Call to Arms: Nintendo Fans, Help Bring Xenoblade to the U.S. + Last Story + Pandora Tower

[Toth]

Saw this on neoGAF. Already pre-ordered on Amazon and facebook'd. NoA needs to get off their ass...seriously.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435214

There is an increasingly growing campaign, spanning multiple forums and gaming sites (NeoGaf, IGN, Kotaku, Destructoid, Nintendoeverything, and more), trying to get Nintendo to listen up and release Xenoblade (also known as Monado: Beginning of the World), The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower in the U.S.

The campaign includes snail mail writing, e-mail, phone calls, facebook, and twitter and the turn-out has been beyond all expectations thus far. Comments on Nintendo's Facebook had passed 1,300 in just 24 hours. (see below on how to contribute to this.)

But actions speak louder than words, so to convey that Nintendo fans really want this, people have decided to show for it by pre-ordering on amazon -- hoping to get it to the #1 sales rank in video games from #12,000+

Results:

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #30 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#5 in Video Games > Wii > All Games

See this too: http://666kb.com/i/bunsqwbujfsk3nuqf.gif


So the deal is this, please pre-order it to help get it released in the U.S. Remember: actions speak louder than words.


Pre-Order: Call to Arms: Nintendo Fans, Help Bring Xenoblade to the U.S. + Last Story + Pandora #1
There is an increasingly growing campaign, spanning multiple forums and gaming sites (NeoGaf, IGN, Kotaku, Destructoid, Nintendoeverything, and more), trying to get Nintendo to listen up and release Xenoblade (also known as Monado: Beginning of the World), The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower in the U.S.

The campaign includes snail mail writing, e-mail, phone calls, facebook, and twitter and the turn-out has been beyond all expectations thus far. Comments on Nintendo's Facebook had passed 1,300 in just 24 hours. (see below on how to contribute to this.)

But actions speak louder than words, so to convey that Nintendo fans really want this, people have decided to show for it by pre-ordering on amazon -- hoping to get it to the #1 sales rank in video games from #12,000+

Results:

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #30 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#5 in Video Games > Wii > All Games

See this too: http://666kb.com/i/bunsqwbujfsk3nuqf.gif


So the deal is this, please pre-order it to help get it released in the U.S. Remember: actions speak louder than words.


Pre-Order: http://www.amazon.com/Monado-Beginni...9018899&sr=8-1


It costs nothing to pre-order! also, if the game does come out, the MSRP will surely drop to $49.99.

If you don't intend to buy the game, don't pre-order just to cancel, and you absolutely should not order more than one copy just to inflate the numbers. It'll cause the campaign to backfire.


Originally Posted by ign:
You could keep the letter-writing date the same, but since pre-ordering on Amazon has already begun you could move up that portion of the campaign to today. So if anyone still hasn't pre-ordered because they're waiting two weeks to follow the Rainfall timetable, they could go ahead and do it now -- it'd become the first phase of a multi-faceted push.

And if the worst happens and Nintendo actually gets Monado's page pulled off Amazon because of this weekend's rush, anyone waiting to pre-order would miss the chance to do so.

This pre-order thing is the crux of the whole campaign idea. It's the most important part, because no other campaign has ever had this opportunity before -- letter writing will help and be an attention-getter, absolutely, but having actual money on the table is something that Nintendo's never seen before in one of these campaigns. These orders are in. They're there. All they have to do is ship the game and they get the cash. It's a huge motivator.

The momentum of social media on Facebook and Twitter is on this too, and right now. Letter-writing is old-school and will be supportive -- still do that. But new media is the attention getter now, and it's getting attention <i>today</i>, so if you guess really want to be successful here you've got to adapt, move and strike while the iron is hot. Move now. Make this weekend so insane that there's no way anything else could be the first item of business on Reggie's desk when he comes to work on Monday morning.


