Mega Man Legends 3 fate to be determined by popularity of Prototype Version

Mega Man Legends 3 director Masakazu Eguchi has said the Prototype Version coming to Nintendo's eShop on 3DS will determine whether or not the full game make it out of the door.

The game, based on the prototype created used to convince Capcom to let the team continue development, will be released through an "unprecedented agreement," and that the "heat and excitement surrounding this downloadable title," will determine the fate of the full version.

"If hype is strong, the full title will be a go," said Eguchi. "If not, it's a no-go.I don’t even want to think about that outcome.

"We took this prototype game, full of potential, and showed it off at the greenlight meeting. As hoped, Barrett’s [the character] reception was top-notch. What a response! And yet. . . it’s really difficult to determine just how well-received a sequel to a 10-year-old series will be.

"This is where the Mega Man Legends Developer Room comes in. Planned as a place where users could get in on the development process, we knew there was some way we could utilize this to help our project succeed. We ended up reaching an unprecedented agreement. 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.

"When we’re approved to tell you about the Prototype’s release date and further details, we’ll make another announcement as soon as possible. One thing I know for sure is that it won’t be too long from now."

You hear that? If you want Mega Man Legends 3, download the heck out of the Prototype version when it's released.

Thanks, Joystiq.