Working Designs is gone!

[DragonmasterDan]

Victor Ireland posted the final fate of Working Designs on their message board today, being a Turbo publisher in the US, I thought it would be of interest to the board.

wayback://workingdesigns.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118916
Good Night, and Good Luck | 12-12-2005, 10:06 PM

Good Night, and Good Luck | 12-12-2005, 10:06 PM
First of all, sorry for being incommunicado for such a long time. It's been a busy time, as you'll see.

There's no easy way to say it, so I just will. Working Designs is gone. All the staff has been laid off and the office is closed and has been for some time. Yes, the website is still here, and I am going to do my best to keep it tucked away somewhere on the 'net so it doesn't become an illicit domain. (Of course, some of the haters may be of the mind that it's been illicit all along, heh!).

The most frustrating part of all of this is that I know that our fanbase is still there. Growlanser Generations sold well, but of course not better than it would have sold as two separate titles. We just spent too much time fighting the good fight to even get it out, and other games approved.

Though almost finished and substantially improved from the Japanese release, Goemon is dead for the US, and that was really the final straw. If I can't guarantee that the games I personally choose for us to release in the US can actually get approved and come out, there's no business to be done. There is a possibility that it may be released in Europe (as well as Growlanser Generations), but nothing is finalized yet.

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.

Thanks for everything. It's a tough road ahead for games that aren't of the least-common-denominator variety. The choices you make with your hardware dollars are more important than ever for the generation that is upon us.

With that, I bid all of us...

...Good night, and Good Luck.

- Don't Believe the Hype -
Vic

Fan Comments:

Such a change a decade makes... As a response, I'll express my annotated memories.

10 years ago, I recall the Usenet era where very few people really knew that much about imports and "vicvideo" had quite a ubiquitous presence promoting lesser known games (and expressing strong opinions). The early hardcore Working Designs fans had already been formed from the SCD and TGCD days. So many games were possibilities for domestication yet so many also never came through. Many translations at the time still had plenty of grammatical inaccuracies and awkwardness.

7 years ago, I recall this message board in full boom back in its unrefined BBS format and the letters section brimming with new letters every couple of weeks. All eyes were on Lunar and over a half year's worth of magazine ads were on it. Conflict arose with Sega and amid much criticism from fans, the SS was abandoned. Soon afterwards, the largest collection on the PS would be revealed.

2 years ago, I recall the community here shrinking and fading, with the same few posters making all the posts. Whereas before, a whole page could be updated in a day, eventually it would take a week. News was getting out regarding SCEA's vehement treatment of games with 2D visuals or in niche genres unless they were budgeted or packaged together. Everyone waited on Growlanser as the next flagship WD localization.

Today, I see that a great company that defied standards, ignored naysayers, and became a catalyst for deluxe packaging is gone. Yes, I have at many times been annoyed by WD's liberal translations and abundant insertion of pop humor. I've also not seen why certain games were localized in favor of (what I'd consider) more deserving games such as the Langrisser games (although to Vic to his credit has acknowledged them as forerunners in their list of unlicensed titles in the past).

However, I can't deny that my roots into JRPGs and imports stemmed from WD's early works. Lunar, Vay, and Popful Mail instantly captured my interest and made me realize that I was really interested in this type of gaming atmosphere. Before I could afford an SCD, I spent years captivated by the magical art and format of WD's old Lunar and Popful Mail ads, intent on one day possessing them.

And I've fulfilled that intention, having purchased at least one copy (and sometimes more) of every WD title except Parasol Stars. By some odd (or perhaps not so odd) coincidence, it just so happened that the RPGs WD localized (as well as the Spaz label games) were many of the same ones that captured my interest. I would like to thank Working Designs towards that end in continually releasing games that were personally enjoyable in the uniquely un-mainstream way that WD did best.

While the majority of companies felt carts were the best form of storage, WD took the dare and became the first to embrace the CD medium. While the majority of companies thought JRPGs a lost cause in the US, WD took the dare and made a name for themselves later on with their topnotch SCD RPGs when the genre grew popular. While the majority of companies considered premium packaging and limited editions of games unsellable, WD took the dare and are largely responsible for kickstarting the quality packaging trend in console games.