-----signature-----
Editor-at-Large, IGN Nintendo
http://wii.ign.com, http://ds.ign.com


Update #1 on amazon sales rank:

Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#16 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#3 in Video Games > Wii > All Games

Update #2 on amazon sales rank (Saturday, June 25, 2011. 10:24 am):
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#9 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#1 in Video Games > Wii > All Games


Amazon Bestsellers Rank: (Saturday, June 25, 2011. 11:06 am)
#4 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#1 in Video Games > Wii > All Games
------------

Snail-Mail Campaign:

Originally Posted by themightyme:
ok so a few of us have talked about this idea, but nobody has wanted to step up and take the leadership possition so i guess I have to atleast try

the concept: when TV shows are at risk of cancellation, groups of fans have managed to get the networks to bring them back by participating in campaigns that involve writing physical letters (not e-mail) and sending them to the network along with gifts that represent the cause.... in the case of "veronica mars" fans sent mars bars to UPN (and later the CW), in the case of "jericho" fans absolutely flooded CBS with nuts... so lets do the same kind of thing for these 3 games

the proposal: 3 separate campaigns... 1 for each game, all with unique target dates (we make a better impact if we plan our letters to arrive at around the same time)

what we need to make an impact: we need to absolutely flood nintendo of america, so send letters from as many addresses as you can, get friends to participate, and spread the word in any way possible



XENOBLADE:
write a polite letter, pointing out the need for the game
optional item - miniature toy swords or cocktail swords
target date - July 11-13, 2011 (plan your letters to arrive around the 6th, not to ship on the 6th)

bellow is a letter template, but feel free to write your own, just try to be polite if possible

Dear Reggie,

As a fan of your company and of RPGs, I was extremely excited about the reveal of Monado which was later retitled Xenoblade. After it's reveal at E3 2008 it quickly became one of my most anticipated games for the Wii, and as more information, screens, and trailers were released my interest only expanded. I am deeply concerned that this game has no North American release planned, especially considering the sparse lineup on the wii in the next year. I have been a Loyal fan of this company for over 25 years, and yet there hasn't been a game worth getting on your console for nearly 8 months... and nothing on the horizon to be excited about besides Zelda, and yet Xenoblade sits completed, and soon to be localized for Europe in English. Please consider your company's fans, please bring Xenoblade to us.

Sincerely,
(your name here - signed)




THE LAST STORY:
write a polite letter, pointing out the need for the game
optional item - a small book, a cover of a book, or the last page/chapter/epilogue of a book
target date - July 18-20, 2011 (plan your letters to arrive around the 13th, not to ship on the 13th)

bellow is a letter template, but feel free to write your own, just try to be polite if possible

Dear Reggie,

As a fan of your company and of RPGs, I was extremely excited about the reveal of the Last Story. Being a fan of Mistwalker and Hironobu Sakaguchi, it quickly became one of my most anticipated games for the Wii, and when the gorgeous art and impressive screens and trailers were released I only became more excited for the game. I am deeply concerned that this game has no North American release planned, especially considering the sparse lineup on the wii in the next year. I have been a Loyal fan of this company for over 25 years, and yet there hasn't been a game worth getting on your console for nearly 8 months... and nothing on the horizon to be excited about besides Zelda, and yet the Last Story sits completed. Please consider your company's fans, please bring the Last Story to us.

Sincerely,
(your name here - signed)




PANDORA'S TOWER:
write a polite letter, pointing out the need for the game
optional item - MEAT, preferably a dried meat such as Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, or Landjager (Hunter's Sausage)
target date - July 25-27, 2011 (plan your letters to arrive around the 20th, not to ship on the 20th)

bellow is a letter template, but feel free to write your own, just try to be polite if possible

Dear Reggie,

As a fan of your company and of games like Castlevania, I was extremely excited about the reveal of Pandora's Tower. From the initial cryptic reveal, to the delightfully twisted plot details that followed, I have been craving this game all year. I am deeply concerned that this game has no North American release planned, especially considering the sparse lineup on the wii in the next year. I have been a Loyal fan of this company for over 25 years, and yet there hasn't been a game worth getting on your console for nearly 8 months... and nothing on the horizon to be excited about besides Zelda, and yet Pandora's Tower sits completed. Please consider your company's fans, please bring Pandora's Tower to us.

