Hello there. Just recently, I've sended an e-mail to Nintendo of America about Earthbound and it's legal issues in putting it on the Virtual Console. I told Nintendo of America about that millions of Earthbound fans has given up on it's Virtual Console release, due to licensing issues. I also told NOA that they can side-step the legal issues by asking people if they can use the contents that they have for Earthbound Virtual Console re-release of if they're too afraid of that, is just release in it's original, unaltered North American Earthbound SNES version. I also told Nintendo of America that millions of people would die to see the game on the Virtual Console, plus I told them that it'll top Super Mario Bros. 3 on popularity and stay at #1, also I told that it will make them lots of money. I should be expecting an respone within several days, due to the Wii immense popularity.

So, do you think I did the right thing?

I e-mailed them a while back about the vc release of Earthbound and told them I didn't want to spend 100$ for it on ebay. They pretty much told me they didn't care. I wish you luck in a good response from them though

I think you lied through your teeth, haha.

The issues aren't so much legal as they are financial - the amount Nintendo would have to pay in royalties if Earthbound were to appear on the VC would far outweigh any profit they might make. Aint gonna happen.

I can safely say your email will be disregarded as having no real significance.

And I can honestly say it doesn't.

I'm sure he'll get a politely worded response indicating that whatever 3rd party provides Nintendo support gets little notice if any on what releases are coming to the VC/WiiWare and that he can check the website for updates on new releases, thank you for your support, etc. That's been my experience anyway.

You did the wrong thing.

Lying to people you know perfectly well know better is not the best way to get what you want, no.

You do realise Nintendo get these kind of email everyday, the more emails they'll get, the more they'll wish that Earthbound was never localised in the first place. Sure it's an awesome game, but ranting about it at Nintendo isn't going to help...

Ranting doesn't help, no, but politely explaining your request / argument / whatever does help. It's the only way they can gauge demand.

I think they are worn out with letters and phone calls, though, thanks to Starmen.net's many petitions / call-in's / etc. I'd suggest exploring other avenues to make your voice heard. Danny August and I have both used the Nintendo Club post-play surveys. That is a good place to start since they are not only asking us for our opinions on the VC, but they want to know these opinions so badly that they are awarding points redeemable for free goods. Apparently the survey is at least semi-important to them.

And I'm sure you can find other ways. Just be polite and reasonable. The people reading these letters / surveys / what-have-you aren't the ones responsible, so you have to convince them to care enough to report the contents to the higher-ups.

True, but like I said, Nintendo sees this same email everyday, to the point where they'll start having a hatred to a game that they Published... poor Itoh...

I really don't think that's how it works. Businesses do not get upset when their products generate a lot of demand and enthusiasm, so long as the fans remain civil.

Again true, but I think if Reggie hears the word "EarthBound" again, he'll transform into the Regginator and blood will be spillt lol

Thing is, they still don't seem to believe there's a high demand for the game, even though they do get bombarded with calls and e-mails constantly! Truly I say unto you: Nintendo is the ultimate master at denial over what their fanbase wants.

Oh Nintendo knows the demand, believe me. Not a chance in the world that it would pass them by.
Thing is, Copyright Laws, and the infringement of them.
EDIT!
Also, this is why they have not ended the distribution of the fan translation. Because, us braking laws against them, when they broke the law.
I mean think about it, what is a better stance from a financial stand point.
Release it and get sued or pay royalties.
OR
Just let fans emulate, and turn a blind eye.

What did someone at Nintendo tell you that?

So, after reading this, something popped into mind...This has been awhile back, right after the release of MarioRPG on the VC. I had called Nintendo support, I sometimes do that just to chat with NOA reps...Anyways, I had a question about the sensor bar and as I always do, I ended up chatting for about 45 minutes. I straight up asked the rep about Earthbound...At that time, he didn't mention anything about the legal issues or royalties...He actually said he didn't know but it was in the works...That Nintendo knows how much NA wants the title and they may wait for a big number like 300...Well, we seen what 300 was, Majora's Mask...Oh well, a nugget of info from the recesses of my mind...

Sended > Sent

Yeah like everyone else said...Nintendo will most likely ignore your Email...or in a way say that they wouldn't care.

@ Sean Aaron: Your right. It's similar to it. Which is good. In fact, I'll let you people know what the responder at Nintendo of America said:

"Hello,

I can understand your desire to see the Mother/Earthbound series release outside of Japan. At this time, however, no announcement has been made regarding such occurance. If any new Mother/Earthbound games are announced for release in the future, or if the original Earthbound for the Super NES was made available via the Wii's Virtual Console feature we'll be sure to post the news to our website (www.nintendo.com), so please check back from time to time.

Sincerely

Shane O'Neil
Nintendo of America Inc."

Similar all-right, however, he also recommend that I take an survey, which I did. I told them that their service was excellent, told them the point of me contacting them (Which you know about), and that I was pleased with the polite responce they gave me. In fact, read up in bold. It's no confirmation, however, they said if there were any news related to new Mother/Earthbound coming out or if Earthbound was made available via Virtual Console, they'll let us know by there site. So what I'm basicilly saying is that while there's no guaranteen (And that I need to improve on my English), there's still a possibility of us seeing Earthbound on the North American Virtual Console, however, they did not talk about any legal issues surrounding the game, so why are we worried?

In fact, I decided to respone with a brief thank you to Nintendo of America. However, I gave them some suggestion that will not only benefit us, but Nintendo of America too. I told them that they should try to make a list of what games are coming out, suggested that they do mutiple games week at least once a month if they can't do it regularly anymore, plus that I suggested that they should start fixing licensing issues politely. I didn't do this just for my intrest, I did it to imporve the Virtual Console for all gamers who support the Virtual Console.

BTW, who is Shane O'Neil?

@ Adam: That's a good suggestion, should I sign up for Club Nintendo now (As long as it's free.)? When I sign up, I'll do it, not for the free goodies (Couldn't care less about it), but to get some of the most wanted games on the Virtual Console.

@ Stevie: I know I need to use better grammer, but that's not the point of this thread. The point is that I sent a letter to Nintendo of America about releasing Earthbound on the Virtual Console, sir.

@ KoKoO_Psy: Here's what I think they should do. They should release the game on the Virtual Console and pay royalty for once in order to keep there butt safe from being sued on this. Allowing people to emulate Earthbound on computer and not releasing the game on the Virtual Console would destroy any hope of the Mother/Earthbound series getting the recongniztion it deserves after twenty years. It would forever remain an expensive game that would put holes into our wallets if they don't believe in emulation. And of course Nintendo isn't going to do the latter, so the only hope we have of playing the game legally is via Virtual Console, unless some of you already have the game.

@ Jerichoholic Josh: I did. Read my respone to Sean Aaron.

@Moai Head: They can't be that selfish. After all, I did get an polite respone. Even if they did lose money, they'll gain more then what they lost in a faster pace. Beside, this will not kill NOA or even put them in financial trouble. Well, everyone is in financial trouble in this recession, but at least they'll be able to function enough so they can churn in great game for us.

@ AlexSays: The responce they gave me proves that it does have some sort of significants in it, even if it's not the most important message they've received.

Thus ends a long comment.

That response Nintendo gave you was a canned response. Anyone who sends an e-mail mentioning EarthBound will get that message in those exact words.