Every December, Japanese gaming site 4Gamer.net publishes its annual ritual: interviewing dozens of game creators about their plans for the coming year. The 2026 edition just dropped with responses from 194 developers, and it’s packed with anniversary celebrations, sequel teases, and cryptic hints about unannounced projects. This is basically a roadmap for what Japanese gaming will look like over the next 12 months, straight from the people making it happen.
- Persona Turns 30 With Big Plans
- Team NINJA Has Multiple Projects Dropping
- Dragon Quest Hits 40 With Yoko Taro Celebrating
- Tales of Series Celebrates 30 Years
- Falcom Picking Up the Pace
- Neptunia Fans Finally Getting a New Numbered Entry
- CyberConnect2’s Big 30th Anniversary
- Final Fantasy Team Working on Something New
- Hajime Tabata Returns With RYUGUKOKU
- M2 Celebrating 10 Years of Publishing
- Gust Branching Beyond Atelier
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Why These Interviews Actually Matter
Persona Turns 30 With Big Plans
ATLUS is going all-in on Persona’s 30th anniversary in 2026. Kazuhisa Wada, who worked on Persona 5 Royal and Persona 3 Reload, confirmed the team is “preparing a wide variety of initiatives on a global scale” to celebrate three decades since Revelations: Persona launched in 1996. More importantly, he teased there will be “opportunities in 2026 to talk about future developments for the series,” which sounds a lot like new game announcements are coming.
Atsushi Nomura echoed those sentiments, specifically mentioning they want to make Persona accessible to people who haven’t experienced it yet. He also addressed Persona 4 Revival, which fans have been clamoring about: “We’re very much looking forward to the day we can make another announcement.” That’s not a confirmation, but it’s not a denial either, which keeps hopes alive for some kind of Persona 4 remaster or remake alongside the anniversary festivities.
Shinjirou Takata, director of Shin Megami Tensei V, was more cryptic. After wrapping up Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance and the Persona 3 Reload Switch 2 port, he said “it looks like it may be a little while longer before I can report anything next.” Given ATLUS typically announces projects well before release, this suggests whatever Takata is working on might not surface until late 2026 or 2027. SMT VI, perhaps?
Team NINJA Has Multiple Projects Dropping
Fumihiko Yasuda from Team NINJA confirmed what fans already knew: Nioh 3 launches February 6, 2026, followed by Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake on March 12. But the real news is what he said next: “We’ll also be sharing news on new titles and series that are sure to delight our fans.” That plural “titles” is doing heavy lifting, suggesting Team NINJA has at least two unannounced projects in the pipeline beyond the already confirmed games.
Given Team NINJA’s history, speculation immediately turned to potential Ninja Gaiden announcements. The studio has been teasing a return to that franchise for years, and 2026 would mark a good time to finally deliver. Others wonder if Rise of the Ronin, which released in 2024, might get a sequel greenlit given its reception. Either way, Team NINJA appears positioned to have one of their busiest years in recent memory.
Dragon Quest Hits 40 With Yoko Taro Celebrating
Yoko Taro, the perpetually masked creator of NieR and Drakengard, had one of the more interesting responses. He confirmed Dragon Quest’s 40th anniversary is happening in 2026 and expressed hope that “everyone could join in on a grand celebration.” That’s notable because Taro doesn’t typically work on mainline Dragon Quest games, but he’s clearly involved in the anniversary plans in some capacity, possibly through spinoffs or collaborations.
He also addressed NieR: Automata’s ninth anniversary with characteristic humor: “we’re also preparing ‘just a little something…’ so please don’t get too excited with anticipation!” That downplaying is classic Taro misdirection. When he tells fans not to get excited, it usually means there’s actually something substantial brewing. Whether that’s DLC, a new game announcement, or some other project remains to be seen.
Tales of Series Celebrates 30 Years
Yusuke Tomizawa confirmed Tales of will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026 with updates on the remaster series Bandai Namco has been developing. The company has been slowly bringing older Tales games to modern platforms, and Tomizawa’s comments suggest more remasters are coming. He specifically mentioned “working hard on new titles,” confirming that beyond remasters, an actual new mainline Tales entry is in development.
The Tales series has had inconsistent release schedules over the past decade, with gaps of several years between major entries. Tales of Arise launched in 2021 to critical and commercial success, selling over 3 million copies and revitalizing interest in the franchise. If Bandai Namco capitalizes on that momentum with a new announcement during the 30th anniversary year, it could set the stage for a 2027 or 2028 release of the next numbered entry.
Falcom Picking Up the Pace
Toshihiro Kondo from Falcom revealed something fascinating about the studio’s evolution. Falcom traditionally released one game per year, maintaining that pace for decades. But Kondo confirmed that with more team members, “we’ve been able to pick up the pace and put a system in place that allows us to take on new challenges.” This suggests Falcom might start releasing multiple titles annually, which would be a significant shift for the studio.
