Fire Pro Wrestling Returns Coming to North America and Europe
Agetec's Mark Johnson's posts about it from the Fireproclub boards -
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We have recently acquired the rights and received approval from SCEA to publish Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for the North America and Europe. I’m the localization producer working on this title and I am thrilled to be doing so. I admit that I am not a “hardcore” FPW fan, however I am a “hardcore” gamer - always have been and always will be. Those who are familiar with the approval process at SCEA can understand that getting this title approved was not an easy task, however the gameplay greatly outweighs what some would consider poor and/or dated graphics.
With this being said – I would like both the NTSC and Pal version to be as authentic as possible. I am looking for some help from both the Fire Pro Club community and some key people who I can work closely with that have a solid and complete love for the series.
Cheers,
Mark
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Yes, Fire Pro Wrestling Returns will be coming out in North America late this year or early next year.
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I am specifically looking for help with translation and more importantly verifying the editing that will have to be done. With all software localization we always have to deal with character limits, for example – the SP Skills has a character limit of 10. SP Skill “Quick Return” is 12 characters and too long. I would change it to “Q. Return” which is nine characters and fits. I would like to conform this from a diehard fan(s) and see if they agree. I am looking for a person(s) who would best suited and enjoy helping out in this way.
In addition, mock-ups for the US packaging will be posted here 1st for your comments and suggestions. As I said before, I would love help from the whole FPC community.
Agetec has done something similar before with previous localized titles, however with the schedule for this title it would be hard. But, I will ask Spike and see if there is something we can do. The folks at Spike are some very cool people.
I can assure you that the price point for the title will be very low. I honestly believe there is a truckload of gamers in the US that haven't heard of this game and that would love it. I hope I get the privilege to work on another Fire Pro in the future.
^that's regarding new content being in the translated version, and the price point.
This is quite unexpected, and exciting news. I figure it'll be released for $20 to make its price as attractive as possible to people who haven't played it, will feature the same color-changed wrestlers as the other U.S. Firepros, but I don't expect any new moves to be put in. Online play would be a fantastic addition, but it's not something I'd realistically expect Agetec to implement.
1 vs 1 Match
8 Man Battle Royale
Various Tag Team Matches
Landmine Death Match
Barbed-Wire Board Deathmatch
Flourescent Lightbulb Death Match
Regular Cage Match
Match-Maker Mode
Gruesome Fighting
Official SWA Rules Match
Open League
One Night Tournament
Elimination Match
Options
Wrestler Edit (Create-A-Wrestler)
Rename
Referee Edit
Re-Costume Edit
Organization Edit
Group Edit
Belt Editor/Title Match
Other key info -
387 wrestlers/fighters in the game by default
500 slots for created characters
federations can be made, and factions can be created within them
managers can be created and accompany wrestlers to the ring
In some nice "where the f**k did that come from?" news, it appears that Agetec will be localizing and publishing Fire Pro Wrestling Returns for the PlayStation 2 in both North American and European territories. Hopping on a "hardcore" Fire Pro forum, localization producer Mark Johnson announced the news, along with a public call for help from long-time fans of the series to keep the game "as authentic as possible."
Fire Pro Wrestling Returns is the last in a long-standing series of 2D Japanese-language wrestling titles, which date back to the PC Engine era. Applauded by fans for its focus on strategy and timing, the series always stood out for having huge rosters (including real wrestlers with fake names and pallet swaps to avoid copyright issues), tons of maneuvers, and a robust create-a-wrestler feature.
This would be the third time North American would see Fire Pro titles -- two titles, Fire Pro Advance and Fire Pro Advance 2, were released for the Game Boy Advance a few years back. Johnson is positive that Fire Pro Wrestling Returns will find success in the States, especially if it's released at a low price point.
26 Jul 2007, 10:20 PM
Timber
I will buy this.
Haven't played a Fire Pro in over a year now. I may hook up the DC and give D a whirl later tonight.
26 Jul 2007, 10:59 PM
g0zen
Well this is certainly unexpected.
27 Jul 2007, 12:05 AM
Nick
Day one.
27 Jul 2007, 12:21 AM
Chux
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Originally Posted by Nick
Day one.
Shit. Ditto.
Next - XBLA release with Online Play.
27 Jul 2007, 12:48 AM
Timber
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Originally Posted by Chux
Next - XBLA release with Online Play.
I'd spend 1600 points on that, hell, maybe more.
27 Jul 2007, 01:26 AM
kedawa
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With all software localization we always have to deal with character limits, for example – the SP Skills has a character limit of 10. SP Skill “Quick Return” is 12 characters and too long. I would change it to “Q. Return” which is nine characters and fits.
So, why can't they just change the character limit? This is a localization, not a trans-hack.
27 Jul 2007, 01:42 AM
PKBMax
Quote:
Originally Posted by kedawa
So, why can't they just change the character limit? This is a localization, not a trans-hack.
They obviously don't want to edit the source code.
Editing string constants is a much simpler job.
27 Jul 2007, 10:44 AM
Kidnemo
I really don't watch wrassilin anymore, but I still love me some Fire Pro and the second one on the GBA still gets regular play by me.
Does this one have the MMA guys in it like the other games?
27 Jul 2007, 12:08 PM
Nick
Jeremy added some videos to the initial post. Looks great.
