2022 is coming to a close, and Japanese game developers discuss their 2023 plans and ambitions in a series of new interviews at Famitsu.
Prominent developers at Japanese studios such as ATLUS, Koei Tecmo, Capcom, and many more tease and reveal what’s to come in 2023. Square Enix already discussed its plans to share even more information about Final Fantasy XVI before its summer 2023 release. Further, the company plans to share more news about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ahead of its winter launch in the new year.
Famitsu interviewed a total of 141 Japanese game developers to get their thoughts ahead of 2023. For some studios, 2023 is a key year for its respective franchises such as Neptunia, Disaster Report, and Nobunaga’s Ambition. On the other hand, developers such as Aquaplus’ Naoya Shimokawa and Mistwalker’s Hironobu Sakaguchi will take a short rest before diving headfirst into their next projects.
The most notable of status updates from Japanese developers are available below, translated and reported by Gematsu:
ArtPlay
Shutaro Iida
- Ambitions for 2023
“We are currently still working on content for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, but we are striving every day to be able to make a big announcement in 2023.”
Koji Igarashi
- Ambitions for 2023
“I’d like to finish work on the remaining content for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. And that will lead us to the next step.”
Idea Factory
Naoto Tominaga
- Ambitions for 2023
“In 2023, I will do my best to talk about familiar works that incorporate new elements, as well as new titles that make you say, ‘Oh!?’”
- Status Update
“I’m working on several new titles. Please look forward to their announcements.”
Hikaru Yasui
- Ambitions for 2023
“In 2022, we were able to release to the fans the long-awaited RPG Neptunia: Sisters vs. Sisters, with its improved game systems and evolved 3D graphics. In 2023, we are working hard to give the fans an even further ‘evolved’ game.”
- Status Update
“I would like to make 2023 a year of further ‘evolution’ for the Neptunia series. There should be some new developments this year, so please look forward to them.”
Akatsuki Games
Hiroaki Iwano
- Ambitions for 2023
“In 2023, we will announce new title(s) quite early on, so I’m determined to do what it takes to increase our fan base by the time the content is released!”
- Status Update
“We’ve been silently at work on game production for the past few years, but in 2023 we should be able to make various announcements!”
Shuhei Yamaguchi
- Ambitions for 2023
“We should be able to debut the major titles and initiatives we’ve been working on this year. While overseas companies are making great strides in the mobile games market, we will create something that can’t be beaten!”
Aquaplus
Naoya Shimokawa
- Ambitions for 2023
“In 2022, with the release of a long-in-development game and broadcast of a TV anime, we were able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Utawarerumono together thanks to the fans who have always supported us. In 2023, I plan to take a short rest and gather new energy for our next title. As is expected of our company, we hope to continue taking on new challenges going forward, so please look forward to it!”
Acquire
Takuma Endo
- Ambitions for 2023
“Recently, I’m hoping to prepare a huge game as we head toward our turning point 30th anniversary year. I’m going to devote a bit of time to creating an epic game. As for Acquire, we hope to be able to be able offer our games digitally worldwide going forward.”
- Status Update
“A small-scale game that I personally was prototyping has been put on the development line. I hope to be able to show something around next spring, so please look forward to it.”
ATLUS
Shinjiro Takada
- Ambitions for 2023
“In 2023, which will be the 31st anniversary of the Shin Megami Tensei series, I hope be able to give something back to the fans as a thank-you [for their support on Shin Megami Tensei V].”
IzanagiGames
Shinsuke Umeda
- Ambitions for 2023
“We should be able to announce two new game projects by the end of the year. We also plan to release the Switch version of DYSCHRONIA: Chronos Alternate produced with MyDearest this year.”
SNK
Yasuyuki Oda
- Status Update
“Alongside updates to The King of Fighters XV, the staff is working as one on the development of the new Fatal Fury and several other titles. Please look forward to SNK in the future.”
Nobuyuki Kuroki
- Status Update
“While we haven’t shared much information about Fatal Fury yet, development is progressing well, so please look forward to it.”
Kazuhiro Fujishige
- Ambitions for 2023
“This year will mark the start of develompent on a new IP that carries the grand vision of ‘the creation of an AAA title from Japan.’ We are becoming a studio in which the strengths of our teams formed from our diverse pool of talent will be on full display!”
Onion Games
- Ambitions for 2023
“I’m steadily progressing on our new RPG. While taking care of my health, I’m pouring all of my energy into it. It’s now been over a year since I started working on it, so it can be scary at times, but I am nevertheless moving forward one step at a time. In 2023, I hope to complete the game and exhibit it at BitSummit, Tokyo Game Show, and Digital Games Expo.”
Kazuyuki Kurashima
- Status Update
“I hope to be able to announce various things in 2023.”
Capcom
Hideaki Itsuno
- Status Update
“I’m currently immersed in the production of Dragon’s Dogma II, so much so that I’m losing my sense of what season it is. Things are moving along well, so I hope to further our development progress so that we can share an update with you as soon as possible.”
Ryozo Tsujimoto
- Things to Pay Attention to in 2023
“Tokyo Game Show.”
Takuro Hiraoka
- Status Update
“We will release new information about Exoprimal next spring, so please look forward to it!”
Grasshopper Manufacture
Goichi Suda
- Keyword for 2023
“Public domain.”
- Ambitions for 2023
“Grasshopper Manufacture will celebrate its 25th anniversary. We will continue to dash forward.”
- Status Update
“We are dilligently developing new title(s).”
