Hiroshi Iuchi's UBUSUNA for the PS4

[Necronom]

Why don't we raise the stakes a bit, shall we? I want this game out when Top Gun 3 comes out.

Not gonna happen. Top Gun 3 has a better chance being actually released...or at least some sort of prequel

[xEbb1993x]

Well, Top Gun 3 has already gotten some buzz lately... Now we just need to know if there will be any updates on Ubusuna.

[hamfighterx]

LOL... well, Night Striker Gear credits show that Iuchi has at least been keeping busy doing SOMETHING (thanks, GSK):

[Bassa-Bassa]

Thanks for that pic should go to this guy, actually. The game's not out yet.

[hamfighterx]

The game's not out yet.

I thought it was currently downloadable for people who get the printed download code with the Switch Special Edition box set (and that's currently the only way to get it) - is that not correct? Mine is still in transit from Amazon.jp so I can't check it yet for myself.

They've been marketing the Switch special edition retail box set (that comes with a download code for Gear) as providing early access to the game. That was explicitly stated in Famitsu (see: https://www.famitsu.com/article/202503/36490) and elsewhere. I guess that could mean that even the early access is not yet available, but that isn't how it sounded from interviews and marketing. Here's another example, M2 press release/marketing material that also explicitly says that with the Special Edition, you get a download code that allows you to "play the game on Nintendo Switch before Night Striker Gear is sold separately" (that's what the text on this slide says)


Apologies if I wasn't crediting the right person for the photo, but if it's available in the wild that might just be two people taking a screenshot of the same credits screen.

[Bassa-Bassa]

No worries, I just thought it was due as that guy is indeed that pic's author. I meant the non-bundled, mainline version - it was not possible that the people not living in Japan could download the game that soon and post it.

[Bydobasher]

On his blog there is a new post dated August 17, wherein he says not to expect more Ubusuna updates on that page. M2 will say more about Ubusuna when the time is right (whenever that is...).

I'm glad he worked on Night Striker GEAR in the meantime . . . Ubusuna's been in development for well over a decade now and it's good he's not just "stuck" on that one project.

[Necronom]

That sounds more like M2 finally took the project from him and archived it. Probably the only reasonable move.
Maybe they find somebody else to finish it someday.

[kid aphex]

...really? Are we reading the same thing?

Sounds to me like he was told not to talk about it on his blog anymore, for the sake of proper promotional technique via M2.

To those who’ve been visiting here recently: I made a couple of posts the other day, but I’ve deleted them. It’s not a big deal, but the company issued some guidelines about “literacy” or whatnot… I could make the posts public by following certain procedures, but it’s too much hassle, so I removed them.
...
Also, whenever this “literacy” stuff comes up, it usually leads to no good, so I’ve decided to stop writing about things like Ubusuna in the future. (Having to get every post checked for approval kills the momentum and timing, and since I often write during holidays like year-end, getting approval would mean waiting until the new year. Honestly, I don’t want to deal with any more hassle.)
...
As for Ubusuna, I believe the company will make an announcement when the time is right, so please keep an eye out for that. (Though, it probably won’t be for a while…)

[AGermanArtist]

When the time is right = when company coffers are a little better stocked. They've been concentrating on a lot of third-party projects recently.

[kid aphex]

M2 just posted a cryptic “3” on X
…
Am I jumping the gun by bumping this thread?

Time
Will
Tell.

https://x.com/m2_game/status/1980106704953164111?s=46

[xEbb1993x]

In three days?

[pja]

Seems no one noted this in this thread, but Iuchi posted on his blog straight up in English:

● “NIGHT STRIKER GEAR” RELEASED WORLDWIDE ON OCTOBER 23, 2025
2025/10/23

The STEAM and SWITCH versions are on sale today.
I’m sure there are some people who are waiting for Ubusuna, but I definitely want you to try out this game.
This game contains the essence of what I’m planning to do with Ubusuna from now on.
Enjoy!

