Crowdfunding begins for 'Shibuya Live-Action Adventure Project' by game designer Ishii Jiro
Crowdfunding for the 'Shibuya Live-Action Adventure Project' by game designer Ishii Jiro, who has worked on live-action sound novel games such as '428: Shibuya Scramble,' began at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The goal of this project is to create a 'presentation prototype,' the first step toward developing and releasing the game, and the target amount has been set at 5 million yen.
Ubugoe | Shibuya Live Action Adventure Project Crowdfunding
Ishii began his career as director of Chunsoft's highly acclaimed 428: Shibuya Scramble, which was released in 2008, before going on to work on games such as Time Travelers at Level-5 before going independent.
After going independent, he wrote the original story for the sci-fi action anime 'UNDER THE DOG,' which was produced with the largest amount of funding at the time raised on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter.
Movie 'Under the Dog/Jumble' trailer - YouTube
The project involves the development of a live-action adventure game set in Shibuya, with Ishii Jiro as general director and Kitajima Yukinori as scriptwriter. The cast includes Arai Masakazu, who played Amemiya Keima in 'Crossroads of Fate,' and Kitakami Fumio, who played Mifunegawa Minoru in '428: Shibuya Scramble.' Additionally, Asano Kazuya from 'Crossroads of Fate' will be assisting with the scenario, Sakamoto Hideki, the composer, Minohoshi Taro from 'Love Plus' will be in charge of music, and Iino Ayumu from '428: Shibuya Scramble' will be in charge of photography and direction.
Mr. Ishii Jiro (top left), Mr. Kitajima Gyotoku (top right), Mr. Arai Masakazu (bottom left), Mr. Kitakami Fumio (bottom right)
The ultimate goal of the project is of course to release a finished version, but modern game production, even indie games, is not something that can be sustained on a small budget raised through crowdfunding, so the project first aims to raise a budget to create a solid prototype for presentation.
The target amount is 5 million yen, and if the target amount is not reached, the crowdfunding will not be completed. The collected funds will be
・Script costs for prototypes
・Filming and performance costs
・Design and program development costs
・Return item production and shipping costs
・Event management costs
・Crowdfunding management and PR costs
The funds will be used for the above purposes, and any donations exceeding the target amount will be used in full to improve the quality of the prototype.
The rewards for those who support the project are as follows:
| Course Name | Amount | Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Donation Course | 2000 yen | ・Thank you email ・Voting rights for naming the game title (limited time only: until June 22, 2025) ・Right to view the activity report 'News from Accomplices' |
| Prototype movie acquisition course | 5000 yen | In addition to the above: Prototype movie (a recording of the prototype gameplay) ・Credit listed (on the official website of the work) |
| Staff Roll Credits Course [Small] | 10,000 yen | In addition to the above: Staff roll credits [small] |
| Staff Roll Credits Course [Medium] | 30,000 yen | In addition to the rewards from the 'Prototype Movie Acquisition Course' ・Staff Roll Credits [Middle] |
| Staff Roll Credits Course [Large] | 50,000 yen | In addition to the rewards from the 'Prototype Movie Acquisition Course': Staff roll credits included [Large] |
| Project Thanksgiving Event Participation Course | 100,000 yen | In addition to the rewards from the 'Staff Roll Credit Course [Large]', you will receive the following: Participation rights to the Project Thanksgiving Event |
The 'Project Thanksgiving Event Participation Course' will be sold by lottery for a limited time only until June 18th, 2025 (Wednesday), with the winners announced on June 19th (Thursday) and the payment deadline being June 22nd (Sunday). The event is scheduled to be held at 8pm on July 28th (Monday), 2025 at a location in Shibuya, Tokyo. Director Ishii, screenwriter Kitajima, and actors Arai and Kitakami are scheduled to participate.
There will also be a special T-shirt (8,000 yen) with access to the activity report 'News from the Accomplice' and a B2 poster (15,000 yen) signed by the staff. The poster is limited to 300 copies and is signed by Ishii, Kitajima, Arai, and Kitakami on a first-come, first-served basis.
Apparently there were many requests for a reward such as 'the right to appear in the film,' but Ishii felt that 'I have been involved in various crowdfunding campaigns, and I won't promise anything I can't make,' and he decided not to offer the right to appear in this film, as 'the production of the main story has not yet been decided.'
Incidentally, Ishii and Kitajima are the core members of this project, which is a live-action adventure game set in Shibuya. However, it has been clearly stated that it is not a sequel to 'Crossroads,' '428: Shibuya Scramble,' or 'Time Travelers,' but rather a completely independent new work in terms of copyright.
Ishii sent the following message:
'Games like 'Machi' and '428' may never appear again.'
At some point, I too was starting to give up.
If a 'legitimate sequel' were to be announced now, I would like to give all of the funding for this project to it - I'm still thinking about this now.
But I've already made up my mind.
Instead of waiting for someone else, we had no choice but to create new works ourselves.
This project is not just about “tracing the past.”
This is a challenge to create a new live-action Shibuya ADV from scratch once again.
This could be a signal of revolution for the gaming industry.
But a revolution cannot happen alone.
We need the heat of many people.
That's why I want you to be my accomplice.
Let's start this story together.
From Shibuya, to amaze the world once again.
in Game, Posted by logc_nt