Working Designs Dub is gone.

[SecondLeaseGamer]

I knew the game was being re-dubbed, but I didnt realize it was being removed altogether rather than toggle option. Hopefully it doesn't take modders long to fix this "remaster" with the original audio.

[Illudium]

Yeah, unfortunately my understanding is it's a rights thing. Victor Ireland isn't exactly easy to work with, to the point that he was actively interfering with the PSP release back in the day, and there was probably no legal way of using the old voicework without getting him involved.

[Mill]

Originally posted by Illudium:

Yeah, unfortunately my understanding is it's a rights thing. Victor Ireland isn't exactly easy to work with, to the point that he was actively interfering with the PSP release back in the day, and there was probably no legal way of using the old voicework without getting him involved.

This is exactly what happened and why Gung-Ho didn't try working with him again for this remaster.

[Mauman]

Yeah, it's sad, but it's evidently not really the dev's fault. Sometimes people just don't want to play nicely.

Well, if I ever want to hear the WD dub I will always have my originals that I can play via emulator.

[Minnow]

I won't buy this until there's a mod for original audio.

I'm also a bit disappointed they didn't include the Sega CD versions.

[Seraphita]

I'm not sure but I just watched the trailers and voices seemed fine. They have the same vibe as the original, just not the same voices obviously but the same "energy"?

[SecondLeaseGamer]

Originally posted by Illudium:

Yeah, unfortunately my understanding is it's a rights thing. Victor Ireland isn't exactly easy to work with, to the point that he was actively interfering with the PSP release back in the day, and there was probably no legal way of using the old voicework without getting him involved.

"Despite speculation that this new remaster package would include Working Designs' localisation, it would seem that isn't the case – and Working Designs founder, Victor Ireland, is keen to stress that the blame for that doesn't sit with him, as some have suggested.

Speaking on the Retro Hangover podcast, Ireland explains that he has offered the Working Designs localisation to GungHo, the company behind the remasters, but at the time of writing, they haven't taken him up on the offer:

'It is available, it is inexpensive. I'm willing to work with them. I'm willing to make sure the best version happens. And if they don't do it at that point, then great, that's their choice, but I wanted it to be understood by the fanbase that that decision was made.'

Ireland says that he's had nothing but "radio silence" on the matter, despite reaching out. He says he's mentioning this now so fans are aware that the offer is at least there."

Source: https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/11/lunar-remastered-wont-currently-include-the-original-english-voice-acting-but-its-been-offered-for-cheap

[Tannah]

I read somewhere that Ireland had the the rights to the Working Designs Script and translation, but not to the actual voice work. Sounds like a nightmare of licencing.

[Kaitsu]

Originally posted by Tannah:

I read somewhere that Ireland had the the rights to the Working Designs Script and translation, but not to the actual voice work. Sounds like a nightmare of licencing.

Yeah, when it comes to renewing/remasters, depending on the license, it could be true hell. And considering this is an old game, the license might even require contacting the old VAs to renew a contract. Some old games/anime were like this.

Also I started the series on the PSP version, so I don't really have any feeling towards new dubs. Yuri Lowenthal voiced Alex, so that was dope.

[Illudium]

Originally posted by SecondLeaseGamer:

Originally posted by Illudium:

Yeah, unfortunately my understanding is it's a rights thing. Victor Ireland isn't exactly easy to work with, to the point that he was actively interfering with the PSP release back in the day, and there was probably no legal way of using the old voicework without getting him involved.

"Despite speculation that this new remaster package would include Working Designs' localisation, it would seem that isn't the case – and Working Designs founder, Victor Ireland, is keen to stress that the blame for that doesn't sit with him, as some have suggested.

Speaking on the Retro Hangover podcast, Ireland explains that he has offered the Working Designs localisation to GungHo, the company behind the remasters, but at the time of writing, they haven't taken him up on the offer:

'It is available, it is inexpensive. I'm willing to work with them. I'm willing to make sure the best version happens. And if they don't do it at that point, then great, that's their choice, but I wanted it to be understood by the fanbase that that decision was made.'

Ireland says that he's had nothing but "radio silence" on the matter, despite reaching out. He says he's mentioning this now so fans are aware that the offer is at least there."