Self explanatory, really I meant to check out Night Striker Gear anyway but I guess now it's one more reason to do it.

[Bassa-Bassa]

● “NIGHT STRIKER GEAR” RELEASED WORLDWIDE ON OCTOBER 23, 2025
2025/10/23

The STEAM and SWITCH versions are on sale today.
I’m sure there are some people who are waiting for Ubusuna, but I definitely want you to try out this game.
This game contains the essence of what I’m planning to do with Ubusuna from now on.
Enjoy!

Retooled for high quality pixel-based graphics.



Please.

[qmish]

Why? Pre-render 3d has style.

[Bassa-Bassa]

Didn't mean "pixel art" per se, just sub-HD 2D like Night Striker Gear would do. Anything not involving real-time, really.

[pja]

I sincerely doubt Iuchi meant graphical style, but who knows at this point

[Bassa-Bassa]

I'd positively say he didn't mean graphical style because I'm sure he didn't really mean anything beyond "buy my latest work, thx". But it was the perfect chance to recall that sub-HD 2D looks better than real-time and would serve to actually make the game exist at some point.

[Necronom]

Seems no one noted this in this thread, but Iuchi posted on his blog straight up in English:

● “NIGHT STRIKER GEAR” RELEASED WORLDWIDE ON OCTOBER 23, 2025
2025/10/23

The STEAM and SWITCH versions are on sale today.
I’m sure there are some people who are waiting for Ubusuna, but I definitely want you to try out this game.
This game contains the essence of what I’m planning to do with Ubusuna from now on.
Enjoy!

Self explanatory, really I meant to check out Night Striker Gear anyway but I guess now it's one more reason to do it.

Maybe he means perspective and gameplay mechanics. He was involved in the making of two excellent scaler ports for the 3DS (Afterburner 2 and Thunder Blade) before directing Night Striker Gear. I wouldn't be too surprised if Ubusana ends up having perspective switches inspired by those titles. What surprises me most is that he's really still at it
Also, the red captains-mechanic is really fun in NSG and might be further developed.
Anyway, fun to speculate and let's hope it really gets finished somehow, by someone.
Btw, I guess the thread's title should probably be changed...at this point, it's very unlikely that it comes to the PS4. More like Switch 2 as a leading platform.

[pja]

Iuchi posted his end-of-year post early, because apparently he goes on vacation now. Most of it is lizardposting and music talk, but the part most relevant for this thread is at the start:

社長が井内は本業のプロジェクトに戻っているなどと言っていましたが、それはないです…開発が終わってからも各種残務、初対応になるSTEAMプラットホームの対応、バグ対応、パブ関係などとやることは色々残っていて戻れるはずがない。ただ、11/11のVer1.3.0で一旦、区切りとしようと思います。

とにかく、これまでの経験の中でも三指に入るぐらいの酷いプロジェクトはこれで終わったわけですが、かなりの気力と体力が失われました。体の調子も良くない。色々と待っていただいている人達には申し訳ないのですが、溜まっている代休を消化して、しばらく休ませてもらおうと思います。

スタッフクレジットに記載されている開発者の皆様は、怒号を飛ばしまくる自分に付き合って本当によく頑張ってくれました。心からお疲れ様でしたと言わせていただきます。多分、このスタッフでなければ、この短期間でほぼ全てを作り直し、完成させて世に送り出すことはできなかったと思います。本当にありがとうございました。

The president said that Iuchi has returned to his main project, but that's not the case... Even after development is finished, there are still various remaining tasks, such as the first response to the STEAM platform, bug fixes, pub-related issues, and so on, so there's no way he can return. However, we will mark the end of the project with Ver. 1.3.0 on November 11th.

Anyway, this marks the end of one of the top three worst projects I've ever worked on, but I've lost a lot of energy and stamina. I'm not feeling well either. I'm sorry to everyone who's been waiting for me, but I'm going to use up my accumulated compensatory leave and take a break for a while.

