With the Tokyo 2020 Games as well as its accompanying Paralympic Games coming, Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata announced that his first game after leaving Square Enix is The Pegasus Dream Tour, and it is being made for the International Paralympic Committee.
Since leaving Square Enix to establish JP games we haven’t heard much about his next projects, but we now know that the studio’s first game to be revealed is The Pegasus Dream Tour, which is not only the first title of Tabata’s new studio, but also the very first video game made for the Paralympic.
According to the International Paralympic Committee, they’re looking to strategize with the innovative use of video games as a way to increase the engagement of the youth market in the Paralympic Games, an event has grown over the years to be the world’s third biggest sport event after the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.
As for The Pegasus Dream Tour, it is described as a “completely new sports role-playing game, where players participate in a virtual Paralympic Games that takes place inside a fantasy metropolis known as Pegasus City.”
In the game’s world, players will awaken their special abilities known as “Xtra Power” in an alternate Paralympics world that is being rendered in ways that only video games can achieve. JP Games is planning on making Pegasus Dream Tour accessible on various platforms including smartphones.
Here are some quotes from Hajime Tabata:
“Right now, I’m developing the official game for the International Paralympic Committee. It’s called “The Pegasus Dream Tour.” I wish to thank everyone involved, who helped me up to this point and make this announcement today. You’ll be able to enjoy the game when the timing’s right in 2020. So stay tuned.”
“The sport at the Paralympics is outstanding and helps transform attitudes towards persons with disabilities like no other event. I am really excited to see and play this game and see how the outstanding abilities of Para athletes are represented.
With this video game, we want to contribute to the future growth of the Paralympic Games, not just as a sporting event, but as entertainment as well, with contents that we hope will have lasting value in the future.”
And here’s one from International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons:
“Ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, we are eager to explore innovative ways to engage with new and younger global audiences. We believe this game will help boost interest in the Paralympic Games and make it easier for people all over the world to enjoy and experience the heated atmosphere, passion and excitement of the event.
The sport at the Paralympics is outstanding and helps transform attitudes towards persons with disabilities like no other event. I am really excited to see and play this game and see how the outstanding abilities of Para athletes are represented.”
The Pegasus Dream Tour launches worldwide in 2020.
