yirba: Is Dengeki Stryker confirmed as a MangaGamer release?
bamboo: Yes, we’ll be selling Dengeki Stryker on MangaGamer so please look forward to it!

bamboo: We won’t be able to make it for AX, but we are making this game for everyone overseas…
(At this point, showed off the cover art for Go Go Nippon.)
bamboo: Go Go Nippon!
bamboo: So choose 1 of the two heroines and visit all the places in japan
bamboo: A bit erotic ^^
bamboo: The game itself is complete so hopefully i can show it in action soon
bamboo: Iphone application is strict as (censored by JustinTV) so even if its a bit erotic, it gets rejected
bamboo: For those who have difficulty coming to Japan, we made this game to kind of experience what its like here

hamusumo: How much is the planned game time of Go Go Nippon?
bamboo: The game is kind of like a guidebook, so it’s not that long, but I’ll let you know when I actually play it throughly
bamboo: Maybe we can make patches that does this in that in the future =P
bamboo: Yes we’ll be selling it online at a cheap price

(Below are the front and back covers for Go Go Nippon, from screen captures taken from the stream)

drmchsr0: Say, are Kamen Rider questions valid now? :3c
bamboo: I dunno much about Kamen Rider but if its something i can answer. lol

(no question)
bamboo: Hoping well continue to make games for everyone who is interested in japan but can’t come here
bamboo: We’ll be holding a panel at AX to have sort of a meeting with everyone
bamboo: We’ll be answering question along with Tororo Dancho from Circus and tell you some updates from Japan

asceai: Will the Japanese text work for people without Japanese OS/locale in the release?
bamboo: We will be testing the Japanese part for Go Go Nippon but its not final yet

hikari_sc: has companies in japan recovered from the earthquake, how is the scheduling of games like ef coming along?
bamboo: There was a big impact from the earthquake and directly affected us
bamboo: You can say the recent slow release of MangaGamer is mostly because of the quake
bamboo: Sales in Japan has gone down too

drmchsr0: Oh wait, here’s a serious one. How is Bill 156 and Ishihara’s recent comments gonna affect the future of Overdrive and MangaGamer? D:
bamboo: Isihara’s comment and bill has little to do with MangaGamer

yirba: Will we possibly see the MangaGamer mascot (Comko) in games? :-P
bamboo: No plan to including our mascot in a game at the moment
bamboo: I did see the image on 4chan with our mascot being naked and was laughing with everyone

hikari_sc: When do you think Japanese developers will start making games with internationalization in mind (ie: writing it in such a way so it can easily be ported to other languages)
bamboo: There are some developers who are interested, but it all depends on the demand and what they consider a success in oversea sales
bamboo: We need to make a good basis for business for that, for us to succeed in such circumstance
bamboo: We actually have Dengeki Stryker and Go Go Nippon with the oversea fans in mind

furbysbadday: Might we see more Higurashi?
timpkmn89: Alongside Furbys comment, will we ever specifically see Higurashi Rei, the series epilogue?
bamboo: If there is a high demand for Higurashi Rei, yes

(no question)
bamboo: i would like to study English too, so someone show me a cute English speaking girl, btw

snowballer: How’s the progress with âge going?
bamboo: Negotiation with âge is going steadily

miragecg: Have you contact with “old” eroge maker (like Mink for example)
bamboo: Sorry I don’t have much connection with Mink
bamboo: I only know developers that started in the early 2000s

drmchsr0: How do you view 999’s success in the US? Are you planning to do something like that in the future?
bamboo: In relation to 999, since we are releasing Kara no Shoujo, we are looking forward to see how much that will sell

swiftnissity: Whats happening with the comics section of the website, its empty right now.
bamboo: The comic section of MangaGamer should be opening soon
bamboo: I’m personally not in charge of it, but we are planning that and the video(anime) section

hikari_sc: what motivated you to get into eroge development? Was it difficult to start a company? What do your friends and family think about your job?
bamboo: I was originally a creator for Playstation game, but I was tricked into joining a bishoujo game company!
bamboo: My friends and family are like, do what you like
bamboo: Since I sing songs and stuff as well as make games, I’m in a bit dif situation
bamboo: It takes a lot of work to make a company, but i was able to make a living for the past 10 years by doing so
bamboo: I was happy to see a fan who said he liked Kira Kira when i was about to get on a Taxi at AX btw

miragecg: Are you planning to coming to European Convention (like Japan expo in Paris France)
bamboo: We participated at the Japan Expo several years ago, but since it wasn’t truly an English speaking environment, I’m iffy about it
bamboo: So we are concentrating in the American market for now
bamboo: I personally love USA too

