Majesco picks up Phantom Dust for US release

Xbox-exclusive title Phantom Dust has been acquired for US release by publisher Majesco, after developer Microsoft Game Studios declined to launch the title outside Japan earlier this year.

Created by Microsoft Game Studios Japan, the fast-paced action title is already out in Japan, and many were surprised when Microsoft announced that it would not be releasing the largely well-received game outside the Far East.

Now ascendant publisher Majesco has added the game to its line-up for the coming months, with the title expected to arrive in North America in early 2005 - with a subsequent European launch entirely possible, but not confirmed.

Majesco is best known for its BloodRayne franchise, but its forthcoming line-up includes promising titles such as Advent Rising and Psychonauts - another former Microsoft title which was dropped by the software giant earlier this year.

Microsoft's decision not to publish Phantom Dust in North America is an unusual one, but the fate of the post-apocalyptic action title may have been down, to some extent, to the firm's bitter experience with Microsoft Game Studios Japan's previous title.

That game, the critically derided beat 'em up Kakuto Chojin, was released in North America - very briefly. It was pulled from shelves after the use of verses from the Qu'ran in the game threatened to cause serious offence to Islamic groups, and weak initial sales combined with a critical panning apparently convinced Microsoft that it wasn't worth remastering the game without the offending elements and putting it back into retail.

Phantom Dust, however, has been rather better received critically in its home territory, and the graphically impressive title should be another feather in Majesco's cap when it launches in the coming months.