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Konami/Console Updates you will want to read

Vadsamoht

Vadsamoht

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Youtube video courtesy of Makross. For the original source, go here: http://t.co/Xb1PB4pNvD

tl;dr, Following Lab Zero ceasing relations with Konami, Konami has asked for Skullgirls to be de-listed from PSN and XBLA on the 17th and 31st of this month, respectively. Mike is working really hard to get a build through QA to be published by Autumn Games (PS3 EU PS3 NA)/Marvelous AQL (360)/CyberFront (PS3-Japan), but details are sketchy. One of the reasons a new build is necessary is that if SG keeps using the same Communications ID for the game, Konami would be able to shut the game down whenever it wants.

[prbreak]But wait, there's more! Read on...[/prbreak]Lab Zero only found out about this through a Sony account manager after the request had been approved, so the decision is probably final. They have requested the date for the PSN takedown be moved until the end of the month, but after claiming that Sony and then Autumn wouldn't let them, all three asked for the date to be moved and Konami has not responded since then.

What does this mean for you?

Sony has said that people won't have to re-buy the game through the store, but because this has not happened before nobody knows exactly how the transition will work. Also, this should not remove the game from your hard drive if you already have it, but may or may not cause netplay issues.

Also, time that Mike spends on this is time he isn't spending on Big Band. On the upside, if the new verison gets through QA on the first try, there's a possibility that the Big Band Build will be up sooner than it would have been otherwise.​

What you can do -
  1. Please, don't talk shit about Konami online. It isn't going to change anything, makes us look bad, and makes them think that they've made the right decision. Nothing good will be achieved by ripping into the powerless intern managing Konami's twitter account, etc.
  2. Test out the latest Beta build if you have it. Mike has very little time to test the build before submitting for QA (Monday) if we want to prevent the game from disappearing after getting pulled. If you know how, using the -log option to run the game may be useful.
    1. Update: The best way to let Mike know about any issues with the Beta is to comment on the Patch Notes update on Steam, or else send a PM @Mike_Z on here.
  3. Keep playing, and keep having fun. This isn't the end of the world.
  4. If you want to buy a copy of the game to help support Lab Zero, buy the Steam version. The PS3 and 360 versions won't result in any extra money for L0 at this point, and Konami gets a cut from those.
More info will be added over the coming hours, but I wanted to get this out as quickly as possible.


Other (Minor) news from salty:
  • Big Band Audio being recorded on Sunday, possibly also alt voice pack
  • Linux progress is going well. Now rendering stuff, albeit incorrectly. Shoutouts to Shakesoda for all his good work.
  • This week's eightysixed tee featuring Big Band
  • New downs system for solo matches.

EDIT: FAQ that will be updated as new info arises
Will the steam version be affected?
Nope!
[edit] There won't be updates to it - besides beta changes->real game - until this stuff is dealt with, but that's all.

Will game re-certification cut into IGG funds?
No, thankfully certification submissions are free on both consoles now. I THINK.
Also the artists are still working on Big Band cleanup / Eliza animation, it's just Ravidrath and myself that are doing this junk.

Does this mean that Lab Zero can use the Konami Code now?
Yes. But do we really want to anymore?
If anything I'd use it upside-down and backward (Start Select A B R L R L U U D D, the Lab Zero code?) or make it delete your game or something.

Does this mean that Lab Zero will be less likely to look at DLC/regular-update models for future games?
No, at least not for me. I am thrilled with both of those choices because it gives us an unprecedented* ability to communicate with the fans and improve the game to their liking (or disliking, heh). It certainly DOES mean looking more carefully at who we join up with to do business in the future.

* Try spelling that with very little sleep. Took me four tries.

Does this mean that the console versions will no longer be supported?
No, this doesn't mean console is getting abandoned. Even if we can't get a build approved in time to stop it from disappearing over the holidays, it'll be back after that when we CAN get a build approved.
Consoles are still getting Squigly/Big Band/etc, in some form.

EDIT2: Posts by Ravidrath on NeoGAF:
To clarify...

This was going to happen at some point, because the business relationship with Konami was dissolved to allow patches to move ahead.

The parts that are shady are:
- Filing the request without conferring with Autumn or Lab Zero to see if we could even transition in time

- Lying to Sony and to Autumn, saying the other said moving it back was impossibleTheir reason for doing this is because the lawsuit with Konami over DefJam Rapstar is over, and they're trying to stop dealing with Autumn forever as soon as possible. There's a lot of bad blood there.

That said, we are pretty forcefully requesting that the delisting be pushed back to 12/31 to buy us time, and I think we're going to get that.

