Post by Justin on Dec 10, 2009 9:31:04 GMT -5
I came across some really great news this morning (Thanks Shion), and I really wanted to post about it. It is yet another headline related to the surmounting buzz over Sunsoft's revival. Yes, in case you are wondering, Sunsoft is the very same defunct company that brought us Aero the Acrobat, Astra Superstars, and Albert Odyssey.
It seems one dormant company has helped another dormant company gain some steam. Gaijinworks, which is another company started by Victor Ireland, has only released one game since opening its doors. Many had hoped to see more action from Gaijinworks, as its Victor Ireland's post Working Designs company. It would seem like there has been stuff going on behind the scenes though, just not as we would have expected.
Sunsoft's American division bit the dust towards the PS2's release window. Thanks to some minimal releases, and a few Pachinko machines, Sunsoft Japan was able to hobble along financially. Recently however, new opportunities have been established, specifically with Blaster Masters local VC release. It is being handled by Gaijinworks, which opens the American door for Sunsoft once again. Interestingly, This isn't the first time those 2 companies have been in bed together; Working Designs did a very wonder localization of Albert Odyssey Gaiden for the Saturn.
So, it would seem that instead of concentrating on getting some game releases under his belt, Vic Ireland has been busy working on Sunsoft's overseas revival. Of course to accomplish this, Vic is using Working Designs release history as a tool to build hype. Through numerous message board posts, Vic Ireland has been building up to an upcoming announcement that is to be made on Sunsoft's behalf. Many assumed it would be an Albert Odyssey port, which has even had its Japanese copyright registered.
We were wrong however, corrected by yet another batch of message board posts, such as this one:
At this point most people had no clue what was coming. Some assumed another Aero game, while others had looked at more Vitrual Console releases. This morning however, the secret was let out of the bag, and I'm sure no one saw this coming.
Sunsoft Acquires Telenet’s Entire Catalog!
Do Valis, Cosmic Fantasy, Gain Ground, Exile, Xak and El Viento ring a bell? If so, then I'm sure you know they were all franchises done by Telnet Japan, a company that thrived during the PCEngine and Mega Drive era. Like many other companies, such as Sunsoft, Telnet Japan was left behind with the 90's. Unable to keep up with modern video game technology, Telnet was forced to license off its remaining franchises, and closed shop. One such franchise was Valis, which became a very, ahem, "unique" PC hentai game. Indeed, it was a very sad end to a wonderful company, but that story should be saved for another time. Basically, Telnet fans were left to enjoy old titles, and to forget what eventually became of the company. This has all changed however, thanks to Sunsoft's acquirement of Telnet's catalog.
This means we are probably going to see some re-releases of old favorites, and perhaps even some new installments. What really excites me is the fact that Vic Ireland's name keeps coming up. We all have our reservations, good and bad, about Vic Ireland. Ether way, the fact that he is involved in this means there is a high chance we will see everything Sunsoft does get eventual NA releases.
Whenever I see and old company come back, I get really excited. I'm stuck in the past, which in the world of video games, is never a bad thing. I always like seeing old revivals happen, because I end up with some new content made with old game development styles. The thought of a new Valis, or even a HD upgrade, really excites me. I've wanted many of you to get into the series, but its not exactly accessible. I'm a video game nut stuck in the 80's/90's, with 2d type games being my preference. Sunsoft and Telnet's revival is exactly what someone like me needs to read every morning. Hopefully I've sparked some interest, or if you are already a fan, you've already read this last night
News Tidbits in Chronological Order:
www.siliconera.com/2009/12/04/with-help-from-gaijinworks-sunsoft-rises-again/
www.siliconera.com/2009/12/07/next-sunsoft-announcement-not-albert-odyssey-were-thinking-too-small/
www.siliconera.com/2009/12/10/sunsoft-acquires-telenets-entire-catalog/
Sunsoft's New Message Board:
www.sunsoftgames.com/interact/index.php?sid=485b6d2fdaef5cb0daeda0ae696e35be
Telnet and Sunsofts Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnet_Japan
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunsoft
It seems one dormant company has helped another dormant company gain some steam. Gaijinworks, which is another company started by Victor Ireland, has only released one game since opening its doors. Many had hoped to see more action from Gaijinworks, as its Victor Ireland's post Working Designs company. It would seem like there has been stuff going on behind the scenes though, just not as we would have expected.