Sincerely,
(your name here - signed)



send your individual letters to:

Reginald Fils-Aime (President and COO)
c/o Nintendo of America
4820 150th Ave. Northeast
Redmond, WA 98052

spread the word.... if we flood their offices we might still have a chance at getting these games

so c'mon guys, lets do this



-------
Let them know on Facebook/Twitter/Youtube:

http://www.facebook.com/Nintendo/pos...1?notif_t=like

http://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica

http://www.youtube.com/Wii

----------


How the campaign came about:


2008: Nintendo of america stops localizing select games from Japan. Fans found this questionable, but decided to wait it out a bit.

June 2009: Nintendo of america announced Monado: Beginning of the World for release in North america. Monolithsoft fans rejoiced and gave out a small amount of forgiveness over their trespasses in 2008.

May 2010: Monado: Beginning of the World is released as Xenoblade in Japan to completely outstanding reviews and overwhelmingly positive impressions on Gaf and 2-ch. Word of mouth of the high quality of the game spread and gave the game some decent legs. North american fans eagerly anticipate the release date reveal during E3 2010.

June 2010: During E3 2010, Nintendo had no news / announcements regarding Xenoblade in the U.S. a whole year had passed since E3 2009 -- where Xenoblade was announced for a US release. Nintendo fans grow slightly worried but still very hopeful for an announcement later in the year. Meanwhile, many other games, such as The Last Story and Reginleiv, were left unannounced as well.

June 8, 2011: at the end of Nintendo's E3 2011 press conference, Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower were still left out of the upcoming release list. With the end of the Wii's life-span fast approaching, Nintendo fans lost almost all hope for a release of the three J-RPGS.

June 22, 2011: IGN user themightyme, proposes "Operation: Rainfall," a campaign to get Nintendo's attention and inform them that Nintendo fans are fed up and want Xenoblade, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower.

June 23, 2011: Mathieu Minel, marketing manager of Nintendo France revealed that "Nintendo of Europe wanted to show Xenoblade Chronicles at E3 2011, but Nintendo of America wouldn't let them because they didn't want to show products they aren't planning to sell." (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26928). Nintendo fans start to remove the knives from their backs.

June 24, 2011: Clinging to the last bastion of hope, many Nintendo fans started to gather and lend their voice for operation: rainfall.

-------
Links


Operation: Rainfall (where it started) http://boards.ign.com/nintendo_wii_l...0/203345328/p1

Coverage of Operation Rainfall:

http://kotaku.com/5815447/how-badly-...oblade-for-wii
http://www.destructoid.com/letter-wr...r-204505.phtml
http://www.gameinformer.com/blogs/me...h-america.aspx
http://wii.ign.com/articles/117/1179120p1.html
Last edited by Mockingbird : Yesterday at 06:25 PM.


It costs nothing to pre-order! also, if the game does come out, the MSRP will surely drop to $49.99.

If you don't intend to buy the game, don't pre-order just to cancel, and you absolutely should not order more than one copy just to inflate the numbers. It'll cause the campaign to backfire.


Originally Posted by ign:
You could keep the letter-writing date the same, but since pre-ordering on Amazon has already begun you could move up that portion of the campaign to today. So if anyone still hasn't pre-ordered because they're waiting two weeks to follow the Rainfall timetable, they could go ahead and do it now -- it'd become the first phase of a multi-faceted push.

And if the worst happens and Nintendo actually gets Monado's page pulled off Amazon because of this weekend's rush, anyone waiting to pre-order would miss the chance to do so.

This pre-order thing is the crux of the whole campaign idea. It's the most important part, because no other campaign has ever had this opportunity before -- letter writing will help and be an attention-getter, absolutely, but having actual money on the table is something that Nintendo's never seen before in one of these campaigns. These orders are in. They're there. All they have to do is ship the game and they get the cash. It's a huge motivator.

