First of all I would not admit to bootlegging (not that you are just hinting it is the only recourse is bad enough), especially to people that have already expressed how much they dislike pirating of software. Nor is bootlegging anything I would do as well as anything that I will actively or publicly condone.
Secondly, it is possible, just possible that the fact it is being bootlegged so much is what is preventing any company from thinking the game profitable enough try and cut a deal to make legal copies of the game to sell to those of us wanting them, and the other copies of Princess Maker that exist, I think they are up to three or four. Personally I think, is Intracorp the correct company to site here, is ticked at the bootlegging and that is partly why you don’t see any of the copies coming over through a different distrubtion company these days.
Even if they are bankrupt and based in the U.S., presumably they are under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Protection (or the Japanese equivalent if they are based in Japan) which at least in the U.S. allows limited business to continue, meaning if they thought it profitable they could license this game still to be sold over here, make a profit which they might never see, but would go to pay off some of their debt, so I am not sure their being bankrupt would be an end all cause of their choice not to release translations, if I have the right company in mind as the owners of the game’s copyright.
Even if I have the wrong company and sited only the distribution company, I don’t think the copyright owning company is thrilled at the mass bootlegging and truly feel that is one of the reasons why we don’t see these games even in bundles over here, they are getting their ‘revenge’ in the way that they can, not giving us all the games legally. Sure it’s not the only reason but I do think it is one of the reasons at least behind close doors.
[This message has been edited by SCDawg (edited 02-26-2004).]