Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of the participants and the moderator, and do not necessarily reflect those of the GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive material afoot. Just when I'd put Howard behind me, dammit. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Like it or not, I'm still here.

The resounding complaints regarding yesterday's column were in criticism of my lack of a personal introduction. I stand firm in my conviction that this column isn't about me, but I suppose it is about its readers, and since you're all clamoring so ... clamorously, I'll try to sum myself up.

If you're not interested, I don't blame you. Scroll on down to the letters and sate yourself with the meaty discussion at hand.

For the rest of you, I'm going to attempt answering all the FAQs in one shot. This is gonna be brief, to-the-point, and undoubtedly very, very dry reading, because despite the raging ego apparant in my writing, I bloody hate talking about myself like I'm on some awkward first date.

Erin Elizabeth Mehlos is the name. I am a 21-year-old Visual Communication student of Madison Area Technical College in Madison, Wisconsin. My hobbies, apart from the obvious, include fencing, rollerblading, renaissance re-enacting, and keeping collection agencies at bay. I've been gaming since "Kangaroo" for the Atari 2600. High points in the years subsequently sucked away by the home game console include the original Legend of Zelda, FFs III, VII, IX and T, Earthbound (the only Mother title I've been fortunate enough to play), Suikodens I and II, Lunars SSS and EB, both pre-Xbox Oddworlds, various Tekkens, Soul Calibur, PaRappa, and Dance Dance Revolution. Doubtless I've had other favorites over the course of the last decade and a half, but, damn. I've slept a couple times since then, you know?

I don't, regrettably, have blue hair. Although I did 2 years ago.

If I missed any of the more pertinent questions sent in with that little bio (favorite flavor of Jell-O, cup size, etc.), my apologies.

There. Does having wrested self-disclosure from the newbie, wracked as she is with trust and intimacy issues, make you feel good about yourself?

Thought it might. Moving on....

The masterful AK elucidates further regarding pendy's question of yesterday. I failed to even mention additional little complications such as new packaging, artwork (tying this in with today's topic - not that we're often big fans of the US artwork), manuals, etc. for a foreign market, nevermind the executive gauntlet every phase of development and/or translation is subject to.

Now, on to Suikoden.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Revisited

Buddy Christ, eh? A Kevin Smith fan perhaps? Finally a DA I can relate too (did anyone else really feel for past unnamed DA's whose sole obession was Kurt Cobain?) Well Good Luck with all that. The one thing that needs to happen to the Suikoden series is they need to make the big army battles challenging. Was it just me or was it impossible to lose those? Other than that they can take all the time they need to tweak the graphics (which I've read were fairly bad). Really it doesnt matter because the second coming is this week. It's actually about the fourth coming, fifth if you count Snake's Revenge. Snoochie Boochies, that's baby talk

I have to agree that the strategic deciding battles in both Suikoden I and Suikoden II were ridiculously easy and simplistic. Combining standard RPG battle fare with one-on-one and mass scale tactical combat always gave Suikoden a nice ambience of variety, even if they were less than well-executed. It'd be great if Konami could elaborate on the army battles of Suikoden II in the series' third installment, giving us more of a complete strategy game-within-a-game.

All this eye-gouging in front of a children!

Hi, Erin, welcome to the fold (rah rah rah, or something) ::gives Erin a big bear hug:: "Smart move Konami." That's all I could say when I heard this. I'm one of the biggest, most ardent fans of Suikoden ever (hell, it makes my Harvest Moon fandom pale in contrast; even though I own 'em all) , and I admit that S2 was a little rushed in some areas *grumble*TRANSLATION*gumble* and it could have benifited greatly if it had a few more weeks of proof reading. The weird (insert random letter here)cDohl fiasco was unforgivable. I wanted to hunt down the translators with a spork and gouge out their lazy eyes and replace them with cybernetic implants...yeah. Anyway, I applaud Konami for making the right decision because I really want to see a FLAWLESS Suikoken. Although for that to happen, they would have to convert it back to 2D which is where the heart and charm of the property is, subjectively. Ah well, such is life. I can't wait for the portable versions on GBA. Back to waiting for me........ -Tomm Heartt

C'mon! You're not at all turned on by embarrasing dialogue such as "Oh my God! All this killing in front of a children!"?

What kind of Suiko fan are you?

Really, it'd be unmitigatedly spiffy if more care could be taken with Suikoden III's translation, yes. Even when characters weren't speaking in typos and gross grammarical faux pas in the series' previous installments, dialogue was still awkward and bland.

Kind of like tonight's column.

Tomm also brings up another concern: by making the leap from 2D to 3D, is an integral part of what set the series aside, stylistically, being compromised?

