Ryuker.com: Direct Line, Issue 3 (circa Summer 1992)

As promised, here's issue 3 of Working Designs' newsletter, Direct Line. This issue builds upon the model of the second issue with two more pages of information! Lots of neat information here, such as Working Designs' intent on bringing over Cosmic Fantasy 3 and Exile 2. They even mention that they'd bring over Cosmic Fantasy 1 if interest and sales are good. Other titles mentioned are Cyber Twins (possibly Kaizou Chounin Shubibinman 2 or possibly 3), and Ghost Warrior Spriggan. Of course, Exile 2 (Exile: Wicked Phenomenon) was the one out of all of those games that were released here in the US. I wonder how far along the localization for Cosmic Fantasy 3 was, as that would have been the one game I would've liked to see most.

So when was this issue mailed out? Well, we know that the drawing for the contest results on Page 1 occurred on or around May 16th, 1992, so this issue had to be released well after that. This issue also implies that Exile had not been released yet and that it was scheduled to be released in October. So we're looking at a time frame of around June through September of 1992.

Anyhow, on to the actual issue!

Page 1 - Welcome message and Parasol Stars contest winners. Man Yip Yan is the man.

Directions '92/93: Working Designs lets us in on what games they're planning on bringing over. They also announce that they will be doing CD games from now on as there "aren't many cartridge games coming out in Japan that we feel are good enough to be called 'working' designs."

Page 2 - Cartridge Refresher Course: blurbs on their two cartridge games, Parasol Stars and Cadash. Awesome CD games: Cosmic Fantasy 2 and Exile summaries.

New Directions (continued from page 1): Cyber Twins, Ghost Warrior Spriggan, Cosmic Fantasy 3 and Exile 2 are mentioned. WD also announces that they'll support the Super System Card 3.0 since Exile 2 and Cosmic Fantasy 3 require it.

Page 3 - Hot Merchandise! Apparently there was an outcry for Working Designs merchandise (or at least they'd like us to think so) and so they whipped up some poster, t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and jackets.

Bit o' Turbo: WD wants your opinion! They ask four questions to get feedback on their box art, advertising, favorite game types and if you'll buy the Duo or Super System Card.

Turbo Tips: Parasol Stars, Cadash, Cosmic Fantasy 2, and Exile secrets and tips.

Page 4 - Letters to Working Designs: Lots of gushing over Cosmic Fantasy 2. Cosmic Fantasy 3 is mentioned a lot here, with WD even including a brief description of what characters return, the new main character, the numerous speaking parts, and how the Super System Card helps improve the game.

One reader asks if they'll ever have a Genesis or SNES contest. WD answers that they won't be expanding into the SNES or Genesis markets. Lunar: The Silver Star for the Sega CD was released in late 1993.