Mega Man Legends 3’s Development Hinges On The Prototype Version’s Reception

Mazakazu Eguchi, director of Mega Man Legends 3, recently updated the game’s development blog with some talk of the upcoming Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype Version, a paid preview version of the game that will launch with the Nintendo 3DS eShop in May.

You may recall that Legends 3 is a project that still isn’t entirely “greenlit,” meaning that that higher-ups at Capcom aren’t fully convinced of its viability. This is where the Prototype Version comes in. Eguchi says that the Prototype Version was shown off internally at Capcom to a “top-notch” reception.

He then touches upon how the Prototype Version will be used to gauge interest in the game, which could factor into whether or not a full game will be developed:

“As it happens, it was decided that the prototype version of the game we had submitted within the company would be sold as a downloadable—“Mega Man Legends 3 Prototype Version”. Furthermore, the heat and excitement surrounding this downloadable title would determine whether or not the full game could be greenlit. If hype is strong, the full title will be a go. If not, it’s a no-go. I don’t even want to think about that outcome!”

Note that Eguchi doesn’t use the word “sales,” but opts for “heat and excitement” instead.