As a diehard fan of WD, I'm saddened by its demise since the company represents many of the brightest memories of my videogame past. However, the future seems hopeful as WD takes a new form. Change is inevitable and I'm glad WD ended on a great note with Growlanser Generations. Although I can't embrace the 360 yet, I'm certainly interested in seeing what steps will be taken next. As a huge 2D fan, I can confidently say that I will gladly support any company's system that doesn't discriminate based on such demeaning visual criteria.

Anyway, best of luck to you on your future endeavors, Vic. Please keep the games going to 11.

I would just like to say, in response to this news:

This marks a sad day in the industry. WD was notable for their extraordinary translations that really breathed life into characters in a way I've never seen matched by even the current industry leaders in title porting. They provided the inspiration for me to actually get into games and literally the encouragement to pursue that dream. They selected gem titles that were often overlooked but then enjoyed such immense success here in the US that they were clearly desired. Their focus on RPG's and their unswavering devotion to top quality were perhaps their only mistakes in an industry that is becoming ever-more commercial and no longer leaves enough room for perfection. As they often said in response to a long title launch, "delays are temporary, mediocrity is forever."

No matter what else may be said, Working Design's games were never mediocre. It will be missed.

[GUTS]

FUCK that's the absolute worst video game news I've heard in ages, even though pretty much everybody knew it was coming.  Fuck Sony and their policies that let shit like Supercar Street Challenge get through but not Goemon, I mean who the fuck is running that department?

I really really hope Microsoft kicks their asses this next generation.

[Keranu]

Rest in Peace, Working Designs .

Go to HELL, Sony   .

[TR0N]

R.I.P WD even if Victor Iseland 'was a jerk i did like what his company standed for

Taking a interest in, Japanese games that other.. companys wouldn't even care to publish in the U.S.

Still i'm not shocked, WD has gone kaput given there delays how much company had on domestic release.

Also every time they got a hard time getting there games 'aproved by the company they publish for.

SCEA any one

[TR0N]

I really really hope Microsoft kicks their asses this next generation.

In the U.S yeah but not in Japan reports are coming in.

Sales for the 360 there are doing poorly

[Seldane]

I really really hope Microsoft kicks their asses this next generation.

In the U.S yeah but not in Japan reports are coming in.

Sales for the 360 there are doing poorly

Of course they are. They sold 250 regular Xbox units in Japan during the six first months of 2005. Now THAT's a success, now isn't it?  

The Japanese hate the Xbox. And I don't blame them. I hate it too. Zero (0) interesting titles.

This is me speaking!  NOTHING you say will change my mind so just don't quote me, okay.  

[jlued686]

Idiotic console hating aside...


This is a sad, sad day for me.  Working Designs was always one of my favorite companies.  Cosmic Fantasy 2 was the first RPG I played through, and Parasol Stars remains one of my favorite games of all time.  Their reworking of Lunar for PSone was fantastic, and Growlanswer was great as well.

On a personal note, a few years ago I wrote for a very small, very humble website.  We had few readers to speak of, and not much in the way of experience or publicity.  Yet Victor Ireland took the time to do an interview with me, send me a load of product, and his PR rep, Chris, responded to all my inquiries.  They were great people, and I hope they get something going again somehow.

[esteban]

GODDAM. I wonder how long the WD website will stay up?

Ahhhh, I knew it couldn't last forever, but they lasted a lot longer than many thought they would.

damn.

[NeoFreak]

oh, Dragon Force...oh, Albert Odyssey, your days have come and gone; but when I look at your shiny spines upon my shelf, I still smile.

Working Designs, you were always a "10" in my book, no make that "11".

[TR0N]

I really really hope Microsoft kicks their asses this next generation.

In the U.S yeah but not in Japan reports are coming in.

Sales for the 360 there are doing poorly

Of course they are. They sold 250 regular Xbox units in Japan during the six first months of 2005. Now THAT's a success, now isn't it?  

The Japanese hate the Xbox. And I don't blame them. I hate it too. Zero (0) interesting titles.

This is me speaking!  NOTHING you say will change my mind so just don't quote me, okay.  

mmkay i don't care any ways.

I just said that for the fun of it

[Ninja Spirit]

I - to this day - still can't understand how to play Dragon Force for Saturn.
The only character i've tried is Wein.

Isn't the other Saturn game Iron Storm the only game out of the Japanese "Daisenryaku" series to make it to the US?

[OldRover]

This sucks.

I imagine their forum is gonna get a major influx of new members though...I signed up, but haven't gotten the email yet.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

I really think that this sucks!!

