Sega: Timing sent Valkyria Chronicles 2 to PSP, series could return to PS3
While fans of the first game are likely happy that Sega’s not abandoning one of the most underappreciated console RPGs this generation, the Valkyria Chronicles sequel does raise one important question: why the hell is it on PSP and not on PS3 like the original? Sega says it mostly boiled down to timing. That and exposure.
While fans of the first game are likely happy that Sega’s not abandoning one of the most underappreciated console RPGs this generation, the Valkyria Chronicles sequel does raise one important question: why the hell is it on PSP and not on PS3 like the original? Sega says it mostly boiled down to timing. That and exposure.
Today’s post on the official Valkyria Chronicles 2 blog has producer Shuntaro Tanaka explaining that the PSP sequel is Sega’s way to keep gamers’ attention on the franchise without leaving too big of a gap between the first and second games. Console development takes longer than handheld development, and Sega wanted to capitalize on the then-new Valkyria Chronicles anime.
Another reason is that putting out a game on PSP would let Sega reach a broader demographic. Tanaka revealed that Sega surveys showed Valkyria Chronicles was reaching a higher than expected age group and an almost entirely (95%!) male audience. A PSP release would allow them to expose more people to the franchise.
That’s not to say that the PSP is the series’ new permanent home, however. According to Tanaka, there’s still a good chance that the series will continue on the high-end PS3 console. “My personal ideal vision is to develop Valkyria Chronicles on both PSP and PS3. We definitely want to make games on the high end PS3 as well,” he said.