Danganronpa creators, Too Kyo Games are in debt because of their new SRPG, ‘The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy.’
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, the latest project of Too Kyo Games, the studio founded by Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka and Zero Escape creator Kotaro Uchikoshi was recently revealed during the Nintendo Direct Showcase 2024.
The game, featuring character designs and a premise similar to Danganronpa, is set to launch in 2025 for PC and Nintendo Switch. However, behind the scenes, the development of this school-based tactical RPG has put Too Kyo Games in significant debt.
Danganronpa Creators in Debt Over New SRPG ‘The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy’
In an interview with Famitsu, Kodaka, the director and writer of The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy, revealed that the project has faced numerous difficulties, including the collapse of an initial publishing deal.
As the game grew, Too Kyo Games took the risky step of securing a loan to continue development. Despite those efforts, the studio found itself unable to generate sufficient capital to pay off the loan, plunging the company into debt.
The financial strain became so excessive, that Kodaka admitted that even if the studio’s group of employees had sold their shares and invested all their private money, it still wouldn’t have been sufficient to fund their new game.
Despite those demanding situations, Too Kyo Games managed to secure a new publisher, Aniplex, who agreed to support the project despite the studio’s financial troubles. Moreover, additional support for the development also came from Media.Vision and Jet Studio, with the latter focusing on the RPG factors of the game.
Kodaka also talked about the personal and professional stakes involved in the development of The Hundred Line. “We are risking our lives for this game,” he stated, highlighting the severe financial and mental challenges faced by the team. However, despite going through all the challenges, Kodaka described the process as a “great experience,” expressing a dedication to seeing the project through.
He said, “It was tough both financially and mentally, but I may never have another opportunity to put this much effort into a project.”
Overview of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
For those who are unaware of the game, development on The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy began in 2017, shortly after the formation of Too Kyo Games.
The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy follows Takumi Sumino, an ordinary teenager who transfers to the Last Defense Academy with a mission to protect the school from mysterious enemies known as School Invaders over a 100-day period. The game promises a deep narrative experience, featuring 15 companions who each have their own stories and quests.
In this game, players will get to explore the school, prepare for battles, and engage in strategic RPG fights against the invading creatures. The game is said to offer “100 extreme despair-filled endings,” tough tactical battles, and several possibilities to discover the school and engage with its students.
Well, the game was initially planned as an indie-scale venture, however, the game’s scope improved significantly as its concept, characters, and scenarios advanced. This led the studio to recognize that the project required a much larger scale of development than they initially planned.
Well, even though the announcement of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy has generated excitement among fans of both Danganronpa and Zero Escape, the financial struggles of Too Kyo Games cast a shadow over the project. The studio remains in debt, and its future hinges on the success of this new title.
However, despite all this, Kodaka stays positive, hoping that this venture will not only recoup the studio’s funding but will additionally stand as a testament to its creative vision and willpower.
For now, we know that The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy is set for release in early 2025, and we can’t wait to get more details about this new game.
For the latest updates keep following GamingLeaksandRumour.
