Cygames, the Japanese game development company, has been keeping its fans on the edge of their seats with the ongoing development of three highly anticipated titles: Project Awakening, Lost Order, and Garnet Arena: Mages of Magicary. In an interview with Weekly Famitsu, Cygames President Koichi Watanabe provided some much-needed updates on the progress of these games, offering a glimpse into the future of the gaming industry.
Project Awakening: A Journey of Polishing and Refinement
Project Awakening, an action RPG that was first announced in 2016, has been a long-awaited title for many gamers. Watanabe revealed that the game is 'really starting to take shape' and that the development team is working with a sense of confidence. However, he also noted that the game has undergone some changes since its initial announcement. "If you’re asking, ‘Is it exactly the same?’ I’d say it’s a little different," he said. "The overall direction remains largely the same, but as development has progressed, we’ve continued polishing it by adding new elements here and there."
The game's journey has been an interesting one, with a demo titled Project Awakening: Arise being rated in 2019 but never released. In 2021, the game resurfaced at the Cygames Tech Conference, showcasing the Cyllista Game Engine. Since then, it has continued to appear in the game business software outlook of CyberAgent's quarterly financial presentations, indicating its ongoing development.
Lost Order: A Real-Time Tactics Game in the Final Stretch
Lost Order, a real-time tactics game announced in 2016 in collaboration with PlatinumGames, is also deep in development, according to Watanabe. He described the game as entering the final stretch, and showcased some new footage that impressed Famitsu with its astonishing quality. "We’ve rebuilt everything from scratch since the closed beta test in 2017, including the character models," he said. "It’s still in development, so the quality is only going to improve going forward."
Watanabe's enthusiasm for Lost Order is evident, and he assured fans that the game is on track for launch. He also mentioned that the company prefers to keep information on new titles private until they are confident in presenting the best possible version to fans.
Garnet Arena: Mages of Magicary: A Unique Adventure
Garnet Arena: Mages of Magicary, a fantasy action game produced by Kenichiro Takaki, is also moving forward, according to Watanabe. He described the game as one of the major titles being developed and hinted at an upcoming announcement. "Development on that one is moving forward as well, and I think we’ll be able to deliver something unlike our other titles," he said.
Watanabe also shared new footage of the game with Weekly Famitsu, indicating that it is a 'fairly new' gameplay challenge for the company. This suggests that Garnet Arena: Mages of Magicary will offer a unique and exciting experience for gamers.
A Balanced Approach to Development
Watanabe also discussed the company's approach to development, emphasizing a balanced approach between larger-scale projects and smaller-scale titles. "While completing the titles announced at Cygames NEXT 2016 remains the company’s priority, it is also preparing additional new projects," he said. "We are also developing several smaller-scale titles alongside our larger games, with fixed budgets and schedules, both to expand the company’s lineup and to give younger creators more opportunities to gain experience."
This balanced approach allows Cygames to cater to a wider audience and provide opportunities for both established and emerging creators. It's a strategic move that could pay off in the long run, ensuring the company's continued success in the gaming industry.
In conclusion, Cygames' ongoing development of Project Awakening, Lost Order, and Garnet Arena: Mages of Magicary is a testament to the company's dedication to creating high-quality games. With a balanced approach to development and a focus on innovation, Cygames is poised to deliver exciting experiences for gamers worldwide.
