Valkyria Chronicles 3 denied EU launch

By Tom Phillips Published 12 October, 2011

Sega blames PSP unpopularity, VC2 sales.

Tactical RPG Valkyria Chronicles 3 will not see a release in Europe or North America, publisher Sega has confirmed.

The strategic PlayStation Portable role-player will stay in Japan where the PSP is more popular, according to Sega's console sales manager Hiroshi Seno.

Seno also said a lack of Western sales for Valkyria Chronicles 2 meant Sega could not justify VC3 translation costs, Gamespot reports.

European gamers could still see Valkyria Chronicles 3 as a downloadable release for PlayStation Vita - Seno stated a decision on whether to work on such a launch was still to be made.

In Valkyria Chronicles, players command their troops via a top-down 2D map of the battlefield, before zooming into a 3D, third-person view of the action on the ground.

Over in Japan the game was well received. Valkyria Chronicles 3 sold 100,000 copies during its launch week there, while anime and manga adaptations of the series have also been made.

Valkyria Chronicles 3.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Phillips

Tom joined Eurogamer in 2010 and has quickly made his mark writing news and columns and coming up with puntastic straplines. Questionable beard. @TomPhillips151 on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Phillips archive page.

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Comments (52) Latest comment 8 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Shakey_Jake33 #1 8 months ago

    There are words for companies like you, Sega.

  • kenichi-san #2 8 months ago

    What a huge dissapointment!!... I love this serie :(

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #3 8 months ago

    Dirty bastards, cancelling Sonic Generations Pre Order then!

  • abigsmurf #4 8 months ago

    Increase resolution, re-do a bunch of textures and some of the worst models, add some shader effects, make it a Vita title. Simple.

    It's not going to be worse than Tales of Innocence R visually (a title that clearly was going to be a PSP one).

  • varsas #5 8 months ago

    The demo for II was decent but not as good as the original; the demo for the III is excellent so I'm pretty annoyed...

  • thedaveeyres #6 8 months ago

    Noooooooooooo! /o\

  • HermitUK #7 8 months ago

    VC2 is a good game, and made some really nice improvements to the formula. Especially customising vehicles. Though the AI seems much less competent than it was in the first game, and there's not a lot to distinguish one battle from another since they reuse the same areas an awful lot. Putting this in the PSP Power Sale the other month would have done wonders for sales, I suspect.

    Though really, it's a shame the series didn't stay on the PS3. Here's hoping for a Vita release, anyway.

  • Saigan #8 8 months ago

    Disappointing decision as a fan of the series that specifically preordered VC2 for launch.

  • MattEdWithCheese #9 8 months ago

    @Shakey_Jake33 Cunts?

  • systems #10 8 months ago

    Games are business. Not enough people bought #2 so why should they bother? Yes it's a shame but they're not doing it for fun.

    Capcom are worse than Sega. At least Monster Hunter Freedom Unite sold a ton in the US and EU, but they still won't release Portable 3rd or Portable 3rd HD over here. Or Frontier. And they've not even announced the new 3DS version or Monster Hunter 4 over here either.

  • Grogmonkey #11 8 months ago

    Should have kept it on the PS3...

  • Kay #12 8 months ago

    This is a bit of a kicker. Oh well, just the excuse I need to go back and finish VC2.

  • actionfitz #13 8 months ago

    :< loved the first game on PS3
    Haven't got a PSP. never will.

    So, fuck you very much Sega.

  • Capa26 #14 8 months ago

    Should have put it on the fucking PS3 then... I'd have bought both on day one without question.

  • TruSmiles #15 8 months ago

    Terrible news :(

  • Paulie_P #16 8 months ago

    I kinda expected this, though its a shame to have it confirmed. I loved the first 2 (especially the first one).

    Give me this type of game over any FPS military shooter any day.
    Edited by Paulie_P at 12/10/11 @ 10:24

  • Evolution #17 8 months ago

    Yep, would have bought VC2 if it was a PS3 title.

  • Nielz0r #18 8 months ago

    So, they're complaining the PSP isn't popular enough over here, but how the hell is it ever going to become popular enough if there aren't enough decent games for it? Release the game, help the problem. Duuuuuuuhhhhhhhhh!

