User CP :: Log in to check your private messages :: Chat :: Register :: Log in

Board Index :: Album :: FAQ :: Calendar :: Members :: Groups :: Staff ::
Search
Post new topic   Reply to topic
graphic R.I.P. Working Designs graphic
Author Message PO Info
Razer
4934 5157 5662 5658



Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 07 Oct 2002
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 3:34 pm    Post subject: R.I.P. Working Designs

from Gamepro.com-
"President of Working Designs, Victor Ireland, announced today via the company's website that he has dissolved the business, thus perhaps putting an end to an era of seeing unique and niche Japanese titles released in the US for console gamers.

Despite respectable sales of the company's latest title, Growlanser: Generations, the currently-in-development Goemon title has been cancelled. Despite the negative news, Ireland is surprisingly upbeat about the future.

"I know many of you will have lots of questions, and there will be some I can answer, and some I can't. Sony has made it clear that they do not want the details of their dealings with any publisher made public. Suffice to say that you would buy what we wanted to sell if we could sell it."

"I want to thank each and every one of you personally for being a fan, buying the games we released, and telling your friends. You HAVE made a difference, because you bought the crazy things we did. Thanks to YOU, there are deluxe packs, pack-in soundtracks, better packaging, great hint guides, and better localizations in general. We said it a lot, but it really was true. We were nothing without you."

"For the future, there are still great opportunities. I have been in touch with a number of other publishers and manufacturers and I will be working with some of the WD staff to do games for other publishers for the time being, but not as Working Designs. One thing that holds a ton of promise is XBOX 360 RPGs, and I've contacted Microsoft about getting what's underway in Japan out in the US and helping to get more done worldwide. We'll see what happens on that front, but please let them know that YOU WANT MORE JRPGs here. There's some amazing stuff coming for the '360 in Japan, and I know I want it - I think you will, too."


I'll be honest and admit I'm not a true WD fanboy but I have supported them thru the years, mostly back in the Sega CD/Saturn days. The thing that irks me is that I smell Sony's "no 2D, no this, no that" fingerprints all over this one. Maybe they didn't turn a kings ransom on each game but I'm sure they could have stayed afloat and still been mildly profitable. I'm glad I did get ahold of Growlanser before they died tho. I can expect it to start fetching millions on EBay soon.

_________________





Last edited by Razer on Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:35 pm; edited 1 time in total
Reply with quote
Wins 91 - Losses 107
Level 15
EXP: 9225
HP: 2217
Eligible for battle!
STR: 443
END: 887
ACC: 1315
AGI: 1255
Me Trusty Axe (Axe)
(302 - 618)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger
GD
driven to tears


Age: 49
Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:20 pm    Post subject:

I bought many a WD game back in the Sega CD-Saturn days. Their port of Dragon Force for Saturn is probably my favorite out of all their work. I also loved their ports of Albert Oddysey and Thunder Force. I never did get into Arc the Lad or Growlanser though..

And yes, Sony's draconian policies had a lot to do with WD missing out on porting some great games that the fans wanted. However, it would be remiss to attribute that as the sole reason for their closing. Why not move to greener pastures with Microsoft or Nintendo? Many other developers have done so. SNK couldn't get Metal Slug 3 published for the Playstation 2 in the US, so they went to Microsoft, and I think the sales were actually pretty good for a niche title.

Anyway, it's sad news for the industry as well as fans. Another classic developer/publisher bites the dust.. Crying or Very sad

_________________
PSN ID: Mobius76
Reply with quote
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Shino
Fade into this fantasy, caught in the web of time


Age: 49
Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 15 Sep 2002
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 4:42 pm    Post subject:

I don't know about you guys, but I WAS a Working Designs fanboy.

I own every game they have ever made. All the way back to the Turbo Grafx!

They had the best packaging and very humorous translations. Most of their voice overs were pretty decent. If you take into account the competition at the time, they were awesome!

I will miss the quality that Working Designs pushed out. The waiting was annoying at times, but overall, it was usually worth it.

_________________
So many games... so little time


Reply with quote
Wins 190 - Losses 169
Level 21
EXP: 11590
HP: 3150
Eligible for battle!
STR: 1050
END: 1050
ACC: 1200
AGI: 1200
Bianco & Nero (Sabers)
(500 - 600)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
RuneLateralus
Otaku Knight



Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 27 Sep 2002
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 7:32 pm    Post subject:

Farewell Working Designs...your Sega CD, Saturn, and PSX titles are still some of my favorites.

I am not surprised if most of this was due to Sony's anti 2D feelings. At least their last game, Growlanser Generations, was a very worthwhile game to play.

_________________

make like siamese twins and split...and one of you die.
Reply with quote
Wins 0 - Losses 0
Level 1
EXP: 0
HP: 0
Eligible for battle!
STR: 0
END: 0
ACC: 0
AGI: 0

(0 - 0)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
MitchellTF
Senior Otaku




Joined: 27 Sep 2005
PostPosted: Tue Dec 13, 2005 11:07 pm    Post subject:

Hm...what is all the stuff they have done? Goemon was neat...
Reply with quote
Wins 1 - Losses 0
Level 2
EXP: 0
HP: 1850
Eligible for battle!
STR: 750
END: 550
ACC: 550
AGI: 750
Slashy the Sword (Sword)
(230 - 300)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger
Shino
Fade into this fantasy, caught in the web of time


Age: 49
Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 15 Sep 2002
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:17 pm    Post subject:

MitchellTF wrote:
Hm...what is all the stuff they have done? Goemon was neat...


