[erka:es] Response to Game Availability

[erka:es] has made a diary update on their website, featuring a brand new (and incredible) picture of the Refraktia twins. I think this is one of WOMI's best works yet, so click that thumbnail down there and check it out. Also, Freudenstachel Web Trial! Just kidding. You knew better.



So I lied. With the help of Zeppy's resident TLer Tanin, I did actually contact [erka:es] about the current state of the English translation patch and the future availability of Rosenkreuzstilette, and Isemiya responded a lot sooner than I was expecting. Turns out they are very happy about the translation and admire the amount of work we've put into the thing, which is pretty awesome. Once it's released, we will be presenting it in its entirety for them. While I do not expect official implementation of it into the game in its current form, the fact that they are happy with what they have seen (I assume they've been exposed to either this blog or KreuzChannel) makes me very excited. I feel like the entire thing has been worth it.

As for availability, [erka:es] has no plans to reissue physical copies of the game any time soon. Part of me knew this was going to happen, so once again, I call the disc requirements into question, because at this point, you're not getting it and you probably never will. However, they are currently considering re-releasing the game through digital distribution by allowing people outside of Japan to purchase what amounts to a "Greatest Hits" version of Rosenkreuzstilette through a download site. While the collector in me is sad to see this, I know that, through this method, people will still be able to technically own a copy of RKS with the profits going straight to Isemiya and WOMI themselves, and honestly, with digital distro being the way of the future, I think this is a huge step for doujin games, and I genuinely hope that it is adopted by other circles. With the overwhelming support for the game that has been displayed, I hope that you all opt to purchase the game in this manner. They're still working on getting it all together, though, so there are no further details and no projected release date at this time. Because of this development, the English patch requirement of the game disc is going to be addressed with full discussions happening between Darkside and Zeppy, because I flat-out refuse to help release it if people can purchase the game legitimately and still have to find or create a disc to play it in English. This may cause the release date to be somewhat postponed, but I think it'll end up being better for everyone.

The issue of pirating the ISO copies of RKS was not directly mentioned in the e-mail response I received from them. I imagine that, because of the aforementioned digital distribution plan, while they showed no negative feelings towards the subject, they probably aren't in full support of it either. That said, I request that there be no further discussion on how or where to get a copy of the game here on Schwer and Schwer Alike. I am in full support of their digital distribution plans, and I would like nothing more than to see that come to fruition.

Because of the RKS Grollschwert C72 Trial video featured on Schwer and Schwer Alike, a number of RKS fans were exposed to the Famicom-style version of "SHINING MAN," the song that eventually became rearranged into Zorne's stage theme. Schirach's creator, Daddy/Dadi, addressed how good it was and was wondering if, because the site it was (possibly) originally from is currently nonexistent, it was actually the work of [erka:es] themselves. This was denied and quickly attributed to the artist "maru's house." However, I can't quite tell, but they may have had something to do with the final version used for Zorne's stage, so I'll have that addressed here as soon as possible.

I'll try and have a full TL of the e-mail sent to me as well as the [erka:es] news post as soon as possible (I'm currently on something of a road trip), so who knows when I'll be back. Stay tuned!