Japanese creators on 2016: Level-5 teases popular series sequel, CyberConnect2 has anniversary surprises, more
4Gamer interviews 146 creators.
2016 is nearly upon us, and 4Gamer interviewed 146 creators on the upcoming new year. We’ve picked through 4Gamer’s nine pages of interviews for hints and teases of what’s to come.
Get the details below.
Game Development Chief Norihisa Kochiwa (Neptunia series, Genkai Tokki series, Makai Ichiban Kan brand, Otomate brand): “In the first half of 2016, we plan to announce the new title(s) we’ve been working on in full force. The character design will surprise you. Other than that, we’re preparing new titles from Compile Heart and Otomate’s individual brands.”
Director Katsura Hashino (Persona 5): “I think we’ll be able to safely release the RPG we have in development.”
Representative Director and Producer Hajime Chikami (Demon Gaze, Stranger of Sword City, Operation Abyss, Operation Babel): “Next year is our 10th anniversary and a turning point. As or commemoration titles, we plan to release Demon Gaze 2 and Stranger of Sword City 1.5 (tentative), new titles that are a bit different in content.”
Representative Director and Executive Producer Yoshimi Yasuda (Lollipop Chainsaw, Demon Gaze, God Wars): “In addition to Root Letter and God Wars, it’s the year we’re steadily advancing with the development of Demon Gaze 2. Other than that, I might be able to announce a completely new title we’ve been developing that I’m directing in parallel with God Wars.”
Producer Masachika Kawata (Resident Evil Revelations): “First we’ll release Umbrella Corps for the shooter fans, but other than that, I think this year we may be able to make a number of interesting announcements. Please look forward to them.”
Director Shu Takumi (Ace Attorney, Ghost Trick, The Great Ace Attorney): Currently, for next year, I’m preparing my next project, and am working in parallel on supervising the screenplay for the Ace Attorney anime that will begin in April.”
Operating Officer and General Manager in Charge of Development Hiromichi Tanaka (Final Fantasy I-III, Final Fantasy XI, Chrono Cross, etc.): “It’s 2016! Of course, we want to release the new titles that our staff has been making together with all their might for several years.”
Representative Director and Game Designer Goichi Suda (No More Heroes, Lollipop Chainsaw, Let It Die): “In 2016, I’ll finally release Let It Die.”
General Producer Keiko Erikawa (Angelique, Neoromance series, more): “Next year, we will announce new titles that go back to our original intentions.”
Director Yoshito Okamura (Atelier Sophie): “In 2016, I want to make great strides with Atelier.”
Producer Keisuke Kikuchi (Deception series): “This year, I want to put out a number of titles I’m involved with in a variety of ways.”
Producer and Director Takashi Morinaka: “I think I’ll be able to share more information [about Toukiden 2] soon, so please look forward to it.”
Director Teruhiro Shimokawa (Soul Sacrifice): “I’ll do my best to announce a project I’m involved with next year.”
Director and Representative Director Hiroshi Matsuyama (Naruto series): “2016 is this company’s 20th anniversary, so we’re preparing various surprises. Please look forward to it.”
Game Designer Fumito Ueda (The Last Guardian): “We’ll share more information [about The Last Guardian] leading toward its release, so please hold out a little longer.”
Chief Planner Takashi Anzai: “It’s Dragon Quest‘s 30th anniversary! We have a number of projects, so please look forward to it.”
Producer Shou Oyamada: “2016 is the Seiken Densetsu series’ 20th anniversary. First, we’ll have the Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden remake we announced at the Tokyo Game Show out soon, so please have various expectations.”
Producer Hidekazu Kobayashi (Star Ocean 5): “It’s the Star Ocean series’ 20th anniversary, so I want to do something. We’re making various preparations, so please look forward to it.”
Director Kotaro Uchikoshi (Punch Line, Zero Time Dilemma): “In 2016, we’ll release the game version of Punch Line and the sequel to a certain title. The former is a complete game, and has an even deeper scenario than the anime dense in content. I think I’ll be able to share more information about the latter early in the year, so please look forward to it.”
Sony Computer Entertainment
Japan Studio Producer Teruyuki Toriyama (Bloodborne): “I will try my best to deliver an ambitious title in 2016, so please support SCE Japan Studio from now on.”
Consumer Division 1st Production Department Manager Yujiro Usuda (Bullet Girls): “New titles not in [the Bullet Girls] series are also in production.”
President Sohei Niikawa: “In 2016, NIS will continue to be persistent in releasing new IP to the consumer market. We will move forward and continue fighting until we run out of energy. Personally, I’m writing a game scenario set in our local Gifu Prefecture. I feel 2016 will also see an increase in collaborations with other companies. I think we’ll be able to do a number of interesting things. I’ll do my best so I can tell everyone about it as soon as possible. Please continue to support us in 2016.”
Representative Director Shinichiro Obata (Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme VS, Gunslinger Stratos): “2016 will be an important year for Byking as we enter the publishing business… Of course, we will debut new titles that we’ve been earnestly developing.”
The Idolmaster series producer Yozo Sakagami: “With everyone’s help, we were able to reach The Idolmaster‘s 10th anniversary. I want to work hard so I can tell you about the progress of the PlayStation 4 game as soon as possible.” (Update: That will be January 28.)
Producer Nobuya Narita (Under Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st]): “In 2016 we’re planning to release a proper console version of (that game you know about) and a new-ish arcade game, so please be excited for those.”
Producer Kenichiro Takaki (Senran Kagura): “Next year, first of all, we have the sexy beat ’em up-style action game Uppers, and then we have new Senran Kagura series news, so please look forward to that. Thank you for everything this year, and let’s look forward to the next.”
President Akihiro Hino (Yo-kai Watch, Ni no Kuni, etc.): “Level-5 is always thinking of and proposing new things to the world. I can’t let out the details yet, but in 2016 too we have all new ideas and various new titles to announce. Among them, there is also a sequel to a very popular series.”