Tomba Club: Difference between revisions

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The Japanese releases of both games included a postcard with a small questionnaire that could be sent in to give feedback to the developers.<ref>In Japan this was a common practice for video game releases around this time. The original Tomba release predated the establishment of the Tomba Club but already included such a questionnaire.</ref> The questionnaire contains sections asking the respondent to rate various aspects of the game, reasons for purchasing, preferred game genres, sources of game information, and whether they have seen the TV commercial or played the previous game.
The Japanese releases of both games included a postcard with a small questionnaire that could be sent in to give feedback to the developers.<ref>In Japan this was a common practice for video game releases around this time. The original Tomba release predated the establishment of the Tomba Club but already included such a questionnaire.</ref> The questionnaire contains sections asking the respondent to rate various aspects of the game, reasons for purchasing, preferred game genres, sources of game information, and whether they have seen the TV commercial or played the previous game.


When sent in, Whoopee Camp would mail back an application form that would allow fans of the game to become a member of the club.
When sent in, along with one's name, date of birth and contact details, Whoopee Camp would mail back an application form that would allow fans of the game to become a member of the club.


== Tomba Press ==
== Membership benefits ==
 
The Tomba Press (トンバプレス) was a publication mailed exclusively to Tomba Club members. According to the Whoopee Camp website, it was published irregularly—the publication itself was titled "Monthly Tomba Press". It contained company updates, special content, and information that cannot be found elsewhere. It also informed members about upcoming club events, such as playtest sessions for games in development.


The Japanese [[Tomba! 2]] booklet features a small photo of a number of the Tomba Press publications:
Aside from receiving a [[Tomba Club Members Card|membership card]], members would also be able to earn exclusive merchandise not for sale anywhere by contributing their feedback. According to the website, a point system was in place, and the following rewards are listed:


[[File:Tomba Club - Tomba Press Detail.jpg|400px]]
* 1000 points - Tomba Club Special Clear File
* 2000 points - Tomba Club Special T-shirt
* 3000 points - ??? (A super exciting, ultra-rare item!)


The Whoopee Camp website describes a playtest session that was conducted with club members:
The Whoopee Camp website also describes a special pre-release playtest session that was conducted with club members:


<blockquote>
<blockquote>
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</blockquote>
</blockquote>


Not much else is known about the actual contents of any of the Tomba Press publications, as no issues are ever known to have been archived or described.
Considering the timing, this likely refers to a playtest for Tomba! 2.
 
== Tomba Press ==
 
The Tomba Press (トンバプレス) was a publication mailed exclusively to Tomba Club members. According to the Whoopee Camp website, it was published irregularly—the publication itself reads "Monthly Tomba Press" at the top. It contained company updates, special content, and information that cannot be found elsewhere. It also informed members about upcoming club events, such as playtest sessions for games in development.
 
The Japanese [[Tomba! 2]] booklet features a small photo of a number of the Tomba Press publications:
 
[[File:Tomba Club - Tomba Press Detail.jpg|400px]]
 
Not much else is known about the actual contents of any of the Tomba Press publications, as no issues are known to have ever been archived or described.


== Images ==
== Images ==
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File:Tomba Club - WA Questionnaire Form s.jpg|Full questionnaire form included with [[Tomba! 2]] for joining the Tomba Club
File:Tomba Club - WA Questionnaire Form s.jpg|Full questionnaire form included with [[Tomba! 2]] for joining the Tomba Club
File:Tomba Club - WA Questionnaire Form Letter s.jpg|The back of the questionnaire with Whoopee Camp's address details
File:Tomba Club - WA Questionnaire Form Letter s.jpg|The back of the questionnaire with Whoopee Camp's address details
File:Tomba Club - Info from WA Booklet.jpg|Information about the Tomba Club from the Japanese [[Tomba! 2]] booklet
File:Tomba-club-famitsu-548.jpg|Recruitment ad in Famitsu Vol.548 (1999-06-18)
</gallery>
</gallery>


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* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000919194511/http://www.whoopeecamp.co.jp/club/tomba.htm Information about the Tomba Club and Tomba Press on the Whoopee Camp original website], archived on the {{WM}} (2000)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000919194511/http://www.whoopeecamp.co.jp/club/tomba.htm Information about the Tomba Club and Tomba Press on the Whoopee Camp original website], archived on the {{WM}} (2000)
[[Category:Promotional campaigns]]

Latest revision as of 12:10, 6 June 2024

Photo of a Tomba Club members card with membership number 178.

The Tomba Club was the official fan club of Tomba developer Whoopee Camp. Established in October 1998, the club served as a communication tool to connect Whoopee Camp with its fans, facilitating direct exchanges of opinions and providing exclusive information and merchandise that was not available to the public. Members would receive a membership card and were sent a monthly Tomba Press publication.

Application process

The Japanese releases of both games included a postcard with a small questionnaire that could be sent in to give feedback to the developers.[1] The questionnaire contains sections asking the respondent to rate various aspects of the game, reasons for purchasing, preferred game genres, sources of game information, and whether they have seen the TV commercial or played the previous game.

When sent in, along with one's name, date of birth and contact details, Whoopee Camp would mail back an application form that would allow fans of the game to become a member of the club.

Membership benefits

Aside from receiving a membership card, members would also be able to earn exclusive merchandise not for sale anywhere by contributing their feedback. According to the website, a point system was in place, and the following rewards are listed:

  • 1000 points - Tomba Club Special Clear File
  • 2000 points - Tomba Club Special T-shirt
  • 3000 points - ??? (A super exciting, ultra-rare item!)

The Whoopee Camp website also describes a special pre-release playtest session that was conducted with club members:

Last year,[2] we held a monitor session for a new game. Members who participated were able to enjoy playing a game that was still in the development stages, and it seems they had a good time. This monitor session was not only an event for the members to have fun but also a great opportunity to hear the users' raw feedback, which was helpful for subsequent game development. We will continue to hold such events and will announce them via the Tomba Press, our website, and other channels.

Considering the timing, this likely refers to a playtest for Tomba! 2.

Tomba Press

The Tomba Press (トンバプレス) was a publication mailed exclusively to Tomba Club members. According to the Whoopee Camp website, it was published irregularly—the publication itself reads "Monthly Tomba Press" at the top. It contained company updates, special content, and information that cannot be found elsewhere. It also informed members about upcoming club events, such as playtest sessions for games in development.

The Japanese Tomba! 2 booklet features a small photo of a number of the Tomba Press publications:

Tomba Club - Tomba Press Detail.jpg

Not much else is known about the actual contents of any of the Tomba Press publications, as no issues are known to have ever been archived or described.

Images

Notes

  1. In Japan this was a common practice for video game releases around this time. The original Tomba release predated the establishment of the Tomba Club but already included such a questionnaire.
  2. Likely 1999, as this was published after the Japanese Tomba! 2 release.

External links