Shujinkou News

[p]❤️ For your GRAMMY consideration ❤️[/p][h2]Shujinkou Original Soundtrack[/h2][p]🔥 Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media 🔥[/p][p][/p][p]As our lead composer Brian LaGuardia phrases it: "Labor of love doesn't even begin to describe it."[/p][p]Listen now: https://brianmlaguardia.com/shujinkou-fyc/[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[h2]Shujinkou Interview with Video Chums[/h2][p]We recently had the chance to sit down with A. J. Maciejewski from Video Chums, a Metacritic and Opencritic game news media outlet, to talk about Shujinkou™, the journey of bringing it to life, and what lies ahead. A big thank you to A. J. and the Video Chums team for such a thoughtful conversation![/p][p][/p][h3]Read the full interview here:[/h3][p]https://videochums.com/article/julian-rice-on-shujinkou[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Here is a summary of the interview: Video Chums speaks with director Julian Rice about Shujinkou’s ambitious trilogy roadmap, its focus on family-driven storytelling, and the innovative integration of language learning into a classic JRPG framework. Learn how Rice assembled his team, drew inspiration from dungeon-crawling favorites, and shaped Shujinkou into both a massive game & foundation of a much larger saga.[/p][p][/p][h3]A few highlights:[/h3]

• [p]Why language matters: We shared how “aha” moments in Japanese became gameplay systems, from kanji radicals to keigo (honorifics) to character naming.[/p]
• [p]Player impact: Fans have told us that Shujinkou inspired them to start Japanese classes, and in some cases even helped them get jobs in the game industry.[/p]
• [p]Team and leadership: We spoke about the original recruiting process, including reviewing thousands of applications and leading the team while navigating some big personal challenges.[/p]
• [p]Story focus: At its core, the narrative emphasizes family. Genya is just the starting arc, with the trilogy expanding across six nations.[/p]
• [p]Design inspirations: Etrian Odyssey IV and Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux influenced how we approached exploration and challenge, with multiple difficulty settings to welcome newcomers.[/p]
• [p]Looking ahead: We also touched on the sequel, which will feature new story arcs, a sharper & quicker pace, deeper kanji systems, and a far shorter development cycle.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]A few notable quotes[/h3]

• [p]“Genya serves as the stage-setter… while Sabaku raises the stakes.“[/p]
• [p]“If there’s one thread I hope resonates with players, it’s the emphasis on family.”[/p]
• [p]“We aimed for that same sense of depth, with difficulty options so newcomers can enjoy the game.“[/p]
• [p]“Above all, our priority is always to create a video game with a compelling story.“[/p]
• [p]“It’s a world you can live in for 100-250 hours.“[/p]

[p][/p][p]We are very grateful that Video Chums gave us the space and opportunity to talk about both the creative and personal sides of this very intense and fulfilling journey. If you’d like to learn more about where Shujinkou came from and where it’s going next, we encourage you to give the interview a read![/p][p][/p][p]Team @ Rice Games[/p]

[h2]From Kickstarter Failure to Successfully Shipping Shujinkou[/h2][p]Special thanks to IndieGameBusiness® for hosting the podcast![/p][p][/p][p]Here's the video description:[/p][p]In this episode of IndieGameBusiness® we’re joined by Julian Rice, Founder and CEO of Rice Games Inc, to talk about the long, challenging, and inspiring journey of bringing Shujinkou to life. From showing the game at Tokyo Game Show in 2019 to navigating a failed Kickstarter, Julian shares how his team overcame obstacles and kept pushing forward. [/p][p]We dive into the decision to shift from a 2D platformer to a 3D first-person dungeon crawler with integrated language learning mechanics, and what sets this apart from traditional educational or “edutainment” titles. Julian explains how the team managed development across seven time zones with over 20 part-time teammates, secured Sony and Nintendo development kits without publisher backing, and grabbed enough attention from critics to land Metacritic and OpenCritic scores — a rare feat for self-published indies. [/p][p]We also talk about the biggest operational challenges, the future of the Shujinkou trilogy, and Julian’s advice for aspiring developers on both the creative and logistical sides of indie development. If you’ve ever dreamed of building and shipping your own game from the ground up, this episode is full of insights and lessons you won’t want to miss.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]Major Section Timestamps (Linked)[/h3]

