2021 is almost upon us which means lots of Japanese developers are looking forward to plans for that coming year. Games are being developed, trailers are being organized and fans have a lot to be excited about. In the year-end issue of Famitsu, various developers from Japanese studios like Kondo (Falcom), Kitase (Square Enix) and Wada (Atlus) shared their outlook for the new year. There are some teases too so check it out below:
■ Acquire
Takuma Endou
Keywords for 2021: “Re-challenge self-publishing.”
What’s New: “I can’t say anything yet because it’s an unannounced title, but please allow me to introduce our new title in the January 7 issue of Famitsu. Gladiux is also behind schedule, but we’re working hard to muscle our way through development.”
■ Atlus
Shinjirou Takata
Keywords for 2021: “Think outside the box.”
What’s New: “So about Shin Megami Tensei V… we’re working hard on development to make it an even better product. You’ll be waiting a little while longer, but please look forward to it.”
Katsura Hashino
Keywords for 2021: “Silence.”
Ambitions for 2021: “With last year’s novel coronavirus causing swift change throughout the world, all we can do is continue focusing on our work. Our title in development is going through an important phase and we want to face it head on in order to deliver some interesting gameplay to the world.”
What’s New: “I’d like to announce the title we’re developing as soon as possible. We’ve previously created contemporary dramas, but please look forward to the ‘fantasy RPG’ we’re taking on next.”
Kazuhisa Wada
Keywords for 2021: “Carrying out my original intentions.”
What’s New: “My project has been steadily in the works. Thanks to everyone, the Persona series will celebrate its 25th anniversary! We have exciting plans in the works, so please look forward to it.”
■ M2
Naoki Horii
Keywords for 2021: “Continuation.”
Ambitions for 2021: “I think the time will come that I can show off the thing I’ve teased. I’ve been working forever to complete it, so while the wait has been extremely long, I’ll be able to show it off with a certain amount of pride. Please look forward to it.”
■ Kadokawa Games
Yoshimi Yasuda
Keywords for 2021: “Release a new title and two remastered titles.”
2021 Ambition: “For the past two years, I’ve been working as hard as I can with the God Wars development team, which I direct, on the production of a new title and remastered titles. We’re currently developing three titles, two of which will be announced in 2021. And if possible, we’ll release those two titles as well. It’ll take a bit more time, but please look forward to it.”
What’s New: “The God Wars team is becoming a development studio with quite the number of people. We’ve recently been even more revitalized with the addition of newcomers and veteran developers alike, and the team atmosphere is quite good. We’ll deliver some good stuff with this staff.”
■ GungHo Online Entertainment
Kazuki Morishita
Keywords for 2021: “Do your best and let destiny handle the rest.”
What’s New: “We’re developing a new console title. I hope to be able to announce it sometime this year.”
■ Koei Tecmo
Kenichi Ogasawara
Keywords for 2021: “Dealing with the new normal.”
What’s New: “2021 is the 40th anniversary memorial year of the Kou Shibusawa brand! We’re preparing a title suitable for this milestone worth celebrating, so please look forward to it.”
Keisuke Kikuchi
Keywords for 2021: “Rebuild.”
Ambitions for 2021: “2020 was a year where things that were normal were no longer normal. I’d like to look at what’s important and what I love once more, and create a game with a fresh perspective. 2021 is also the 20th anniversary of the Fatal Frame series, so I’d like to celebrate it in some way if possible.”
What’s New: “We’re working hard to announce some titles by spring. We’re developing a wide range of titles, from those currently under adjustment to those with pending names.”
Hisashi Koinuma
Keywords for 2021: “Investing in the future.”
What’s New: “Koei Tecmo will release a lot of game software in 2021, so please give us your support.”
Junzo Hosoi
Keywords for 2021: “Reboot.”
Ambitions for 2021: “The Gust brand will take on various challenges in 2021, including a cross-media project! There are some titles that we weren’t able to announce last year, so please look forward to them.”
Fumihiko Yasuda
Keywords for 2021: “Year of transition.”
Ambitions for 2021: “At Team Ninja, development of the seven years-long Nioh series will reach a resting point, and there are several projects that will begin full-scale development in 2021. I plan to change my development style to match the changing lifestyle and concentrate on new titles. As for me personally, I’ll try not to gain any more weight.”
■ Konami
Noriaki Okamura
Keywords for 2021: “Learning from the past.”
Ambitions for 2021: “The basic game design of Momotaro Dentetsu was completed 30 years ago, but it was refreshing to see that users who may not have heard of the old Momotetsu enjoy playing it in ‘modern’ ways such as via online play or live streaming. In 2021, I would like to help further pursue the possibilities of this kind of new Momotetsu.”
What’s New: “Momotaro Dentetsu: Showa, Heisei, Reiwa mo Teiban!, which we released late this year, is out now and selling well! Please enjoy it during the New Year’s holiday with friends and family! There are also plans for a new announcement concerning Bomberman soon! Please look forward to it!”
■ Colopl
Keywords for 2021: “Adapting and living in a new age.”
What’s New: “We’re preparing to make an announcement regarding a new game in 2021!”
■ Cygames
Kenichiro Takaki
Keywords for 2021: “Adamant.”
