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A port of Raiden IV for the Xbox 360 is apparently in alpha stage and is scheduled to be released in the US at some unspecified point in the distant future. This news comes from an interview with one of UFO Interactive's managers recently conducted by Team Fremont. (And don't forget, UFO is also bringing to the US the PS2 port of Raiden III later this month.)

This is all very surprising, especially considering that it's going to be a while before Raiden IV is even released in Japanese arcades (it's currently slated for July). Moreover, no news of a Japanese 360 port has emerged through any of the usual sources. What has me worried the most is that UFO is considering releasing this on XBLA, which could very well mean a shoddy port in unsuitable resolution and with no option for tate. On the other hand, even if this is a regular disc release it could turn out ugly. By Royal decree all Xbox 360 games have to be 720p minimum and Raiden IV is a 640x480 game -- which is not even a widescreen resolution. G.rev faced the same problem when porting Senko no Ronde, but then again their game was in yoko so things were much simpler. It will be interesting to see how this gets handled.

Q: Please tell us, Mr Hoshino-san, of your work content.

A: All direction such as schedule and management of quality between the existing version and the new version, adjustment of enemy arrangement and overall balance of the game.

Q: How long did conversion of Raiden IV [to home console] take?

A: About 10 months.

Q: Presently in August, is the master up (refers to the completion of the beta version, in game industry terms) completed?

A: Master up already completed, now awaiting examination by Microsoft.

Q: Are there any technical problems during conversion from Type-X arcade board to Xbox 360? If there were any difficulties, please let us know.

A: Because both are PC-based architectures, conversion went smoothly, but the only difficulty we faced is the picture size and image change from output terminals to monitors.

Q: 3D (polygon drawing) for shooting games has been a topic among game fans concerning input delay. In regards to Raiden IV, how is work done on it?

A: We were aware of the topic from beginning of development when we created the program. It wasn’t delayed, but when RAP (game tester?) was roped in for the test, it got terrible.

Q: During conversion of resolution from arcade board to Xbox 360, was there any improvement of graphics (in Raiden III PS2 version, the display textures were cut down considerably)?

A: Because it becomes high resolution, enemy texture and effects were rewritten for high resolution. Basically it was just conversion to high specification, so effectiveness of freedom helped(?).

Q: In level 5 of arcade Raiden IV, there is a scene where the framerate drops considerably, has this been reproduced for the Xbox 360 version?

A: The part where the framerate drops has been intentionally included in the home version as well. However during 2-player simultaneous play using plasma lasers, the framerate will not drop in that circumstance.

Q: In regards to loading (in game), will there be a duration when the game reads?

A: Loading occurs between screens (in menu?), however I don’t think it’s a matter of concern.

Q: Please tell us the production concept of the new stages in Xbox 360 original mode.

A: In the arcade version, to reach the final boss [Level 5 EX] determines on your performance. [In the Xbox 360 version], Level 5 occurs in the battlefield, while Level 6 leads to the enemy’s frontline base.

Q: Please teach us the production concept for new additional boss characters. Are there any differences with the existing bosses?

A: The [new] bosses are able to transform. A slight difference is that their attack patterns are intentionally changed from other bosses.

Q: Has Original Mode undergone a game balance adjustment other than adding new stages?

A: Arcade Mode is still the same as before in arcade Raiden IV. In the new [original] mode, readjustments have been done from speed of bullets to arrangement.

Q: Is there a 2nd round for Original Mode?

A: Naturally there is.

Q: Was there any tremendous pressure during product conversion throughout the Raiden series?

A: Arcade version Raiden III to PS2/PC, arcade Raiden IV to Xbox 360, in each case there was some considerable pressure. Although we’re proud of the monumental work we have done in shooting (genre), however there is still stress involved. But if comments about gameplay can be heard, it is delightful above normal game development!(* I think what he’s trying to say that although they are proud of the work they have done in shooting genre and the stress involved, it is nice to hear comments about their game beyond game development.)

Ｑ：最後にファンの皆様にメッセージをください

Ａ：　「撃つ」「避ける」と言うシューティングの基本を突き詰めた雷電IV、新規の面やボスも入ってアーケード版をやり込んだ人でも楽しめると思いますので是非是非遊んで頂けるとうれしいです

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you'll only get them in volatile form...

The 360 is the console of choice for new shooters from now on

ONLY if the games are region locked.

Even if European gamers would have to pay an arm and a leg for a copy...