They’ve already announced Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter for 2026, and Kondo teased they’ll “share new information and excitement throughout the year” for Falcom’s 45th anniversary. Separate reports indicate Falcom has unannounced Trails and Ys games in development, plus plans to release a second new title beyond Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter in 2026. That’s an ambitious lineup for a studio known for methodical, careful releases.
Major Anniversary Celebrations
| Franchise | Anniversary | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Persona | 30th | ATLUS |
| Dragon Quest | 40th | Square Enix |
| Tales of | 30th | Bandai Namco |
| Kunio-kun | 40th | Arc System Works |
| CyberConnect2 | 30th | Company Anniversary |
| Falcom | 45th | Company Anniversary |
Neptunia Fans Finally Getting a New Numbered Entry
Hikaru Yasui delivered what Neptunia fans have been desperately waiting to hear: a new numbered entry is coming in 2026. After the 15th anniversary year exceeded expectations in 2025, Yasui confirmed the team is “hard at work in development with the goal of exceeding everyone’s expectations” for the next mainline Neptunia game. The series hasn’t had a proper numbered sequel since Megadimension Neptunia VII in 2015, with subsequent releases being spinoffs and remakes.
The announcement addresses a major pain point for the fanbase, who worried the franchise had shifted permanently to spinoffs and mobile games rather than continuing the mainline story. Yasui’s comments suggest Compile Heart recognized this concern and committed to delivering what longtime fans actually want. Whether this will be Neptunia VIII or some other numbering scheme remains to be seen, but at minimum it confirms the main series isn’t dead.
CyberConnect2’s Big 30th Anniversary
Hiroshi Matsuyama announced that CyberConnect2, the studio behind Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and the .hack series, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026. The company was founded February 16, 1996, and Matsuyama confirmed they’re holding an anniversary party with “various announcements” planned. That party format suggests major reveals rather than just retrospective celebration.
CyberConnect2 has been extremely consistent with licensed anime adaptations but has also expressed desire to create more original IP. The 30th anniversary could be the perfect moment to announce something new alongside updates on their established franchises. Matsuyama specifically invited the 4Gamer editorial team, suggesting the party will be a newsworthy event worth covering rather than just an internal company celebration.
Final Fantasy Team Working on Something New
Kazutoyo Maehiro, who worked on Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy Tactics, delivered one of the more intriguing responses. After releasing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and LOGOS: The World of Final Fantasy XVI in 2025, he confirmed “the next ‘something’ we’re preparing will also be content with a different approach.” He emphasized they’re “working hard to bring you a new gaming experience,” which could mean anything from a new Final Fantasy spinoff to an entirely original project.
The emphasis on “different approach” is notable given Maehiro’s history. He’s bounced between mainline Final Fantasy entries and spinoffs throughout his career, so this could indicate he’s working on something experimental rather than a traditional JRPG. Given Square Enix’s recent focus on diversifying their portfolio beyond turn-based and action RPGs, Maehiro might be helming something that pushes genre boundaries.
Hajime Tabata Returns With RYUGUKOKU
Hajime Tabata, former director of Final Fantasy XV who left Square Enix in 2018, confirmed his new company JP Games will hold beta testing in 2026 for RYUGUKOKU. The game is described as “an online RPG set in a fantasy Japan filled with user-generated content, where players battle the victors of history.” This marks Tabata’s first major project since departing Square Enix and shutting down his previous studio Luminous Productions.
The user-generated content focus is interesting given Tabata’s previous work was extremely story-driven and cinematic. RYUGUKOKU appears to be taking a completely different direction, embracing player creativity rather than authored narrative. Whether this pivot stems from lessons learned during Final Fantasy XV’s troubled development or represents Tabata’s true creative interests freed from AAA publisher constraints remains to be seen.
M2 Celebrating 10 Years of Publishing
Naoki Horii from M2 revealed that 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of M2ShotTriggers, the company’s publishing brand. He teased they’ve been “stockpiling” content and 2026 “might end up being the most information-packed year we’ve ever had.” M2 specializes in arcade game ports and retro re-releases, so this suggests a flood of classic game announcements are coming for preservation-minded gamers.
Horii even joked they might need to adjust release schedules because “it kind of feels like we’ve saved up way too much.” For fans of arcade-perfect ports and forgotten classics getting second chances, M2’s track record suggests whatever they announce will be handled with meticulous care. The company has built a reputation for going above and beyond with features, options, and historical context in their releases.
Gust Branching Beyond Atelier
Junzo Hosoi from Gust, the studio behind the Atelier series, confirmed they’re “taking on not only the Atelier series, but also fresh new titles” in 2026. This is significant because Gust has been almost exclusively focused on Atelier games for years, with occasional collaborations on other Koei Tecmo projects. The explicit mention of “fresh new titles” plural suggests at least two non-Atelier projects are in development.
