After generating a wave of enthusiasm when it was announced in 2020 – especially because Yûji Naka, the creator of Sonic, was directing – Balan Wonderworld was finally a furnace. If we already knew that the sauce had not taken between Naka-san and Square Enix, we were a thousand miles from thinking that relations were also strained. Indeed, the former emblematic figure of SEGA published a long message on Twitter in which he clearly blames Square Enix. Why hasn’t he spoken so far? Quite simply because he filed a lawsuit against the Japanese publisher, which forced him to remain silent. ” Now that the procedure is complete, I would like to make a few clarifications “, he explains, pointing out that Square Enix showed him the door six months before the release of Balan Wonderworld.
According to him, two reasons are at the origin of his dismissal. The first concerns the use of a cover of one of the game’s music created by an influencer as part of a promotional video. ” We claimed that the original track should be used instead of an arranged version “, he says. The beginning of the problems, obviously. As for the second reason, it relates to the negative feedback from Yûji Naka on the final build of Balan Wonderworld transmitted by Arzest, the studio in charge of the project. ” I was not allowed to share any information or like any post on social media, and I don’t think Square Enix respects its fans.he says. I’ve seen so many positive comments and fan art revolving around Balan Wonderworld… I’m sincerely sorry that I couldn’t interact with you. »
バランワンダー ワールド 発売 の 約 半年 前 に ワールド ワールド の ディレクター から れる れる 業務 命令 が 出さ た た ので 、 エニックス に対して に対して 裁判 で で 訴訟 提起 し て い まし た。 裁判 が が 終わり 命令 が 現時 現時 現時 現時 現時 現時 現時効力は失われていると言う事ですので、お話したいと思います。#BalanWonderworld pic.twitter.com/9KE7hLqfor
— Yuji Naka / 中裕司 (@nakayuji) April 28, 2022
He adds : ” I think it’s okay to ask for improvements when necessary, and if it’s not possible, it should at least be discussed. But even that was not possible. In fact, I think they [Square Enix] didn’t care about the game.” He recalls that for the very first Sonic, he and his teams made final adjustments two weeks before the game went gold. “The creators are supposed to improve their games until the end, and I think it’s a mistake to prevent them from doing so. […] It is for this reason that Balan Wonderworld has received all the negative reviews you have seen. I am deeply saddened to see that a game I was involved in from the start has taken this direction. Personally, I find it a shame that Balan Wonderworld was released in this state. […] I think Square Enix and Arzest are companies that don’t care about games or fans. »
This is called taking out the sulphate. It will be interesting to see if Square Enix will react to Yuji Naka’s release, or if they prefer not to add fuel to the fire.
