VGDensetsu
@vgdensetsu.bsky.social
Hi! I talk about video games (History, illustrations, graphic design, cancelled games, sales figures, etc.)
By @domauffret.bsky.social
http://vgdensetsu.net/
https://www.patreon.com/vgdensetsu
By @domauffret.bsky.social
http://vgdensetsu.net/
https://www.patreon.com/vgdensetsu
Pinned
VGDensetsu
@vgdensetsu.bsky.social
· Oct 7
I wrote a long article about Rieko Kodama, her career at Sega, the evolution of her company, the games she worked on (including some canceled games and/or games for which she is not credited), the status of women and working conditions in the video game industry, etc.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
Reposted by VGDensetsu
In 1993, Rieko Kodama co-directed the final instalment of the original Phantasy Star series and was credited under her real name for the first time. Here is the story of the game's development:
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama12
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama12
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
December 15, 2025 at 6:36 AM
In 1993, Rieko Kodama co-directed the final instalment of the original Phantasy Star series and was credited under her real name for the first time. Here is the story of the game's development:
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama12
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama12
Dispo en VF
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodamav...
Did you know that Wally wo Sagase!, an adaptation of Where's Wally? / Where's Waldo?, was the first known Sega game to feature the names of its developers (excluding games that required a code to display them)?
December 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Did you know that Wally wo Sagase!, an adaptation of Where's Wally? / Where's Waldo?, was the first known Sega game to feature the names of its developers (excluding games that required a code to display them)?
Reposted by VGDensetsu
City Connection also rolled out the unreleased Ookami-tachi no Yabou for the Famicom at their "20th Anniversary Thanks Fes." city-connection.co.jp/cc20th/fes.h...
December 14, 2025 at 7:17 AM
City Connection also rolled out the unreleased Ookami-tachi no Yabou for the Famicom at their "20th Anniversary Thanks Fes." city-connection.co.jp/cc20th/fes.h...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
With the impending release of All About Data East II, here are some design documents from The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy.
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
December 14, 2025 at 7:06 AM
With the impending release of All About Data East II, here are some design documents from The Cliffhanger: Edward Randy.
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
x.com/igcc_jp/stat...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
When we were talking with Craig Stitt about all the canceled games at STI over the years, he said something like "Man I can't believe out of all those projects, The Ooze was the one that shipped"
The Ooze, an eccentric late era Genesis title from Sega Technical Institute where you control a large pile of goop. (by @damiano.bsky.social) www.hardcoregaming101.net/ooze-the/
December 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
When we were talking with Craig Stitt about all the canceled games at STI over the years, he said something like "Man I can't believe out of all those projects, The Ooze was the one that shipped"
Some original illustrations from Jaleco games on display at an event organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of City Connection (the company, not the game).
x.com/hashtag/%E3%...
x.com/hashtag/CC20...
x.com/search?q=%E3...
x.com/hashtag/%E3%...
x.com/hashtag/CC20...
x.com/search?q=%E3...
December 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Some original illustrations from Jaleco games on display at an event organised to celebrate the 20th anniversary of City Connection (the company, not the game).
x.com/hashtag/%E3%...
x.com/hashtag/CC20...
x.com/search?q=%E3...
x.com/hashtag/%E3%...
x.com/hashtag/CC20...
x.com/search?q=%E3...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Happy Friday! We're thrilled to announce the full run of Marukatsu PC Engine is now available to download/view. We believe we have now scanned every Japanese PC Engine focused magazine completely. Enjoy and please spread the word by liking/RT'ing. www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/12/m...
December 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Happy Friday! We're thrilled to announce the full run of Marukatsu PC Engine is now available to download/view. We believe we have now scanned every Japanese PC Engine focused magazine completely. Enjoy and please spread the word by liking/RT'ing. www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/2025/12/m...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
I remember doing the deal for Epic Mickey, and Bob Iger shooting laser beams out his eyes at me in the Disney dining room. “Don’t let this video game fuck up Mickey.”
Oh well. That’s over.
Oh well. That’s over.
BREAKING: Disney is making a $1 billion investment in OpenAI, and will allow its iconic characters to be on the company's Sora AI video generator.
December 11, 2025 at 4:31 PM
I remember doing the deal for Epic Mickey, and Bob Iger shooting laser beams out his eyes at me in the Disney dining room. “Don’t let this video game fuck up Mickey.”
Oh well. That’s over.
Oh well. That’s over.
