Has Working Designs folded?

[Canadian Psycho]

I'm wondering since their Web site has been down for about 5 days. It happened before, but for 5 days?

Btw, has Growlanser even been released yet?

[rhiohki]

I doubt they have folded. I have experienced the same issues. Could be maintenance, although 5 days does seem a bit long...

[zmweasel]

I doubt they have folded. I have experienced the same issues. Could be maintenance, although 5 days does seem a bit long...

The WD website goes down all the time, but usually just overnight. I recall taking a few late-night trips into the office to reboot the server after a crash (and to get in a li'l pinball). Five days, however, is most definitely cause for concern.

And, nope, Growlanser: Generations hasn't shipped yet.

-- Z.

[Daria]

Prehaps the server died? I don't mean "gone down" but broken. Could be something as mundane as a computer problem.

[Ed Oscuro]

True, but what sort of company lets its server go down for that long? At least set up a temporary fix on an old laptop or something...jeez

[Daria]

True, but what sort of company lets its server go down for that long? At least set up a temporary fix on an old laptop or something...jeez

I don't know. They never seemed to update their site much though. I think the last time I checked it the news still had the Arc the lad release posted. So maybe they just haven't gotten around to it, or noticed?

Although that would also effect email. So it's probably unlikely. :/

[Canadian Psycho]

True, but what sort of company lets its server go down for that long? At least set up a temporary fix on an old laptop or something...jeez

Either their entire staff (which I'm led to believe is not too many people) is focusing on completing Growlanser Generations, and thus they don't have time to fix the server, or they decided saving some dough by simply not having the site hosted for a few days/weeks until they can recoup some cash from the sales of their latest game. I'm exaggerating a bit here, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear from WD's demise in the near future, and that is a damn shame.

[Ed Oscuro]

I think the first answer is much more plausible. When you buy hosting (I'd assume it's actually just bandwidth in this case), you've got bandwidth and what you don't use you don't get paid back money for. So there's no benefit for them to just turn off the machine and hope to make up pennies for keeping the server down for days.

Another very likely situation is that an expensive piece of equipment has gone bad. I wonder what sort of machines the server's on...hopefully, if they be smart, a very spartan old fashioned computer system costing under a thousand. But hey, not everybody buys equipment that's right for their organization.

[Canadian Psycho]

I think the first answer is much more plausible. When you buy hosting (I'd assume it's actually just bandwidth in this case), you've got bandwidth and what you don't use you don't get paid back money for. So there's no benefit for them to just turn off the machine and hope to make up pennies for keeping the server down for days.

Yup, I said the second possibility half-jokingly as I don't know anything about bandwidth or Web hosting services (I guess it showed :embarrassed:).

[norkusa]

I thought WD stopped putting out games a couple years ago. Great to know that they are still around though. They put out some of the nicest game sets ever released.

Just checked out EB.com and saw the Growlanser set. Pretty slick. This has gotta be the first time a watch was ever packaged with a game (though early copies of Chrono Cross shiped with a wall clock, didn't it?):

http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/product/243132.asp

[sisko]

The site has gone down several times before, and sometimes for days at a time.

The website never got much lovin' so its not that big of a surprise. I don't think it has been updated since February.

[BigGeorgeJohnson]

I emailed them about a week ago, to ask if they would consider publishing the Sega Ages version of Dragon Force in the states if Sega doesn't, and I recieved a prompt reply that they would consider it. So I'm guessing they are just having trouble with their website. Hopefully at least. And Growlanser Generations is shipping this month on the 16th I believe. I got that bad boy pre-ordered.

[sisko]

I emailed them about a week ago, to ask if they would consider publishing the Sega Ages version of Dragon Force in the states if Sega doesn't, and I recieved a prompt reply that they would consider it.

While I would love to see this as well, don't hold your breath.

[BigGeorgeJohnson]

I emailed them about a week ago, to ask if they would consider publishing the Sega Ages version of Dragon Force in the states if Sega doesn't, and I recieved a prompt reply that they would consider it.

While I would love to see this as well, don't hold your breath.

