BAZIXBAZIX, the company that is about to launch the 1 Chip MSX device has launched it's Retrogaming Website Woomb.net which is an English counterpart of a popular Japanese online retrogaming platfor called 'Amusement center' Finally a gaming platform also available in European territories. Woomb focuses on gameplay, guality and fun factor according to the website. Games originally released on the old home computers and consoles can now be played on ordinary Windows PC's with aid of a 'Launcher program', which probably will feature emulation technology. As BAZIX acquired the liscenses of the MSX system, this platform is the first to have games made available for through Woomb.

What is very interesting is that all Japanese games have been translated to English, so now finally 'the West' is also able to enjoy games that have previously only been released in Japan. This is a definite bonus for me, as I am one that has been playing Japanese originals on my old MSX computer in the past. I even picked up a little Kanji in the process. It would be great enjoying the full games in English.

A quote from the website:
"Most of these games are so good that many people have been playing the Japanese versions", says Rieks Warendorp Torringa, in charge of localizations at Bazix, "Now, these games and their manuals are finally available in English, revealing their often exciting stories and useful game hints". Bazix also licenses and localizes English games available in WOOMB.net to D4 Enterprise, for distribution through WOOMB's Japanese counterpart Amusement Center.

At Amusement Center, the Japanese counterpart of WOOMB.net, hundreds of games are already available, attracting thousands of subscribers and customers. The software catalog available on Amusement Center will gradually be added to WOOMB.net as well. At its start, WOOMB.net already offers several titles licensed from D4 Enterprise, such as Aleste (Power Strike), the Golvellius and Hydlide series, Laydock and Zanac. "Many Japanese software producers like Compile, Microcabin and T&E Soft are enthusiastic about the network and have already joined in", says Bart Schouten of Bazix, "Our goal is to add a large selection of classic games from Europe and the USA to WOOMB.net and Amusement Center as well."

http://www.woomb.net/

The initial release list includes
Shooter
Aleste
Aleste 2
DASS
Laydock
Zanac

RPG
Golvellius
Golvellius 2
Hydlide
Hydlide 2

Action
Nosh
Troxx
Undeadline

Platform
Frantic

Puzzle
DiX

This list will probably be expanded soon! A great initiative, good news for European retrogamers that have been left out in the cold for such a long time!