We're going as fast as we can, but there's a lot that needs to happen:
- Get a new Communications ID for online service, which takes a few days since it must be issued from Japan

- Before we can do that we need to get an IP whitelisting issue sorted out with Autumn

- Set up the leaderboards and trophies again, since this will effectively be a "new game" as far as PSN is concerned

- Get everyone's existing purchases to carry over to the "new" version

- Get Autumn a publishing agreement for SCEE and other territories

- Get the latest build submitted and tested once we have the Communications ID and leaderboards, etc. set upIf everything goes perfectly we MIGHT be able to avoid any downtime, but there is so much to do and so much of it is reliant on learning this stuff and waiting for IDs, etc. that I don't think we're going to be able to avoid any downtime in the US. Downtime in other territories will be all-but-impossible to avoid, just because we have to set up new publishing arrangements with those territories.

Yes, this sucks, but we're used to this kind of thing at this point. We shouldn't have to be, but we are. So we'll roll with it and once this incident has passed, there should be significantly less drama moving forward.

Also, just wanted to give a shout out to Shane, Roberto, Jonathan and everyone else at Sony that has helped us on this so far. We would be completely lost without them, and they've been a huge help in helping us navigate this minor crisis. Once this is resolved, we're definitely sending them tasty gifts of some kind.​

It's worth noting that the XBLA version may end up getting Squigly first now, because the XBLA transition will probably end up being smoother.

The reason there might be any downtime on the XBLA version is because Konami says we can't have their logos on the game for any period of time after 12/31. The problem is that it may not be possible for us to patch the logos until the transition happens on 1/1. We're investigating that with MarvelousAQL now and will submit the patch as soon as possible. But even if we can submit it now, with the holidays and certification testing, etc. it may not make it in time.

Originally Posted by Gintoki
Hope you guys get this sorted out Ravi.​

We will, there's no doubt about that.

It's just a matter of how quickly we can do it and how much store downtime there will be while we make this transition. I'm hoping it'll be minimal on the US side, but am a little concerned about other territories.

As helpful as Sony has been, they're even a little foggy on this stuff since we are doing something that has happened, like... twice ever before.
Source: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=92782825&postcount=224
 
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I just hope this gets sorted out and nobody has to rebuy the game on consoles. The good news is that we might get a console patch in December unless something else happens that delays it again.
 
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Production on SG is still continuing, at least on PC. Also, @Vadsamoht, Mike Z mentioned that they will be now working on Voicepacks.
 
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The fact that Konami tried to do this SECRETLY and just screw over EVERYONE is what pisses me off.

What if Mike Z and LabZero didn't find out about it? Just wake up one day about reports of Skullgirls no longer on PSN and downloaded copies not working anymore?

Fucking hell Konami.
 
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guys, do not make comments just to get mad. it does suck but getting mad wont solve anything. Mike said so himself. we should support his request and try our best to remain calm in the situation. if we can help in any way, do it. this isn't the end of skullgirls, just a bump in the road/hill we need to get over. we can get through this but not if we waste time getting angry about it. also, do not call Konami Nazis. Mike said thats very disrespectful to more than just Konami.
 
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no I wanna get mad about business practice and internet fuck you

I hate everything ARGH CAPCOM

anyways though this is pretty unfortunate, I do hope they get a release out properly, as soon as possible. explains the moods as of recent
 
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Shiro_Shishi said:
The fact that Konami tried to do this SECRETLY and just screw over EVERYONE is what pisses me off.
See, that's what got me too. I feel like that was kind of (read: VERY) underhanded of them. Like Mike said though, they have nice people at Sony who want to help them, so hopefully it turns out well...
 
Skullgirls has had a very bumpy road, so unfair.

Never seen a good game get this snakebit.

Hopefully Sony/LZ/Microsoft/Autumn can get it done.
 
If I got it right, this isn't going to affect the PC version in any way, right?
I bought both PS3 and PC versions and I'm worried.

Also:
Test out the latest Beta build if you have it. Mike has very little time to test the build before submitting for QA if we want to keep the game on the store without disappearing after getting pulled. If you know how, using the -log option to run the game may be useful.
I didn't get quite right this part (ignorant me). At all.
 
I'm just hoping this won't lead to the worst possible situation of people having to buy the game again. I mean hey, I wouldn't mind, but last thing we need is for every naysayer to start spreading that Lab Zero somehow planned this as a way to lynch money of people, or whatever stupid conspiracy crap that Windsaigo goes on about.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to vent my anger by dying in Touhou a lot.
GOD+++DAMNIT+That+_c0b506f34f635dbb51f50bbb1571148e.gif
 
  • Linux progress is going well. Now rendering stuff, albeit incorrectly. Shoutouts to Shakesoda for all his good work.


AWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SHITTTTTTTTTTTTTT <3 <3 <3
 
Why must this game constantly bring such bad luck to the people associated with it? Serious
 
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A troublesome situation. I'll try and hop on the beta on my laptop for a little bit to help with testing. It won't be much because my laptop isn't meant for gaming but it'll have to do.

Be sure to get some much needed rest once this over, Mike.
 
That is Just Dirty Pool by Konami to do it quietly, but the good news is it was discovered in time.

All speed to Mike Z for trying to save the game he helped make and has promoted his rear end off for.
 
So for those of us who or really REALLY ignorant does that basically mean skullgirls wont ever be on the consoles again and force everyone that cant get a good computer or laptop to be PC players or something?
 
Lunerstep said:
So for those of us who or really REALLY ignorant does that basically mean skullgirls wont ever be on the consoles again and force everyone that cant get a good computer or laptop to be PC players or something?

It sounds temporary but it could be down for awhile. The game sounds like it will still work but the online aspect is another story; since it hasn't happened before to a game with online no one knows what will happen.
 
From what I gather, Offline will still work but nobody knows if Online still will.
 
Let us do the best we can do to help them.

Let's test the beta, I'm opening a 1v1 -only- lobby to test downs. Remember to mash buttons in inappropriate times also in the menus and such.

Gogogo people! \o/
 
I will say this.

It really did sadden me to find out that Konami would no longer be the publisher for Skullgirls, and it saddens me even now that they've really burned the bridge here.

I know it's silly, but some of my favorite franchises of all time have been published under the Konami flag. Gradius, Contra, Castlevania...and it was nice to have my favorite fighting game under the same flag as those beloved games (even if technically no programming team at Konami had anything to do with Skullgirls).

That being sad, I would advise against being too mad at them. I heard one guy in chat jokingly (I assume) say that he was going to cancel his Metal Gear 5 pre-order. Some people have a tendency to lash out at entire companies for the actions of maybe one or two bureaucrats inside, which is not a good idea because the people producing the games aren't likely to be the ones making these decisions.
 
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This is definitely going to make me think twice about buying anything Konami touches. They're a business, and the only way to get anything across to a business is to hit them in the wallet.

I wish I had the PC version to help beta test, but maybe I can find some other way to toss help in Lab Zero's direction.
 
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Mwisk said:
Let us do the best we can do to help them.

Let's test the beta, I'm opening a 1v1 -only- lobby to test downs. Remember to mash buttons in inappropriate times also in the menus and such.

Gogogo people! \o/

So I just tried to join the lobby and it crashed. How do I diagnose and report?
 
Not sure if Mike is looking for lobby crashes specifically, but normally you'd email bugreport. According to twitter, the best way is to add a comment to the patch notes update on Steam, or send @Mike_Z a PM here.

As for diagnosis, just explain (exactly) what you were doing when you got the crash, extra bonus mega points if you can give a series of steps that reproduces the error at will.

In addition, if you're running the game with the -log option you could send them the logfile found somewhere in my documents.
 
Squire Grooktook said:
I will say this.

It really did sadden me to find out that Konami would no longer be the publisher for Skullgirls, and it saddens me even now that they've really burned the bridge here.

I know it's silly, but some of my favorite franchises of all time have been published under the Konami flag. Gradius, Contra, Castlevania...and it was nice to have my favorite fighting game under the same flag as those beloved games (even if technically no programming team at Konami had anything to do with Skullgirls).
Not silly at all. Add Silent Hill and Metal Gear to that list and this is pretty much what I've been thinking since they first announced severing ties.

Squire Grooktook said:
That being sad, I would advise against being too mad at them. I heard one guy in chat jokingly (I assume) say that he was going to cancel his Metal Gear 5 pre-order. Some people have a tendency to lash out at entire companies for the actions of maybe one or two bureaucrats inside, which is not a good idea because the people producing the games aren't likely to be the ones making these decisions.

Yeah, I think you're right. I have a friend who worked for Rockstar for a while, and I've heard a few stories about bureaucratic nonsense. I honestly doubt there was anything particularly malicious about this, and it was simply a matter of "We're not publishing this anymore, so de-list it". The paperwork was probably #23 on a list of 80 things they gave some intern to take care of in a day.

Sure it sucks, but I don't think its anything fans should particularly get up in arms about.
 
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ToDDaBeLLa said:
This little indie game raised almost a MILLION dollars in donations

"What's that? a game we're involved with has an enthusiastic fan-base? Shut down EVERYTHING" - Konami Madagascar, 2013
 
Is there any specific information on why this is happening?
 
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