The momentum of social media on Facebook and Twitter is on this too, and right now. Letter-writing is old-school and will be supportive -- still do that. But new media is the attention getter now, and it's getting attention <i>today</i>, so if you guess really want to be successful here you've got to adapt, move and strike while the iron is hot. Move now. Make this weekend so insane that there's no way anything else could be the first item of business on Reggie's desk when he comes to work on Monday morning.


-----signature-----
Editor-at-Large, IGN Nintendo
http://wii.ign.com, http://ds.ign.com


Update #1 on amazon sales rank:

Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#16 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#3 in Video Games > Wii > All Games

Update #2 on amazon sales rank (Saturday, June 25, 2011. 10:24 am):
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#1 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#1 in Video Games > Wii > All Games


Amazon Bestsellers Rank: (Saturday, June 25, 2011. 11:06 am)
#1 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
#1 in Video Games > Wii > Action
#1 in Video Games > Wii > All Games
------------

Snail-Mail Campaign:

Originally Posted by themightyme:
ok so a few of us have talked about this idea, but nobody has wanted to step up and take the leadership possition so i guess I have to atleast try

the concept: when TV shows are at risk of cancellation, groups of fans have managed to get the networks to bring them back by participating in campaigns that involve writing physical letters (not e-mail) and sending them to the network along with gifts that represent the cause.... in the case of "veronica mars" fans sent mars bars to UPN (and later the CW), in the case of "jericho" fans absolutely flooded CBS with nuts... so lets do the same kind of thing for these 3 games

the proposal: 3 separate campaigns... 1 for each game, all with unique target dates (we make a better impact if we plan our letters to arrive at around the same time)

what we need to make an impact: we need to absolutely flood nintendo of america, so send letters from as many addresses as you can, get friends to participate, and spread the word in any way possible



XENOBLADE:
write a polite letter, pointing out the need for the game
optional item - miniature toy swords or cocktail swords
target date - July 11-13, 2011 (plan your letters to arrive around the 6th, not to ship on the 6th)

bellow is a letter template, but feel free to write your own, just try to be polite if possible

Dear Reggie,

As a fan of your company and of RPGs, I was extremely excited about the reveal of Monado which was later retitled Xenoblade. After it's reveal at E3 2008 it quickly became one of my most anticipated games for the Wii, and as more information, screens, and trailers were released my interest only expanded. I am deeply concerned that this game has no North American release planned, especially considering the sparse lineup on the wii in the next year. I have been a Loyal fan of this company for over 25 years, and yet there hasn't been a game worth getting on your console for nearly 8 months... and nothing on the horizon to be excited about besides Zelda, and yet Xenoblade sits completed, and soon to be localized for Europe in English. Please consider your company's fans, please bring Xenoblade to us.

Sincerely,
(your name here - signed)




THE LAST STORY:
write a polite letter, pointing out the need for the game
optional item - a small book, a cover of a book, or the last page/chapter/epilogue of a book
target date - July 18-20, 2011 (plan your letters to arrive around the 13th, not to ship on the 13th)

bellow is a letter template, but feel free to write your own, just try to be polite if possible

Dear Reggie,

As a fan of your company and of RPGs, I was extremely excited about the reveal of the Last Story. Being a fan of Mistwalker and Hironobu Sakaguchi, it quickly became one of my most anticipated games for the Wii, and when the gorgeous art and impressive screens and trailers were released I only became more excited for the game. I am deeply concerned that this game has no North American release planned, especially considering the sparse lineup on the wii in the next year. I have been a Loyal fan of this company for over 25 years, and yet there hasn't been a game worth getting on your console for nearly 8 months... and nothing on the horizon to be excited about besides Zelda, and yet the Last Story sits completed. Please consider your company's fans, please bring the Last Story to us.