Ambitions for 2021: “I hope to announce, even if it’s only a tease, an original new title for console that I have been developing with my colleagues in my new work environment. I have nothing but the highest confidence in it.”
What’s New: “What did you think of the end-of-year Granblue Fantasy: Relink announcement from the Granblue team? I think we’ve been able to showcase its solid and high-quality single-player gameplay appeal following 2019’s multiplayer showing, so please continue to look forward to it!”
Tetsuya Fukuhara
Keywords for 2021: “Concentration.”
Ambitions for 2021: “Granblue will celebrate its seventh anniversary in March, and Granblue Fantasy: Versus will celebrate its first anniversary in February. We will continue to update each as usual so that fans can continue to enjoy them! We also announced that Granblue Fantasy: Relink will launch in 2022, so 2021 will be an important year where we focus on development. I hope you’ll support us on that as well.”
■ CyberConnect2
Hiroshi Matsuyama
Keywords for 2021: “Release Fuga: Melodies of Steel!”
Ambitions for 2021: “We’ll release Fuga: Melodies of Steel at all costs. We’ve kept you waiting for the game, and even for new information, so we’ll give you all the details at once and then release it. Please look forward to it!”
■ Square Enix
Tomoya Asano
Keywords for 2021: “Bravely!! (For the second year in a row.)”
Ambitions for 2021: “I hope Bravely Default II is a success and that I can prepare for the next one (whether that’s Third or III I don’t know).”
Yoshinori Kitase
Keywords for 2021: “The story will connect…”
What’s New: “Future Final Fantasy VII developments are in preparation. But please wait a little while longer for details.”
Yousuke Saito
Keywords for 2021: “NieR.”
What’s New: “I’m working on NieR for just a little while longer. Then there’s also Babylon’s Fall and a completely new title. I’m pretty busy…”
Noriyoshi Fujimoto
Keywords for 2021: “Changelessness.”
Ambitions for 2021: “Dragon Quest will celebrate its 35th anniversary, so I hope to be able to announce something.”
Naoki Yoshida
Keywords for 2021: “An open mind.”
Ambitions for 2021: “2021 will be the busiest year of my career. I’d like to make it a year in which I can deliver surprise and excitement to gamers and players, while also paying attention to my health.”
What’s New: “Please look forward to various announcements for both Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI!”
■ Sega
Seiji Aoki
Keywords for 2021: “The creation of a new century.”
What’s New: “I’ve been involved in the development of new projects since the beginning of 2020. We’re working hard as a team to be able to announce details in 2021, so please look forward to it.”
■ Sony Interactive Entertainment
Nicolas Doucet
Keywords for 2021: “Shouryuken! (At COVID-19.)”
Things to Pay Attention to in 2021: “I’m looking forward to watching the new seasons of Upload and After Life on Amazon Prime and Netflix, as well as starting a new project with Team Asobi.”
■ Too Kyo Games
Kazutaka Kodaka
Keywords for 2021: “To make the best of my life.”
What’s New: “In spring 2021, we will release World’s End Club. It will be the first and last game for all ages from Too Kyo Games. Other than that, we have various announcements, so please give us your support.”
■ Falcom
Toshihiro Kondo
Keywords for 2021: “Turning point.”
Ambitions for 2021: “In 2021, Falcom will reach the major milestone of its 40th anniversary. Naturally, we should always aim for rejuvenation regardless of turning points, but occasions like these are important, so I’d like to use this opportunity to review our current development methods and systems. I wanted to increase the number of development lines and staff in the company, so we have already expanded and reformed. We await the applications of those interested in development at Falcom!”
■ Bandai Namco Entertainment
Manabu Shimomoto
Keywords for 2021: “Challenge!”
What’s New: “While keeping an eye on the state of the world, I’d like to carry out the plans for the Ace Combat series’ 25th anniversary that were scheduled for 2020, but unfortunately weren’t realized, though in a different form. Please continue to support the Ace Combat series!”
Kensuke Tsukanaka
Keywords for 2021: “Growth.”
What’s New: “I’m anticipating the day that I can announce the title I’m developing to everyone, and steadily advancing on preparations.”
■ PlatinumGames
Hideki Kamiya
Keywords for 2021: “Do my best.”
What’s New: “First off, many people are worried about Bayonetta 3 considering there hasn’t been any new information since its announcement, but verifications of new systems have been going great and development is going very well, so please wait with peace of mind. (This is a copy of my 2020 comment.) Also Project G.G. (title tentative) has finally started moving, so please look forward to it.”
■ FuRyu
Fuyuki Hayashi
Keywords for 2021: “Rebirth.”
Ambitions for 2021: “In 2021, I plan to announce a new title I’ve been quietly working away for the past few years… definitely… perhaps… maybe… There are some other new announcements concerning console games planned, so I hope you can keep an eye out for them.”
■ Mistwalker
Hironobu Sakaguchi
Keywords for 2021: “Near complete.”
Ambitions for 2021: “Fantasian, which we’ve been developing for three years, is finally near completion. It’ll release for Apple Arcade in 2021!”
■ Ys Net
Yu Suzuki
Keywords for 2021: “Shooting / RPG.”
Ambitions for 2021: “1) Reflect on head-to-head battles. 2) Sequel…”
In the meantime, stay tuned at Final Weapon for the latest Japanese gaming news and updates!
