subdirectory_arrow_right Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories (Game), Steambot Chronicles (Game), Poncotsu Roman Daikatsugeki Bumpy Trot 2 (Game), Irem Software Engineering Co. (Company), Granzella (Company)
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In the aftermath of the 2011 TÅhoku earthquake and tsunami, Irem Software Engineering was forced to cancel the majority of its video game projects, most notably Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories and a sequel to Steambot Chronicles titled "Poncotsu Roman Daikatsugeki Bumpy Trot 2". They then refocused their resources into the slot-machine and pachinko industry, which they were initially a part of prior to becoming a video game company. This led numerous Irem designers (including producer Kazuma Kujo) to form a new company called Granzella to continue creating video games. Notably, they acquired the IP rights to the Disaster Report series and revived Disaster Report 4. Additionally, while no longer involved in the development or release of new games, Irem is still involved in the games industry via licensing their IPs to other companies.
Irem cancellations and Granzella formation:
https://web.archive.org/web/20151118092116/http://www.1up.com/features/kazuma-kujo-interview-keeping-irem
Granzella acquires Disaster Report:
http://gematsu.com/2014/12/granzella-acquires-disaster-report-copyright-latest-entry-planned-fall-2015
Disaster Report 4 revival:
http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/28/9062733/disaster-report-new-game
Irem continued involvement:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/arcade-archives-image-fight-switch/
https://www.konami.com/games/pcemini/lineup/jp/en/
https://web.archive.org/web/20151118092116/http://www.1up.com/features/kazuma-kujo-interview-keeping-irem
Granzella acquires Disaster Report:
http://gematsu.com/2014/12/granzella-acquires-disaster-report-copyright-latest-entry-planned-fall-2015
Disaster Report 4 revival:
http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/28/9062733/disaster-report-new-game
Irem continued involvement:
https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/arcade-archives-image-fight-switch/
https://www.konami.com/games/pcemini/lineup/jp/en/