June 27th 2025.
Arc System Works, the lead developer behind the popular fighting game Guilty Gear Strive, has recently made some exciting announcements about their upcoming projects. In a special showcase, the studio revealed their plans to expand beyond their usual fighting game genre and venture into new territories. This move comes after a frank discussion about the current gaming landscape.
While Arc System Works is primarily known for their fighting games, such as Dragon Ball FighterZ and Granblue Fantasy Versus, they have also dabbled in other genres in the past. However, their latest announcements show a clear intention to diversify their portfolio and appeal to a wider audience.
One of the biggest surprises was the exclusive title Dear Me, I Was, coming to the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Directed by Maho Taguchi, the game is described as a "textless adventure game" designed for adult women. With Taisuke Kanasaki as the art director, known for his work on the popular Nintendo DS game Hotel Dusk, Dear Me, I Was boasts a visually stunning art style that uses rotoscoping to create hand-drawn watercolour visuals.
The game follows the story of a woman's life, allowing players to experience her joys, sorrows, and growth through ordinary moments. The trailer also hints at drawing being a key gameplay mechanic, adding another layer to the immersive experience. Dear Me, I Was is set to release in the summer of 2025, exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2.
The showcase also unveiled a new action game called Damon And Baby, which is part of Arc System Works' new approach to diversifying their games beyond fighting games. The game's vibrant anime art style and gameplay reminiscent of top-down Zelda and old-school RPGs caught the attention of many viewers. However, no release date or platforms were announced for this exciting new title.
During the showcase, Guilty Gear creator and Arc System Works' chief creative officer, Daisuke Ishiwatari, spoke about the studio's new direction and the challenges of creating new IP in the current gaming market. He explained that the studio's aim is to establish a new pillar outside of fighting games, with a focus on developing quality mid-range action games. This will not only allow the studio to explore new ideas and genres but also provide opportunities for young creators to showcase their talent.
Ishiwatari's words were a refreshingly honest take on the state of the gaming industry, and he emphasized the importance of taking risks and striving for new dreams. He also highlighted how Guilty Gear, their flagship title, started as a small-scale project and grew into a million-selling game over the years, setting an example for their future endeavors.
The showcase also revealed several titles published by Arc System Works, including a new Bubble Bobble game, Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons, and Demon's Night Fever, a role-playing game developed by Drecom and SuperNiche. With a mobile-ish aesthetic, Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons promises procedurally-generated stages for a fresh experience every time. On the other hand, Demon's Night Fever, with its unique genre described as "Enemies? Allies? Kill kill kill!", is set to release in 2026.
Other games showcased at the event included Double Dragon Revive, Absolum, and HunterxHunter NenxImpact, a fighting game based on the popular manga. These exciting announcements have left fans eagerly anticipating the future of Arc System Works and their diverse range of games.
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