You brilliantly handled this. When I first read Mikage's interview upon return, I was heartbroken because I could relate to some points in it. People sometimes only see the face of a person but rarely do they have idea what what is going on behind them. Another reminder that games are not made by "studios" as we think, but actual humans with lives, interests, worries. Hope he does well, and people get inspired by his story.
Update: So the new game is called "Criminal Girls X." A possible spin-off of sorts of the criminal girls franchise. But this comes with some bad news. As it seems, Mikage has expressed his disappointment that sony is forcing the removal of the punishment systems from the new game... Hopefully this doesn't threaten his new budding company too much, but he's clearly not okay with it. Original Post: For those who might get too excited, temper your expectations! It's cool that old imageepoch stuff will be coming back, but, we have no idea what it's going to be yet! It might just be a mobile game, but let's hope for the best nonetheless!
@@dani3po He isn't a bad game designer and better being a pervert than a prude and forcing that prudery on others as Sony does. Mikage should switch to PC and Switch, these platforms are a lot safer to work for than the Playstation that is now under the rule of crazy americans.
@@valeriacaissa4552 If you think it's okay to leave your children in the care of someone who is "a person whose sexual behaviour is considered strange and unpleasant by most people, a degenerate", maybe you shouldn't be a mother.
That is a very interesting story of Imageepoch. I always appreciate the games they offer, especially the Luminous Arc series. But I also wish games like Toki to Towa would get a second chance, as with today's technology, it can still be improved and be better. The game has so much potential. I am glad that Mikage has recovered for the most part and starts to work on gaming again. While JRPG definitely won't need saving, but it is a good opportunity at this time to make a come back, as JRPGS nowadays while niche, is still largely accepted and liked by many gamers who are interested in Japanese games. I am really looking forward to Imageepoch's upcoming games, hopefully it is not mobile games. And who knows, maybe the Luminous Arc series can make a return after the last awful release, and maybe games like Toki to Towa or similar style to that, gets a second chance. I would even say maybe he can collaborate with Compile Heart seeing they actually care for him so much. The future is unknown, but that is a future I am looking forward to seeing.
For all RPG’s fans: Support your RPGs developing companies if you want them to keep continue making RPGs games❗️buy their games either NEW or digital copy so they can get profits they won’t gain a penny from pre-owned games☹️
Shal ucard the more you buy pre owned the more frequent games will be $60 for unfinished game with finished game with purchased DLC. Also, buying pre owned will make gaming developers spend longer time to finish a game cause they have less budget cause you didn’t buy their previous game as new
Despite knowing of Imageepoch, it was always that one company that I didn't really know much of anything about. I vaguely fondly recall a handful of games that had their name attached but that was about it. Aside from the whole Mikage going missing thing and the company closing down obviously. Looking it up, I've played a grand total of 6 games of which they are credited for, all of which I've enjoyed to some degree or at least thought had some unique element or feel to them: "Luminous Arc 1 & 2" (I remember being very bummed "LA3" never released internationally), "Fate/Extra", "Criminal Girls", "Black Rock Shooter", and "Time & Eternity". While not a developer I'd consider among the greats, Imageepoch definitely had its place as far as the niche realm was concerned. A shame Mikage went through such a tough time but it's good to see that he's mostly on his feet again.
They were on their way to the big time. It's amazing how much the company was able to grow in just 6 years. But it's like that all got to mikages head, he tried to reach further than he could, and it all came tumbling down. It'll be interesting to see how he handles business from now on. It'll be a bit before he gets to the level they were on around 2006, but I have faith in him.
omg i never knew about any of this! i'm a huge fan of the 7th dragon games and just happened to get across this video. thanks for the info and and i wish u and mikage the best!
Now I'm even more excited for a sequel & prequel to Arc Rise Fantasia (aka that big hidden forgotten gem of an JRPG! Funny what Yasunori Mitsuda stated in the booklet to the ARF OST, how troublesome this development was when they started it, taking 3 months to gather ressources on a basis and such!) thanks for clearing me up on the case of Mr Mikage, didn't expect him returning more or less healthy at mind!
Love these history videos, I think this is like your second or third one. Would be cool if you made a series out of this (if you enjoy doing these types of videos of course)
I love doing them. The issue is finding stories I think are interesting enough to tell haha. I don't want to make them on "Just anything." It is a pain finding footage to fill the videos with, but I like learning about this stuff.
@@TarksGauntlet Yeah, I can only imagine how hard and time consuming it must be. Just take your time, it shows The effort and care you put in these videos.