  • Torkin #19 8 months ago

    Fucking hit-driven industry.

    I have I and II and love them.

  • Zozzilla #20 8 months ago

    The PSP isn't unpopular, it's just they obviously can't be arsed to localise it. I don't like VC that much, but it's still a dick move, disappointing the fans of the series.

    EDIT: I can predict people's reactions to my comment. "Hmm...dick move by Sega - yes it is....disappointing the fans - true that!...hmm...wait...not a fan of the game?! WHAT?! NEG! NEG THE BITCH! NEEEEEEEEG!"
    Edited by Zozzilla at 12/10/11 @ 10:54

  • JoeGBallad #21 8 months ago

    I loved the first and second games, so this is gutting. The Valkyria Chronicles series is among the most unique, and yes, 'special' to have come about in the last few years. Even as a fan, I'll be the first to admit they aren't flawless (A few of the missions from the first game don't really live up to the tactical nature of the rest, instead requiring you to do what the game wants you to do), but it's a real shame that they haven't sold that well over here, because, to put it bluntly, there simply aren't enough games like this.

    For many, the series' move to PSP was the final nail in the coffin. It was a good decision to make, in my opinion, as the PSP is, rightly, massive in Japan. Many of the best features of VC2 were geared towards social play, making friends and comparing progress. It's always been a crying shame that the PSP wasn't bigger here, as it's a great machine. If it had been, maybe we would be seeing Valkyria Chronicles 3 here as well. Whatever, looks like I'm going to have to learn Japanese so I can understand all these Sega games that haven't come out here: Kenzan, Black Panther and this.

  • ballshock #22 8 months ago

    Fucking cunts, i loved number 1 and liked number 2.

  • Steroyd #23 8 months ago

    I shall knock over the magazine rack in disgust.

    *knocks over magazine rack in disgust*

  • Aretak #24 8 months ago

    Move the series to a near-dead handheld that's been all but removed from retail store shelves and then act surprised that it didn't sell well.

    Oh Sega.

  • Osahi #25 8 months ago

    Shame, as I bought Valkyria I and II and enjoyed them both truly. Valkyria II was even the best PSP game in a long long time...

  • Shinomo #26 8 months ago

    As somebody who adored VC1 but didn't care much for VC2, I'm a little disappointed that Sega are opting to not try to win me (and everyone like me) over with the third game. They're too concerned with the consequences of failure instead of concentrating on the joys of success. VC is an amazing series, and it should be shared; if anything the poor VCII sales should PUSH them to make the name and brand better and more widely popular, not the opposite.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #27 8 months ago

    Come on a Vita port must be an option

  • Gumersindo #28 8 months ago

    I bought a PSP to play the rest of this saga.
    And I bought VC2.
    Now what? import? piracy?
    Edited by Gumersindo at 12/10/11 @ 11:07

  • jkrodal #29 8 months ago

    Hoping for it to appear on the Vita then. Very disappointed if not.

  • Saigan #30 8 months ago

    Sega commented that it may be available as a download for the Vita, but that they still wouldn't be spending money on localisation for it.
    Meaning potentially still no English text or audio even if we can download the game for Vita. (I can't read nor understand Japanese, so without an English localisation I can't play VC3)
    Edited by Saigan at 12/10/11 @ 11:13

  • StolenGlory #31 8 months ago

    No VC2/VC3 HD release then for the PS3 then Sega?

    No?

    YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG.
    Edited by StolenGlory at 12/10/11 @ 13:13

  • saku_luk #32 8 months ago

    Sorry but I bought VC2 full price and it was shait compared to VC1! .... huge disappointment for me with the bunch of kids running around and playing war....

    No wonder it didn't sell....

    But to deny us VC3 that is way better than VC2? haha.... man sometimes I just can't understand those companies....

    EDIT:
    forgot... the only good thing about VC2 for me was vehicle customization and class system...
    Edited by saku_luk at 12/10/11 @ 11:34

  • Springchicken #33 8 months ago

    Nooooo! I knew I shouldn't have bought VC2 when I was in Japan! I've ruined the data!