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Valve has now rejected my complaint, confirming that "I don't like muslims" is a valid reason to leave a negative review on a game on Steam
This is where we're at now.
This is where we're at now.
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Valve has now rejected my complaint, confirming that "I don't like muslims" is a valid reason to leave a negative review on a game on Steam
This is where we're at now.
This is where we're at now.
Bob Doucet stated on his blog that he designed the Animaniacs logo, specifying that the final version was painted by Larry Grossoman. Problem: John Taylor Dismukes included the same logo in his portfolio.
douceart1.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-di...
web.archive.org/web/20240617...
douceart1.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-di...
web.archive.org/web/20240617...
December 10, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Bob Doucet stated on his blog that he designed the Animaniacs logo, specifying that the final version was painted by Larry Grossoman. Problem: John Taylor Dismukes included the same logo in his portfolio.
douceart1.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-di...
web.archive.org/web/20240617...
douceart1.blogspot.com/2018/12/i-di...
web.archive.org/web/20240617...
Awesome Possum box art signed DJW
December 9, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Awesome Possum box art signed DJW
For some reason, the box art drawn by C. Buxton for Kick Off 2 was redrawn with the same composition for the Master System and Mega Drive adaptations of the game (but not for the NES, Game Boy and SNES versions).
C. Buxton also did the box art for Tip Off, Cyberball and Dynamic Duo
C. Buxton also did the box art for Tip Off, Cyberball and Dynamic Duo
December 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM
For some reason, the box art drawn by C. Buxton for Kick Off 2 was redrawn with the same composition for the Master System and Mega Drive adaptations of the game (but not for the NES, Game Boy and SNES versions).
C. Buxton also did the box art for Tip Off, Cyberball and Dynamic Duo
C. Buxton also did the box art for Tip Off, Cyberball and Dynamic Duo
Reposted by VGDensetsu
I'm glad to see someone else talking about Vile: Exhumed, another game by an indie dev that was banned from Steam recently that deserves far more attention than it got. The creator chose to release the game for free and it's absolutely worth your time to play. Deeply affecting, raw, and unsettling
Steam are notoriously inconsistent and have been for years. For every game they block claiming one reason that's supposedly a hard line in the sand, they handwave five that drove a monster-truck over that same line.
Case, Vile: Exhumed. Banned for having real photography with *implied* nudity.
Case, Vile: Exhumed. Banned for having real photography with *implied* nudity.
Vile Is Banned
Developer Statement: VILE: Exhumed is a game about searching through an old computer, uncovering dark secrets, and experiencing the horrors […]
dreadxp.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
I'm glad to see someone else talking about Vile: Exhumed, another game by an indie dev that was banned from Steam recently that deserves far more attention than it got. The creator chose to release the game for free and it's absolutely worth your time to play. Deeply affecting, raw, and unsettling
Reposted by VGDensetsu
"I Was Really Close To Dying" - Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney's Original Composer On The Hidden Struggles Behind Its Iconic Score.
"I Was Really Close To Dying" - Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney's Original Composer On The Hidden Struggles Behind Its Iconic Score
Masakazu Sugimori created many of the game's most iconic tracks
www.timeextension.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
"I Was Really Close To Dying" - Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney's Original Composer On The Hidden Struggles Behind Its Iconic Score.
Speaking of Katsuhiro Harada, Mitsuo Kodama recently stated (without naming him) that Tomonobu Itagaki publicly criticised Daraku Tenshi, as he did with Tekken at the same time. While I can understand the logic behind doing this with Tekken, given the popularity of the series, 1/2
December 8, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Speaking of Katsuhiro Harada, Mitsuo Kodama recently stated (without naming him) that Tomonobu Itagaki publicly criticised Daraku Tenshi, as he did with Tekken at the same time. While I can understand the logic behind doing this with Tekken, given the popularity of the series, 1/2
Katsuhiro Harada will leave Namco Bandai at the end of the year..
xcancel.com/Harada_TEKKE...
xcancel.com/Harada_TEKKE...
Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN)
I’d like to share that I’ll be leaving Bandai Namco at the end of 2025.
With the TEKKEN series reaching its 30th anniversary—an important milestone for a project I’ve devoted much of my life to—I felt...
xcancel.com
December 8, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Katsuhiro Harada will leave Namco Bandai at the end of the year..
xcancel.com/Harada_TEKKE...
xcancel.com/Harada_TEKKE...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Anyone ever seen these prototype SNES boxes or artwork before? F-Zero here is very reminiscent of Stunt Race FX, which wouldn't have come out until 1994 (and both Pilotwings and F-Zero were NA launch titles in 1991). From a Torrance, CA branding company
December 6, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Anyone ever seen these prototype SNES boxes or artwork before? F-Zero here is very reminiscent of Stunt Race FX, which wouldn't have come out until 1994 (and both Pilotwings and F-Zero were NA launch titles in 1991). From a Torrance, CA branding company
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Zekuu: Mappy-Land was originally planned for the arcade twice and had a development code. The "Land" in Mappy-Land was a play on Pac-Land. Co-developed with Tose, Hiroshi Ono was the main graphic designer. Ono thought most of stage 1's background was by someone else (Tose). x.com/Area51_zek/s...
December 6, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Zekuu: Mappy-Land was originally planned for the arcade twice and had a development code. The "Land" in Mappy-Land was a play on Pac-Land. Co-developed with Tose, Hiroshi Ono was the main graphic designer. Ono thought most of stage 1's background was by someone else (Tose). x.com/Area51_zek/s...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
This is absolutely heartbreaking news.
Nick Thorpe
@hkt3030.neocities.org
our incredible features editor, sadly passed away yesterday. He was an incredible asset to the magazine and a compassionate and fantastic friend. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
I just can’t believe he’s gone
Nick Thorpe
@hkt3030.neocities.org
our incredible features editor, sadly passed away yesterday. He was an incredible asset to the magazine and a compassionate and fantastic friend. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
I just can’t believe he’s gone
December 2, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This is absolutely heartbreaking news.
Nick Thorpe
@hkt3030.neocities.org
our incredible features editor, sadly passed away yesterday. He was an incredible asset to the magazine and a compassionate and fantastic friend. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
I just can’t believe he’s gone
Nick Thorpe
@hkt3030.neocities.org
our incredible features editor, sadly passed away yesterday. He was an incredible asset to the magazine and a compassionate and fantastic friend. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
I just can’t believe he’s gone
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
December 2, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
Reposted by VGDensetsu
The original game director for Milano's Odd Job Collection graciously worked together with us to make this re-release happen. He even gave us never-before-seen concept art and development materials that we translated and included in-game!
December 1, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The original game director for Milano's Odd Job Collection graciously worked together with us to make this re-release happen. He even gave us never-before-seen concept art and development materials that we translated and included in-game!
There are now over 500 profiles in my website's database. Over the past few months, I have spent a lot of time researching some of the big names in the field of illustration and chara design:
vgdensetsu.net/designers/
vgdensetsu.net/designers/
December 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
There are now over 500 profiles in my website's database. Over the past few months, I have spent a lot of time researching some of the big names in the field of illustration and chara design:
vgdensetsu.net/designers/
vgdensetsu.net/designers/
I have just added a gallery of illustrations dedicated to the Populous series.
vgdensetsu.net/populousgall...
vgdensetsu.net/populousgall...
December 1, 2025 at 10:50 AM
I have just added a gallery of illustrations dedicated to the Populous series.
vgdensetsu.net/populousgall...
vgdensetsu.net/populousgall...
While numerous interviews have been conducted about Sonic 1, half of its developers have rarely been asked about it. Among them is the graphic designer Jina Ishiwatari, who said this in 1997, the year she left Sega:
December 1, 2025 at 10:41 AM
While numerous interviews have been conducted about Sonic 1, half of its developers have rarely been asked about it. Among them is the graphic designer Jina Ishiwatari, who said this in 1997, the year she left Sega:
I wonder if Famitsu deliberately chose a photo of a PC Engine GT prototype (the console logo is missing) or if all they had to illustrate their article was a picture taken from an old issue of their magazine.
www.famitsu.com/article/2025...
www.famitsu.com/article/2025...
PCエンジンGTが35周年。据え置き用のPCエンジンのゲームがそのまま遊べたエポックメイキングな携帯ハード。当時憧れの高級マシンだった【今日は何の日？】 | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com
過去のこの日、ゲーム業界に何があったのかを振り返る。1990年（平成2年）12月1日は、PCエンジンGTが発売された日。
www.famitsu.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
I wonder if Famitsu deliberately chose a photo of a PC Engine GT prototype (the console logo is missing) or if all they had to illustrate their article was a picture taken from an old issue of their magazine.
www.famitsu.com/article/2025...
www.famitsu.com/article/2025...