Good to know the man is getting back on his feet! really interesting inspiring story! Losing confidence in yourself the worst thing that can happen to man! Thanks for the awesome job you're doing!
yooooo i always wondered what happened to the company, this is some really good stuff, maybe since the switch is doing so well i hope we get some more jrpgs for it (also pls make arc rise fantasia 2, always wanted to see the world after those 100 or so years)
DAAAAAAAAAAAMN!!! Tarks, why you do this. Now you just gone and up the JRPG making video level. How am I gonna keep up? HOW?! 😭 Like the waifu in every anime says, "you must take responsibility senpai". Lol on a serious note. This is probably the best video I've watch so far during 2019 related to JRPGs. You did a great job on it. I may hit you up sometime for some editing tips later. Anywho, my stomach's talking to me so I might as well get to feeding it. 😉
Haha, I am not the guy for editing advice. I've been flying on the seat of my pants for a few years learning as I go. No formal training at all. Just... trying to learn a bit more each time.
Currently I don't know much about the company or it's amount of employees. I'm willing to bet it's still really small though. I'm worried the new game will be a mobile game in the luminous arc series, but, only time will tell.
Luminous Arc 2 and Arc Rise Fantasia are still two of my favorite games. I always kind of felt that despite saying they would "save JRPGs", their choice to pour more money into PSP development, and subsequent self publishing, was something that ultimately hurt them. While it would allow for higher quality games compared to the DS, the lesser popularity of the PSP outside Japan would limit sales to just Japan. From 2010-2013, they only released PSP games. Of the nine titles released, only two would find releases worldwide. The upside was they could release all those games in that narrow timeframe. The downside was the PSP market worldwide was shrinking. 2010 was ok but I always thought they stayed on the platform too long and didn't diversify their development portfolio quick enough.
Stella Glow is one of my favorite games of all time so far. Luminous arc 2 I'm bashing my head on but I enjoyed it till this point. Sad that the games are hard to find.
Awesome video Tarks I swore there would be a build up to some murder porn crap but thankfully it was very engaging. I even went to the forbidden server before it was mentioned. Always enjoyable to watch.
Oh wow I didn't know they made so many good games. I came into this video thinking "those guys that made time and eternity?" Oh man they actually made like 20 other really good games.
Wait, so this is the guy who created Criminal Girls and Black Rock Shooter? It is somewhat concerning the games he made are often just traditional JRPG, traditional text base JRPG needed really solid characters and setting just to get attention nowadays. It'll be an uphill battle, but hope he starts small, keep expectations realistic, and focus on minor gains or break even for now. He's only forty, and he have more than 3 decades ahead of his career to really build his new found company.
@@TarksGauntlet well it's also a psp game made by imageepoch like BRS, I really enjoyed both of these, be it due to them basically being culminations of doujin circles works becoming "main stream" and because well... they're good games. Though in case of fate, if visual novels aren't something you're not too big on well it's normal you've ditched it, there's a bunch of fate stuff but it's not like I'm gonna point out everything that was made under type-moon's name and other companies that they've partnered with.
Nope. That's just where some of the information was first published. The thing from compile hearts weird trailer was first noticed and posted there, and the thread that followed is where people speculated on yakuza involvement. If resetera shut down tomorrow I would celebrate.. just as I did when neogaf was going down lol.
You brilliantly handled this. When I first read Mikage's interview upon return, I was heartbroken because I could relate to some points in it. People sometimes only see the face of a person but rarely do they have idea what what is going on behind them.
Another reminder that games are not made by "studios" as we think, but actual humans with lives, interests, worries.
Hope he does well, and people get inspired by his story.
Update: So the new game is called "Criminal Girls X." A possible spin-off of sorts of the criminal girls franchise.
But this comes with some bad news. As it seems, Mikage has expressed his disappointment that sony is forcing the removal of the punishment systems from the new game... Hopefully this doesn't threaten his new budding company too much, but he's clearly not okay with it.
Original Post:
For those who might get too excited, temper your expectations! It's cool that old imageepoch stuff will be coming back, but, we have no idea what it's going to be yet! It might just be a mobile game, but let's hope for the best nonetheless!
So he is not only a bad game designer, but a pervert. Shocking.
@@dani3po He isn't a bad game designer and better being a pervert than a prude and forcing that prudery on others as Sony does.
Mikage should switch to PC and Switch, these platforms are a lot safer to work for than the Playstation that is now under the rule of crazy americans.
@@valeriacaissa4552 If you had to hire a babysitter for a night would you choose a prude or a pervert to look after your children?
@@dani3po Irrelevant, since the decision is based on the skills and not if the babysitter likes to look at butts or not.
