Danganronpa Devs Eye New Genres, Aim to Please Core Fans

Spike Chunsoft CEO Yasuhiro Iizuka has outlined plans to stay dedicated to their fanbase while carefully expanding into new genres and the Western market. Here's a closer look at Iizuka’s vision for the future of Spike Chunsoft.

Spike Chunsoft to Focus on Core Fanbase While Expanding Horizons

Spike Chunsoft Cautiously Expanding in the Western Market

Spike Chunsoft, celebrated for their niche narrative games like Danganronpa and the Zero Escape series, is now setting its sights on broader horizons. In a recent interview, CEO Yasuhiro Iizuka highlighted the studio's commitment to their core fanbase while exploring new genres.

"Our strength lies in our deep connection to Japan's niche subcultures and anime," Iizuka stated during an interview with AUTOMATON at BitSummit Drift. "While adventure games have been our primary focus, we are eager to expand into other genres while maintaining our roots."

Iizuka emphasized a cautious approach to expansion in the West. "We plan to take slow and thoughtful steps," he explained. "Our goal is not to drastically shift our content range. Venturing abruptly into genres like FPS, fighting games, or publishing Western titles for Western gamers would not align with our strengths."

Despite their reputation for anime-style narrative games, Spike Chunsoft's portfolio is diverse. They have explored sports with titles like Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, fighting games with Jump Force, and wrestling with Fire Pro Wrestling. Additionally, they have successfully published popular Western titles in Japan, such as Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077 for PS4, and the Witcher series.

Above all, Iizuka stresses the importance of fan satisfaction. "Our priority is to cherish our fans," he said. "We aim to be a publisher that fans not only visit once but return to time and again."

While promising to deliver the games and products their loyal fanbase loves, Iizuka also hinted at surprises. "We plan to introduce unexpected elements to keep our fans engaged and excited," he added.

What these surprises entail remains to be seen, but Iizuka's decisions are firmly rooted in a deep appreciation for their fans. "Our fans have supported us for many years, and we are committed to not betraying their trust," he concluded.