Yeah, I know it's doubtful. But I thought it wouldn't be too difficult considering they translated and localized it once already. Then again Sega is bringing the PS collection over so maybe they will with DF as well.

[SoulBlazer]

Nope! A watch was included if you pre-ordered Arc the Lad Collection, the last game WD released before this one. :D

That collection, BTW, included four games (Arc 1-3 and Arena) and the typical goodies in the box. You only got the watch if you pre-ordered the game, though. I still have mine carefully packed away. ;)

Arc came out in early 2002, if I recall correcly, and is a wonderfull bunch of strategy/RPG games. 1 and 2 are VERY somber and serious, but still fun to play, and one of the hardest bosses I've ever done. 3 was more upbeat and funny, thank God. :P

[Habeeb Hamusta]

Looking foward to Growlanser. I'm sure they have to be low on money though.

[SoulBlazer]

Indeed. According to Zach they have had to move their operations into a much smaller office and probaly only has a few people on staff. There are many reasons for the decline of WD -- and this has been talked about in other threads -- but I'm sure that GG is going to be the last game they publish in North America. I'm sure the game will do quite well, but not enough to save Working Designs.

[Aussie2B]

Nope! A watch was included if you pre-ordered Arc the Lad Collection, the last game WD released before this one. :D

That collection, BTW, included four games (Arc 1-3 and Arena) and the typical goodies in the box. You only got the watch if you pre-ordered the game, though. I still have mine carefully packed away. ;)

The Japanese limited edition of Valkyrie Profile came with a very fancy pocketwatch, and I'm guessing there are several even older special editions of games that came with watches of some kind. Arc the Lad was probably the first in the US, though.

[zmweasel]

Indeed. According to Zach they have had to move their operations into a much smaller office and probaly only has a few people on staff. There are many reasons for the decline of WD -- and this has been talked about in other threads -- but I'm sure that GG is going to be the last game they publish in North America. I'm sure the game will do quite well, but not enough to save Working Designs.

Yep, it's true. Victor has moved back into the converted upstairs bedroom that he used as an "office" for most of WD's existence, before the company's run of PlayStation hits provided him with enough cash to move into legitimate digs. I worked in both the bedroom "office" and the real office.

It's been long enough that I've come to appreciate my WD stint as the high point of my career, and probably my life. Good times.

-- Z.

[Six Switch]

Is it too late to call WD to preorder it right from them?If not does anyone know their number?

[Iron Draggon]

I emailed them about a week ago, to ask if they would consider publishing the Sega Ages version of Dragon Force in the states if Sega doesn't, and I recieved a prompt reply that they would consider it. So I'm guessing they are just having trouble with their website. Hopefully at least. And Growlanser Generations is shipping this month on the 16th I believe. I got that bad boy pre-ordered.

Gee, I wish that you would've asked them to pull off a real feat for us and give us Dragon Force 2 for the Saturn! I'd much rather have that than a remake of the original. I know I'm dreaming, but still, it would be very nice.

[Richter]

Nope! A watch was included if you pre-ordered Arc the Lad Collection, the last game WD released before this one. :D

That collection, BTW, included four games (Arc 1-3 and Arena) and the typical goodies in the box. You only got the watch if you pre-ordered the game, though. I still have mine carefully packed away. ;)some stores just gave them out

:angry:

never did get my watch >_<

my Dragon Force manual has the phone number as: (916) 243-3417

[Ed Oscuro]

Yup, I said the second possibility half-jokingly as I don't know anything about bandwidth or Web hosting services (I guess it showed :embarrassed:).
Well, it's actually pretty much against common sense the way bandwidth works out. They don't have a meter going like you would for electricity (boy I bet lots of folks are waiting for that day!) so you only pay for what you use. It's up 24/7 as long as you're paying for it.

The pennies I mentioned would be money for electricity, of course.

[lendelin]

I hope WD isn't in too much trouble and Growlanser Generations is a success. We need small developers/publishers like WD. Well, I did my part and ordered weeks ago the dluxe package. (I must be crazy. :)