Cygames Aims to Launch Three New Titles Annually with Its Small-Games Initiative for Umamusume: Pretty Derby
Last month, Cygames unveiled a new gaming label focused on launching smaller, original titles. The first game under this initiative, *Where the Seeds Fall*, is set to drop next month. To build excitement, the head of this new division, CygamesEdge, has been sharing insights in interviews, revealing that the shift towards this new direction is influenced by a growing player preference for smaller gaming experiences over traditional AAA titles. The goal is to roll out these compact games at a quicker pace, aiming for a release every few months.
Cygames has a solid track record in developing games for diverse audiences, ranging from casual mobile titles like *Umamusume: Pretty Derby* to major console projects like *Granblue Fantasy: Relink*. CygamesEdge was specifically established to create games akin to indie titles, utilizing smaller internal teams, as explained by its director, Hamada Shouichiro. While the company emphasizes that it doesn’t classify itself as an indie developer, it draws inspiration from the success of indie games that have outperformed many AAA projects in sales.
“Under a large-scale development framework, we often spend many years creating content for a wide audience,” Shouichiro shared. However, he noted that the constraints of high-budget games limit their ability to innovate or take risks, which opens the door for smaller titles to explore fresh ideas. “In recent years, it’s become evident that player expectations and behaviors are diversifying. While AAA games maintain a strong presence, indie titles from small teams are also achieving significant global success.”
The company aims to launch “2 or 3 titles of a similar scale to *Where the Seeds Fall* within a year.” Although game development timelines can be unpredictable, CygamesEdge aspires to release each game within three years of its development start.
As the gaming landscape evolves, player preferences have shifted, with many opting for shorter experiences that don’t follow the lengthy format of mainstream blockbusters. Shouichiro points out that he and other developers in their 30s and 40s are looking for more concise gaming experiences due to time constraints from other life responsibilities. This insight led the team to highlight *Where the Seeds Fall*’s brief 3-hour playtime as a key selling point. Additionally, Shouichiro mentions that over half of the games sold on Steam are older titles rather than new releases, and since Cygames is relatively new, it currently lacks a back catalog—something CygamesEdge aims to build over time.
CygamesEdge represents a broader trend in the gaming industry, moving away from a sole focus on major projects to embrace smaller titles. These projects, funded by the profits of larger hits, create opportunities for unique success stories reminiscent of recent indie successes like *The Exit 8*. This shift could lead to a more diverse array of games hitting the market, which is certainly a positive development.
