Danganronpa Devs Eye New Genres, Aim to Please Core Fans

Spike Chunsoft CEO Yasuhiro Iizuka is committed to nurturing their dedicated fanbase while carefully venturing into new genres and expanding their reach in the Western market. Learn more about Iizuka's vision for the future of Spike Chunsoft.

Spike Chunsoft Cautiously Expanding in the Western Market

Spike Chunsoft, renowned for their niche narrative games such as Danganronpa and the Zero Escape series, is poised to broaden their horizons without straying from their roots. In a recent interview with AUTOMATON at BitSummit Drift, CEO Yasuhiro Iizuka shared insights into their strategic approach.

"We believe that our strength lies in handling content related to Japan's niche subcultures and anime," Iizuka stated. "While adventure games have been our main focus, we are eager to diversify by incorporating other genres into our portfolio."

Iizuka emphasized a cautious approach to expansion in the West, stating, "We have no intention of drastically widening the range of our content. Venturing into genres like FPS and fighting games, or attempting to publish Western titles for Western gamers, would place us in unfamiliar territory."

Despite their focus on 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 Western titles in Japan, including Disco Elysium: The Final Cut, Cyberpunk 2077 for PS4, and the Witcher series.

At the heart of their strategy is a deep commitment to their fans. "We want to keep cherishing our fans," Iizuka remarked. "Our goal is to become a publisher that fans trust and return to time and again."

While promising to deliver the games and products their loyal fanbase loves, Iizuka also hinted at surprises. "We'll be sneaking in some surprises here and there to catch people off guard," he teased, leaving fans eager to see what's in store.

Iizuka's decisions are guided by a profound appreciation for their long-standing supporters. "Our fans have supported us for many years, and we don’t want to betray them," he affirmed, ensuring that fan satisfaction remains at the forefront of Spike Chunsoft's mission.