Straight from the Source: Shuto Mikami (RUINSMAGUS: COMPLETE)

Last year at Tokyo Game Show 2022, we interviewed Shuto Mikami, founder of VR game studio CharacterBank. They had just released their first big VR debut title, the fantasy action-adventure game RUINSMAGUS, for the Meta Quest.

This year, CharacterBank were at TGS again, hot off the release of RUINSMAGUS: COMPLETE for the Playstation VR2, so we caught up with Mikami again to see what’s new.

Note: This interview was originally recorded by Brando in Japanese on September 22, 2023 at Tokyo Game Show. It has been translated into English and edited for clarity. Full disclosure: Source Gaming founder PushDustIn currently works at CharacterBank!

——We’re here at Tokyo Game Show 2023 with Shuto Mikami once again! So, what has CharacterBank been up to in the past year?

Mikami: Hi again! Last time we talked, RUINSMAGUS just came out on the Meta Quest, but during the past year we’ve been adding new content to the game, and releasing the game on other platforms like Steam and the PICO. We just released RUINSMAGUS: COMPLETE for Playstation VR2 a couple days ago.

Also, as a company CharacterBank has been gaining experience and getting bigger. Last year we had under 20 employees, and now we’ve grown to over 30, so our work is growing in scope as well.

——What does the complete edition of RUINSMAGUS include?

Mikami: This version that just came out for PSVR2 includes all the DLC and updates that were released for the game so far. It’s the complete, definitive experience. For example, when the game first released, it didn’t have English audio, but we added that later in an update, so you can now enjoy the game with full English voice acting. The complete edition also has some enhanced features added specifically for PSVR2, like haptic feedback and 3D audio.

——It sounds like the company has more games in development. Can you tell us anything about what’s in the works?

Mikami: Right, various VR projects are underway. It’s too early for official announcements, but I can say that we’re working on 2 games with multiplayer in mind. They won’t be playable for some time, but you’ll be able to play either in single-player mode, or multiplayer with cooperative play.

——Multiplayer VR, interesting! Has the playerbase for VR gaming been growing recently?

Mikami: Definitely, the number of people who have tried VR is higher than last year. The Meta Quest and the PICO in particular seem to be doing well in Japan, but generally VR headsets have become more common. You can see them in the big electronics retail stores now, so thanks to that, the general awareness of and familiarity with VR has increased a lot, compared to last year.

——If it’s too early for official announcements, then how about unofficial ones? Any exclusive scoop for us?

Mikami: Gahhh… I really can’t say anything yet! (Laughs)

All I can say right now is that there will be “something”, something new from CharacterBank announced later this year, so please look forward to it!

——Thank you very much!