Square Enix Establishes New Studio To Work On RPG 'Project Prelude Rune'

Square Enix Establishes New Studio To Work On RPG 'Project Prelude Rune'

12
Dom Peppiatt

Square Enix has today announced a new studio operating out of Tokyo to work on a new RPG currently referred to as Project Prelude Rune.

Square Enix established the new studio - Studio Istolia - specifically to work on a new IP. The studio gets its name from a derivation of the Greek word for 'story'... so no surprises in guessing what this RPG is going to revolve around.

Studio Istolia is headed up by Hideo Baba, the producer of such titles as Tales of Vesperia and Eternal Sonata, who left Namco Bandai in the last year. 

"The project aims to build a new RPG with a new fantasy: unfolding across a vast land teeming with life," Square Enix confirmed in a statement. "Nurtured by the earth, the many peoples of this land dare to dream, fighting for what is just — and this is their tale."

"The aim of the studio is to provide unforgettable stories that will inspire players in their own lives, and bring new game experiences to everyone around the world."

No platforms have been confirmed for the game just yet, nor has a release window been announced, but knowing Square Enix it's likely this game will make it to some consoles... if not all.

Take a look at some of the concept art released for  Project Prelude Rune below:

 

 

 

Comments
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  • Excellent news!
  • but just like there rpg factory they most likely wont hit xbox sadly :(
  • So why is this posted on here? Other than Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD, what other RPGs let alone Japanese developed games have they released for the Xbox One?
  • @3: Because the person involved developed two games that were released on Xbox 360. Because Phil Spencer is in Japan this week to speak with third party publishers and try to get more games for us. Because we're eternally hopefully and self-hating Xbox JRPG fans. As for other RPGs, there are plenty. Only one other true JRPG made in Japan that I can think of (Stranger of Sword City, which is a console exclusive in fact) but plenty of homages from other countries. Anima: Gate of Memories, Child of Light, Earthlock: Festival of Magic, Pier Solar HD, Saturday Morning RPG. Upcoming Kickstarted games like Battle Chasers, Glitched, Moonlighter, Shiness, and Edge of Eternity as well. The RPG market on Xbox One is not as bleak as some make it out to be, though it's clear we're missing the big hitters. Hopefully Phil's trip proves to be fruitful.
  • #4 yes I agree with you there is lots of RPG'S on xbox one but only a handful of those are JRPG'S
  • @4 I hope the interest and sales of recent Japanese developed games (FF15) along with Phil heading to Japan show all potential Japanese developers that there is a market for their games in the west (especially on the Xbox platform.) I love my PS4, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles evenly, but I prefer my games on the Xbox and it is certainly lacking in Japanese-styled and developed games.
  • @4 You listed RPGs but none of them are from Japan and it hasn't gotten Japanese developers to develop RPGs for the system. Also the developer who is making this game worked on 11 games after Tales of Vesperia on the 360 and none of them appeared on an Xbox console. Also Phil says a lot things. I don't trust anything that comes out of that guys mouth.
  • @7: I mentioned only one of them was a JRPG... though I did forget SEGA is bringing Valyria Revolution to Xbox. As for the producer's other games, they are all from Tales/Namco, which obviously chose Playstation after Vesperia. At least Square Enix has a history now of bringing games to Xbox, if only the FF series and Kingdom Hearts III. It's a start. I guess I'll choose to be optimistic. Not sure why you'd doubt Phil though, he's done right by us thus far.
  • @8 Should also be noted that Microsoft and SquareEnix have teamed up for a JRPG before: Infinite Undiscovery. While that game wasn't really all that great, another misfire from Tri-Ace, it does show that both companies are willing to work together. Also there was Last Remnant, but I think that was more likely due to the use of the Unreal Engine and how much easier they found using it for Xbox 360 and PC, but couldn't make it work as well on PS3.
  • @4 Microsoft gots that money, that trip will pay off for us as gamers wanting more.
  • Nice. I'll always have a spot in my heart for RPG and especially JRPG games.
  • @8, I am optimistic as well - but even though the console is not void of JRPG's, it's definitely the worst generation thus far for the genre. Even PS4 players complain about the lack of JRPG games even though they have many. I think the handheld & tablet market is just as much of a threat as Sony. I'm fine being second fiddle to Sony if we could just get some big ports. We don't even need exclusives...just need Tri-Ace, Atlus,Bandai Namco,.. exc to get on board. I trust Phil to shake things up. It's just sad that it has taken this long...
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