Well, I used to think that most people prefer original voices and subs, but I've heard plenty of people opposing. Personally I'm all for subs, but English isn't my native language anyway, and I've been watching anime since forever, when not much was getting localized, and the huge majority of the existing dubs were truly awful. So I'm used to subs. I'm still very much in favour of dual-language tracks, as long as there is room on the media.
However there are quite a few points in namco's replies that don't make much sense:
- Vesperia's voices are done to a large extent. Did MS actually finance so much that the rest of the voicing wouldn't be covered by all Western PS3 sales?
- It's not below Namco to cut corners in voicing anyway (Abyss skits, a whole part of Legendia unvoiced)
- as mentioned, there are more voice actors out there than a few big names
- why refuse other publishers? Quality cannot possibly be a problem, Atlus do great at JRPG localization. There is a certain loss of developer identity in some cases (e.g. a lot of people quoting Demon's Souls as an Atlus game). However Tales of games always have Tales of in the title. It's not a single game, and a publisher cannot kidnap the brand forever.
And anyway, how is me importing games going to encourage Namco localizing them more often. Especially since I've spent quite enough this gen on Namco's platform hops, and if they finally release in the West one of the games I imported, they certainly won't see me buying that edition as well just to show them my appreciation for finally throwing the West a bone after all the petitioning.
