to me it's not a "real" fighter, but the backgrounds look sweet!<hr></blockquote>

As a 2D enthusiast, I kinda think that MvC2 is "cheating" a little bit. The backgrounds are all rendered in 3D. Everything else is in 2D, but with the rendering in the background, it allows the 2D action to run more smoothly. If those backgrounds were also 2D, the game would have been cursed with slowdown.

To Chimp: Sony claims 30 million units worldwide??? That I find hard to believe... it is a popular system, but like you stated before it is not the most stable of hardware. I know people who have gone through a couple of PS2s in two years, whereas I still have a working and functional TG-16 w/ CD attachment. I've had it for 12 years running... the joypads die out before that system would.

While focusing on the PS2 would be the more ideal solution for home ports (especially "SNK classics complaitions")... I only mentioned the Dreamcast since it would be a way to get a large home user base and hypothetically get a new piece of hardware in the process. Most people do consider it to be "dead", but if they can still sell a million or so copies of a port for a "dead" system then it can't be all that bad. Not sure if Garou or any of their most recent DC re-releases/ports sold that many. I know I would be happy if they continued support to it... I could by the SNK games I really wanted on the AES (or MVS once I finally get a cabinet), while the smaller games I would just like to play I could get the DC versions (like Twinkle Star Sprites or Last Blade 2). Out of the box, I refused to get a PS2 and I'm sticking with that... in fact, my new system purchase this year will probably be a Gamecube.

I so wish that game auction was just a little closer to where I am in Jersey... I'd go in a heartbeat to see if could come home with a 1 or a 2 slot.

[ September 18, 2002: Message edited by: VinylBoy ]

Takumaji · Sep 18, 2002

Originally posted by VinylBoy:
 [...] From there, all they would have to do is make their older Neo Geo CD titles compatible... and maybe that could be done with just a simple boot disc.

We know that there's not a chance in hell that this would probably happen. But if you could do something like this and you were in SNK/Playmore's shoes, would you consider it?<hr></blockquote>

Actually, this is a dream I long had. It would be more than awesome to be able to play NGCD games on DC with zero to no load times.

Then they could re-release the old CD titles as well. Think of a nice juicy four-CD collection box with all the Samurai Spirits, KoFs or FFs!

<img src="graemlins/drool.gif" border="0" alt="[Drool]" />

TheBigBB · Sep 18, 2002

Originally posted by chimpmeister:
However, the reality is that the DC is considered by most developers to be a "dead" system. For pure quantity sales, the PS2 would be a much better bet, unfortunately. Its all about an installed user base, and the PS2 has the largest despite its relatively poor design.<hr></blockquote>

I was just thinking that, to me, it's just like "another fucking PS2 game?!"... But then a DC release is something special that draws attention to itself. If done right, developing for the DC could be a smart move to garner attention and such... However, there is more to it than that, and the way you're thinking is probably what they're thinking as well.

Loopz · Sep 18, 2002

Since when does Naomi stuff commit suicide? I know about CPS1-3 suicide, but Naomi? This is the first I've EVER heard of such a thing regarding Naomi hardware ever....you sure?

evil wasabi · Sep 18, 2002

i dont think naomi commits suicide,i never read that anywhere.

but thats besides the point

this is actually a very cool idea.

and to whoever said naomi couldnt handle mvsc2 if it used 2d bg's is just a complete dumbass. im sorry.

cvs has 2d bgs, right?

mvsc1 has 2d bgs (dc cps2 port) right?

3d takes more toll on the system than 2d would. espcially when were talking about capcom bg's.

fuck, sf2 has 2d bg's with insane character animation.

having 3d bg's doesnt 'help' it at all.

guilty gear x hi res all 2d
cvs2/mvsc2 mix match 2d 3d
virtua fighter 4 all 3d (some of the best 3d evar) (ok so its naomi 2...well then just pick any other fully 3d game/fighter for dc like sa2 is fucking awesome)

your hypothesis was completely off base and just ignorant and wrong, im sorry.

no hard feelings :cool:

EvilMike · Sep 19, 2002

How bout a better idea. Playmore comes out with a new set of hardware. Called the AES2/MVS2 or some shit. On this hardware they make 2d games using their current franchises as well as new games. Imagine being able to have a game with KOFs number of characters that looks like MOTW. Yes Yes I know producing new hardware is expensive but a guy can dream cant't he.

BlackSpy · Sep 19, 2002

Originally posted by VinylBoy:


To Chimp: Sony claims 30 million units worldwide??? That I find hard to believe... it is a popular system, but like you stated before it is not the most stable of hardware. I know people who have gone through a couple of PS2s in two years, whereas I still have a working and functional TG-16 w/ CD attachment. I've had it for 12 years running... the joypads die out before that system would.
<hr></blockquote>

Well, Sony actually claim 40 million units moved.

<a href="http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2880709,00.html" target="_blank">http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2880709,00.html</a>

I'm not saying they are all still used (plenty won't see anything but DVDs) and I'm not saying half are replacements for the first half, but they are certainly shifting them.

I don't have one and I won't have one in my house before anyone calls me a fanboy.

But back to the subject, I think Playmore are doing a pretty good job of owning the DCs last days along with Treasure, two finer companies to keep releasing stuff for it I can't imagine. Maybe we'll see more yet.

[ September 19, 2002: Message edited by: BlackSpy ]

Retrogamer · Sep 19, 2002

I just had a strange thought ..... MVS carts with MINI GD-Rom dirves inside <img src="graemlins/drool2.gif" border="0" alt="[Drool 2]" />

SNK/Playmore Acquires the DC??

Vanessa's Drinking Buddy,

Least Valuable Player

Collection Gallery Keeper, CD Price Guide Analyst,

Takuma79

Guest

I AM NOT FRENCHMAN,, I AM A HUMAN BEING!,

SHOCKbox Developer,

Krauser's Shoe Shiner

No Longer Yung, No Longer Raoul,

Former Moderator

Vanessa's Drinking Buddy,

Former Moderator

Geese's Thug

I AM NOT FRENCHMAN,, I AM A HUMAN BEING!,

No Longer Yung, No Longer Raoul,

Vanessa's Drinking Buddy,

Krautmin

Formerly known as dmhawkmoon

Formerly Punjab,

The Jongmaster

Guerilla Warrior

Tsrgoihrea,

Troller of Old Men,