108 Spoilers of Destiny

Hello! I'm gonna talk about Suikoden III. What was with that GIA TGS impression?!? Graphics, graphics, graphics! Is that all we're concerned with? Didn't think so. Anyway, the games going back into development or something, so it should hopefully be enough to keep mainsteream graphics watchdogs happy. Who knows? We may end up with something really nice looking, although I'm sure that's the last thing everyoone was expecting, considering the series' roots. Right? The last thing, right? Personally, I am looking forward to Suikoden III more than any other game at this time. It's probably for the reason that it's the only game that can't possibly be completely spoiled, given the number of names I'd have to unintentionally retain. Fujiko's Rack

While the issue many had with what was on parade at the Tokyo Game Show wasn't 3D environments and character models, but choppy, awkward expressionless 3D environments and character models, the 3D approach may come bundled with intrinsic problems all its own.

"Rotten Camel Dung"

"Do you think they intend to tune up Suikoden III before turning it loose on the market? Do you think they've given themselves ample time? Do you even care?" I'll take the last option. Games showcasing Howard the Duck ) don't bother me (not that there's any sort of precedent for such a thing), but if it's supposed to be a game about world war and military bravado, this is a pretty bad sign. If nobody knows what I'm talking about, well, that's about par for the course. Anyway, I think that jettisoning the 2D sprite approach was a huge mistake. To begin with, Suikoden wasn't a game that was 2D because it necessarily had to be (well, the first was a very early release and 3D might have been a bad move irregardless, but this definitely applies to its sequel), but instead because of a creative decision that wound up defining what Suikoden is. Secondly, there really should be at least one well-designed RPG with cel-shaded characters as a counterpoint to the travesty that is Wild Arms 3. In other words, they've moved from competing with crap (as there're no other such games on the PS2 that I know of) to competing with whatever Square produces. And, since they don't have Square's budget, that just doesn't strike me as an intelligent move. Now I know I'd take a lot of flack for saying this in some circles, but I happen to feel that almost all RPG stories are pretty much pap. If this weren't the case, then yeah, I'd accept that anal-romantic view that graphics are TOTALLY unimportant. What I'm trying to get at is that this is a game that appears to exist on a single cheek (half-assed), and that there's enough in the current screenshots to make sure that I'll go out of my way to not play this rotten camel dung. machka drek oh, and welcome aboard. I hope you won't be insulted, but I already like your style.

While I certainly don't think RPG plots in and of themselves have attained the level of "art" just yet, Suikodens, particularly II, have won quite a fan base purely through their standout storylines.

Often predictable and occasionally ridiculous (Man-eating spores? ' the hell?), they still manage to depict war and conflict in a more realistic and mature way than most games, choosing to obscure the lines of "good" and "bad" and melt usually black and white pro/antagonists archetypes into a puddle of indefineable grey.

For me, the general niftiness of that alone elevate Suikoden to a higher plane of regard, graphics be damned either way.

Appositives, in a word, rule

Erin, Welcome to DA. I hope you stick with us because I don't want to "grow up to be [an] anxious and ambivalent [lover], constantly worrying that [my] partner doesn't really love [me] and eventually driving...her away with [my] intensely irritating clinginess." First, allow me to make a suggestion. I have watched DAs struggle with opening comments for weeks now. Forget it. Just remind readers of the topic and get on with the letters. The "meat" of DA is in the letters and your responses to them, not the opening comments. As for Suikoden III on PS2, a game I was waiting for after Suikoden I on PSX even if I didn't know that PS2 would exist yet, I can only say that Konami had better take the time to correct any flays in the game. The Suikoden series' popularity derives from nostalgia and retrospect; that is, few people rush out to buy the new Suikoden game the day it hits the shelves. People often pick it up to fill the gaps between Squaresoft rpgs. Because the praise for the series has increased, and because the PS2 will have so few traditional rpgs when Konami releases Suikoden III, one could argue that "ironing out the kinks" is not vital to sales. Nevertheless, Konami will not get the game into stores before Final Fanatsy X. The game likely won't be available before Final Fantasy XI. Moreover, Kingdom Hearts may even be in stores before Suikoden III. To be competitive, Konami must give this game the attention that it deserves. The continuity of the series and the massive cast both stand as unique elements that make the games exciting, but beating a behemoth in the genre, such as Squaresoft, requires more than one or two "catchy" ideas. Konami must provide gamers with the complete experience. Anything less will fade into obscurity. Danny PS. I, too, am fond of appositives.

Sorry to have so flagrantly disregarded your opening advice. I tried. Really.

You make a similar point to machka's; that is, by choosing to take a 3D approach with Suiko III, Konami has, in a way, changed the emphasis of the series and the titles with which it will be expected to compete.

Looking at it from that perspective, it'd certainly be in their best interests to march their flat-faced, badly-puppeteered character models in to the Blue Fairy's office for an overhaul.