@@valeriacaissa4552 If you think it's okay to leave your children in the care of someone who is "a person whose sexual behaviour is considered strange and unpleasant by most people, a degenerate", maybe you shouldn't be a mother.
Stella Glow is easily one of the best games I have ever played on the 3DS. Glad to see more games may be on the horizon! -Brandon Knight
That is a very interesting story of Imageepoch. I always appreciate the games they offer, especially the Luminous Arc series. But I also wish games like Toki to Towa would get a second chance, as with today's technology, it can still be improved and be better. The game has so much potential.
I am glad that Mikage has recovered for the most part and starts to work on gaming again. While JRPG definitely won't need saving, but it is a good opportunity at this time to make a come back, as JRPGS nowadays while niche, is still largely accepted and liked by many gamers who are interested in Japanese games.
I am really looking forward to Imageepoch's upcoming games, hopefully it is not mobile games. And who knows, maybe the Luminous Arc series can make a return after the last awful release, and maybe games like Toki to Towa or similar style to that, gets a second chance. I would even say maybe he can collaborate with Compile Heart seeing they actually care for him so much. The future is unknown, but that is a future I am looking forward to seeing.
For all RPG’s fans: Support your RPGs developing companies if you want them to keep continue making RPGs games❗️buy their games either NEW or digital copy so they can get profits they won’t gain a penny from pre-owned games☹️
Shal ucard the more you buy pre owned the more frequent games will be $60 for unfinished game with finished game with purchased DLC. Also, buying pre owned will make gaming developers spend longer time to finish a game cause they have less budget cause you didn’t buy their previous game as new
even if they're bad/boring games?
@@faidou9954 No, don’t buy bad games.
Despite knowing of Imageepoch, it was always that one company that I didn't really know much of anything about. I vaguely fondly recall a handful of games that had their name attached but that was about it. Aside from the whole Mikage going missing thing and the company closing down obviously.
Looking it up, I've played a grand total of 6 games of which they are credited for, all of which I've enjoyed to some degree or at least thought had some unique element or feel to them: "Luminous Arc 1 & 2" (I remember being very bummed "LA3" never released internationally), "Fate/Extra", "Criminal Girls", "Black Rock Shooter", and "Time & Eternity".
While not a developer I'd consider among the greats, Imageepoch definitely had its place as far as the niche realm was concerned. A shame Mikage went through such a tough time but it's good to see that he's mostly on his feet again.
They were on their way to the big time. It's amazing how much the company was able to grow in just 6 years. But it's like that all got to mikages head, he tried to reach further than he could, and it all came tumbling down. It'll be interesting to see how he handles business from now on. It'll be a bit before he gets to the level they were on around 2006, but I have faith in him.
I love playing Stella glow and I fall in love with it
I love these documentary videos you do man. So much attention to detail and well executed as your videos tend to be.
What a great video, I enjoyed it a lot !
We just need to wait to see what will be next for Mikage.
omg i never knew about any of this! i'm a huge fan of the 7th dragon games and just happened to get across this video. thanks for the info and and i wish u and mikage the best!
Now I'm even more excited for a sequel & prequel to Arc Rise Fantasia (aka that big hidden forgotten gem of an JRPG! Funny what Yasunori Mitsuda stated in the booklet to the ARF OST, how troublesome this development was when they started it, taking 3 months to gather ressources on a basis and such!)
thanks for clearing me up on the case of Mr Mikage, didn't expect him returning more or less healthy at mind!
So glad I finally took the time to watch this - excellent video. I learned a lot and enjoyed doing so, thanks!
Love these history videos, I think this is like your second or third one. Would be cool if you made a series out of this (if you enjoy doing these types of videos of course)
I love doing them. The issue is finding stories I think are interesting enough to tell haha. I don't want to make them on "Just anything."
It is a pain finding footage to fill the videos with, but I like learning about this stuff.
@@TarksGauntlet Yeah, I can only imagine how hard and time consuming it must be. Just take your time, it shows The effort and care you put in these videos.
Good to know the man is getting back on his feet! really interesting inspiring story!
Losing confidence in yourself the worst thing that can happen to man!
Thanks for the awesome job you're doing!
Amazing video.
While i knew imageepoch history. There was A LOT of stuff i didn't know here.
Yet again great job Tarks!
Oh cool. Didn't know he returned, but I'm really happy to hear it.
the website they bought (jrpg) still showing old ass imageepoch games
Really glad he came back, always wondered why they declared bankruptcy. Anyways I really hope he makes a spiritual successor to Stella Glow soon
What 3DS game was that shown at the end?