Sunsoft's American division bit the dust towards the PS2's release window. Thanks to some minimal releases, and a few Pachinko machines, Sunsoft Japan was able to hobble along financially. Recently however, new opportunities have been established, specifically with Blaster Masters local VC release. It is being handled by Gaijinworks, which opens the American door for Sunsoft once again. Interestingly, This isn't the first time those 2 companies have been in bed together; Working Designs did a very wonder localization of Albert Odyssey Gaiden for the Saturn.
“This first Wii release is a great start, but there is one upcoming announcement in particular that will demonstrate just how serious Yoshida-san is about rebuilding the Sunsoft console gaming brand here. Game fans are going to be pretty happy when they hear about it – I know I was,” -Vic Ireland
“The next press release should definitely make some gamers very, very happy – especially old-school Working Designs fans.”
So, it would seem that instead of concentrating on getting some game releases under his belt, Vic Ireland has been busy working on Sunsoft's overseas revival. Of course to accomplish this, Vic is using Working Designs release history as a tool to build hype. Through numerous message board posts, Vic Ireland has been building up to an upcoming announcement that is to be made on Sunsoft's behalf. Many assumed it would be an Albert Odyssey port, which has even had its Japanese copyright registered.
We were wrong however, corrected by yet another batch of message board posts, such as this one:
“Everyone is thinking too small (and it’s not Albert Odyssey for this one). This is a macro move – sweeping in scope for the fanboy in us all.” - Vic Ireland
At this point most people had no clue what was coming. Some assumed another Aero game, while others had looked at more Vitrual Console releases. This morning however, the secret was let out of the bag, and I'm sure no one saw this coming.
Sunsoft Acquires Telenet’s Entire Catalog!
Do Valis, Cosmic Fantasy, Gain Ground, Exile, Xak and El Viento ring a bell? If so, then I'm sure you know they were all franchises done by Telnet Japan, a company that thrived during the PCEngine and Mega Drive era. Like many other companies, such as Sunsoft, Telnet Japan was left behind with the 90's. Unable to keep up with modern video game technology, Telnet was forced to license off its remaining franchises, and closed shop. One such franchise was Valis, which became a very, ahem, "unique" PC hentai game. Indeed, it was a very sad end to a wonderful company, but that story should be saved for another time. Basically, Telnet fans were left to enjoy old titles, and to forget what eventually became of the company. This has all changed however, thanks to Sunsoft's acquirement of Telnet's catalog.
This means we are probably going to see some re-releases of old favorites, and perhaps even some new installments. What really excites me is the fact that Vic Ireland's name keeps coming up. We all have our reservations, good and bad, about Vic Ireland. Ether way, the fact that he is involved in this means there is a high chance we will see everything Sunsoft does get eventual NA releases.
Whenever I see and old company come back, I get really excited. I'm stuck in the past, which in the world of video games, is never a bad thing. I always like seeing old revivals happen, because I end up with some new content made with old game development styles. The thought of a new Valis, or even a HD upgrade, really excites me. I've wanted many of you to get into the series, but its not exactly accessible. I'm a video game nut stuck in the 80's/90's, with 2d type games being my preference. Sunsoft and Telnet's revival is exactly what someone like me needs to read every morning. Hopefully I've sparked some interest, or if you are already a fan, you've already read this last night
News Tidbits in Chronological Order:
www.siliconera.com/2009/12/04/with-help-from-gaijinworks-sunsoft-rises-again/
www.siliconera.com/2009/12/07/next-sunsoft-announcement-not-albert-odyssey-were-thinking-too-small/
www.siliconera.com/2009/12/10/sunsoft-acquires-telenets-entire-catalog/
Sunsoft's New Message Board:
www.sunsoftgames.com/interact/index.php?sid=485b6d2fdaef5cb0daeda0ae696e35be
Telnet and Sunsofts Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telnet_Japan
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunsoft
