Today, Kenji Ozawa has announced the creation of Studio Sasanqua, a brand-new games studio based in Shibuya. Ozawa previously worked at Ouka Studios, owned by NetEase, where he served as the Director of Visions of Mana. Ouka Studios was shuttered shortly after the release of the game, with Ozawa leaving as a result. According to an interview with Automaton, Studio Sasanqua will be “starting off with small-scale projects developed in Unreal Engine, with the goal of eventually transitioning to full-blown, original PC/console games.”
Ozawa is set to serve as the CEO of Studio Sasanqua, sharing the following message on X (formerly Twitter) following the announcement:
“I’m starting a company called “Studio Sazanka.” The name comes from a flower that blooms in winter. Making games is incredibly rewarding, but it’s also incredibly challenging. Games are products, and there are certain things we need to do because of that. I want to create a place where we can face both of these aspects.”
Speaking with Automaton, Ozawa shared that he believes “management needs to protect creators.” This was a key factor behind the decision to create Studio Sasanqua, as it allows him to integrate both development and management into one.