Sincerely,
(your name here - signed)




PANDORA'S TOWER:
write a polite letter, pointing out the need for the game
optional item - MEAT, preferably a dried meat such as Beef Jerky, Slim Jims, or Landjager (Hunter's Sausage)
target date - July 25-27, 2011 (plan your letters to arrive around the 20th, not to ship on the 20th)

bellow is a letter template, but feel free to write your own, just try to be polite if possible

Dear Reggie,

As a fan of your company and of games like Castlevania, I was extremely excited about the reveal of Pandora's Tower. From the initial cryptic reveal, to the delightfully twisted plot details that followed, I have been craving this game all year. I am deeply concerned that this game has no North American release planned, especially considering the sparse lineup on the wii in the next year. I have been a Loyal fan of this company for over 25 years, and yet there hasn't been a game worth getting on your console for nearly 8 months... and nothing on the horizon to be excited about besides Zelda, and yet Pandora's Tower sits completed. Please consider your company's fans, please bring Pandora's Tower to us.

Sincerely,
(your name here - signed)



send your individual letters to:

Reginald Fils-Aime (President and COO)
c/o Nintendo of America
4820 150th Ave. Northeast
Redmond, WA 98052

spread the word.... if we flood their offices we might still have a chance at getting these games

so c'mon guys, lets do this



-------
Let them know on Facebook/Twitter/Youtube:

http://www.facebook.com/Nintendo/pos...1?notif_t=like

http://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica

http://www.youtube.com/Wii

----------


How the campaign came about:


2008: Nintendo of america stops localizing select games from Japan. Fans found this questionable, but decided to wait it out a bit.

June 2009: Nintendo of america announced Monado: Beginning of the World for release in North america. Monolithsoft fans rejoiced and gave out a small amount of forgiveness over their trespasses in 2008.

May 2010: Monado: Beginning of the World is released as Xenoblade in Japan to completely outstanding reviews and overwhelmingly positive impressions on Gaf and 2-ch. Word of mouth of the high quality of the game spread and gave the game some decent legs. North american fans eagerly anticipate the release date reveal during E3 2010.

June 2010: During E3 2010, Nintendo had no news / announcements regarding Xenoblade in the U.S. a whole year had passed since E3 2009 -- where Xenoblade was announced for a US release. Nintendo fans grow slightly worried but still very hopeful for an announcement later in the year. Meanwhile, many other games, such as The Last Story and Reginleiv, were left unannounced as well.

June 8, 2011: at the end of Nintendo's E3 2011 press conference, Xenoblade, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower were still left out of the upcoming release list. With the end of the Wii's life-span fast approaching, Nintendo fans lost almost all hope for a release of the three J-RPGS.

June 22, 2011: IGN user themightyme, proposes "Operation: Rainfall," a campaign to get Nintendo's attention and inform them that Nintendo fans are fed up and want Xenoblade, The Last Story and Pandora's Tower.

June 23, 2011: Mathieu Minel, marketing manager of Nintendo France revealed that "Nintendo of Europe wanted to show Xenoblade Chronicles at E3 2011, but Nintendo of America wouldn't let them because they didn't want to show products they aren't planning to sell." (http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26928). Nintendo fans start to remove the knives from their backs.

June 24, 2011: Clinging to the last bastion of hope, many Nintendo fans started to gather and lend their voice for operation: rainfall.

-------
Links


Operation: Rainfall (where it started) http://boards.ign.com/nintendo_wii_l...0/203345328/p1

Coverage of Operation Rainfall:

http://kotaku.com/5815447/how-badly-...oblade-for-wii
http://www.destructoid.com/letter-wr...r-204505.phtml
http://www.gameinformer.com/blogs/me...h-america.aspx
http://wii.ign.com/articles/117/1179120p1.html

[Kohan]

The link for "Xenoblade" on Amazon doesn't work. It's the abbreviated version.

http://www.amazon.com/Monado-Beginni...dp/B002IM1MYG/

[Toth]

Thanks Kohan. It's a really exciting campaign tbh and I can't wait to see Nintendo explain this lol

[Insanecyclone]

Defiantly must haves for the Wii. I want Xenoblade & Last Story over here more than anything. I haven't followed much of Pandora's Tower. How is it?