WD will always go down as one of the coolest game translators!

How cool would a Cosmic Fantasy collections for PS2 been??

oh well, at least we have the memories.

L8r,
TurboSage

[esteban]

Isn't the other Saturn game Iron Storm the only game out of the Japanese "Daisenryaku" series to make it to the US?

Yup, as far as I know it is.

[Ninja Spirit]

Frankly, I knew a few people that hated WD for their localization practices. Especially when it comes to Silhouette Mirage.

And let's not forget good ol' Working Designs humor. There was as much of that as funny quotes seen in old school Konami instruction manuals. Some memorable moments:

>Nall's references to tenement buildings in South Central LA in Lunar

>A Nutty Professor-esque "Yo Mama" joke stand off in Albert Odyssey (Sega Saturn)

EDIT: Turbo Sage how the hell did you get a huge avatar? Oh never mind. Link to off site avatar from photo hosting program in the profile.

Oh my gawd, now that I think about it, the hip hop music board I post at (The Breaks.com) is also under the same forum service PCEFX is. That's why they look the same!

[M1Savage]

Thanks for reminding me to grab the rest of the stuff I wanted off the WD site before it's gone too.

[GUTS]

The Xbox has the newest Daisenryaku game, it came out in the US a couple months ago for only $20.  That's yet another reason why I hate people who talk shit about the Xbox like its all FPS and sports games.

[CrackTiger]

Frankly, I knew a few people that hated WD for their localization practices. Especially when it comes to Silhouette Mirage.

And let's not forget good ol' Working Designs humor. There was as much of that as funny quotes seen in old school Konami instruction manuals. Some memorable moments:

>Nall's references to tenement buildings in South Central LA in Lunar

>A Nutty Professor-esque "Yo Mama" joke stand off in Albert Odyssey (Sega Saturn)

EDIT: Turbo Sage how the hell did you get a huge avatar? Oh never mind. Link to off site avatar from photo hosting program in the profile.

Oh my gawd, now that I think about it, the hip hop music board I post at (The Breaks.com) is also under the same forum service PCEFX is. That's why they look the same!

I also hated it when WD ruined a game. What really got to me, was that they could do remotely seriousness with a series like Exile or even Vasteel.

Cosmic Fantasy 2 was the only game of theirs I played where the non-translation, Samurai Pizza Cats nonsense fit(as much as it did anywhere at least).

Oh well. Like the EGM article said, so many of the types of games that used to stay in Japan are now brought over by larger publishers and often with quality translations.

Personally, I'd rather have a quality localization than a pile of guady trinkets.

I am grateful for WD's 16-bit releases and a few of their Saturn games.

[CrackTiger]

I really really hope Microsoft kicks their asses this next generation.

In the U.S yeah but not in Japan reports are coming in.

Sales for the 360 there are doing poorly

Of course they are. They sold 250 regular Xbox units in Japan during the six first months of 2005. Now THAT's a success, now isn't it?  

The Japanese hate the Xbox. And I don't blame them. I hate it too. Zero (0) interesting titles.

This is me speaking!  NOTHING you say will change my mind so just don't quote me, okay.  

I will buy the Xbox 360 for one game alone: Tengai Makyo NAMIDA. The game that made the PCE CD-ROM.

[GUTS]

Working Design's writing was great.  I'll take Bill Clinton jokes any day over yet another fucking "WE MUST BELIEVE IN OURSELVES!  THE HUMAN SPIRIT IS TRIUMPHANT!" translation that takes itself totally seriously.  You people who rag on them act like putting humor in a cartoony RPG is ridiculous, those fucking games were total goofball to begin with and WD just tried to make the whole game match up.

Anyone who took the Lunar games so seriously that they were pissed off at some jokes needs some help.  A completely serious lunar would have sucked and been totally insulting.

[DragonmasterDan]

I to this day still can't understand how to play Dragon Force for Saturn.
The only character i've tried is Wein.

Dragon force is a fairly complex game, the administrative mode alone would require several pages of full explanation. I'm just curious, did you get a copy sans manual?

[Ninja Spirit]

I to this day still can't understand how to play Dragon Force for Saturn.
The only character i've tried is Wein.

Dragon force is a fairly complex game, the administrative mode alone would require several pages of full explanation. I'm just curious, did you get a copy sans manual?

