Studio M2, recognized for its work in porting and emulating Japanese retro classics to modern consoles, has revealed the cancellation of Ubusuna, a shoot ‘em up project that was once directed by Ikaruga creator Hiroshi Iuchi. After Iuchi’s exit from the company, it was determined that the game could not be finished without his involvement.
Although the specifics of Iuchi’s departure were not shared, the official announcement credits his resignation to “various circumstances.” M2 has formally apologized to those who followed Ubusuna, including Japanese and international fans, outside creators who assisted with the project, and media outlets who collaborated with the company’s PR efforts. In response to these developments, M2 has made its “UBUSUNA SOUNDTRACK-EP-” YouTube video private, further reducing the online presence of the game.
Iuchi first introduced Ubusuna on August 13, 2014 through his personal blog. The game was initially slated for the PlayStation 4, with potential for additional platforms, and was conceived as a shoot ‘em up that expanded upon a dropped “50YW” concept. While Ubusuna’s mechanics were largely carried over from 50YW, Iuchi intended to reimagine the world and narrative to align with his fresh direction.
Ubusuna was still in its nascent stages of development when Iuchi first shared the news. He explained that while M2 typically doesn’t disclose projects at such an early phase, the company’s CEO Naoki Horii gave the green light, reasoning that shoot ‘em up enthusiasts wouldn’t mind the wait.
Progress reports on the project would be sparse over the following few years, as Iuchi balanced his time between Ubusuna and other M2 endeavors. In 2019, Horii noted that while asset creation posed challenges, the game was “almost playable from start to finish.” By 2022, additional story elements were unveiled. Iuchi’s last update on the game came on August 17, where he indicated that M2 would provide an official statement when appropriate.
After Ubusuna’s cancellation, Iuchi posted a brief blog note apologizing to fans and requesting some additional time before addressing the matter:
I apologize for the disruption this has caused.
I’d like to respond to the messages from the many people who have contacted me, but I’d prefer to wait until after I’ve stepped down (early July or later) to discuss this issue.
I’m also sorry to have let so many of you down. However, based on current feelings, I believe it won’t end up being such a letdown after all.
I apologize if this seems sudden, but I ask for your patience.
Although M2 has discontinued Ubusuna, it appears that Iuchi remains committed to it. In M2’s announcement, Naoki Horii expressed hope that Iuchi will find a way to finish the game, even if it evolves into a different format. Horii also asked that people avoid spreading rumors and harmful remarks on social media, as such content can negatively affect everyone involved.