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Atlus Saves Dragon's Crown From Oblivion

The fan favorite publisher steps in to help Vanillaware finish their dream project.

Vanillaware is a company that’s synonymous with lush, 2D graphics and classic gameplay. Best known in the West for Odin Sphere and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, Vanillaware has been hard at work on their next big title: Dragon’s Crown. This side-scrolling action game—a spiritual successor to the Japan-only Princess Crown for Sega Saturn—has been an idea that director George Kamitani has been shopping around for thirteen years. Rumors began to surface recently that the PS3 and PS Vita title had ceased development and was set to be canceled. Enter Atlus, who will support Vanillaware in their ongoing development, as well as publish the game in North America.

In a press release, Atlus stated that they have teamed up with Vanillaware in a production capacity, lending their talent to help the small studio resume full development on Dragon’s Crown. The game was originally supposed to be published by Ignition Entertainment, best known for the North American release of Deadly Premonition and Vanillaware’s own Muramasa title.

"Vanillaware is a developer beloved for their tremendous visual talent and extraordinary attention to detail,” stated Shinichi Suzuki, President and CEO of Index Media, Inc., the parent company of Atlus. “Our previous collaboration with them, Odin Sphere, went on to sell over 350,000 units worldwide, entering the prestigious PlayStation Greatest Hits library.” He went on to say that there is still much work to be done on the title, but that the collaboration will be worth the wait.

Dragon’s Crown is now expected to be released in North America next year.

Press Release


ATLUS TO PUBLISH AND PRODUCE DRAGON'S CROWN, COOPERATIVE ACTION RPG FOR PLAYSTATION 3 AND PLAYSTATION VITA SYSTEMS, IN 2013

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA -- APRIL 19, 2012 -- ATLUS, a brand of Index Digital Media, Inc., today announced that it has acquired North American publishing rights for Dragon's Crown™, a cooperative action RPG for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) handheld entertainment system. The transfer of licensing rights from UTV Ignition Entertainment to Index Digital Media, Inc. only affects the title's publishing and distribution; Dragon's Crown is still being developed by Vanillaware.

Originally to be published by UTV Ignition Entertainment, the game will now be produced, published, and distributed by ATLUS, whose acclaimed creative team will assist developer Vanillaware in resuming and completing work.

"We are exceedingly proud to become a part of producing and publishing Dragon's Crown," stated Shinichi Suzuki, President and CEO of Index Digital Media, Inc. "Vanillaware is a developer beloved for their tremendous visual talent and extraordinary attention to detail. Our previous collaboration with them, Odin Sphere™, went on to sell over 350,000 units worldwide, entering the prestigious PlayStation® Greatest Hits library. While much work remains, we believe this collaboration will be well worth the wait."

Dragon's Crown is scheduled to release for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems in North America in 2013. For more information, please visit www.dragons-crown.com.


 

Comments

Our Take

Julian Titus Senior Editor

04/20/2012 at 10:37 PM

I'm really happy to see this happen. I was worried about the fate of Dragon's Crown, and since this looks to have been a game that these guys have wanted to make since they completed Princess Crown (an awesome import) I'm glad that they get a chance to finish.

Jon Lewis Staff Writer

04/21/2012 at 01:10 AM

I agree. Atlus has been stepping it up. They've had some great titles under their belt with Radiant Historia, Catherine and KOF XIII. I was interested in this game and now that Atlus is saving it from being cancelled, im even more interested.

Anonymous

04/22/2012 at 09:03 PM

Now we dont have to worry about this game at all, its coming, end of story

 

 

Now all we have to worry about is grand knight history and vanullaware sparing 2 minuted to program the localized text in

Angelo Grant Staff Writer

04/24/2012 at 12:22 PM

You know, Vita is beginning to tempt me.  Not that I'd abandon my 3DS, but I'm starting to see some interesting titles show up.  There's that Class of Heroes 2 Kick Starter Victor Ireland had going on as well.  

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Press Release

ATLUS TO PUBLISH AND PRODUCE DRAGON'S CROWN, COOPERATIVE ACTION RPG FOR PLAYSTATION 3 AND PLAYSTATION VITA SYSTEMS, IN 2013

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA -- APRIL 19, 2012 -- ATLUS, a brand of ...

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