DIGITAL_DEVIL_DATABASE Community Forum

I'm in the process of putting together a post that introduces North American players to the Megami Tensei series, going through them chronologically and putting up links to English and Japanese websites and references.  It won't be spectacularly in-depth but I plan to touch on all 52 current games in the series and updating as new games are released.

Also in what section do you think we should put it up?

All in one post? Sounds like mucho trabajo.

There might already be an article such as this on the mainsite. If not, I recommend you post your submission in the dev (The Underground) board as a pre-article. Then try to parley it into an article when finished.

There is a long ass article like this on a website called hardcore gaming 101 or something... don't know the actual url.

http://www.digitaldevildb.com/games/

http://www.digitaldevildb.com/about.php

If you plan to use images and explain all in depth then we can expect something really amazing.

Here's the link to that website, yksehtniycul said:

Hardcore Gaming 101 (http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/megaten/megaten.htm)


:xd:

Something valuable might be stub articles for all the links on that page that are non traversable.


Personally, I'd really prefer the website be reorganized so it's more retro, and works up to the newer titles... rather than starting with the newer titles (actually just titles circa the site founding) as the basis for a site and working backwards / sprinkled with the odd retro tidbits.

My thinking is a more retro site invokes a sense of history. Plus comers are going to already know about the contemporary titles, so it makes more sense to make them wade thru the classic stuff first -- to me at least... I mean if the goal of the website is to be informational.


But I'm not sure. I'm just a retro sort of dude, so who's to say really :rolleyes:

Hmm, apparently that article is regularly updated. I noticed there is now a link near the top to Masakado's translation of the novels (not sure the link is super appropriate on a comercial site -- but hey)

One thing that bothers me about Megaten2, is I'm constantly seeing screenshots of the Devil Buster meta game on the internet -- being captioned as if that is actual Megaten2 gameplay!

This is apparently because people never play past the mini-game to realize after you finish it (or just stop playing it -- which you can do at any time) the game becomes traditional first-person Megaten (which was really impressive on the Super Famicom)


So in the end, what you get is a bunch of screens that look like Dragon Quest being called Megaten2 :rolleyes:

(http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/megaten/megaten2-4.png)

I was thinking more along the lines of an introductory message to the boards as well as the series.  Basically explaining what Megaten is, a listing of the games, release dates and systems, and providing links for each game, preferably with accompanying screenshots.       

I dunno, I guess that could be a sticky by the introduction thread -- though that board isn't necessarily Megaten specific. I suppose I could add a special board to the Megaten games section for it, or more practically rework the "New News" board into something more all inclusive.

I don't wanna shoot down your enthusiasm, but bear in mind the forums are an addendum to the main site. I recommend if anything, you structure such a sticky post as more of a roadmap regarding what board you should use for which games / about the games. That is make it a more informative version of the list of boards/descriptions in the "MEGAMI TENSEI Uncensored" group on the forum's front page.

Actually I'm thinking the "New News" board doesn't belong in that set, so probably you could park an introduction in the "Megaten Hell" board. I'll edit the description so it also mentions introductions / overviews.

In the meantime I'm not sure what to do with New News.

Well you don't have to reorder things on my account.  The Megaten Hell section does seem like the best place for it.

I'm sure the News section will start picking up once Persona 4 gets localized and more information gets released for King Abadon.  I'll try to keep a look out.

In addition to screen shots I was looking to include links to actual game play videos that are posted on youtube and other video upload sides.  Again, it won't be anything too fancy.  I'll probably puts some links to roms of the non-localized games as well.

Like I said, just break it up into these sections (all in one post)

Megaten Hell
IMAGINE Online
Tokyo 202X
Summoners' Club
Velvet Room
Nirvana

Make each heading a link to that board, and you should be fine.

You might move the Megaten Hell section to the last slot.

If you don't do it this way, I don't think it's appropriate for the forums.

I'm still working on this, just tracking down the last bits of boxart.

The problem I have with ordering it  this way is that it makes Online IMAGINE first on the list.  For the sake of brevity I'd like to list it second to last (past the Nirvana section, before Megaten Hell), mostly because it's going to be the emptiest section in the introduction and also just not the first thing I (or most people I'd argue) think of when I think about Megaten.

Brief outline: A small paragraph about the boards and a brief history of Megaten.

