If you recognize the name Toei, it is likely due to its legendary anime subsidiary, Toei Animation. The studio responsible for massive hits like One Piece, Dragon Ball, Sailor Moon, and Digimon is officially making a move into the interactive space. We are excited to share that the company is branching into the gaming industry with the launch of Toei Games.
A New Frontier for PC Gaming
According to a recent press release, Toei Games will first venture into the PC market by "launching games primarily for Steam." While the initial focus remains on PC players, the studio has much larger ambitions for the future.
The studio has already outlined plans for expansion to major home consoles, including:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation
- Xbox
Focusing on Original IP and New Creators
There is a significant caveat for fans of existing anime franchises. For the time being, Toei Games will not be producing titles based on its current library of famous series. Instead, the studio is looking to build something entirely from the ground up.
"Our goal is to create a new IP that will captivate the world, starting with games," the press release explains. The initial lineup will consist of completely new game titles created by talented developers from both Japan and abroad, rather than using existing intellectual properties.
This news might be a disappointment for some; specifically, fans in the official X replies who were hoping for a high-quality One Piece game to rival Bandai Namco's offerings. However, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic. Creating original worlds provides a fresh canvas for storytelling without the heavy burden of pre-existing expectations.
While we won't see any immediate Dragon Ball or Sailor Moon projects from this division, the potential for future collaboration remains. We don't have to wait long to see what is in the works, as the first original title is scheduled to be announced later this Friday.
