Multiple game devs discuss their 2023 plans

As far as the game industry goes, 2022 is done and dusted. A handful of games are coming out on platform’s before the year’s end, but by and large, we’ve seen everything the year has to offer. Now it’s time to look forward to what 2023 has in store for gamers around the world!

This week’s issue of Famitsu magazine has put together quite a look ahead at 2023, as it includes comments from multiple big-name Japanese developers on their plans for the new year. We don’t get any big reveals or surprises, but we do get to hear multiple things to get excited about!

You can read a bunch of the developer comments below, some of which pertain to Switch and others are too nebulous to know for now. We’ll just have to keep our fingers and toes crossed that all games/dev talk mentioned is related to Switch releases!

Shutaro Iida

“We are currently still working on content for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, but we are striving every day to be able to make a big announcement in 2023.”

Koji Igarashi

“I’d like to finish work on the remaining content for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. And that will lead us to the next step.”

Hikaru Yasui

“I would like to make 2023 a year of further ‘evolution’ for the Neptunia series. There should be some new developments this year, so please look forward to them.”

Naoya Shimokawa

“In 2022, with the release of a long-in-development game and broadcast of a TV anime, we were able to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Utawarerumono together thanks to the fans who have always supported us. In 2023, I plan to take a short rest and gather new energy for our next title. As is expected of our company, we hope to continue taking on new challenges going forward, so please look forward to it!”

Shinjiro Takada

“In 2023, which will be the 31st anniversary [of the Shin Megami Tensei series], I hope be able to give something back to the fans as a thank-you [for their support on Shin Megami Tensei V].”

Shinsuke Umeda

“We should be able to announce two new game projects by the end of the year. We also plan to release the Switch version of DYSCHRONIA: Chronos Alternate produced with MyDearest this year.”

Goichi Suda

—Keyword for 2023

“Public domain.”

—Ambitions for 2023

“Grasshopper Manufacture will celebrate its 25th anniversary. We will continue to dash forward.”

—Status Update

“We are diligently developing new title(s).”

Kazuma Kujo “While I wasn’t able to announce the next development for Manga Ka Keru in 2022, I hope to announce something new for that title in 2023. A new Disaster Report title will definitely also be announced in 2023. I intend to do everything that I can.”

Yukinori Ito

“The Kou Shibusawa brand plans to release several new titles in 2023. We will also update our mobile games, so please look forward to it!”

Kenichi Ogasawara

“As the Nobunaga’s Ambition series will reach its turning point 40th anniversary, I would like to make various preparations as to make it an even more exciting celebration with the fans!”

Yoichi Erikawa (Kou Shibusawa)

—Keywords for 2023

“The 40th anniversary of Nobunaga’s Ambition, and giving back to the game fans.”

—Ambitions for 2023

“Our company plans to release many major titles in 2023 and 2024, so we are working hard to make sure they’re a success.”

Akihiro Suzuki

“While we were unable to share any information about future developments of the Dynasty Warriors series in 2023, we hope to be able to do so in 2023.”

Takashi Iizuka

“This past year was the biggest year in Sonic history, including the release of the movie sequel, new titles Sonic Origins and Sonic Frontiers, and the Netflix animation Sonic Prime. We are preparing a second wave to keep the fans happy and maintain that momentum going into 2023. We already announced additional content for Sonic Frontiers, but there is a lot more outside of that, so please look forward to it.”

Akihiro Hino

“LEVEL-5 will celebrate its 25th anniversary. In 2022, I feel like I personally put my heart and soul into Megaton Musashi, but in 2023, we will announce many new titles, so I hope to make an even bigger impact as a company. I’m going to do my best with the mentality of ‘Making our presence known going forward.’”

Masanori Ichikawa

“Thank you so much for your ongoing support of the SaGa series. Please look forward to future developments. Various things are being prepared.”

Akira Okada

“In 2022, we released our latest work AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative!… Currently, we’re working on a new game. I have a strong feeling that it will be a crazy game that offers a new experience. The announcement is still sometime ahead, so please look forward to it! Power!”

Toshihiro Kondo

“In 2023, we’ll release Ys series titles Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana and Ys X: Nordics in succession, and are also planning several remakes. We plan to release a lot more titles than we usually do in a year, so please look forward to it.”

Kazumasa Habu

“We are preparing various titles that will please Digimon fans. I hope you will look forward to them.”

Hidekaka “SWERY65” Suehiro

“White Owls currently has several projects underway. In addition to the additional content for The Good Life, which has already been announced, there is some completely new stuff in the works. Because of that, development was so busy in 2022, that I was hardly able to go out to play. All of th edevelopment staff is working hard to be able to deliver some of these to you next year! Please continue to give us your support.”