Xenoblade Chronicles
Operation Rainfall is easily one of the gaming industry’s finest moments. This fan-made campaign sought to get an American release for Nintendo’s newly announced games: Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora’s Tower.
Originally, these three games were scheduled for release in Japan, Europe, and Australia. Sadly, American Wii owners were left in the dust holding nothing but their Wii-motes. The lack of quality games in 2011 disgusted Wii owners, and they demanded they be treated with the same respect as the rest of the world. So, they formed Operation Rainfall – a physical/online campaign dedicated to getting these three games.
The campaign formally launched in June of 2011. Operation Rainfall had three distinct campaigns: sending emails, physical letters, and even phone calls to Nintendo’s corporate offices; posting to Nintendo’s Facebook and Twitter pages; and pre-ordering the game on Amazon despite the location.
Fortunately, Operation Rainfall proved to be a success as the campaign received more and more press from various gaming outlets. Together, the fans of Operation Rainfall got each and every game released. Xenoblade Chronicles launched in 2012 with The Last Story releasing shortly after. Pandora’s Tower ultimately released in 2013 at the end of the Wii’s lifecycle.
