Dillon rolls into the sundown

Vanpool Inc. is closing its doorways. The Japanese studio, recognized for each its help work on Nintendo video games in addition to its personal video games, resembling Dillon’s Rolling Western, has introduced it’s shutting down.

The information was posted on the studio’s official web site, saying the workforce has determined to disband. No overt cause was given, however the studio does categorical gratitude for its followers.

Vanpool was one of many studios began by former Love-de-Lic builders, alongside studios like Punchline (Chulip, Rule of Rose) and Skip Ltd. (Chibi-Robo!, LOL).
Again in 2001, Vanpool launched its first recreation with Endonesia on the PS2. From there on, it made some enjoyable, distinctive video games; Dillon’s Rolling Western, for one. And there’s additionally the weird, memorable Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland.

A slight tingle

Alongside its personal video games, Vanpool additionally supported a number of Nintendo titles. The Kirby collection (together with Forgotten Land and the lately launched Return to Dream Land Deluxe) dots Vanpool’s resume. The studio additionally contributed to Paper Mario: Sticker Star and Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash.
It’s a disgrace to see a studio like this go. It’s laborious not to think about Alphadream, or the curiously quiet Skip Ltd. talked about earlier than, too. These studios, and their historical past, signify a special form of video games than we often see. And it’s a workforce that performed a task in Nintendo’s latest success with Kirby, too.

Hopefully, everybody concerned lands someplace new.

Eric Van Allen

Senior Information Reporter – Whereas Eric’s been writing about video games since 2014, he is been taking part in them for lots longer. Often discovered grinding RPG battles, digging into an indie gem, or hanging out across the Limsa Aethryte.

Extra Tales by Eric Van Allen