Nintendo

After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s New Shooter Project Cancelled

bekir May 26, 2026 3 min read 26 views

Thank you for your unwavering support of M2 Co., Ltd. Today, we bring you an important update and a heartfelt request to our community.

After years of anticipation since its 2014 announcement, we regret to announce that the long‑awaited first‑person shooter Ubusuna has been officially cancelled.

Analysis: The cancellation of a flagship title after a decade of development signals a significant shift in M2’s strategic priorities and highlights the challenges of sustaining a project without its founding creative lead, potentially reshaping resource allocation for future IPs.

The game had been steered by a dedicated team under the guidance of renowned designer Hiroshi Iuchi. Unfortunately, Iuchi stepped down, and after careful consideration, we concluded that proceeding without his vision would compromise the project’s integrity, leading us to cease internal development.

We extend our deepest apologies to domestic and international fans who have followed Ubusuna for years, to the external creators who worked tirelessly on the title, and to the gaming media that supported our public relations strategy. We sincerely regret that this outcome does not honor the dedication of everyone involved.

In line with the decision to terminate the project, the studio has removed the “Ubusuna UBUSUNA SOUNDTRACK-EP-” video from its YouTube channel, placing it in a private state. We deeply regret any disappointment this may cause to fans who were enjoying the soundtrack.

However, to prevent any confusion, we want to clarify that Hiroshi Iuchi has not yet abandoned his commitment to completing “Ubusuna.” We remain hopeful that should he choose to pursue the title independently in the future—perhaps in a different form—the game could still reach players as a finished product.

The ambitious shoot‑em‑up was first unveiled in August 2014 for the PlayStation 4, emerging as a narrative evolution of a previously cancelled project known as “50YW.” Though still in its infancy, executive director Naoki Horii approved its early reveal, trusting that devoted genre enthusiasts would be patient enough to await its eventual release.

Over the past decade, updates on the game’s progress have been sparse, with only a single 2019 report claiming the title was nearly complete from start to finish. Following the project’s full shutdown, Iuchi posted a brief apology on his personal blog, requesting time until early July to formally resign from the endeavor.

Despite the tragic events that unfolded within the M2 offices, the Japanese creator hinted that his project may not end in complete disappointment, suggesting to his fans that the development is still ongoing. In a related development, executive Naoki Horii expressed his hope that Iuchi will eventually complete the game in an alternative format, urging the public to refrain from posting speculation or defamatory remarks on social media.

News Source: Tarreo

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Comments

10 Comments

  1. SaveArchitect242 May 26, 2026

    great news if the update actuallly fixes teh core issues. For Aftr 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s, performance improvements are what matter most. Meta impact is key here.

  2. FrameUnni May 27, 2026

    Balance is everything in After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s. Looks good on paper, but i’ts all about how it actually feels in-game. I will keep an eye on performance. in my opinion chincha? I need this

  3. LootHabibi May 29, 2026

    The patch notes for After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s look promising, but I’ll wait for player reviews before getting too excited. Let’s see how it plays out. mashallah, finally!

  4. CloudGuru2442 May 29, 2026

    balance is everything in After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s. Looks good on pape, but i’s all about how it actually feels in-game. Balance changes look crucial.

  5. RuneSenpai2655 May 29, 2026

    this is so sugoi. We need more data for a clear verdict. Performance and content deptth are critical for After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s. I will wait for a sale. in my opinion

  6. ArcadeCollector2163 May 29, 2026

    The patch notes for After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s look promising, but I’ll wait for player reviews before getting too excited. Technical benchmarks will be key. personally

  7. PixelChan15 May 30, 2026

    we need more data for a clear verdict. Performance and content depth are critical for After 12 Yeasr, Ikaruga Creator’s. Sales figures will speak for themselves. just my thoughts ganbatte

  8. RetroOppa May 30, 2026

    daebak! The patch notes for After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s lok promising, but I’ll wait for player reviews before getting too excited. A must-have for franchise fans. to be honest

  9. ByteLover2577 May 30, 2026

    Great news if the update actually fixes the core issues. For After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s, performance improvements are whaat matter most. Looks like a solid addition to the archive. we wil see

  10. CyberCollector3780 May 30, 2026

    The patch notes for After 12 Years, Ikaruga Creator’s look promising, but I’ll wait for player reviews before getting too excited. Need a bit more info. that is just how I see it

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