To the developers listed in the staff credits, you worked so hard, even putting up with my constant yelling. I want to say a heartfelt thank you for your hard work. Without this staff, I probably wouldn't have been able to remake almost everything in such a short amount of time, complete the game, and release it to the world. Thank you so much.

Hope he has a good rest, seems like Night Striker Gear tired him out quite a bit

[Necronom]

Hope he has a good rest, seems like Night Striker Gear tired him out quite a bit

Also, sounds like teamwork isn't particularly his strong side Reminds me of what I read about the father of Turrican, Manfred Trenz...
NSG is maybe a bit underbaked here and there but surprisingly addictive. I really dig it.

[qmish]

no more updates for night gear though?

[pja]

New blog entry - Iuchi made an arrangement of the Ikaruga's first stage theme, apparently just for fun (no more are planned). Unrelated to Ubusuna but where else am I going to post it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAR0pAdlzLc

[pja]

Another blog entry, another Ikaruga remix (Nintendo DS version, apparently old).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ii0Vw0GM-E

[AGermanArtist]

[pja]

Google translation of the above:

EDIT: actual English announcement is few posts below, don't read this garbage

Spoiler

Notice and Request Regarding the Cancellation of the Development of "Ubusuna"

Thank you for your continued support of M2 Co., Ltd. Today, we have an important announcement and request for you.

We regret to announce that development of the shooting game title "Ubusuna," which we have been working on since its announcement in 2014, has been cancelled.

This project has been under development by a team centered around our in-house game creator, Hiroshi Inouchi. However, due to various circumstances, Mr. Inouchi has requested to resign, and we have reached an agreement.

As a company, we explored the possibility of continuing this project after Inouchi's departure, but given the nature of the work, it was ultimately difficult to complete "Ubusuna" without Inouchi, and we have come to the conclusion that we must abandon further development of this project.

We sincerely apologize for being unable to repay the support we have received from so many people who have helped develop "Ubusuna," including our fans both domestically and internationally who have supported the development of this game for many years since its announcement and eagerly awaited its completion, the external creators who have worked tirelessly every day towards the completion of this game, and the game media who have cooperated with our public relations strategy.

Furthermore, following the decision to discontinue development, we have made the video "UBUSUNA SOUNDTRACK-EP-" which was previously available on our YouTube channel, private. We sincerely apologize to everyone who enjoyed watching it.

However, I want to make it clear that there is no misunderstanding, and Inouchi himself has not yet given up on completing "Ubusuna." If he has the opportunity to make a comeback outside of our company in the future, it may take a different form than it does now, but I can't help but hope that there is still a possibility that he will be able to reunite with everyone as a completed work.

Furthermore, this matter affects not only the fans,

This has been a significant emotional and physical change for everyone involved with "Ubusuna" and our employees. We kindly ask that you refrain from posting speculative comments and defamatory remarks on social media, as these could have a significant impact on the emotional and physical well-being of those involved and could also lead to a violation of their privacy.

May 24, 2026

M2 Ltd.

Representative Director: Naoki Horii

So essentially he quits M2 and they don't want to continue the game without him? Did I understand that right?

[glenjamin]

He had posted before on his blog about how terrible the experience of developing night striker gear was, so I guess he just decided he was done with M2 after that. Really too bad...

[EmperorIng]

Spoiler

damn, what really went down with Night Striker Gear? I thought the game was good, too.


Someone better hold xxx1993 tight and comfort him once he finds out.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

So all this waiting for the PS4 stg title of Ubusuna was for nothing -- quite a disappointment given it's announcement back in 2014 and it's already May of 2026.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[pja]

He had posted before on his blog about how terrible the experience of developing night striker gear was, so I guess he just decided he was done with M2 after that. Really too bad...

See, I don't really believe that. In the same post he encouraged everyone to play it because it has the "essence" of what he wants to do with Ubusuna, and I really doubt that what it meant was just starting it from scratch elsewhere.

I don't think we will know anything for sure unless the man himself says something. (nothing on his blog so far )