Shibuya Scramble Stories director Jiro Ishii is facing another challenge. On top of the game’s Ubgoe crowdfunding campaign troubles earlier this year, which led to the team losing about half of the total funds raised earlier this year, Ishii himself has been hospitalized unexpectedly since last week. In a X post, Ishii expressed regret for any worry his situation has caused and mentioned he aims to return to work by the end of the month.
Ishii felt particularly bad about being hospitalized during a critical period for the Shibuya Scramble Stories project. The first phase of the game’s second crowdfunding campaign is currently live on Campfire, set to end at the end of the month. The project exceeded its initial target of 10 million JPY (around $62 thousand USD) after just 62 minutes, and now has $162 thousand USD in funding. He credited the campaign’s success to his team and cast, who are all working diligently in his absence.
Although Ishii won’t be back at work until at least the end of July, he kindly asks fans to keep supporting the game and its crowdfunding campaign. In the meantime, fans are sending well wishes for his swift recovery and are eager to see him return soon.
Shibuya Scramble Stories is currently in development. You can learn more about the game on its official webpage.