Amin Abbas

Chinese video game developer NEKCOM Games is a company recognized for its titles DYING: Reborn and DYING: 1983, as well as its highly anticipated upcoming game, Showa American Story.

Xiangyu Luo, CEO of NEKCOM Games and the creative director of Showa American Story, told Arab News Japan that his passion for video games dates to the Nintendo Famicom (FC) era.

Growing up playing across different generations of gaming consoles, Luo has dedicated over 20 years to game design, contributing to multiple console games along the way.

As a player, Luo explored a wide range of games, but the ones that left the most profound impact on him are Shenmue, Shadow Hearts 2, Super Robot Wars F: Final Chapter, Super Mario Galaxy, and Killer7.

Reflecting on his favorite era of gaming, Luo expressed nostalgia for Sony’s PS2 period, when games were characterized by significant graphical expression, strong creativity, and distinctive personal styles.

By contrast, he feels that today’s AAA games often lack individuality due to overly segmented production processes, leading to excessive and uninspired content.

Luo began his career in 2004 as a level designer before moving into roles such as game designer, design director, and producer. After eight years with a major company, he decided to leave and establish NEKCOM Games. Looking back, Luo admitted he never expected his career in the industry to span two decades.

As a child, Luo dreamed of becoming a game producer and earning enough money to buy all the legitimate game software he wanted. Achieving that goal early on, he shifted his professional ambition toward creating compelling and meaningful content for the gaming industry he loves so deeply.

Luo envisions the game development industry evolving similarly to the film industry, where creators like directors retain control over content, ensuring their works reflect individuality and creative vision. This philosophy has been a guiding principle for NEKCOM Games.

Founded in 2011, NEKCOM Games initially faced uncertainty about how to produce console games as a new company. Nevertheless, Luo’s deep passion for single-player games and strong belief in their future motivated him to persevere.

These challenges opened gaps in the market, especially between AAA and indie games. Meanwhile, Chinese developers, having accumulated considerable production experience, were well-positioned to deliver high-quality games with better cost efficiency.

NEKCOM’s first major title, DYING: Reborn, was completed in 2014 for the PS Vita. Later, PS4 and PSVR versions followed, with the game selling approximately 500,000 copies. As the studio’s debut title, it allowed NEKCOM to survive its initial hurdles.

In late 2016, NEKCOM began developing Showa American Story, a project that Luo describes as an RPG reflecting the studio’s distinctive characteristics in every aspect. With dozens of hours of gameplay and rich exploration elements, the game represented a significant scale for a relatively small team. The studio adopted Unreal Engine 5 for the first time, facing new challenges but gaining valuable insights. However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions, particularly as the studio is based in Wuhan.

Discussing the reception of Showa American Story, Luo revealed that the game’s trailers have received overwhelmingly positive feedback globally, with over 95% of responses being favorable. Although he remarked that perhaps those who dislike the game simply haven’t seen it yet, he expressed optimism about its potential. NEKCOM expects to complete the game in 2025.

Luo outlined what sets NEKCOM apart from other studios: a steadfast focus on single-player games, a commitment to developing high-cost and large-scale projects with an indie mindset, and a dedication to creating globally appealing content as a Chinese game studio.