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NWR Interactive => TalkBack => Topic started by: NWR_pap64 on April 22, 2009, 05:06:18 PM

Title: XSEED Games no longer Publishing Muramasa
Post by: NWR_pap64 on April 22, 2009, 05:06:18 PM

Ignition Entertainment steps in.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=18257

 Muramasa: The Demon Blade was set to debut in the United States thanks to XSEED Games and Marvelous Entertainment. But recently, an official statement by XSEED confirmed that they are no longer working with Marvelous Entertainment in bringing the title to America:    

"XSEED Games confirms that it is no longer involved with the North American release of Muramasa: The Demon Blade. XSEED Games and Marvelous had previously announced the game as part of the initial line up between the two publishing partners. We firmly believe in the product and will look forward to seeing it release in North America. We enjoy and respect our relationship with Marvelous, and are committed to working together to deliver an amazing line up of games in the US including the highly anticipated Little King's Story, the epic RPG Arc Rise Fantasia and Suda51's intriguing mystery adventure Flower, Sun, Rain."    

Just a day after the statement was made Ignition Entertainment, known for their Lux-Pain localization, was revealed as XSEED's replacement on the publishing front.    

Muramasa: The Demon Blade is currently set for a September 2009 release.    

Ignition Entertainment Acquires Exclusive Video Game Publishing Rights to   Muramasa: The Demon Blade for Nintendo Wii    

Vanillaware's Long-Awaited Masterwork Arrives in North America September 2009    

Glendale, CA – April 21, 2009 – Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a UTV Enterprise, a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, in conjunction with Marvelous Entertainment and Vanillaware, today announced the September 2009 U.S. release of the much-anticipated video game, Muramasa: The Demon Blade, exclusively for the Nintendo Wii.    

Developed by Vanillaware, the creative team behind the critically acclaimed game Odin Sphere, Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a unique, highly stylized action adventure that showcases a striking visual look and a colorful cast of more than 100 characters. Hailed by Kotaku as "this year's prettiest, most enticing Wii game," and by IGN as "the most visually stunning game I've ever seen on the Wii," Muramasa: The Demon Blade features eye-popping hand-drawn 2D art that reflects the heritage and tone of its ancient Japanese storyline. Set in the little-known feudal Genroku era, players are invited to take on the role of a male ninja or female kunoichi, utilizing their prowess to traverse the perilous yet picturesque levels.    

"Ignition Entertainment is immensely proud for the opportunity to bring Muramasa: The Demon Blade to the legions of North American gamers yearning for top-quality, original action games on Wii." said Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment. "The talented developers at Vanillaware have crafted an absolutely stunning adventure through feudal Japan that balances subtle, sophisticated artistry with razor-sharp, addictive gameplay."    

"We continue to maintain our strong commitment to bring quality games to the marketplace," said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment. "We feel deeply honored for the opportunity to bring Vanillaware's magnificent masterpiece Muramasa: The Demon Blade to gamers stateside."    

We developed Muramasa: The Demon Blade in the same way as we did Odin Sphere, so there are bound to be a lot of similarities. I want it to be a very fun game for everyone who picks it up," said George Kamitani, game director and Vanillaware President.    

Key Game Features:    

Beautiful 2D graphics

 

Large variety of environments

 

Two playable characters

 

Replayability (multiple playable paths throughout the game)

 

Supports Wii Remote and Nunchuk, Classic controller, and GameCube controller

 

16:9 widescreen support

 

Excellent music and sound

 

Timeless side-scrolling game play.

 

Optional challenge stages and mini-games throughout

 

Satisfying action elements leading to nice depth of combat (Combat is fast yet intuitive)

 

Story elements and cut scenes are well integrated and not obtrusive.

Title: Re: XSEED Games no longer Publishing Muramasa
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 22, 2009, 04:23:12 PM

Wait, so a 2 month delay just for switching publishers? Wasn't the game supposed to come out in July?

I am glad they didn't waste time in getting a new publisher. Who was responsible for Xseed Games not publishing it anymore, Xseed or Marvelous?

Title: Re: XSEED Games no longer Publishing Muramasa
Post by: broodwars on April 22, 2009, 04:27:36 PM

Umm...whatever?  At this point, shouldn't this title be VERY entrenched in the localization process (if it's going to meet its September 2009 release date), so does it really matter who's paying the paychecks at this point?

Title: Re: XSEED Games no longer Publishing Muramasa
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on April 22, 2009, 08:38:52 PM

Since Ignition usually have a nice paper overlay on their games or a nice bonus item, I hope they make a neat one for Muramasa.

Title: Re: XSEED Games no longer Publishing Muramasa
Post by: Djunknown on April 22, 2009, 11:28:34 PM

Quote

Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment.

This name sounds strangely familiar...

It doesn't add up. What happened behind the scenes? Money problems? Internal squabbling? Tim Schafer syndrome (see Psychonaughts, Brutal Legend.)? Hmm... ???

Title: Re: XSEED Games no longer Publishing Muramasa
Post by: TJ Spyke on April 22, 2009, 11:34:56 PM

Quote from: Djunknown on April 22, 2009, 11:28:34 PM

Quote

Shane Bettenhausen, New Business Development Director of Ignition Entertainment.

This name sounds strangely familiar...

He was an editor for EGM and executive editor at 1UP.com and appeared on basically ever 1UP podcast before being one of the many casualties that were either fired or quit when UGO bought 1UP.