Il y a un peu moins de deux mois, la nouvelle de l'annulation du développement d'Ubusuna, le successeur spirituel du célèbre jeu de shoot'em up Ikaruga de Treasure, avait jeté un froid. Ce projet, initié en 2014 sous la houlette du créateur d'Ikaruga, Hiroshi Iuchi, avec M2 en tant qu'éditeur, semblait destiné à rester inachevé.

Suite à cette annonce décevante, Hiroshi Iuchi avait quitté M2. Cependant, l'éditeur avait alors exprimé dans une lettre ouverte que M. Iuchi n'avait "pas perdu tout espoir de terminer 'Ubusuna', indépendamment de M2". Cet espoir semble désormais se concrétiser.

Sur son site web, Hiroshi Iuchi a partagé ses réflexions sur les raisons du retard et de l'annulation d'Ubusuna. Il explique que les interruptions fréquentes dues à d'autres projets assigned to the team, coupled with an excessive pursuit of perfection, hindered progress. Initially resigned to the game's fate, Iuchi was encouraged by renewed interest from colleagues and other companies.

Iuchi confirms that development has resumed, this time without M2's involvement. He stated (translated via Google Translate): "I don't know how it will end, and it might not be something that can be resolved immediately. But we are working hard to bring 'Ubusuna' to all of you who have been waiting for so long, so please continue to be patient. The whole team will do its best, so we would be very grateful if you continue to support us."

Iuchi also clarified that Ubusuna aims to be a more accessible action game than Ikaruga. Despite its long development, he assures that its core essence remains intact and enjoyable. He added: "Furthermore, although Ubusuna is a rather unique and difficult shooter to adapt, the concept has not changed at all since 2006, and there are no issues. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but even after playing the game as it is today, I find it quite nice. (I think it's probably easier for most people to play than Ikaruga.)"

The situation, however, has brought new challenges. The graphics and other assets created during the time with M2 belong to the latter, and it remains to be seen if Iuchi can reacquire them at a reasonable price. While the hope for Ubusuna's release is rekindled, it is advised not to expect it too soon.

English Translation:

Hope Remains for Ikaruga's "Spiritual" Successor

A little less than two months ago, the development of Ubusuna, the spiritual successor to Treasure's classic shoot'em up Ikaruga, was announced as canceled. Development had actually begun in 2014 under the direction of Ikaruga's creator, Hiroshi Iuchi, with M2 participating in the project as publisher.

Following this disappointing news, Iuchi left M2. However, the publisher had written in an open letter at the time that "Mr. Iuchi has not lost all hope of completing 'Ubusuna', independently of M2," and apparently, that hope is still very much alive.

On his website, Iuchi now shares his perspective on what happened to "Ubusuna" and why it has taken so long to complete it. He explains that the team rarely had the opportunity to work on the game due to frequent interruptions from other assignments, and that there was also an excessive pursuit of perfection. Initially, he had resigned himself to the game's fate, but colleagues and companies expressed interest in bringing it to fruition. He now writes that work has resumed without M2's participation (translated with Google Translate):

"I don't know how it will end, and it might not be something that can be resolved immediately. But we are working hard to bring 'Ubusuna' to all of you who have been waiting for so long, so please continue to be patient. The whole team will do its best, so we would be very grateful if you continue to support us."

Iuchi also specifies that Ubusuna is a more accessible action game than Ikaruga. Even though it has been in development for a long time, its essence remains intact and it is still very entertaining:

"Furthermore, although Ubusuna is a rather unique and difficult shooter to adapt, the concept has not changed at all since 2006, and there are no issues. I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but even after playing the game as it is today, I find it quite nice. (I think it's probably easier for most people to play than Ikaruga.)"

And so, we are back to square one. The graphics and other assets created during his time at M2 belong to the latter, and it remains to be seen if he can buy them back at a reasonable price. We hope that "Ubusuna will be released in due course, but don't count on it too much for now.