thedoddler: There are a few new guest companies coming to AX this year that do not currently have games in English (like Clochette). Is it possible that these guests may get English language versions of their games at some point in the future?
bamboo: There is a possibility that companies like Clochette will release game for us, but
bamboo: We are just taking guest companies to AX to show them how the American market is like
bamboo: So it’s like a future investment to show them around and get them interested

bearhunterx: A lot of unofficial translations are getting picked up for official releases lately(Demonbane, ef, School Days, Kara no Shojo). Does the threat of an unofficial release floating around make negotiations with companies easier?
bamboo: It depends on the companies. and since the translation quality varies, we have to check it thoroughly anyway
bamboo: and of course the Japanese companies are suspicious about the unofficial translations
bamboo: and since the priority for the Japanese releases come first, the oversea market become secondary
bamboo: reminder. MangaGamer is still in the red…
bamboo: so please purchase our games
bamboo: and if you can, try to help us by boycotting illegal download sites

swiftnissity: Are we able to know which is Mangagamer’s worst selling game? Since Koihime Musou was supposedly their best selling game.
bamboo: Koihime is our number 1 selling game with Shuffle coming close
bamboo: Worst selling game is a secret =P

hikari_sc: What plans do MangaGamer have against piracy?
bamboo: Kill them all j/k

hikari_sc: What is your most memorable moment in an eroge? Who is your favorite girl in all the games you have played so far?
bamboo: my favorite heroine in a bishoujo game is Multi from To Heart

omonomono: Totally random topic: I bought Good Smile Company’s B.G.M. Nendoroid Petit set volume 0. Is there going to be volume 1? I would love a GSC Kirarin figure that’s slightly bigger lol. Or other characters from the game.
bamboo: I would personally like to release vol.1 of the Petiet Nendoroids, but it depends on if GSC says yes

swiftnissity: Has MangaGamer considered releasing updated re-releases (D.C > D.C.P.C for example) or are they out of the question?
bamboo: If there is a high demand for D.C.P.C, we can… but at the moment not really
bamboo: It is costly for us to localize one title and if it fails, it hurts us bad…

miragecg: Are you planning to make overdrive titles goodies (like figure and such) available to sale for us westerner via MG Website?
bamboo: We don’t have any plans to sell overdrive goods overseas
bamboo: Because of customs, we have difficulty sending made in China merchandise to the US too

dave1278: Given the current sales count for Koihime Musou is there a chance of getting Shin Koihime Musou (with or without voice)? ie are Baseson happy with the current sales to continue?
bamboo: We don’t have a plan to release Shin Koihime Musou at the moment, but since the sales were good, I’m sure we’ll start talking about it sooner or later
bamboo: About the voice acting issue: since the voice actor agency are hard headed, they demand a lot and thus there are some games without voices

(no question)
bamboo: Evangelion’s Shinji (Ogata Megumi) is voice acting for Dengeki Stryker
bamboo: She’s a really awesome person so respect her!

swiftnissity: Any plans to work with Baseson~Spice~? (The bl branch of Baseson)
bamboo: We don’t have any plans for BL titles because i don’t really know how well it will sell…

zalas: Over here, when people think games, they think gameplay. What do you think about bringing out more games with gameplay?
bamboo: About games with gameplay, it is difficult because porting it is a lot of work, and the game company needs to be really interested and has to help us
bamboo: I personally would like to make a bishoujo game like Fallout 3… if i had such money

tdavis0079: Oh yeah, speaking of Nakano, Go! Go! Nippon 2 needs a trip to Nakano Broadway. Such an awesome place.
bamboo: Yeah, we would certainly add Nakano Broadway in the next version
bamboo: We are planning to update it with patches, maybe $5 a patch?
bamboo: Try to think of it as a DLC pack for X-box or the likes

drmchsr0: Are there any plans to negotiate with Illusion?
bamboo: Doesn’t Illusion have a English page of their own? Not really sure but…
(some discussion of Rapelay by the commenters at this point)

jjjlmx: Are there plans for more Overdrive music theme games?
bamboo: Yes OVERDRIVE is planning to make music related game in the future for sure
bamboo: As long as I’m still interested in playing music

bearhunterx: Do Overdrive games have a better profit margin, since you don’t have to negotiate with other companies?
bamboo: The profit margin for our game is still the same….
bamboo: OVERDRIVE is an experimental release, using a lot of our resource

