Here are the four titles developed in 2022 through the GEMini New Hire Onboarding Program at Bandai Namco Studios.
（Click on each title to learn more about each game.）
・HOOK & KAIJU
・ENDRAYS
・EXCYCLE
・Shigeru Planet
■HOOK & KAIJU
【Developer Comment】
Hi, I’m Kaneko, the director of HOOK & KAIJU.
We produced this game based on the concept that – by relying on one’s skill and ingenuity – even the smallest of us can experience the glory of defeating a colossal enemy.
The player must carefully assess the shape and overall balance of the enemy Kaiju, and hook onto them at the right moment so that they topple over.
Although we encountered many difficulties during the development process of this game, we were able to cross the finish line thanks to the support of those around us and our teamwork in complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
HOOK & KAIJU was created with great care and attention to detail despite the limited time available to each of us. We are so happy to be releasing this game!
The satisfaction of defeating an enemy by knocking them down is unparalleled, one-of-a-kind, and can only be experienced through HOOK & KAIJU.
We truly hope you’ll enjoy playing it!
【Game Introduction】
In HOOK & KAIJU, you must maneuver an airship and attach its hook onto the Kaiju’s body to make them lose their balance and fall over. In this desolate world, the Kaiju seek to destroy three towers through their invasion. You are the newest member of the airship unit, here to protect those who reside in the towers. Topple the Kaiju with your hook and defend the towers with all your might!
Click here for the Steam Store page.
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■ENDRAYS
【Developer Comment】
───A desire to eradicate mankind.
This simple urge became the genesis of a growing idea.
A group of ten people had somehow gathered with this miscreant goal in common, and so began the ENDRAYS project.
Every single one of them was a professional in their own right and possessed by the same inclination as I was to make something extraordinary.
I recall being deeply relieved by this fact.
However, bringing something into existence is as painful as it is exhilarating.
It requires certain amounts of sacrifice and wearing yourself down.
Regardless of this, my teammates were still determined to create.
After four months of laughter, tears, and digging ourselves out from the depths of despair, we’ve finally managed to produce what we sought out to conceive.
Nothing would make me happier than if you indulged in our game.
【Game Introduction】
Wield a piercing laser without inhibition at the tip of your fingers – your mouse. Become a devastating weapon of mass destruction and drive the world into merciless extinction.
Mighty bosses await you, with forces rushing in from all angles.
Take out your frustrations on this world and use your ENDRAYS to annihilate all existence.
Click here for the Steam Store page.
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■EXCYCLE
【Developer Comment】
Hello, my name is Wanami, and I directed EXCYCLE.
I’m thrilled for the release of this game which we created through the New Hire Onboarding Program.
Having no experience in game development before joining Bandai Namco Studios, partaking in the planning, production, and finally the release of EXCYCLE has led me to grow immensely.
The production of this game wasn’t without its difficulties, but I’ll never forget the series of events that led to it taking shape.
It was genuinely exciting to see an idea as simple as “maneuvering a unicycle with the wheel of your mouse” begin to grow, be set into motion, and prosper through the development of its visuals, music, and animation.
We hope you make the most of EXCYCLE’s unique controls and get a kick out of sabotaging your rivals while racing them. Get rowdy with your friends and family and have a blast!
【Game Introduction】
Drag your friends into this mischievous four-player unicycle racing game! Get your unicycle rolling with the mouse wheel and cruise your way through hazardous obstacles and racetracks. Push, shove, and kick up a fuss in EXCYCLE!
Click here for the Steam Store page.
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■Shigeru Planet
【Developer Comment】
Hello everyone! My name is Kannan, and I am the director of Shigeru Planet.
“A horde of eccentric human-faced plants that take over the planet in a frenzy.”
While the development of our game owes its start to this obscure image, we were able to successfully create a “chatter-plant propagation simulator” with very peculiar characters and aesthetics. Despite this intense appearance, it also retains some need for strategic gameplay. We achieved this by utilizing the strengths and individualities of our team members to their full potential.
You won’t be able to help but chuckle at the growing spectacle of chatter-plants on Shigeru Planet!
We hope you enjoy playing our game, and revel in its outlandish frenzy!
The chatter-plants are eager to meet you, so what are you waiting for!
【Game Introduction】
Shigeru Planet is a chatter-plant propagation simulator in the form of a time trial, where you must race against the clock and spawn as many chatter-plants as you can by operating a UFO.
Delight in the company of the bizarre yet endearing chatter-plants, while strategizing as best you can to populate the planet and aim for a high core!