Granzella
Kazuma Kujo
- Ambitions for 2023
“While I wasn’t able to announce the next development for Manga Ka Keru in 2022, I hope to announce something new for that title in 2023. A new Disaster Report title will definitely also be announced in 2023. I intend to do everything that I can.”
Koei Tecmo Games
Yukinori Ito
- Ambitions for 2023
“The Kou Shibusawa brand plans to release several new titles in 2023. We will also update our mobile games, so please look forward to it!”
Mei Erikawa
- Ambitions for 2023
“In 2023, the La Corda d’Oro series will celebrate its 20th anniversary. We are currently under review on a project to please the fans! Ruby Party also plans to start up new challenges, so please look forward to that as well.”
Kenichi Ogasawara
- Ambitions for 2023
“As the Nobunaga’s Ambition series will reach its turning point 40th anniversary, I would like to make various preparations as to make it an even more exciting celebration with the fans!”
Yoichi Erikawa (Kou Shibusawa)
- Keywords for 2023
“The 40th anniversary of Nobunaga’s Ambition, and giving back to the game fans.”
- Ambitions for 2023
“Our company plans to release many major titles in 2023 and 2024, so we are working hard to make sure they’re a success.”
Akihiro Suzuki
- Ambitions for 2023
“While we were unable to share any information about future developments of the Dynasty Warriors series in 2023, we hope to be able to do so in 2023.”
Konami Digital Entertainment
Noriaki Okamura
- Keyword for 2023
“Long-awaited.”
- Ambitions for 2023
“Other than the educational edition of Momotaro Dentetsu announced last year, 2023 will be a year of many announcements! Stay tuned!”
COLOPL
Ryoji Tsunoda
- Ambitions for 2023
“We are working hard on an unannounced game. We hope to be able to announce it during the hot season.”
Cygames
Kenichiro Takaki
- Ambitions for 2023
“This year will be a year that we will be able to showcase and let you play the titles we have been thoroughly preparing so far. Each team will continue their developments thoroughly, unrushed, and with love, so please look forward to our announcements and releases going forward!”
- Status Update
“Did you enjoy Little Noah: Scion of Paradise? We hope to be able to show you various surprises in our lineup, including a follow-up report on Project GAMM.”
CyberConnect2
Hiroshi Matsuyama
- Ambitions for 2023
“We will announce CyberConnect2-esque measures, developments, and works that fans around the world will be able to enjoy, and not just in games, but also in manga and anime.”
GPTRACK50
Hiroyuki Kobayashi
- Status Update
“Our new game announcement is still far ahead, but we are developing a new action game intellectual property, so we hope to announce it as soon as possible.”
Square Enix
Tomoya Asano
- Ambitions for 2023
“Compared to the turbulent 2022—which saw the releases of Triangle Strategy, LIVE A LIVE, and Various Daylife; the announcement of Octopath Traveler II; and the 10th anniversary of Bravely Default—2023 seems like it’ll be a year of preparation. Thorough preparation.”
Yoshinori Kitase
- Ambitions for 2023
“As the 25th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII continues to stir up the excitement with its seven campaigns, I hope to be able to deliver an update on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth when the timing is right. Please look forward to it!”
SEGA
Takashi Iizuka
- Ambitions for 2023
“This past year was the biggest year in Sonic history, including the release of the movie sequel, new titles Sonic Origins and Sonic Frontiers, and the Netflix animation Sonic Prime. We are preparing a second wave to keep the fans happy and maintain that momentum going into 2023. We already announced additional content for Sonic Frontiers, but there is a lot more outside of that, so please look forward to it.”
Ryousuke Horii
- Ambitions for 2023
“It’s going to be a challengine year in which many titles are released under the restructured Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, so first and foremost, I would like to produce results with solid works that make people say, ‘The restructure and generational shift were a success!’”
Nippon Ichi Software
Yu Mizokami
- Status Update
“I planned a super stylish game. It’s a subject I don’t know much about, so I’m currently learning about it while working on development. I hope to be able to announce it by this time next year. The theme is ‘the joy of life.’”
FuRyu
Fuyuki Hayashi
- Status Update
“A new title will be released in 2023.”
Bokeh Game Studio
Keiichiro Toyama
- Ambitions for 2023
“Production on Bokeh Game Studio’s premiere title, Slitterhead, is nearing its climax.”
Marvelous
Kenichiro Tsukuda
- Ambitions for 2023
“In 2023, we will release several titles that we have been working on with development companies. We hope to make this a year of constant new efforts and challenges for the company.”
- Status Update
“There are several titles that I’m working on, but I wonder whether or not I will be able to announce them to the world soon. It’s a vague feeling, but we are steadily creating good games. Please look forward to them!”
Mistwalker
Hironobu Sakaguchi
- Ambitions for 2023
“I thought I was going to retire (laughs), but I decided to try to give this another go…”
- Status Update
“I’ll never stop playing Final Fantasy XIV. Meet me in Eorzea. I also started writing the scenario for a new title yet to be announced. It will be a dark fantasy.”
LEVEL-5
Akihiro Hino
- Ambitions for 2023
“LEVEL-5 will celebrate its 25th anniversary. In 2022, I feel like I personally put my heart and soul into Megaton Musashi, but in 2023, we will announce many new titles, so I hope to make an even bigger impact as a company. I’m going to do my best with the mentality of ‘Making our presence known going forward.’”
LEVEL5 comcept
Keiji Inafune
- Status Update
“While it is still unannounced, I’m making an interesting game. It will be a fun game that I will be able to play with my children and grandchildren.”
Lastly, the full list of interviews may be read here at Famitsu.