Actually they haven't done a Goemon yet. It was scheduled for release eventually.

What the have done...

Turbo Grafx
Cadash
Cosmic Fantasy 2
Exile
Exile: Wicked Phenomenon
Parasol Stars
Vasteel

Sega CD
Lunar: The Silver Star
Lunar: Eternal Blue
Popful Mail
Vay

Sega Saturn
Albert Odessy
Dragon Force
Iron Storm
Magic Knight Rayearth
Sega Ages
Shining Wisdom

Sony Playstation
Alundra
Arc the Lad Collection
Elemental Gearbolt
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete
Raystorm
Raycrisis
Silhouette Mirage
Thunderforce V
Vanguard Bandits

Sony Playstation 2
Growlanser Generations
Gungriffon Blaze
Silpheed: The Lost Planet

_________________
So many games... so little time


Reply with quote
Wins 190 - Losses 169
Level 21
EXP: 11590
HP: 3150
Eligible for battle!
STR: 1050
END: 1050
ACC: 1200
AGI: 1200
Bianco & Nero (Sabers)
(500 - 600)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Razer
4934 5157 5662 5658



Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 07 Oct 2002
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 3:38 pm    Post subject:

Shino wrote:

What the have done...

Turbo Grafx
Cadash
Cosmic Fantasy 2
Exile
Exile: Wicked Phenomenon
Parasol Stars
Vasteel

Sega CD
Lunar: The Silver Star check
Lunar: Eternal Blue check
Popful Mail check
Vay check

Sega Saturn
Albert Odessy check
Dragon Force check
Iron Storm check
Magic Knight Rayearth check
Sega Ages
Shining Wisdom check

Sony Playstation
Alundra check
Arc the Lad Collection check
Elemental Gearbolt
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete check
Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete check
Raystorm check
Raycrisis check
Silhouette Mirage
Thunderforce V
Vanguard Bandits

Sony Playstation 2
Growlanser Generations check
Gungriffon Blaze check
Silpheed: The Lost Planet


Wow, I guess I AM a WD fanboy! LOL

But wasn't Sihouette Mirage a Saturn Treasure game? Of did they port it over to the PS2?

_________________



Reply with quote
Wins 91 - Losses 107
Level 15
EXP: 9225
HP: 2217
Eligible for battle!
STR: 443
END: 887
ACC: 1315
AGI: 1255
Me Trusty Axe (Axe)
(302 - 618)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger
Shino
Fade into this fantasy, caught in the web of time


Age: 49
Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 15 Sep 2002
PostPosted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 7:19 pm    Post subject:

hahaha... yes... yes you are.

Sihouette Mirage is a saturn game. It was ported to PSX in Japan, then WD brought it over here.

_________________
So many games... so little time


Reply with quote
Wins 190 - Losses 169
Level 21
EXP: 11590
HP: 3150
Eligible for battle!
STR: 1050
END: 1050
ACC: 1200
AGI: 1200
Bianco & Nero (Sabers)
(500 - 600)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Godwyn
Senior Otaku



Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 25 Oct 2004
PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 12:17 am    Post subject:

Hmm, I really don't pay attention to whose games I get, so long as the game looks cool. And while my game library is not quite as extensive Sad I do own quite a few of those. Although, honestly it might be a good thing in some ways if they do start porting stuff to the Xbox 360, there will finally be a lot more good RPG's heading Microsoft's way.

_________________
Monkey of Teh slack!
Hokey religions are no match for a good blaster at yer side, kid!-Liska, http://mynarskiforest.purrsia.com/
Togateiru Fohku Kohgeki!!!-Elliot http://www.elgoonishshive.com/

I'm voting for WotC. They have the rhetorical advantage, obviously.-Shandriz
Reply with quote
Wins 12 - Losses 9
Level 6
EXP: 1188
HP: 2090
Eligible for battle!
STR: 680
END: 705
ACC: 730
AGI: 885
Tae'elwyn (Sword)
(252 - 398)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
Shino
Fade into this fantasy, caught in the web of time


Age: 49
Gender: Gender:Male
Joined: 15 Sep 2002
PostPosted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 9:06 am    Post subject:

If they start making games for the 360... that will be enough reason for me to buy one.

After their first game comes out of course. Wink

And since there are no Japanese RPGs out yet, and it usually takes WD over a year to translate a game for US release, I think I have plenty of time before that happens. Smile

_________________
So many games... so little time


Reply with quote
Wins 190 - Losses 169
Level 21
EXP: 11590
HP: 3150
Eligible for battle!
STR: 1050
END: 1050
ACC: 1200
AGI: 1200
Bianco & Nero (Sabers)
(500 - 600)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Display posts from previous:   
graphic graphic
Post new topic   Reply to topic Board Index -> Pixels and Polygons
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 4 Hours
Email this topic to a friend

Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum