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Snatcher HD remake/port? Why not?

Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 12:32 pm
by pointofdeparture
Hello all,

After just having finished Snatcher on Sega CD one more time, I've again realized just how sad it is that it never reached a wider audience. Kojima has hinted that he may be interested in a sequel, but it would have to sell 500k copies domestically...he also repeatedly says he would be interested in handing the project to a third party developer. It got me thinking, why has no development team tackled a port of Snatcher with minor upgrades for XBLA/PSN/Steam/what have you?

Kojima seems willing to give his blessing to another developer for something as ambitious as a sequel, so I'd think an upgraded port of the Sega CD version (let's face it, the PSX/Saturn graphics sucked) with either original or well-redrawn HD sprites would be something he'd authorize. Mild upgrades to the 2D graphics and interface could keep the project from being as intense as a 3D conversion. I'd think that it would be plausible to launch a Kickstarter for the effort if a team was found to develop it, as there is a sizeable cult following for the game. I'd think it would sell well at $9.99 with an emulated version of the Sega CD version thrown in as an unlockable.

Has anyone ever thought about doing this, or have any ideas about who would be willing to take the project on? I know it's crazy talk, but what a great game...

Re: Snatcher HD remake/port? Why not?

Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 4:34 pm
by TechNoir
I dunno, I don't really think Snatcher needs a wider audience, lol.

Re: Snatcher HD remake/port? Why not?

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 6:16 am
by LambertAdams
I don't know why people keep ignoring the legal problems with anything like this. Snatcher's IP is still owned entirely by Konami, and you can't pretend like it is abandonware, they are using it in stuff recently like Sdatcher and the Jamais Vu MGSV:GZ DLC. If you want any remake or sequel it will need to be approved by Konami, and they are much more likely to just issue a C&D. I don't think a Kickstarter with some random fans who tweet at Kojima will get legal backing, same with el_ash's work on this forum. The more likely scenario is for a Japanese developer friend of Kojima's to work on it through a partnership, like what happened with MGS Twin Snakes.

Then you have Jeff Lupetin, the VA for Gillian Seed, using that character in a Kickstarter game, again, with I assume no agreement from Konami on the use of their character for a commercial product. It's all really really foolish and naive.

Re: Snatcher HD remake/port? Why not?

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 12:55 pm
by GirianSeed573
LambertAdams wrote:I don't know why people keep ignoring the legal problems with anything like this. Snatcher's IP is still owned entirely by Konami, and you can't pretend like it is abandonware, they are using it in stuff recently like Sdatcher and the Jamais Vu MGSV:GZ DLC. If you want any remake or sequel it will need to be approved by Konami, and they are much more likely to just issue a C&D. I don't think a Kickstarter with some random fans who tweet at Kojima will get legal backing, same with el_ash's work on this forum. The more likely scenario is for a Japanese developer friend of Kojima's to work on it through a partnership, like what happened with MGS Twin Snakes.

Then you have Jeff Lupetin, the VA for Gillian Seed, using that character in a Kickstarter game, again, with I assume no agreement from Konami on the use of their character for a commercial product. It's all really really foolish and naive.
This pretty much sums it up.

Re: Snatcher HD remake/port? Why not?

Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 2:36 pm
by AwesomeBrand
why not send Konami phonecalls, letters, and tweets regarding a new Snatcher or even just a rerelease? It took a really long while but it sort of worked for Earthbound.

Re: Snatcher HD remake/port? Why not?

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:05 pm
by SnatcherMkII
Just because Earthbound got a Virtual Console release doesn't mean Snatcher might get so lucky. I doubt Konami would even care to re-release the game for US audience, even for a niche fanbase. People begged for Policenauts to be released on PSN, but you gotta remember, it hasn't been officially translated. And besides that, it's very unlikely it'll be seeing a PSone Import release since the game is story-oriented.