Vib Ribbon to be released by Sony Europe; SCEA passes on U.S. release

[03.13.00] » Designer Masaya Matsuura urges letter writing campaign to SCEA.

   Masaya Matsuura, designer of rhythm action titles PaRappa the Rapper, Um Jammer Lammy, and Vib Ribbon, held a panel at the recent Game Developers Conference in San Jose, CA. The subject was "Tuning and Balancing Um Jammer Lammy," and the panel concerned the genesis and fine-tuning of the basic PaRappa / Lammy gameplay concepts. GIA reader Kent Keltner was present. During the panel, Matsuura and his interpreter (who works at SCEA) let drop the biggest localization bombshell this side of ChuChu Rocket: Vib Ribbon has been translated into English.

   Matsuura produced a Vib Ribbon disc and proceeded to demonstrate the "how-to-play" introduction, complete with English subtitles. He went on to add that the game would be released "this summer" in PAL territories by Sony Europe.

   Unfortunately, things look more bleak for U.S. fans. SCEA was reportedly unimpressed by the game's simple graphics and passed on first publication rights. This does not mean that SCEA has kept Vib Ribbon out of the U.S.; just that SCEA has chosen not to publish it themselves. The title can still (theoretically) be picked up by a third-party publisher for the States. No publisher has claimed the title yet; Matsuura asked the GDC audience, "if you know of anyone in the U.S. who wants to publish this, let me know!"

   Matsuura's translator, a big fan of the game, asked concerned gamers to write SCEA and urge them to reconsider their position. Apparently, if enough gamers express strong sentiment towards Vib Ribbon in the United States, SCEA may yet reverse their decision. If you're undecided on the issue, check out the GIA's one-of-a-kind Vib Ribbon coverage and see what you're missing out on. Then, drop SCEA a line via snail mail at:

Sony Computer Entertainment America
919 East Hillsdale Blvd., 2nd Floor
Foster City, CA 94404-2175

   If Sega is ballsy enough to bring over quirky titles like ChuChu Rocket and Space Channel 5, then SCEA should have the guts to stand behind one of the quirkiest, best titles released for the PlayStation this year: Vib Ribbon. If they won't, hopefully a noble third party will give U.S. gamers a chance to play Matsuura's latest masterpiece.