drmchsr0: Is MangaGamer gonna sell VN OSTs?
bamboo: Is there a high demand for Soundtrack releases?
bamboo: We are worried about piracy
bamboo: Since it would probably be uploaded on an illegal site as soon as it goes up.
(At this point, a bunch of discussion on demand for OSTs by the chatters)
bamboo: Thanks for the comments though, really happy to know that American fans care about my songs.
bamboo: I’m really against piracy so i would appreciate if you tell your friends who download from those sites that it is hurting us btw

nuriohin: Are there any plans for Limited Editions of OVERDRIVE’s titles?
bamboo: We’ll see how Da Capo LE sells before releasing other Limited Editions for now

amorim: Are there any updates about ef?
bamboo: Minori told me we should have something to look at soon
bamboo: Sorry about the delay (although i have no control over it)
bamboo: Minori is taking everything seriously

y10nrdy: It’s the general consensus that the only thing MangaGamer is lacking is hard copy versions of the games. Are there any plans to release packaged editions of your upcoming releases?
bamboo: We are negotiating about future hard copies, but ideally would like to release all our games in package form
bamboo: The most difficult thing is though, is how we are going to sell it
bamboo: Since there isn’t really a concrete selling route other than conventions

bamboo: Ok, that is all for today
bamboo: We will be using this site again in the future, and hopefully you can visit us again
bamboo: We will try to make the announcement early next time
bamboo: Thanks for joining us at such a late time
bamboo: It is a small market right now, but i would love to expand it so please continue to support us
bamboo: See you at AX for those who are going to be there, and if not see you here again!
bamboo: Thank you~

The Higurashi minigames offer a tongue-in-cheek parody story of the characters in the game, and were originally unlocked as the player finished different story arcs in the visual novel. All minigames are available in the translation, although it is recommended to play them in order.

The patch is released as a zip archive, with the latest ONScripter-En build for Windows included. Mac and Linux users are strongly encouraged to download the current version from the ONS-En project site. The patch requires a full installation of Higurashi 4, but should not be used to replace any English translation. It does however share the saves and settings with other patches by Sonozaki Futago-tachi, so that beating and/or unlocking minigames now will be remembered in future translation releases.

UPDATE: The current pricing for the first two arcs appears to be promotional pricing until August 15.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Pickett, Head Translator/Marketing Manager, john@mangagamer.com
=============================================================
June 28, 2010 – MangaGamer is pleased to announce their first foray into physical production at Anime Expo!
This year we’ll be bringing a limited supply of DVD-ROM copies of Kira Kira (All Ages) and Higurashi (Chapters 1-4 aka Question Arcs)! Both titles will be available at an extra-special AX sale price, so if first timers to visual novels or fans who’ve passed before have extra reason to give these games a try.

Companies looking to distribute our titles in the future can arrange meetings with us at AX or e-mail us at info@manga-corp.com.

AnimeExpo 2010
July 1-4, 2010
Los Angeles Convention Center

http://www.anime-expo.org

Booth # 811/813/815/910-915/1010/1012/1014

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world’s first legal download site for English translated bishojo games. Since its launch in July 2008, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular bishojo games such as CIRCUS’s Da Capo and OVERDRIVE’s Kira Kira right from their home.
================================================================

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF HIGURASHI WHEN THEY CRY KAI: MINAGOROSHI TO BE AVAILABLE AT
MANGAGAMER.COM
The 7th Chapter of Higurashi When They Cry to be available May 31, 2010

May 29, 2010 MangaGamer.com is pleased to announce the upcoming digital release of
“Higurashi When They Cry Kai ‘Minagoroshi’”, the latest sequel to the smash hit PC game
released by game developer 07th Expansion for 19.95 Euros. (Approximately 27 US dollars)
This is equivalent to the 7th chapter within the overall 8 chapters of “Higurashi When They
Cry” and is slated to be released on May 31, 2010. MangaGamer.com will release the final
8th chapter within 2010.

STORY

I wanted to know what’s outside the well.
So I tried to claw my way up from there.

I wanted to know what’s outside the well.
So I continued to climb even when I fell and injured myself.

I finally realize.
The higher I climb, the more pain I feel when I fall.

When my curiosity toward the world and my physical pain became equal……
I finally understood the meaning of the frog in the well.

= = =

Minagoroshi(Massacre Chapter) – The final truth

= = =

This story introduces the unit inside and out, using all of the actors.
This is no longer a story, it’s a public autopsy for all to join.
As they say, after loving someone, cut open their belly and eat their organs. It’s the same
with stories.
The difficulty is quite mild. Well suited for those with pride.

