Ni-Oh’s Development Kept Going On Thanks To Over 10 Years Of Anticipation From Fans

After Koei Tecmo announced Ni-Oh in 2004 for the PlayStation 3, many fans expected the game to be vaporware until it was re-announced during the SCEJA Press Conference 2015. Koei Tecmo share more behind the development in this week’s issue of Famitsu magazine. [Thanks, Hachima.]

Ni-Oh is being developed as a “Dark Sengoku Action RPG.” The stage is set during the last years of the Sengoku period of Japan, with a blonde-haired protagonist with special powers named William, who travels the lands.

Here are some notes from the interview with Koei Tecmo:

• Ni-Oh was originally developed as a launch title for the PlayStation 3.

• The focus was to push the action elements instead of focusing on the RPG parts.

• Koei Tecmo continued working on the game behind the scenes, even while hearing people say “you guys just announced it haven’t even made anything, right?”

• The game runs at 60fps.

• It was decided to make it into a console exclusive title as Koei Tecmo wish to be able to use the PlayStation 4’s quality to show the world more of Japan’s yokai culture.

• There will be giant yokai boss fights.

• Koei Tecmo are currently thinking of some kind of opportunity that will allow players to directly try out Ni-Oh before it releases.

• Famitsu magazine has a corner where fans can voice out their most anticipated games. Thanks to Ni-Oh being on it for the past 10 years, it gave Koei Tecmo the drive to continue developing the game without stopping.

Ni-Oh will release in 2016 for PlayStation 4.