Studio M2, recognized for bringing Japanese retro classics to modern consoles through porting and emulation, has revealed the cancellation of Ubusuna, a shoot ‘em up game formerly led by Ikaruga creator Hiroshi Iuchi. With Iuchi’s exit from the studio, it was determined that the project could not proceed without his guidance.
Although the specifics of Iuchi’s departure remain unspecified, the official announcement cites his resignation as a result of “various circumstances.” M2 has formally apologized to those who followed Ubusuna, encompassing Japanese and global fans, external developers who aided in the project, and media partners who collaborated with the studio’s PR efforts. In response to these developments, M2 has rendered its “UBUSUNA SOUNDTRACK-EP- YouTube video private, further reducing the available online presence of the game.
Iuchi first introduced Ubusuna on August 13, 2014 through his personal blog. Initially slated for the PlayStation 4 with potential multiplatform support, the title was conceptualized as a shoot ‘em up stemming from a dropped “50YW” initiative. While Ubusuna’s mechanics were largely inspired by 50YW, Iuchi intended to overhaul the narrative and environment to align with his fresh direction.
Ubusuna was still in its nascent stages of development at the time of Iuchi’s initial announcement. As noted by him, though M2 typically withholds announcements at such an early phase, the studio’s CEO Naoki Horii granted approval, reasoning that shoot ‘em up enthusiasts wouldn’t mind the extended wait.
Progress reports for the title were infrequent over the ensuing years, with Iuchi balancing his efforts between Ubusuna and other M2 ventures. By 2019, Horii disclosed that while asset creation posed challenges, the game was “almost fully playable.” Further advancements were made in 2022, including additional story elements being unveiled. Iuchi’s last update on the project occurred on August 17, wherein he indicated that M2 would communicate further when appropriate.
After Ubusuna’s scrapping, Iuchi composed a brief blog post expressing regret to fans and requesting additional time before addressing the matter:
I apologize for the disruption this has caused.
I intend to respond to the feedback from those who have reached out, but I’d prefer to do so after I’ve resigned (early July or later) regarding this issue.
I’m sorry to have let down so many of you. Nevertheless, based on current sentiments, I believe it won’t ultimately be a letdown.
I apologize if this seems sudden, but I ask for your patience.
Although M2 has abandoned Ubusuna, it appears that Iuchi remains committed to it. Within the studio’s statement, Naoki Horii expresses hope that Iuchi will secure a chance to finish the game, possibly in a revised format. He also requests that individuals avoid spreading conjecture or harmful remarks on social media, as such content can adversely affect everyone involved.