METI IP360: 'Sofu (Game Division)' Startup Support Program Announces First Batch of Awardees for This Fiscal Year!

Marvelous Inc. (President: Shinichi Terai / Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) has participated as an operator in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's FY2025 Supplementary Budget Content Industry Growth Investment Support Program (IP360), specifically the 'IP New Creation Support (Startup Support: Sofu - Game Division)'. The first public recruitment has concluded, and after a rigorous review process, 15 selected creators have been announced.

This program is an approximately 8-month support initiative targeting game creators and startup companies with strong ambition and capability to create original works and deliver them to the world.

This year, a diverse range of titles with high innovation and market potential in genre, technology, and expression have gathered.

Program Enhancements and Support Content for This Year

Continuing from last year, experts (mentors) from Japan and abroad with deep expertise in development and business operations will thoroughly support participants from creation to commercialization and global expansion. Furthermore, the following aspects have been strengthened this year:

Strong Financial Support: Up to 5 million JPY per application (up to 10 million JPY including selection in the second recruitment) will be provided to support production and commercialization over approximately 8 months.

Community Building and Global Expansion: A robust network will be provided, connecting program participants, Sofu alumni, publishers, and mentors from around the world. Practical support for exhibiting at events such as the Tokyo Game Show and international game events is being prepared to help creators take flight into global markets.

【Selected Creators】※English titles in alphabetical order

Creator (Team Name): Black Beard Design Studio Co., Ltd.

'AKEGARASU ~Journey to the Underworld~'

English Title: AKEGARASU Journey to the Underworld Genre: High-Speed, High-Difficulty Run Game

A high-speed, high-difficulty run game where a pitch-black avenger cuts through darkness. Slash through enemies with exhilarating speed and rescue your wife trapped in the underworld.

Creator (Team Name): Heaviside Creation

'Attack Only'

English Title: Attack Only Genre: RPG, Metafiction, Puzzle

A JRPG battle infused with meta elements, offering flamboyant performances and the satisfaction of solving puzzles.

Creator (Team Name): Gino

'Bless You Again'

English Title: Bless You Again Genre: Rogue-lite Action RPG

A 3D-anime-style rogue-lite RPG. Combine characters, skills, and blessings to conquer unknown dungeons!

Creator (Team Name): shoma

'Carrot Kingdom!'

English Title: Carrot Kingdom! (Provisional) Genre: 2D Puzzle Platformer

A puzzle platformer featuring rabbits and carrots!! A game where you stretch a rabbit's ears to grab carrots.

Creator (Team Name): Rabbit Trigger

'DEATH A LIVE'

English Title: DEATH A LIVE Genre: Rhythm Action Adventure

Fill the venue in 30 days before being stabbed by a yandere! A rhythm action ADV with emotional sorting. Survive the stage with life-or-death performances and choices!

Creator (Team Name): Mutsu Mutsu Project

'HakoAtama'

English Title: HakoAtama Genre: Cooperative Delivery Horror

'Deliver packages in a shelter in exchange for temporary release.' A cooperative horror game where you control boxes to complete deliveries in a world filled with supernatural phenomena!

Creator (Team Name): Prank Maker

'HAUNTED STREAMER'

English Title: HAUNTED STREAMER Genre: Horror × Craving for Recognition

A streamer wearing a horse mask broadcasts paranormal phenomena at great personal risk. A horror game combining fear and the craving for recognition, where you grow your channel by fulfilling viewers' unreasonable demands.

Creator (Team Name): Nao Games

'Ninja or Die 2 Die'

English Title: Ninja or Die 2 Die Genre: 2D Action

A high-speed action game where the protagonist, driven mad by grudges, leaps around. Most movement and attacks are performed through jumps, creating a unique control scheme.

Creator (Team Name): JOKEMARE

'PONKOTS'

English Title: PONKOTS Genre: 2D Cooperative Action

PONKOTS is a casual cooperative game playable by 3 to 8 players.

Creator (Team Name): NERDY PENGUIN

'Project PET'

English Title: Project PET Genre: Raising and Observation Horror

A raising and observation horror game where you raise a cute pet while collecting 'rainbow-colored poop'.

Creator (Team Name): STUDIO 909

'Quiet Express: Cabin 909'

English Title: Quiet Express: Cabin 909 Genre: Adventure

Do you know Cabin 909? An adventure game following a journey aboard the 'Quiet Express,' a train crossing the continent over seven days.

Creator (Team Name): m7kenji

'Rokujo Hitoma'

English Title: Rokujo Hitoma Genre: 1-bit Action Adventure

A hikikomori-themed 1-bit action adventure. Journey from a six-tatami room into an underground world.

Creator (Team Name): Cocoro Software Co., Ltd.

'Spell Fragments'

English Title: Spell Fragments Genre: Magic Construction Rogue-like TPS

Conquer dungeons with your own ultimate magic! Use your imagination to create spells and carefully select loot. A rogue-like TPS with cooperative play support!

Creator (Team Name): puqu

'TETE'

English Title: TETE Genre: Physics-based 3D Action

'TETE' is a climbing action game with a unique feel. Control long arms driven by physics to explore mysterious terrains.

Creator (Team Name): ROCOCO GAMES

'The Perfect Prince'

English Title: The Perfect Prince Genre: Picture Book Adventure

'The Prince and the Fairy' is an adventure game featuring a touching story and picture-book-style visuals.

Upcoming Schedule (Planned)

Monthly: Specialized lectures and workshops, development support and mentoring by mentors

September: Mid-term成果 exhibition at Tokyo Game Show (TGS)

October: Two specially selected teams to exhibit overseas at GameBCN (Spain) October: Three specially selected teams to exhibit overseas at Gamescom Asia (Thailand)

February 2027: Final成果 Presentation (for industry professionals)

About the 'Sofu' Project

This program supports individuals or teams newly engaging in content production and development to continuously create new IPs across various content fields such as games.