Well the boss music is awesome

[Toth]

So far Monado/ Xenoblade is number 1 on Amazon lol

[Insanecyclone]

http://www.destructoid.com/xenoblade...u-204635.phtml


Xenoblade reconfirmed for NA, Last Story confirmed for EU

Nintendo has confirmed that it will definitely be releasing the long-awaited Wii roleplayer Xenoblade in North America, where it will have its old name, Monado: Beginning of the World. This is at least according to a Nintendo customer support response given to one of our readers, Jonathan.

Xenoblade was already confirmed for Europe, but Europeans have something extra to gloat about -- they'll be getting The Last Story in 2012. That's what Nintendo France said, without any ambiguity: "Xenoblade will arrive after the holidays on Wii, like The Last Story in 2012."

Right now, the Wii has four potentially exciting games it could localize from Japan -- The Last Story, Xenoblade, Pandora's Tower and Earth Seeker. That Nintendo has dragged its feet with any of these titles for so long, while the Wii stagnates and does nothing, continues to confuse me.

Typically, not even the most stupid company gives up on their current console with a little under a year left to go before their next one launches. Nintendo appears to be acting turbo-stupid in this instance.

[Toth]

http://www.destructoid.com/xenoblade...u-204635.phtml


Xenoblade reconfirmed for NA, Last Story confirmed for EU

Nah, that means nothing. Their customer support has been saying that same line for months unfortunately. "It's announced for release but no details at the moment."

[Insanecyclone]

Nah, that means nothing. Their customer support has been saying that same line for months unfortunately. "It's announced for release but no details at the moment."

Well something may happen.
http://www.facebook.com/Nintendo

Hey fans, we appreciate your enthusiasm. Look for more updates to come soon!

[Lucavi]

I don't care about Nintendo, the Wii, or any of these games, but I want this to work because I want the rest of the industry and fans of other potential games to take a good look at this and log the results. Best of luck to anyone who is an actual fan of these games and wants them. I hope you get them.

[Insanecyclone]

Europe pre-order bundle

http://storage.siliconera.com/wordpr...onicles_le.jpg

[Insanecyclone]

Some 'update', Nintendo.

http://www.facebook.com/Nintendo/posts/126089684142160

Thank you for your enthusiasm. We promised an update, so here it is. We never say “never,” but we can confirm that there are no plans to bring these three games to the Americas at this time. Thanks so much for your passion, and for being such great fans!

Would be easier if just said Yes or No.

[Haiko]

http://cache.ohinternet.com/images/9...HA,_OH_WOW.jpg

[Correction]

Well now we have a #1 to the top 7 dick moves in gaming history.

[Levin]

Their choice of wording couldn't be any worse. "Thanks so much for your passion, and for being such great fans!" is like rubbing salt into the wound.

[Vandole]

But please, do preorder our new Wii-u! We promise not to bring Pandora Tower 2 to the american wii-u! thank you for being such loyal fans!

[Toth]

So sad. NoA is such a joke. Time to import!

[Lucavi]

Wow, Nintendo fans take it up the ass harder than any other fans out there.

Attention, rest of the industry:Don't do this.

[Elcura]

Plan A: Download this shit
Plan B: Support the NA/EU release by buying the game should it get released

Plan B never stood a chance.

[Brutala]

We're getting this but never got Xenosaga 1 and 3 in Europe. Better than the other way round, I guess. Now it's Japan's turn to miss the next thing they decide to tack "Xeno" on!

[avelle]

We're getting this but never got Xenosaga 1 and 3 in Europe. Better than the other way round, I guess. Now it's Japan's turn to miss the next thing they decide to tack "Xeno" on!

Lol, does that mean you got the shittiest Xenosaga in the series and not the good ones? Feel so bad for you.

edit: Also fuck Nintendo and all the other jerks that never localize great rpgs.