    SEGA, you've got it all wrong! White people like VC, too!

  • oldschoolsoviet #34 8 months ago

    (I can't read nor understand Japanese, so without an English localisation I can't play VC3)

    Hear this so often. If you know the menu layout for VC2, you'll know the menus for VC3. Easy from there, although you'll still miss all the story detail. Gameplay shines through regardless.

    Damn shame, but not unexpected news. Guess I'll need to console myself with the VC2 Design Artworks (ENG). ;_;

  • LR100 #35 8 months ago

    They could put it up for download, or keep it for Vita. It doesn't matter though, the fans were upset the day they found out it wasn't a PS3 game.

  • AVisualEpiphany #36 8 months ago

    Wait...why didn't this stay on PS3?
    THAT is the one reason I never bothered with VC2

  • Machetazo #37 8 months ago

    If it was on PS3, sega wouldn't have done this to itself.

  • deano2099 #38 8 months ago

    It'd make money, but not enough money. Given that they'd only have to pay for a translation, someone to implement the translation and a proof-reader it'd hardly break the bank.

  • Nazo #39 8 months ago

    Like others, I loved VC 1 but never bothered with the PSP sequel.
    I might have to did out the old handheld for my trip to Japan next week, pity the yen is so damned strong now though :(

  • Machetazo #40 8 months ago

    @32 If you recall Xenosaga, this is a little like that situation by Square-Enix, for Europe, except reversed since they released the middle part of the three of their series, and included a "recap" disc in all EU copies to show select FMVs of the first game! That middle one, not the best of the series.
    Edited by Machetazo at 12/10/11 @ 12:46

  • PixelPirate #41 8 months ago

    The original was wicked great fun.

    The second wasnt as much fun due to it being squashed on to the PSP, which i believe not to be the best place for this game.

    The 3rd should have been a full title release on PS3, it could be download only on PSN and i would have been happy.

    Either way, its a s shame it isnt coming to EU now though :(

  • retr0gamer #42 8 months ago

    Fuck you Sega

  • DisneyJon #43 8 months ago

    Should have done VC2 as multiformat on the consoles. Doing it on the PSP was the kiss of death for the franchise outside of Japan.

    And for those saying the PSP isn't unpopular; "seriously?"

    Most stores have relegated it to similar space that PC gets, and online there is very little in stock new, and the release schedule is like a re-run of the Gamecube's final months.

    Neg away, but it ain't going to change the truth.

  • Blazewamp #44 8 months ago

    :(

  • retr0gamer #45 8 months ago

    Looking at the sales figures and VC2 sold more in the US and Europe combined than in japan. Does Sega not like money?

  • FenderMaster #46 8 months ago

    Bought both games at launch. The PS3 one was much better but still enjoyed the PSP one, even if it was more repetitive with annoying map transitions and horrendous characters.

  • inutaihanyou #47 8 months ago

    nintendo has done the same thing. i feel bad but that's how it goes i guess

  • Slipstream #48 8 months ago

    Their mistake was taking the series exlusivley to the PSP to begin with.
    Edited by Slipstream at 12/10/11 @ 16:06

  • seiryoden #49 8 months ago

    Motherfuckers. Is there any other Gaming company more dismissive of its core consumers than Sega? PSP owners are starving for good new games: VC3 could do very well in a market that's waiting for FF Type-0.

  • Alestes #50 8 months ago

    Silly SEGA, join the PSP Remaster Series and release VC2 & VC3 for the PS3.

  • silversun #51 8 months ago

    It would be good to know whats happening to Type-0 from square enix, that probley the main psp game im intrested in atm but everyone saying the psp is dead *sigh*

    Im tempted to buy VC 3 by importing the japanese version and playing it in japanese just for gameplay elements of it but will probley wait a while on doing that. If no vita version then probley will try to get it that way.
    I have been trying a few older games in japanese even though i dont speak a word of it and its an intresting experience.

  • evarofzentral #52 8 months ago

    I'm so angry about this. I know the games haven't sold well other here but its so frustrating - surely they could find some fans who are willing to translate it and then release it digitally. Unfortunatly I don't know Japanese so I myself wouldn't be much use.