Title: Higurashi When They Cry Kai “Minagoroshi”
Manufacturer: 07th Expansion
Genre: Adventure
Price: 19.95 Euros
OS: Windows XP(32bit), Windows Vista(32bit)
Text Language: English
Voice Language: No Voice
Age Rating: All Ages

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world’s first online download site of English translated bishojo
games that opened in July 2008. Since its launch, it has offered services where fans can
download and enjoy popular bishojo games such as CIRCUS’s “Da Capo” and OVERDRIVE’s “Kira
Kira” right from their home.

New Font (Tsumihoroboshi):

Old Font (Meakashi):

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF HIGURASHI WHEN THEY CRY KAI: MEAKASHI TO BE AVAILABLE AT MANGAGAMER.COM
The 5th Chapter of Higurashi When They Cry to be available on February 28, 2010

January 31, 2010 MangaGamer.com is pleased to announce the upcoming digital release of “Higurashi When They Cry Kai: Meakashi”, the sequel to the smash hit PC game released by game developer 07th Expansion for 19.95 Euros. This is equivalent to the 5th chapter within the overall 8 chapters of “Higurashi When They Cry” and is slated to be released on February 28, 2010. MangaGamer.com will release the remaining 3 chapters separately in 2010.

“Higurashi When They Cry: Kai”

The girl cried when she dropped her beads in the sand.
She looked for them for one hundred years.

She cried because they might be in the ocean, not in the sand.
She looked for them at the bottom of the ocean for one hundred years.

She cries because they might be on the mountain, not in the ocean.
How long until she starts to doubt that she really dropped her beads?

Title: Higurashi When They Cry Kai: Meakashi
Manufacturer: 07th Expansion
Genre: Adventure
Price: 19.95 Euros
OS: Windows XP(32bit), Windows Vista(32bit)
Text Language: English
Voice Language: No Voice
Age Rating: All Age

ABOUT MANGAGAMER.COM
MangaGamer.com is the world’s first online download site of English translated bishojo games that opened in July 2008. Since its launch, it has offered services where fans can download and enjoy popular bishojo games such as CIRCUS’s “Da Capo” and OVERDRIVE’s “Kira Kira” right from their home.

The release of Higurashi When They Cry comprises of the first four arcs, collectively known as the question arcs, of 07th Expansion’s When They Cry(ひぐらしのなく頃に) doujin game series, which has been wildly popular in Japan and spawned animated and comic adaptations, as well as various drama CDs and a port to the PlayStation2 with voice acting, redrawn art and a conversion to a more generic adventure game format. The game is a suspense mystery and explores trust and paranoia between the characters in the story. 07th Expansion’s games are made in the style of sound novels, where the main focus is on the text, music and sound effects. There are no choices in the doujin game, but the amount of text in the question arcs is comparable to other visual novels, including KIRAKIRA and Edelweiss, both released from MangaGamer.

The release weighs in at roughly 250MiB (slightly over half the size of the Japanese release) and has been ported from the NScripter engine used in the Japanese version to Buriko General Interpreter/Ethornell with activation based copy protection, as used in previous MangaGamer games. As has been stated by the company before, some of the game’s sound effects and music have been replaced. In fact, in the first few minutes of gameplay, none of the original sound effects or music were retained; they were replaced with similar, but not identical ones. The menu system in-game is a bit more elaborate than the original Japanese doujin game. The translation has the occasional slip here and there, like “I’m dominating this magnificent view and fresh morning air,” but is of decent quality otherwise.

In addition to launching an all-ages site, MangaGamer has also added a currently-empty “Comics” section alongside their “Games” section. Due to the fact that “Catalog:” prepends “Games” and “Comics” and that you can search for games as well as comics, it looks like MangaGamer might be releasing translations of manga in the future.

With the opening of the all-ages section of the website, the main URL, http://www.mangagamer.com/, now redirects to the all-ages section, and the 18 and over section is accessible in the right sidebar. Registered accounts, however, are shared between the two sides. The only difference is that if one accesses their account page from the all-ages site, they can only click on game description links to the all-ages games and similarly for the 18 and over section. However, customers can download any game they purchased from either user account page, regardless of whether it was 18+ or all-ages. The adult section has a different color scheme as well as a logo with “for ADULT” tacked onto it. Lastly, perhaps in light of the controversy surround Soul Link, tags on the adult site no longer say “Uncensored” and “Censored” but say “with Mosaics” and “without Mosaics” instead.