Working Designs considers Dreamcast

[08.12.99] » With Sega chief Bernie Stolar ousted, Working Designs president Victor Ireland softens his stance on Dreamcast publishing.

   The conflict between former Sega chief Bernie Stolar and Working Designs president Victor Ireland is almost legendary. Tensions between the two companies had been high for years while Working Designs published games for the Sega CD and Saturn, thanks to difficulties in porting titles like Magic Knight Rayearth. The battle culminated at 1997's Atlanta E3 tradeshow, where Working Designs was relegated to one lonely corner of Sega's booth space. Almost immediately afterwards, Working Designs announced its intentions to publish exclusively for the Sony PlayStation. Ireland later declared that Working Designs would not return to the Dreamcast as long as Stolar remained within Sega.

   The situation now, of course, has changed: Stolar has been unceremoniously dumped from Sega, replaced by Toshiro Kezuka. videogames.com spoke with Ireland, inquiring if the move within Sega could spell future Dreamcast production from Working Designs.

   "Oh this definitely changes things. Before we were passing on every Dreamcast product that was offered to us - and we had a lot offered. We simply had to tell people that since it was on Dreamcast we would not do it. Now, if we find something worth releasing here and it's on Dreamcast, we'll definitely consider it," Ireland explained.

   No indication was made as to which titles the company might localize first, but many RPG fans are hoping the company picks up Grandia 2 for a North American translation.