Ys and Disgaea Developer Aims for Global Simultaneous Game Launches

Ys X: Nordics launched in Japan on September 28, 2023, and as a dedicated Ys fan in the U.S., I found myself scrolling through a sea of Japanese screenshots, videos, and discussions, all while waiting for my chance to dive in. I managed to dodge spoilers, but when the game finally arrived stateside on October 25 of the following year, it felt like it had already lost some of its luster, making conversations about it feel a bit stale. The same scenario played out with the updated version, Proud Nordics, which released in Japan on July 31, 2025, and hit our shores on February 20, 2026. Frustrating, right?

While staggered releases are becoming less common, Nippon Ichi Software and its international arm still follow this model for some titles. However, change may be on the horizon. At PAX West, I had a chat with Kenzo Saruhashi, the CEO of Nippon Ichi and the newly appointed president of its U.S. division, NIS America. We discussed the company’s slow shift toward simultaneous releases. Localization is a time-consuming process, but many companies today manage to align their release dates with the completion of that work. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for many of NIS America’s titles.

Saruhashi explained that in the past, Nippon Ichi and NIS America functioned more like two independent entities rather than a cohesive parent-subsidiary relationship. By consolidating leadership, he aims to change that dynamic. His vision includes not only bringing more of Nippon Ichi’s games to the West—many of which currently don’t make it here—but also ensuring they launch simultaneously with their Japanese counterparts.

“In the past, we didn’t have the authority to push for simultaneous launches because we were almost operating as two separate companies,” Saruhashi noted. “Now, we can truly function as a unified entity. There are still challenges, like resource limitations and logistical hurdles, but I believe we’re gradually bridging that gap through better collaboration.”

He also mentioned a growing interest in Japanese games in the West and vice versa. “Those barriers are coming down, and it feels like the origin of a game matters less than it used to.”

Despite the challenges facing the U.S. gaming industry—tariffs, rising costs, chip shortages, layoffs, and studio closures—Saruhashi remains optimistic about NIS America’s position. I brought up these issues, and he assured me they haven’t affected the company.

“The situation is quite different in Japan, where companies typically don’t lay off employees,” he explained. “Most people view their jobs as lifelong commitments. This cultural mindset fosters a sense of loyalty and a desire to contribute to the company’s success, which I think highlights a key difference.”

He added that Japanese companies often prioritize employee growth and development, regardless of profitability. “This traditional approach is something I personally appreciate, but it’s becoming less common in Japan, which is a bit disheartening.”

We also touched on whether the company is exploring generative AI in development and his thoughts on PlayStation’s plan to discontinue physical discs in 2028.