I have got some ideas for sumo coaching game and I started doing little market research and noticed that sumo games are very rare: I couldn't find a Windows PC sumo game. I found few DOS games but that was about it.

Word "sumo games" in google brings you japanese gambling sites where you can play sumo toto - but definetely not on your PC :)

So, I started pondering: is it so that boxing, wrestling etc. are dominating this area - no space for fat sumos, right? Would you play game with sumo? or does it even matter what you see on the screen if the game is good? What do you think of this?

I like sumo very much and there's sumo on eurosport, so possible it gets some audience.
The problem with sumo game is how to make it enjoyable.
I haven't seen a good concept for such game yet. And sumo couching seems even more strange to me.. on the other hand, it might be interesting if done right (with 3d fights so you can actually watch how your sumo fighters win/lose etc, I love to watch sumo fights ;-)... definitively not easy but interesting concept.

If you would want to give it a go and you would need a programmer I would be interested in joining...

Oh yeah, totally I would. In fact I'd be more likely to check it out on account of its unusualness. I don't think sumo the sport will ever catch on in the west... but I think that people do naturally take a certain interest in big fat sumo wrestlers and a game based on them could do really well. Probably wise to focus on the coaching though. I think there have been a few attempts to make a sumo game like a fighting game; hasn't worked very well. And the arcane world of sumo training probably has a whole extra fascination.

Suggestions - research it really really well, and treat it with MUCH respect; it's a sacred tradition and all that. Make it kind of educational with plenty of background info. And have a Japanese version... you'll want to have the player names in Hiragana anyway...

the only sumo game I know of is Sumo Wrestling by Typosoft. I think the original was an old Qbasic game but I'm not sure what the latest version is like... anyway the games a more action orientated affair but worth a look surely.

Website: http://www.geocities.com/typosoft/

wow I'd like to see one :)
even if I wouldn't be sure if such a game could have a market! I guess it depends really if the game itself is good...

ESPN had sumo on once, in one of their increasingly rare martial arts hour-long shows. I watched it for a laugh, and came away amazed.

I say that if you love your subject, and think you can do a good job on the game, then go for it. If it's good, it'll find a niche.

In the old Epyx game "World Games" they had a Sumo part.

And sure, make it good and you'll make the niche!

http://www.zzap64.co.uk/zzap19/World10.gif

A true battle of the bulge -- wrestling the Oriental way. In this one or two player head-to-head event, you have to simply (!) get the better of your opponent by either toppling them to the ground or pushing them out of the ring. There are twelve moves open to each player such as pushing., pulling, grabbing, slapping and tripping, along with a spectacular over-the-head throw, better known as the Utchari. All moves are accessible via the joystick. Points can only be gained by fast. successful moves and a quick result. ie: the shorter the match, the higher your score

Thanks for your answers, so far it seems promising. More comments gladly listened!

@irekCz: heh, nice to hear that you mentioned - my idea was to concentrate on couching and matches would be "watching 3D sumos to wrestle" (besides of course you as coach decide tactics ;)) I'd like to hear about your programming skills before I can make any decisions, and notice: no research has been done so coding wouldn't start until after several months... PM or email me.

@Anthony Flack: I thought so too... I think people could be interested in this - if made properly. And respect - yes - a friend of mine said that sumo wrestlers are semi-gods in Japan ;)

@Philip Lutas: that was the game I also found... didn't work on my comp (I got screen full of different numbers and one big T letter in the center :))

@Jack_Norton: you think so? neat :D

@milieu & Llyod: so you guys think there would be potential customers in USA? "Raw Wrestling" (WWF or what was it's name...?) or boxing won't automatically beat sumo wrestling as subject?

Yes, I can't overestimate how serious it is - pretty much religious in its seriousness. Good sumo wrestlers can be become national treasures.

I don't know about the overall popularity of Sumo on the national level in the United States, but here are a couple of items of note:

1) A colleague of mine who is a genetics researcher at UCLA (and who is also a pretty big guy) participates in Sumo wrestling through the university. They have big tournaments, which are apparently quite popular, and other associated activities designed to raise the awareness of the sport in this country. I don't know of other colleges or universities that have similar programs, but then I've never looked.

2) When I got back from my run this morning, I flipped on the TV, and the cartoon that popped up was: "Super Duper Sumos" (this was 8:30 am Pacific time on UPN. There is a website for the show at Super Duper Sumos (http://www.superdupersumos.com).) The description from the cable service was "The crime-fighting adventures of three young Sumo wrestlers." It seemed to be a toungue-in-cheek, super-hero/crude humor kind of a show. I'm not sure how long it has been on the air, but some people at the production company and at the network obviously thought the Sumo angle was worth pursuing.

1) ok. will xamine this more carefully

2) LOLOOOOLLLLL :D