At the Close of the Great Geek Rennaisance

Erin - I think Suikoden III has been downplayed a lot for the reasons mentioned, and simply because RPG's have become big name, lucrative products, which no longer appeal to a niche market. Which reminds me, I was in a conversation today at work, and videogames got brought up. Mainly it was my ranitng that I couldn't buy Golden Sun because my boss didn't bring out the paychecks in time for me to grab the check, cash it, buy GS, and get back to work. Anyway, we came to this conclusion: games seriously aren't for nerds anymore. Neither are RPGs. Sorry guys, but we can no longer pride ourselves on geekiness. Games are accepted and the cool thing to do. But being such, games like Suikoden are pushed under the bulk of games like FFX and yet another Lunar remake(which I do not mind one damn bit.) Just like Chickien Holiday is pushed down by KFC, though the prices are much better, and the food at my local CH is better than KFC. That being said, I loved Suikoden, wanted to play Suikoden 2, and when that PS2 finally becomes mine, Suikoden 3 is definatly on the list. The delay only serves as a reminder that Konami knows what they're doing, and isn't afraid to FINISH a title...unlike certain other favorite games of mine, like Soul Reaver... At any rate, yeah, I think they've given themselves enough time to fix the bugs. Konami and their products are generally top notch, and Suikoden has proven to be, while not the company flagship, a valuable series that I doubt they would botch, especially not with such amateur mistakes, i.e. frame rate, animation probles, any stupid loading glitches, and bad dungeon design. Well, that aboot wraps it up, eh, Peace, Ray Stryker

RPGs may definitely have transcended their niche market of yesterday, but I'm skeptical as to the mass appeal of a title like Suikoden.

The first two games largely eluded mainstream attention; most of my game-playing friends had never so much as heard of it prior to an introduction at my place.

Nevertheless, you're right. Suikoden has done well for Konami in the past. They could at least return the favor.

What he says

Hi Erin, Personally I think the delay of Suikoden III is just par for the course. It seems like most games get delayed at least a little bit (or in the case of DW7, for quite a long while). It seems like only a few a few game manufacturers are able to reliably stick to a deadline. (As I'm learning in my Software Methodologies class, this is not a phenomenon limited to just games, either; most software ends up behind schedule and over budget.) In the specific case of Suikoden, I would assume that at least part of the extra time will be spent correcting the problems seen at the Game Show. As for whether a couple of months will be sufficient for that... well, I guess we'll see, won't we? Hopefully it will be, and I would expect it to be; most of the development time on software is spent in design and in initial construction; the fabled "one hour of coding, ten hours of bug fixing" is more of an exaggeration than reality. Not in the amount -- yes, it can really get that way -- but in the nature of it. The monumental amounts of bug fixing tends to take place in the middle of construction, when things are still in a semi-formless state. Bug fixes once everything is mostly working tend to go relatively quickly, in what I've read and in my own experience. So I'd say the Suikoden III delay is a definite good thing, and should probably suffice. Of course, none of us should be surprised if it ends the delay ends up being longer. Chaomancer Omega

I'd tend to agree.

But as long as there's ducks....

I feel like Woody in Toy Story, callously pushed under the bed to make way for the new, shiny, laser-action sporting Buzz Lightyear. Sigh. Play nice, my dear. They were my kids once too. ...Erm, what were we talking about? Oh yes, Suikoden III. What do I think about it? Will it be a worthy successor to the throne? It has freaking ducks in football helmets. DUCKS IN FOOTBALL HELMETS. I don't care if it handles like the SNES Lord of The Rings game, it's already the Best. Game. EVER. Ducks in football helmets. We've come so far over the past twenty years. -Brooke Erin, I love Suikoden. I picked it up for ten bucks at a Software Etc. and enjoyed it immensely (despite the ugly as sin cover art, IT BURNS! IT BURNS!). I want Suikoden II but damned if that game isn't hard to find. Needless to say I'm definitly looking forward to Suikoden III. If not for anything than the fact that one of your characters is a huge duck with an army helmet. -Figure Four

There you have it. Suiko III will sell regardless of Konami's efforts to straighten out its flaws before release, be they adequate, insufficient or nonexistant. On the myriad merits of ducks in football/army helmets.

So rather than put it off, how's about we make that tomorrow's topic.... seeing as how, lo and behold, my significant other came home tonight packing a copy of the game! Squeeeeee! No longer must I press my urchin snot-nose longingly against the glass, impossibly smearing store windows and subsequently being forced to sell crack on the street corner in order to afford the Windex neccessary to atone for my sins of lust....

So, happy ending all round, seeing as how everyone was so eager to get into this minefield of a topic.

Additionally, rather than discard all the little gems of related debate that didn't fit into the subject of Suikoden, I'm going to do something slightly unconventional and keep them until tomorrow. At which time I will print them, along with any additional thoughts anyone has on the matter, tomorrow night.

And then, puppets, armed with a newfound familiarity with the game and feminist biases galore, we will discuss.

In the interim, let us go out this evening for pleasure. The night is still young.

-Erin Mehlos, not to be confused with John Lennon