Last year, Nintendo published the frightening Wii-exclusive action title, Fatal Frame: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse, in Japan. Since then, fans have waited for the company's U.S. subsidiary to announce a stateside release of the game, which was developed by Tecmo and Grasshopper Manufacture.
And waited. And waited some more.
In early April, MTV had the chance to speak with NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime about the subject and the executive shot down hopes for a local debut of Fatal Frame, saying: "We are not the publisher of that title in the Americas."
Buh? Nintendo published the title in Japan so it was thought that the company would do the same for the game in America. Apparently not. Which publishers does that leave open to do it? The only other possibility is Tecmo, which had up until Mask of the Lunar Eclipse published all Fatal Frame games. So we contacted the third-party in hopes that it might shed some light on the subject and simultaneously offer stateside Wii owners a hopeful solution to the calamity.
No such luck.
A Tecmo spokesperson gave IGN the following statement:
"Nintendo holds the publishing rights to 'Fatal Frame Wii,' which was developed by Tecmo LTD. and Grasshopper Manufacture and released in Japan on July 31, 2008. Nintendo of America has since then decided not to publish the title in North America – consequently, the title will not be released in this territory. As the owner of the IP, Tecmo feels very unfortunate that the fans of the series in North America will not have a chance to play the game, but respects the final decision made by Nintendo of America."
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And waited. And waited some more.
In early April, MTV had the chance to speak with NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime about the subject and the executive shot down hopes for a local debut of Fatal Frame, saying: "We are not the publisher of that title in the Americas."
Buh? Nintendo published the title in Japan so it was thought that the company would do the same for the game in America. Apparently not. Which publishers does that leave open to do it? The only other possibility is Tecmo, which had up until Mask of the Lunar Eclipse published all Fatal Frame games. So we contacted the third-party in hopes that it might shed some light on the subject and simultaneously offer stateside Wii owners a hopeful solution to the calamity.
No such luck.
A Tecmo spokesperson gave IGN the following statement:
"Nintendo holds the publishing rights to 'Fatal Frame Wii,' which was developed by Tecmo LTD. and Grasshopper Manufacture and released in Japan on July 31, 2008. Nintendo of America has since then decided not to publish the title in North America – consequently, the title will not be released in this territory. As the owner of the IP, Tecmo feels very unfortunate that the fans of the series in North America will not have a chance to play the game, but respects the final decision made by Nintendo of America."
source