Why Ukiyo is a casual game about escaping a Japanese virtual reality

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Trapped in a Japanese cyberpunk virtual world, Kai must navigate his favorite game–Ukiyo–to figure out how to return to reality.

The story-based adventure game, which shares the same name and releases later this year, is the first by Tokorozawa-based developer Seaknot Studios and the product of a collaboration with design company Freaky Design Inc.

We chatted with the founders of Seaknot and Freaky Design about how the two came together to create the visually striking title, the value of Unreal Engine to a new studio working to establish its voice, and how pop-culture destination Shibuya influenced the look and feel of Epic MegaGrant recipient Ukiyo.

To read the rest of this story, which first ran on March 14, 2023, visit the Epic Games Store.