Last August, Type-Moon launched a new game development studio, called Type-Moon Studio BB, led by former Square Enix director Kazuya Niinou. Niinou, who helped create Etrian Odyssey at Atlus and then spearheaded the development of Dragon Quest Builders at Square announced that Type-Moon Studio BB’s goal was to facilitate the creation of new 2D and 3D games based on Type-Moon properties.
In the past few months, Type-Moon Studio BB has highlighted some of the talents who have joined its ranks since the studio was created, and we now know the names of five key staff members:
Yasuhiro Ikuta – Game Designer
Previously from Square Enix, Ikuta worked as a Battle Game Designer in SaGa: Scarlet Grace and served as director of the game expansion Ambitions Launch on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC. During his time at Square, Ikuta also served as “Item Maker, Gatherer, and Planner” in Final Fantasy XIV.
Koya Tsukada – Scenario Writer
Like Ikuta, Tsukuda has extensive experience working on Square Enix projects. He was the stage writer for Dragon Quest Builders and Dragon Quest Builders 2. She also worked on the stages of Valkyria Chronicles 4 and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth as part of Strobeworks Inc., one of several companies involved with the stories of both games.
Yoshikazu Takenouchi – Art Director
Another former Square developer like Ikuta, Takenouchi served as Art Director at Dragon Quest Builders 2and a character artist in SaGa Scarlet Grace and Final Fantasy XIV. She also created concept art for. Destiny / Grand Order, some of which you can see above. Takenouchi says the ongoing pandemic has forced him to work remotely, but that work continues smoothly.
Kuroko Hibara – Art designer
Hibara’s first exposure to the Moon Type was through Sinners garden. In the past, he worked in 2D and 3D games, and as a freelance in the animation industry. He is currently working on a 3DCG game based on a Type-Moon property that he hopes to show one day. The goal is to create something that Type Moon fans can enjoy, as well as those unfamiliar with the company.
Toru Kamiyama – Programmer
Kamiyama served as an interface programmer at Black Rock Shooter: The Game and Last Ranker while at Imageepoch. He then went on to serve as a game engineer and mission programmer in Ace Combat 7 by Bandai Namco.
Type-Moon Studio BB currently has three projects in development: a smaller-scale title being developed in-house, a medium-scale project being worked in collaboration with an external developer, and a large-scale title that is several years away. . The studio plans to launch its games on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
