Game publisher Ambition revealed on July 30 that its live-service puzzle game Bungo Stray Dogs: Tales of the Lost will cease operations on July 31. This decision follows Ambition Co., Ltd’s recent announcement of its closure.
As reported by credit investigation firm Tokyo Shoko Research, Ambition received a provisional administration order and a comprehensive prohibition order from the Tokyo District Court on July 3. The provisional administration order involves entrusting asset management to a court-appointed administrator, typically issued during the period between bankruptcy filing and formal decision to protect a company’s assets. The comprehensive prohibition order restricts creditors from actions like compulsory execution, indicating that Ambition has filed for bankruptcy.
The end of service has left many fans disheartened, particularly as Ambition has no plans to provide refunds for unused Ability Stones—the main in-game currency used for character gacha in Tales of the Lost. The company cites Article 14, Paragraph 1 of the Terms of Service (Article 13, Paragraph 1 in English): “The Company bears no responsibility for repayments or payments of any damages to you or any third party in the event of partial or full interruption of the Service.”
However, Japan’s Payment Services Act, Article 20, Paragraph 1, states that when a prepaid payment instrument issuer discontinues business, they must refund any outstanding balance. This legally obligates Ambition to refund unused Ability Stones to players. Additionally, Paragraph 2 requires the issuer to notify customers of the refund plan and establish a claim period of at least 60 days.
The discrepancy between the game’s Terms of Service and Japanese Law has sparked criticism, with many players questioning the legitimacy of Ambition’s refusal to issue refunds.
Notably, in an official disclosure based on the Payment Services Act for their iOS games, Ambition stated that while refunds are generally not issued after a sale, this policy does not apply in cases of content discontinuation—a stance that contradicts their recent announcements.
In related news, while Bungo Stray Dogs: Tales of the Lost is shutting down, other Ambition games have reportedly been transferred to new publishers. Users report that Arcatopia, Nijiiro Kanojo 2d, Fairy Doll, and Rogue of Déjà vu, among others, are now published by Vitalify.