Then a list of the games by series with box art, release dates & available systems, links to their Japanese and North American (if they have one) sites, as well as providing ROM resources for the games unavailable commercially in North America, and of course the headings link to the boards that discuss them.  I'm still dividing them the way you describe, but I feel this order is more appropriate:

Tokyo 202X
Velvet Room
Summoner's Club
Nirvana
Online IMAGINE
Megaten Hell

I think this order generally parallels the popularity of the individual gaiden too.

Just swap Persona/Devil Summoner and you'll loosely be in chronological order :wink:

I was thinking that the introduction post probably belongs in the Welcome section since it's basically a DDDB Forum introduction and directory.  I'll PM you a preview.  I'll have to update the miscellaneous games a bit later.

I'm planning on taking down the "Welcome Back" board in time. It will be moved to the bottom to say the least. Possibly made read only.

That's why it's a "Welcome Back" board, and not a "Wecome" board :wink:

The Turnstile section then maybe would be more appropriate?

That's the least appropriate area. It's Megaten Hell or nada.

I can't make stickies in Megaten Hell though since I don't moderate those sections...  I think I might just scrap this idea.

I'll sticky whatever you have naturally. Or Emilio can. Whoever sees it first.

I'll change the board's description to mention primers/orientation or whatever.

Too late to chicken out now. You made too much of a fuss already :smug:

Oh you.  I finished the first part of it anyway.  I need to track down box art for all the miscellaneous games, but I'll get to it either tomorrow or Monday.

Thanks, I'll be sure you get some karma. I'm not sure if we have a policy yet on more than one karma jobs, but some jobs are bigger than others clearly :sweatdrop:

There are some typos/formatting issues in there... didn't notice any glaring factual errors.

I wish you'd put Majin Tensei first in the final section. Also probably better you refer to boards rather than "sections".

If you want I can lock the thread. However I'm not sure you'd be able to edit it then.

There was also that MSX title. Maybe some modem based adventure style games as well??

There have also been alternative releases on various platforms you've left out.

Giten Megami Tensei. Might even put in a plug for card/mobile games, and so on and on...

Yeah, it's not totally finished.  The Megaten Hell section needs cleaning up and has quite a few omissions.  I'll change things around when I get around to adding the box art.

I used "sections" because I thought I was overusing the word "board" but I can change that around for you too.  I wanted to tack on a little thing on the end regarding the anime/live-action serieses as well as card games/mobile phone stuff/akuma zensho discs.

I think I can still edit it after locking it, just can't make it a sticky. :P  For now maybe we should keep it unlocked until I finish it up.

Don't worry, I made it all sticky for you :aroused:

Tell me when you're finished with it, and I'll lock it up. Then you can try to edit or not...

edited: You could also try using the size bbcode to make the section headers really huge so they're not missed :smokin:

I suggest the thread name be something like:

STICKY: An Intro to our Game Forums and the MEGAMI TENSEI Franchise!

Btw, are you sure those images are good forever? You might try attaching them, then linking back the urls the attachments point to.

Or better yet, when I can get around to it I'll move them to someplace on the website you can reference!

I'm actually hosting the images myself.  As long as I don't exceed bandwidth limits they're good.  There's a four image limit to the attachments apparently though.

Let me know once you're happy with the images and I'll set them up on the server proper.

You'll have to change the name yet. I don't want DDDB in the title. And all sticky posts should begin with "STICKY: ".

You also need to add relevant links back to the digitaldevildb.com website for more information where available.


You're missing a graphic slot for SMTII and the Kyuuyaku image appears to be broken/missing (I presume you already noticed this -- but just to be safe)

Majin Tensei III is missing from that section.

I noticed I forgot to put up an image of II's box art, but the Kyuuyaku shows up fine in my browser.

For me the Kyuuyaku slot is a stand-in image that says "THIS IMAGE OR VIDEO HAS BEEN MOVED OR DELETED" signed -photobucket.

A forced refresh does nothing.

Fixed.

Giten was produced by a company called ASCII, not ATLUS.

edited: Also, I think maybe a proper translation for Giten is "apocrypha[l]".

edited: Also JA Wikipedia says Giten was released two years earlier on the PC-98 platform.

I just went with a literal translation of 偽 (にせ), meaning false or imitation and 典 (のり), meaning celebration or a ceremony - and oddly enough, law or rule.  I'm not entirely familiar with Biblical terms in Japanese though, so 'apocrypha' could be a better fit.

That might be literal in the disassociated kanji sense, but "literally" usually applies to words! It's a used word obviously, though it doesn't show up in the online JDIC. Japanese are so liberal with their words. I think anyone has the license to make up a new one whenever they feel. But this has been used for a while, and seems to appear around non-cannon Christian materials if you Google it.

Well those were pretty much my thoughts on the matter.  I'd never seen the word in context outside of Megaten so I just translated the two kanji, rather like how other people translate nakama-zoku surnames (i.e. Evil God for Jyashin, etc).  I figured you'd probably know better than I and since 'mokushiroku' is the Japanese name for the Book of Revelations, 'apocrypha' does seem like a better fit.

Personally I kind of like Japanese nonsense words.  They only usually fail when they try to do the same with English.

I think 典 also means a collection of books (or is often used in that sense in combination) ...I could be thinking of a related/similar kanji however.

PS: I think the races are translated that way because their is no single English word for Cruel God or whatever afaik. I think Jashin should always be used in that case like a proper noun none the less.

I totally agree.  To a certain extent I think they should do the same with skills and magic.  I mean why keep Bufu (as my little brother has pointed out on numerous occasions as an English pseudonym for 'butt-fuck' ) but translate "Messiah Riser" as "Salvation."  Or "Randomizer" as "Debilitate?" 

Anyways, this is what I need to fix on the post:
-Add box art for the new Raidou games.
-Add the new Raidou games to the list of Devil Summoner games.
-Add the North American box art for Persona 3 and FES.
-All the box art for the miscellaneous Megaten games.

Let me know if you notice anything else.

I'm all for stopping to think about katakana English names, as a lot of the time they're really goofball when rendered in naked English. Whether to use "Messiah Riser" or "Salvation" to me, would be more or a judgment based on the atmosphere of the game. Either seems fine in one context or another, but I admit I don't know what that one does actually :dazed:

I'd probably at least change it to Messiah Rising.

Good job with the post btw. Post something once you're satisfied with it so I'll have something to quote in the good karma thread.

If you make any substantial additions down the road, post something for more karma (might be better to post directly under the post about changes -- that way everyone will know it's changed)

Also seems like some of this stuff could be used to flesh out some of the pages on the main site sometime.

I have some further requests, but I'll reserve them for once you feel you're finished :smokin:

What do you think of alternative / re-release boxarts like the ones on this page?

http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/megaten/megaten2.htm

The original Soul Hackers cover is on this page:

http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/megaten/megaten3.htm

NA Persona cover:

http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/megaten/megaten4.htm

There are others if you keep going. You get the picture....

Cool: http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/megaten/raidou-art.jpg

I don't think the graphics actually look like this, but it'd be interesting if they did.

http://shindds.free.fr/aya_nishitani2.html

I remembered to change the Megaten Hell description to better lure users into your post :hearton:

Anyone can let me know if you have a better phrasing! :sweatdrop:


Btw, I think a good sticky/locked thread in the The Turnstile forum might be a board highlights thread. If Emilio wants to set that up, let me know.

Speaking of which, do you wanna try locking your thread? Or do you want it open for comments?

What do you want me to do?  :dazed:

EDIT: Do you want me to move the thread "Introduction to the forums and the Megami Tensei series" to the "Turnstile" section?

If you want to you can make a sticky thread that is a list of links to important threads (like the one Ry made)

Other threads like the rules thread and stuff. And even particularly well thought threads users make.

If people think a thread should be added, they can just report it with a note to add it :wink:

All moderators can post in locked threads. So they can add there own links to the list. It's an idea... if you like it, you're the mod... it's your prob not mine :biggrin:

Ok, I'll take care of it, always in the "Turnstile" section, right?

But for now, let me get some rest! :goodnight:

Just 1 thread :rainbow: Do your best :smokin:

Goodnight :goodnight:

What are "Shin Megami Tensei: If... Hazama's Chapter" and "Shin Megami Tensei 20XX" listed on the sites video games page? Are these the Playstation re-releases? And if so, why the need to change the titles?

"Shin Megami Tensei: If... Hazama's Chapter" is another of those cell phone games.

Btw, I can't think of any reason Giten discussion doesn't belong in the Tokyo 20XX board. Also PC98 should be the first platform.

You also mispelled "Apacrypha" :biggrin:

http://fullmotionvideo.free.fr/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3198#3198