In Japan, the PlayStation 2 has so many galge (gal games, like clean dating sims) that it isn’t even funny. It carried on the tradition from the PlayStation and the Sega Saturn, but somehow that tradition has not carried over to the PlayStation 3. Actually, some feel that this kind of falling out of fashion. But I never really thought about why the PS3 hasn’t sen any galge until Kotaku mentioned it today.
A Japanese magazine article on these visual novels sites some possible reasons for the lack of galge.
1. Titles need to sell 30,000 copies.
2. The games need online capabilities.
3. Graphics need to high-def.
I don’t know how necessary the last two items are, but the first one seems important. If 30,000 copies is the break-even point, then I guess the PS3 user install base isn’t big enough for these publishers to feel comfortable making these titles.
How about they test the waters? How about re-releasing some old Tokimeki Memorial or Sakura Taisen games as downloadable titles while they’re working on their new high-definition, online-capable girl games. Someone just needs something fresh and new to bring the genre back into the (Japanese) spotlight.