2025 Ambitions from Top Japanese Game Developers: Insights from Famitsu

As the year begins to change to 2025, Japanese game developers reflect on their accomplishments in 2024 and share their ambitions for 2025. Famitsu’s article on game creators’ aspirations for 2025 brings insights from 158 developers. Below are some of the most notable highlights.

ArtPlay

Shutaro Iida (Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Blasphemous)

“I hope to unveil the sequel to Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night as soon as possible.”

Koji Igarashi (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night)

“I hope to release a new title this year.”

ATLUS

Shinjirou Takata (Devil Survivor, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE, Shin Megami Tensei V, Vengeance)

“I’m hoping we can announce a title as soon as possible. The team is currently working as hard as they can to make sure our fans can enjoy it to the fullest.”

Naoya Maeda (Persona 5, Persona Q, Persona 5 Tactica)

“It’s already been a year since the release of Persona 5 Tactica. Unfortunately, I can’t share details about the title I’m currently working on, but I’m confident it will offer players a new experience.”

Bandai Namco Entertainment

Kazutoki Kono (Ridge Racer, Ace Combat)

“We’re currently developing a new title in the Ace Combat series, and while challenges continue to arise every day, we’re fully dedicated and putting in all our efforts toward the day we can start to see results. It will still be a little while before we can announce the new title, but 2025 will also be the year we celebrate Ace Combat‘s 30th anniversary, so I’d like to get excited together with the fans.”

Bokeh Game Studios

Keiichiro Toyama (Silent Hill, SIREN, Gravity Rush, Slitterhead)

“After the release of our studio’s first title Slitterhead, I thought I’d be able to take a bit of a breather, but instead, it seems I’ve only become busier… We’ve started making preparations for our next project, but with a wider range of options, it’s been draining, but I’m also feeling a sense of accomplishment I haven’t felt in a long time.”

CyberConnect2

Hiroshi Matsuyama (.hack, Fuga: Melodies of Steel)

“In 2025, we plan to release Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 (published by Aniplex), both of which we’re developing. Both of these titles will be masterpieces, so please look forward to them! 2025 will also be a countdown year with various announcements as we approach our 30th anniversary in February 2026, so please look forward to it.”

Experience

Hajime Chikami (Demon Gaze, Spirit Hunter, Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi)

“Next year, we plan to release the hack-and-slash RPG Monkarufanta, which we’ve had a tough time developing, as well as the tentatively titled Demon Kill Demon, a return to dungeon RPGs being developed on a separate pipeline.

Demon Kill Demon is set in the same world as Undernauts: Labyrinth of Yomi, but it is a new title, not a sequel. While the protagonists of Undernauts were working adults looking to get rich quick, this time the story revolves around ordinary students and teachers who get caught up in an incident and must work together to escape from a dungeon.”

Moncalphanta © EXPERIENCE

Concept art for Demon Kill Demon — *Kill Demon Kill* **© EXPERIENCE**

Demon Kill Demon — *Kill Demon Kill* **© EXPERIENCE**

Grasshopper Manufacture

Goichi “Suda 51” Suda (No More Heroes, killer7, The Silver Case)

“I think I’ll be able to announce a new title!”

Idea Factory

Kei Nanameda (Death end re;Quest, Mary Skelter)

“Looking ahead to 2025, Todokero! Tatakae! Calamity Angels continues to be in diligent development. I apologize for the wait. We’re working hard to create a cheerful and fun slapstick comedy, so I hope you’ll look forward to it!”

Inti Creates

Takuya Aizu (Azure Striker Gunvolt, Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon, Grim Guardians, Card-en-Ciel)

“And in 2025, we plan to release several titles, including Grim Guardians: Servants of the Dark, which will launch digitally on March 27 and physically on April 24… furthermore, to those wondering ‘will there be a sequel to this game or that game?,’ I’m sure we’ll have some good news to share, so please look forward to future updates!”

Koei Tecmo

Koei Tecmo Games / Omega Force

Sho Tomohiko (Dynasty Warriors 3–6, Dynasty Warriors: Origins, Fate/Samurai Remnant)

“In 2025, we’d first like as many people as possible to enjoy Dynasty Warriors: Origins, which will be released on January 17… And that’s not all for Omega Force in 2025. In our continued efforts to deliver the best games in the future, we’re working hard on various titles, and we hope to make an interesting announcement before spring arrives. We would be grateful if you continue to keep an eye on Omega Force!”

Koei Tecmo Games / AAA Studio

Yosuke Hayashi (Rise of the Ronin, Nioh, Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive)

“2025 should be a year where we can announce and deliver various titles, including the AAA studio title I’m currently in charge of. I hope this year brings even greater excitement to the entertainment format that is video games.”

Koei Tecmo Games / Team NINJA

Fumihiko Yasuda (Rise of the Ronin, Nioh, Ninja Gaiden)

“In 2025, Team NINJA will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and we hope to announce and release titles fitting for the occasion.”

Konami Digital Entertainment

Noriaki Okamura (Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, Super Bomberman R)

“Our top priority is to deliver a polished and high-quality Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater to our fans. At the same time, for the Momotaro Dentetsu series, another project I’m in charge of, we’re continuing to develop new and exciting initiatives, such as exhibiting at the World Expo with the Japanese Cabinet Office. Please look forward to what’s coming next.”

Motoi Okamoto (Silent Hill 2 2024, Silent Hill f)

“In 2024, we successfully released Silent Hill 2 to high praise from fans. What remains now are the already announced titles Silent Hill f and Silent Hill: Townfall. We’re working hard on both titles to meet fans’ expectations. We’ll do our best to be able to deliver new updates.”

LEVEL-5

Akihiro Hino (Inazuma Eleven, Professor Layton,Yo-kai Watch )

“I hope 2025 will be a ‘breakthrough’ year for LEVEL-5. We’re planning to release three major titles—FANTASY LIFE i: The Girl Who Steals Time, Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, and Professor Layton and the New World of Steam—simultaneously, so I’ll be working with all my strength to make these the best titles they can be.”

Spike Chunsoft

Shohei Sakakibara (Danganronpa, The Nonary Games)

“We’re continuing to work hard on titles like AI: The Somnium Files and Danganronpa, and we’re also excited about what’s coming next. Stay tuned for announcements!”

Too Kyo Games

Kotaro Uchikoshi (The Nonary Games, AI: The Somnium Files)

“I hope that in 2025, we will release a new title that can match or surpass the success of AI: The Somnium Files and Zero Escape. We’re working hard to create something that will be truly unforgettable.”

Kazutaka Kodaka (Danganronpa, Super Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code)

“I look forward to working on Danganronpa‘s 15th anniversary project, as well as creating new experiences for players to enjoy.”

Takumi Nakazawa (Danganronpa, Ever17: The Out of Infinity)

“We’ll be announcing something big soon!”

Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond

As we look forward to 2025, the gaming industry is brimming with anticipation. We’re especially excited about the upcoming Students of the Round game from Experience, the potential new Ace Combat title, the next Shin Megami Tensei entry, and Last Defense Hundred Line from the Danganronpa team. These projects, along with many others, promise to deliver the kinds of experiences we’ve come to expect from Japan’s most talented developers.

Stay tuned for more exciting announcements, as we eagerly await what the new year will bring in terms of new adventures and unforgettable moments in gaming!