Victor Ireland - Head of Working Designs is Back!

Victor Ireland is now working to revive Sunsoft, and has given hint of whats to come:

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Victor Ireland is deeply involved with Sunsoft's return, and it sounds like there are some very big plans in the works. Mr. Ireland is currently very active in the NeoGAF thread detailing the company's return, and he's dropping all sorts of hints. Here's the info that has been pulled thus far.

"The next press release should definitely make some gamers very, very happy - especially old-school Working Designs fans." - Victor Ireland

"I will say that I recommended a specific course of action in one area (we're dealing with many areas in this Sunsoft resurgence), and Yoshida-san essentially said, "I like where you're headed. I'll see your and go all in ". I was literally stunned to hear how far he went with what I recommended. I'm pretty sure you, especially, will be as well." - Victor Ireland

- Albert Odyssey patent has been refreshed this year, complete with new logo
- Blaster Master VC will be updated from the original, and comes with easter eggs/surprises
- Mr. Ireland says players will be rewarded for finishing Blaster Master
- Another press release for multiple titles is due out next Friday, for a title that is set to surprise people
- the week after next, another press release will come detailing more company plans

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As an old-school Working Designs fan, I can't wait! :D

You know, I'd love to see Ireland focus his efforts on some of the titles Melf covered here. Even if they were just VC releases, I think it would be a great way to get back into the game. I want to play Surging Aura, dammit!

I'd love to see him push to localize some of the MANY DS RPGs being stranded in Japan. 7th Dragon, I'm looking at you.

This video sums up how I feel about Victor Ireland.



Replace madmouse with Victor Ireland and you get the idea.

So...

Does this mean that virtual console RPG releases will be delayed, and poorly translated with Jon & Kate plus 8 references?

Will Doctor Phil become a punchline in a JRPG? :roll:

So much for Gaijinworks, eh?

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Originally Posted by InternalPrimate

7th Dragon, I'm looking at you.

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Sega will probably still bring it over. After Sands of Destruction releases, they'll need more in their DS lineup.

Vic Ireland is a drama bomb & bad joke.

Half of what he touches is 'good', the other half is 'shit'; and all of it was intentionally low print while praising collector value over 'small business practicality'.

Again, seeing how this guy can't really alter 'packaging' in regards to VC releases for Sunsoft, there gos half the reason people gave a shit about him in the past. I cringe when firing up Albert Odyssey on Saturn.

This isn't just VC games, in fact Blaster Master is the only announced VC game. The rest of the releases will be console and handheld based. And this IS Gaijinworks. Here's the press release:

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Sunsoft, a division of SUNCORPORATION, has today announced their return to active console game publishing for the North American market, aided by startup GAIJINWORKS.

Kiharu Yoshida, CEO of SUNCORPORATION (JASDAQ: 6736) initiated a meeting to discuss the possibility of reinvigorating the Sunsoft console gaming brand in the USA. At that meeting, it was quickly obvious that the relationship was a great fit. GAIJINWORKS President, Victor Ireland states, “My relationship with Sunsoft and Yoshida-san goes back more than 15 years, and when this opportunity presented itself to help Sunsoft return to the US console market, it was a natural fit for both our companies.”

This month, the Sunsoft website is being re-launched at sunsoftgames.com, where users will be able to get the latest information about current releases, upcoming games, and special promotions, as well as interact in the forum. Kiharu Yoshida wanted gamers to know that Sunsoft plans to launch a number of special promotions where big prizes can be won, and exclusive, limited edition premiums would be up for grabs as well. Ireland added that some of the swag being made would only be available through these promotions – and is sure to please Sunsoft fans, new and old.

The first title out of the gate for Sunsoft USA will be the Wii Virtual Console release of the Nintendo Entertainment System classic Blaster Master, due in December 2009. Originally titled Meta Fight in Japan, this groundbreaking game was given a story makeover and released in 1988 as Blaster Master™ here in the United States. It received strong critical acclaim and fan raves almost from the moment it hit these shores.

Blaster Master™ is still often listed on magazine and online charts as one of the top 25 NES games ever created. The sublime blend of side-scrolling shooting/platforming mixed with overhead perspective action/shooting areas is just as addictive now as it was then. It will be available for 500 Wii points.

In the coming weeks, additional titles coming to the US market will be announced, many of which will surprise and delight gaming fans. Ireland added, “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. “

About SUNCORPORATION. Located in Aichi prefecture in Japan, SUN CORPORATION has been innovating electronic equipment and software for almost forty years. Their corporate slogan, “Dream, Challenge, and Creation” perfectly summarizes the spirit that gave birth to their software company Sunsoft. Worldwide, Sunsoft has developed or published almost 100 games for both consoles and arcades. They also publish for iPhone and Windows mobile platforms.

About GAIJINWORKS. GAIJINWORKS was founded by Victor Ireland after spending more than 15 years as President of Working Designs, where he innovated deluxe packaging, special premiums, pack-in soundtracks and game documentaries for their RPG product. Many of the practices he innovated have become standard in the RPG segment, and console video games in general. GAIJINWORKS is focused on continuing a tradition of fanservice for game fans.

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I liked "Magic Knight Rayearth", but Working Designs fucked up "Silhouette Mirage" bad.

I really wish ol' Vic would've just translated instead of dicking around with gameplay and difficulty.

There goes sunsoft, fucking up Blaster Master again. I wish They would just stop.

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Originally Posted by Knuckle Duster

Sega will probably still bring it over. After Sands of Destruction releases, they'll need more in their DS lineup.

Vic Ireland is a drama bomb & bad joke.

Half of what he touches is 'good', the other half is 'shit'; and all of it was intentionally low print while praising collector value over 'small business practicality'.

Again, seeing how this guy can't really alter 'packaging' in regards to VC releases for Sunsoft, there gos half the reason people gave a shit about him in the past. I cringe when firing up Albert Odyssey on Saturn.

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I love the opening to Vay on the SegaCD. It's hilarious. Everything is so well done, but then they went and got the worst voice actor they could find to do the narration.

They brought us Dragon Force, Albert Odyssey, Growlanser 2 & 3, and Elemental Gearbolt.

I'm pretty much willing to trust anything Victor does.

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Originally Posted by cj iwakura

They brought us Dragon Force, Albert Odyssey, Growlanser 2 & 3, and Elemental Gearbolt.

I'm pretty much willing to trust anything Victor does.

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They also brought us a really, really messed up version of Silhouette Mirage. Just saying.

"Silhouette Mirage" is kinda like "Streets of Rage 3", a good game that was made not fun by meddling with things.

I'll be happy if this gets Gaijinworks the funding necessary to ink a deal with Sony & throw Alundra on the North American PSN.

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Originally Posted by j_factor

They also brought us a really, really messed up version of Silhouette Mirage. Just saying.

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It's one mistake. (I've never played it either)

All things considered they have a pretty solid track record.