Gust has occasionally developed original IP between Atelier entries, with games like Nights of Azure and Blue Reflection exploring different genres and themes. Whether these “fresh new titles” are sequels to those dormant franchises or completely new concepts is unclear, but it signals Gust expanding beyond their comfort zone while maintaining their signature anime aesthetic and character-focused storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 4Gamer.net’s annual creator interview tradition?
Every December, Japanese gaming site 4Gamer.net interviews hundreds of game creators about their ambitions and plans for the coming year. The 2026 edition features 194 creators discussing upcoming projects, anniversary celebrations, and industry reflections. It’s become an essential annual tradition for getting insight into what Japanese developers are working on, often including cryptic teases about unannounced games.
When is Nioh 3 releasing?
Team NINJA confirmed Nioh 3 will launch on February 6, 2026. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake follows on March 12, 2026. Director Fumihiko Yasuda also teased additional unannounced titles and series that will be revealed throughout 2026, suggesting Team NINJA has one of their busiest years planned.
What is Persona doing for its 30th anniversary?
ATLUS is preparing “a wide variety of initiatives on a global scale” for Persona’s 30th anniversary in 2026. Kazuhisa Wada confirmed there will be opportunities to discuss future developments for the series, strongly hinting at new game announcements. Atsushi Nomura specifically mentioned Persona 4 Revival, suggesting some kind of remaster or remake could be announced alongside anniversary celebrations.
Is a new mainline Neptunia game coming?
Yes, Hikaru Yasui confirmed that a new numbered entry in the Neptunia series is in development and planned for 2026. This would be the first mainline Neptunia game since Megadimension Neptunia VII in 2015. The team is working with the goal of “exceeding everyone’s expectations” after the franchise’s 15th anniversary year in 2025 generated more excitement than anticipated.
What is Yoko Taro teasing for 2026?
Yoko Taro is involved in Dragon Quest’s 40th anniversary celebrations and preparing “just a little something” for NieR: Automata’s ninth anniversary. His characteristic downplaying typically means there’s actually something substantial in the works, though he deliberately asked fans not to get too excited. Given Taro’s track record, this cryptic teasing usually precedes actual announcements.
Will Tales of get new games in 2026?
Yes, Yusuke Tomizawa confirmed updates on the Tales remaster series are coming for the franchise’s 30th anniversary, and the team is “working hard on new titles” for the future. This confirms at least one new mainline Tales game is in development, though whether it will be announced or released in 2026 remains unclear. More remasters of classic Tales games are definitely happening.
How many creators did 4Gamer.net interview for 2026?
4Gamer.net interviewed 194 game creators for the 2026 edition of their annual end-of-year ambitions series. This is an increase from 164 creators in the 2025 edition, reflecting growing industry participation in this tradition. The interviews span developers from major publishers like ATLUS, Square Enix, and Bandai Namco to independent creators working on niche titles.
Why These Interviews Actually Matter
In an industry where most announcements happen through carefully orchestrated press events and trailers, 4Gamer.net’s annual creator interviews offer something rare: direct communication from developers about what they’re thinking and feeling as the year ends. These aren’t marketing-approved soundbites, they’re personal reflections that occasionally slip information companies haven’t officially revealed yet.
The interviews also preserve a snapshot of the Japanese game industry at a specific moment. Reading through all 194 responses reveals patterns about what genres are thriving, which studios are expanding, and where creative energy is flowing. The sheer number of anniversary celebrations in 2026 shows how many foundational franchises launched in the mid-1980s and mid-1990s, highlighting two particular golden eras of Japanese game development.
For fans trying to plan their gaming budgets, these interviews function as an early warning system. Knowing that Persona, Dragon Quest, Tales of, and multiple other major franchises have significant announcements planned for 2026 helps set expectations. It’s basically a roadmap for what Japanese gaming will prioritize over the next 12 months, straight from the people making those decisions.
Most importantly, the interviews remind us that real humans with creative visions and personal challenges are making these games. When Hajime Tabata discusses his first project since leaving Square Enix, or when Neptunia developers express gratitude for fan support that exceeded expectations, it humanizes an industry often discussed only through sales figures and review scores. These are people passionate about their craft, nervous about living up to expectations, and excited to share what they’ve been working on.
As 2026 approaches, Japanese gaming appears poised for a year packed with nostalgia-driven celebrations, long-awaited sequels, and surprises nobody saw coming. The interviews confirm what fans suspected: Japanese developers are cooking up something special, and they can barely contain their excitement about revealing it. That enthusiasm is infectious, and it’s exactly the energy gaming needs heading into what looks like an incredibly busy year.