OutRun 2 Shines, But Xbox Version In Doubt

Thanks to Kikizo for their in-depth look at Sega's OutRun 2 arcade machine, as the all-time classic racing game gets a now-playable Xbox hardware-based arcade sequel. Thanks to Yu Suzuki's obsession with a particular car manufacturer, you get to drive "one of at least eight different Ferraris, ranging from the Dino 246 GTS to the F50, including the 360 Spider and the awesome Enzo", and the game even shows track-side advertising from Ferrari sponsors like AMD, particularly piquant since the game is running on the Chihiro/Xbox's Intel chipset. However, Polygon reports that an Xbox conversion of the game is still in doubt, with an AM2 producer citing "disadvantages in terms of translation potential" and mentioning "problems with players renting most racing games as opposed to purchasing them."

Comments

Re:the game even shows track-side advertising

[NanoGator]

"the game even shows track-side advertising

Try as we might to filter it out of the web and tv what are you going to do, not go outside!

" YOU WILL CONSUME "

Lighten up, dude. It means revenue is being generated for the game. The nice side effect of that is if you like the game company, they have a bonus chance of sticking around. (Yeah, I know, it's Sega. I'm thinking in general here.)

Besides, whoopee shit if there's advertising in the game. Gee, imagine driving by a billboard with a corporate logo on it as opposed to driving by a billboard with some made up logo, thus reminding you that you're playing a game. It's kind of like watching a movie where the main character is drinking COLA as opposed to Coke. It's startling, thus diverting from your entertainment.

Lighten up.

Re: Xbox only is a bad idea

[Anonymous Coward]

If they know that few people are going to buy it, it would actually make more financial sense to only release it on the Xbox.

Because it runs on the Chihiro hardware, there is really very little that needs to be done as far as coding for an Xbox port. They could port it, using relatively little money, and then would have a better chance of actually making a little from the sales after it's released.

If they wanted to port it to the PS2 and/or GCN, they would have to go through the trouble of porting them, and getting them to run well. Yu Suzuki has hinted before at a strong dislike for the PlayStation2's hard-to-develop-for hardware (don't ask why he put both VF4's on it, then). A GCN port would probably be easier, if only because the two systems have proven themselves to be slightly closer in terms of power than the PS2 and Xbox. But either way, Sega would have to allocate more money to a porting project which would almost certainly be a financial failure.

But, in the end, if it's released only for the Xbox, I'll get it. If it's released for all the consoles, I'd still rather get the Xbox one. If it's arcade-only, I'll try to play the arcade one, and wish it was on the Xbox.

Death of a Salesman

[Mulletproof]

"However, Polygon reports that an Xbox conversion of the game is still in doubt..."

Personnally, I don't think this bodes well for the XBox. Sega has now had ample opportunity to see what will stick in terms of sales on the XBox, and now they're shying away from putting more hits that would undoubtably sell on the console. While there is no question they will sell, Sega evidentally doesn't think it'll sell enough to make it worth their time or trouble anymore. Wonder who else is seeing things in the same light...

Seems like MS is destined to take the hard road until they realize the NEED the Japanese market, at least for the forseeable foture.