Virtual-On Masterpieces 1995-2001 is out now on 🇯🇵 PSN for PS4, ¥4950 store.playstation.com/ja-jp/product/… OG Virtual-On, Oratorio Tangram 5.66 & Force in one package with new online modes & support for the crowdfunded twin-stick—it's digital-only & I'd be shocked if it gets localised
also, Toaru no Majutsu Virtual-On has been patched with twin-stick support virtual-on.sega.jp/topics/2019112…🇯🇵 icymi, this was a new VO game set in the world of A Certain Magical Index, it didn't sell great & it was delisted 6+ months ago but they still followed through with the patch
oh and if you're wondering where to buy the twin stick, you can't—it was funded via a Japanese crowdfunding site & only produced for backers, with no current plans to make or sell them otherwise
the manufacturer of the new stick, Tanita, makes bathroom scales & by trade but their president is a Virtual-On maniac and when posts about him playing VO went viral, they grabbed the opportunity to negotiate a deal to make the new twin stick
their first crowdfunding drive raised a lot of money but didn't succeed, partly because they went super high-end with the sticks but also bc the only compatible game was VO Index which was specifically designed for controller, as Sega had no intention of producing twin sticks
their second attempt at crowdfunding was very successful—not only did they reduce the cost of the stick but the buzz from the first campaign convinced Sega to greenlight the VO collection, so it got way more interest & they ended up doing another crowdfunding drive to meet demand
...but of course, "success" in terms of manufacturing peripherals is, like, thousands of units, it remains to be see how the collection will do
for better or worse, peoples' affection for VO seems to be inextricably linked to the twin stick; for many, no stick = no interest
for better or worse, peoples' affection for VO seems to be inextricably linked to the twin stick; for many, no stick = no interest
I tend to think similar tactics—ie a crowdfunding drive for the stick that's also a loc drive for the VO collection by proxy—could work overseas, but idk if Segatlus would be willing to attempt it, or to license it to somebody who would
oh and one more thing, zaarock & the VO community have been updating their Oratorio Tangram guide in anticipation of the collection, so if you're completely new to these games or just need a menu translation, start here