The last 3ds game shown I think was one of the 7th dragon games
@@TarksGauntlet thanks
Woah just woah this was a crazy story and I’m glad he’s back and making games again I love Stella glow
yooooo i always wondered what happened to the company, this is some really good stuff, maybe since the switch is doing so well i hope we get some more jrpgs for it
(also pls make arc rise fantasia 2, always wanted to see the world after those 100 or so years)
one of my favorite jrpg studios out there
I think I somehow missed the news of him resurfacing, so thanks for that.
DAAAAAAAAAAAMN!!! Tarks, why you do this. Now you just gone and up the JRPG making video level. How am I gonna keep up? HOW?! 😭 Like the waifu in every anime says, "you must take responsibility senpai". Lol on a serious note. This is probably the best video I've watch so far during 2019 related to JRPGs. You did a great job on it. I may hit you up sometime for some editing tips later. Anywho, my stomach's talking to me so I might as well get to feeding it. 😉
Haha, I am not the guy for editing advice. I've been flying on the seat of my pants for a few years learning as I go. No formal training at all. Just... trying to learn a bit more each time.
@@TarksGauntlet lol I've been doing the same. Just learning what I need when I need it. You edited this one well, and it flowed perfectly.
Damn this was a good episode, we can all learn a thing or two
...interesting choice of background footage
Kickstarter, please Mr.Mikage.
How big is his company? I want arc rise fantasia 2 but that might be too ambitious.
Currently I don't know much about the company or it's amount of employees. I'm willing to bet it's still really small though. I'm worried the new game will be a mobile game in the luminous arc series, but, only time will tell.
Luminous Arc 2 and Arc Rise Fantasia are still two of my favorite games. I always kind of felt that despite saying they would "save JRPGs", their choice to pour more money into PSP development, and subsequent self publishing, was something that ultimately hurt them. While it would allow for higher quality games compared to the DS, the lesser popularity of the PSP outside Japan would limit sales to just Japan. From 2010-2013, they only released PSP games. Of the nine titles released, only two would find releases worldwide. The upside was they could release all those games in that narrow timeframe. The downside was the PSP market worldwide was shrinking. 2010 was ok but I always thought they stayed on the platform too long and didn't diversify their development portfolio quick enough.
I love Arc Rise Fantasia
Stella Glow is one of my favorite games of all time so far. Luminous arc 2 I'm bashing my head on but I enjoyed it till this point. Sad that the games are hard to find.
Surprised you didn't mention their arguably best game, Fate/Extra.
Awesome video Tarks I swore there would be a build up to some murder porn crap but thankfully it was very engaging. I even went to the forbidden server before it was mentioned. Always enjoyable to watch.
Touching story
Oh wow I didn't know they made so many good games. I came into this video thinking "those guys that made time and eternity?" Oh man they actually made like 20 other really good games.
great video. I hope stella glow 2 or the prequel come
Stella Glow is the one I hope comes back the most too.
@@TarksGauntlet I haven't finished it yet but soon I'll get back into it I'm mainly catching up on other 3ds games
@@TarksGauntlet I even have the stella glow 3ds theme on my 2ds xl
I really like they jrpg, sad to see they can't survive
Wait, so this is the guy who created Criminal Girls and Black Rock Shooter?
It is somewhat concerning the games he made are often just traditional JRPG, traditional text base JRPG needed really solid characters and setting just to get attention nowadays.
It'll be an uphill battle, but hope he starts small, keep expectations realistic, and focus on minor gains or break even for now.
He's only forty, and he have more than 3 decades ahead of his career to really build his new found company.
You can never find any good jrpgs on the psp without mentioning works of imageepoch.
1 more thing, Fate/extra.... no really is no one gonna mention it ?
cause that (well these if we take CCC) was (were) pretty good
The psp game? I think I own it but only played it for a short period. Don't know too much about it personally.
@@TarksGauntlet well it's also a psp game made by imageepoch like BRS, I really enjoyed both of these, be it due to them basically being culminations of doujin circles works becoming "main stream" and because well... they're good games.
Though in case of fate, if visual novels aren't something you're not too big on well it's normal you've ditched it, there's a bunch of fate stuff but it's not like I'm gonna point out everything that was made under type-moon's name and other companies that they've partnered with.
"Save"
Bring sol trigger to the west 🙏
:)
Ryo macaw gay
Oh god, you go to Resetera? concern intensifies.
Nope. That's just where some of the information was first published. The thing from compile hearts weird trailer was first noticed and posted there, and the thread that followed is where people speculated on yakuza involvement. If resetera shut down tomorrow I would celebrate.. just as I did when neogaf was going down lol.
Source: View of Japanese Truck
Really? 😂
Legit. That's the name of the channel I grabbed the footage from lol.