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Japanese developers tease their 2021 projects

Teases for what's to come
by rawmeatcowboy
27 December 2020
GN Version 5.0

Famitsu magazine shared a special feature consisting of Japanese developers commenting on their 2021 plans. The game makers weren't willing to share too many specifics on their projects for next year, but they did drop a hint or too. There's nothing that's 100% confirmed for Switch, but there's no doubt some of these teases are for games heading our way. You can see the round-up of comments below, as translated by Gematsu.

■ 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.”

■ 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.”

■ 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!”

■ 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.”

Check out even more comments here

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