Source: https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/11/lunar-remastered-wont-currently-include-the-original-english-voice-acting-but-its-been-offered-for-cheap

Fair as far as it goes, but there's a difference between "he's stated that he's willing to work with them" and "he's someone they'll be able to work with productively." My understanding is he was something of a nightmare before (though admittedly I don't know the details), and if that's the case, they likely didn't want to go back down that rabbit hole.

[JCKLNTRN]

Originally posted by SecondLeaseGamer:

"Despite speculation that this new remaster package would include Working Designs' localisation, it would seem that isn't the case – and Working Designs founder, Victor Ireland, is keen to stress that the blame for that doesn't sit with him, as some have suggested.

It's no surprise for him to deflect blame, but there is good reason that consensus remains that he is himself the problem, not Game Arts or Gung-Ho.

Even Jenny Stigile, who voiced numerous characters in the Lunar games, has been very critical of him, and made a public statement that she does not agree with what he did.

He essentially gave the implicit go-ahead for a certain subset of Working Designs diehards, to actively spread negativity and harass and abuse Gung-Ho staff. Just straight up toxic bullying behavior, and this is not the first time he has weaponized his fanbase in this way.

[Cureless]

I wouldn’t worry too much; someone will probably rip the script from the PS versions and make a mod to patch the Steam versions, voices as well… if that kind of thing is your bag.

[SuperKyle]

Interested in a mod - if someone's making this, maybe send me a ping of a website or a community to keep tabs on? I'd like to be involved.

[RL]

Originally posted by Illudium:

Originally posted by SecondLeaseGamer:

"Despite speculation that this new remaster package would include Working Designs' localisation, it would seem that isn't the case – and Working Designs founder, Victor Ireland, is keen to stress that the blame for that doesn't sit with him, as some have suggested.

Speaking on the Retro Hangover podcast, Ireland explains that he has offered the Working Designs localisation to GungHo, the company behind the remasters, but at the time of writing, they haven't taken him up on the offer:

'It is available, it is inexpensive. I'm willing to work with them. I'm willing to make sure the best version happens. And if they don't do it at that point, then great, that's their choice, but I wanted it to be understood by the fanbase that that decision was made.'

Ireland says that he's had nothing but "radio silence" on the matter, despite reaching out. He says he's mentioning this now so fans are aware that the offer is at least there."

Source: https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/11/lunar-remastered-wont-currently-include-the-original-english-voice-acting-but-its-been-offered-for-cheap

Fair as far as it goes, but there's a difference between "he's stated that he's willing to work with them" and "he's someone they'll be able to work with productively." My understanding is he was something of a nightmare before (though admittedly I don't know the details), and if that's the case, they likely didn't want to go back down that rabbit hole.

I mean, he thinks his wanting royalties is fair (or wanting a cut of sales, basically) rather than the usual just one cost deal. His offers are, in general, awful. But yeah he deflects often and tries to act like the victim constantly which is typical for people like him. He did the same thing to the PSP release, and again with the phone release. It shouldn't be a surprise to anyone that he hasn't been able to get a single deal, so...
Also, the phrase "they don't really care about making the best version" is literally him displaying how annoying he is to work with. The fact that "time extension" reported this nonsense unironically is hilarious. Guess that explains why I never heard of them or this "retro hangover" podcast.

[Tiberius]

Originally posted by JCKLNTRN:

Originally posted by SecondLeaseGamer:

"Despite speculation that this new remaster package would include Working Designs' localisation, it would seem that isn't the case – and Working Designs founder, Victor Ireland, is keen to stress that the blame for that doesn't sit with him, as some have suggested.

It's no surprise for him to deflect blame, but there is good reason that consensus remains that he is himself the problem, not Game Arts or Gung-Ho.

Even Jenny Stigile, who voiced numerous characters in the Lunar games, has been very critical of him, and made a public statement that she does not agree with what he did.

He essentially gave the implicit go-ahead for a certain subset of Working Designs diehards, to actively spread negativity and harass and abuse Gung-Ho staff. Just straight up toxic bullying behavior, and this is not the first time he has weaponized his fanbase in this way.

He couldv made some money, but now he got nothing. Smh

[RunningWild]

I thought the whole thing with the Sega Genesis Mini 2 was some BS. Great chance to include Popful Mail and have it brought back, and Vic had to go and biff it for everybody.