Yesterday we learned that Atlus would be taking the reigns from UTV Ignition, assuming publishing duties for Vanillaware’s 2D action RPG, Dragon’s Crown. The former publisher has stepped forward following Atlus’ announcement, asserting that UTV has “exited from all internal development” for the title.
“While we are saddened to no longer be associated with the Dragon’s Crown project, we are very confident that the title is in excellent hands with Atlus,” stated Lokesh Dhar, senior vice president of UTV Ignition Entertainment. “Since the initial announcement, information on timing and features in the game have changed and other details regarding design and functionality are yet to be determined. We are confident that Atlus and Vanillaware will deliver the finest game possible.”
Dragon’s Crown is now slated for a 2013 release on PlayStation 3 and Vita. And while it’s great to know that the game will see release and Dhar wishes the project well, I find myself worried for Ignition. Publishers of wonderfully weird games like Deadly Premonition, they seem to be in a state of flux following a string of studio closures and the Walt Disney Corporation’s recent purchase of their parent company. I hope they can eventually get back to bringing us gems like El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron, but for now things aren’t looking so pretty.