Yeah no manual. I even tried following walkthroughs off GameFAQs but I didn't feel like reading them.

[M1Savage]

The Xbox has the newest Daisenryaku game, it came out in the US a couple months ago for only $20.  ..........

I actually bought it new for $9 shortly after it came out. Not bad considering the many, many hours of my life it's already consumed. If  Nectaris (Military Madness) is one of your favorite PC Engine games (like me!), be sure and grab it. </ kemco plug>  Back on topic.....er....Cosmic Fantasy 2 rules!

[TR0N]

I still get a kick out of Leo lines in Lunar EB.

Any body remember when it use qoutes... from the movie "The Fugitive"

[DragonmasterDan]

I to this day still can't understand how to play Dragon Force for Saturn.
The only character i've tried is Wein.

Dragon force is a fairly complex game, the administrative mode alone would require several pages of full explanation. I'm just curious, did you get a copy sans manual?

Yeah no manual. I even tried following walk-throughs off GameFAQs but I didn't feel like reading them.

It requires a lot of reading, I could explain the basics of how things work but it would take forever. It's a fairly complex game. The GameFaqs walkthroughs might help if they explain the modes and how everything works like the manual does.

[jlued686]

(off topic): What's with the gigantic avatars?

[Ninja Spirit]

(off topic): What's with the gigantic avatars?

Put your favorite picture at your photo server (I use photobucket), copy just the link, and in your profile configuration, paste the link in the "Off Site Avatar" field.

[TR0N]

(off topic): What's with the gigantic avatars?

Put your favorite picture at your photo server (I use photobucket), copy just the link, and in your profile configuration, paste the link in the "Off Site Avatar" field.

Hmm i might have to try that i hate.. having a small avatar

[Keranu]

I was going to mention the large avatars that a few members are using as well. I'm not keen of them myself, but I won't stop people from using them.

[jlued686]

Heh...when I asked, "What's with the gigantic avatars?", what I guess I should have said was, "Those avatars are freaking huge and annoying.  Please, for the love of god, shrink them down to normal size."

 

[Ninja Spirit]

Those normal sized avs won't even let you take your imagination further. My customized avs look S-H-I-T-T-Y at 6k.

[td741]

What's more important, your avatar or the content of your post?  :   Right-Click-Adblock, ah, I love firefox.

That said, I don't suppose there ever was a remake of Vasteel?  I really enjoyed Vasteel and Vasteel 2, although good, isn't the same...

[esteban]

What's more important, your avatar or the content of your post?  :   Right-Click-Adblock, ah, I love firefox.

That said, I don't suppose there ever was a remake of Vasteel?  I really enjoyed Vasteel and Vasteel 2, although good, isn't the same...

Hmmm, a TRUE sequel to the first Vasteel? That would be awesome. Hudson has a lot of war simulation games in its catalog, but I don't know if the action + strategy formula of Vasteel (pioneered by Archon) was used in any games.

[GUTS]

Yeah those big avatars are annoying as fuck, that was one reason this site ruled so much is that the avatars were tiny and barely anybody used sigs.  I'll have to try that picture blocker thing on firefox, I didn't even know you could do that.

[TR0N]

Yeah those big avatars are annoying as fuck, that was one reason this site ruled so much is that the avatars were tiny and barely anybody used sigs.  I'll have to try that picture blocker thing on firefox, I didn't even know you could do that.

Is my avatar too big? I don't wanna offend any body

[Keranu]

Nah, your avatar is fine, Tron. I was going to block images if this board got out of hand like other boards do, but it's not that bad.

[GUTS]

Haha nah Tron yours is cool, I was talking about those big CD cover size ones that push the text all the way to the right side of the screen, that's when it gets ridiculous.

[Ninja Spirit]

In case anybody's wondering, my avatar is a clip of the Japanese box cover of "Robo Army" (Neo Geo).


_{https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/flyers_video/snk/14000801.jpg}

[Keranu]

Damn, I was trying to figure out where that was from! It reminded me of some SNK game by the face artwork, but I just kept thinking of Rush n' Attack (or Green Beret)! Robo Army, of course!

[jlued686]

Hey guys, while we were talking about avatars, I heard that one of the most important 3rd parties that the Turbo ever had just closed down.

...oh...wait...

[Ninja Spirit]

my bad.....

about Dragon Force, is there any to break down the administrative mode any shorter?