• [p]0:21 - From Student to Founder: Julian's Inspiring Game Industry Start[/p]
• [p]3:18 - From 2D Platformer to 3D Dungeon Crawler After Kickstarter Failure[/p]
• [p]6:29 - Overcoming Personal Tragedy and Splitting Shujinkou into a Trilogy[/p]
• [p]10:21 - The Crucial Lessons from a Failed Kickstarter Campaign[/p]
• [p]18:49 - How Shujinkou Integrates Japanese Language Learning Seamlessly[/p]
• [p]25:02 - The Challenges of Managing a Distributed Team Across Seven Time Zones[/p]
• [p]33:04 - How an Indie Secured Nintendo and Sony Development Kits[/p]
• [p]37:45 - Indie Marketing Strategies and Meeting Reviewers with Data[/p]
• [p]45:11 - Self-Taught Skills and Relentless Work Ethic[/p]
• [p]49:41 - Navigating Day One DLC and Post-Launch Content Updates[/p]
• [p]55:31 - The Ambitious Future of the Shujinkou Trilogy and IP Expansion[/p]
• [p]58:33 - Final Message on Indie Dev Perseverance and Confidence[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Feel free to listen on Spotify and Apple Music below ⤵️[/h3]

• [p]Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pPUmw41GquC0V4UMKc6wM[/p]
• [p]Apple Music - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-kickstarter-failure-to-successfully-shipping-shujinkou/id1464597823?i=1000728603290[/p]

[p][/p][p]Read more on our studio website:[/p][p]https://ricegames.net/2025/09/28/podcast-interview-indiegamebusiness/[/p]

[h2][/h2][h2]Shujinkou™ Announced for the Nintendo Switch![/h2][p]Rice Games Inc is excited to announce that Shujinkou is officially coming to the Nintendo Switch digitally on October 2nd! Check out a brand new trailer featuring Japanese actresses on the Rice Games YouTube channel! [/p]

• [p]Pre-orders begin September 18th 2025 with a 10% discount![/p]

[p]Watch the brand new trailer below:[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]💵 Pricing and QOL Upgrades[/h3][p]Since its initial launch in February, Shujinkou has received hundreds of quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes inspired by both player and critic feedback. A list of patch notes released since then can be found by our News page:[/p]

• [p]Patch Notes & Other News[/p]

[p]Unlike the PS5 & PC releases, the pricing structure will differ for the Nintendo Switch version:[/p][p][/p][p]Furthermore, there is a pre-order discount of 10% for all three editions.[/p][p][/p][p]Shujinkou - Standard Edition on Nintendo Switch includes...[/p]

• [p]Base Game (Genya Arc)[/p]

[p][/p][p]Shujinkou - Deluxe Edition on Nintendo Switch includes...[/p]

• [p]Base Game (Genya Arc)[/p]
• [p]Add On - Sabaku Arc[/p]
• [p]Application - Shujinkou Digital Artbook - Learn More[/p]
• [p]Application - Shujinkou Select Soundtrack - Learn More[/p]

[p][/p][p]Shujinkou - Super Deluxe Edition on Nintendo Switch includes...[/p]

• [p]Base Game (Genya Arc)[/p]
• [p]Add On - Sabaku Arc[/p]
• [p]Add On - Swimsuit Quests - Learn More[/p]
• [p]Add On - Akuma Quests - Learn More[/p]
• [p]Application - Shujinkou Digital Artbook - Learn More[/p]
• [p]Application - Shujinkou Select Soundtrack - Learn More[/p]

[p][/p][h3]🏜️ Introducing the Sabaku Arc[/h3][p]The major price change for the standard edition is a result of Shujinkou being split into two parts, as the game features two full-length story arcs (40+ hours each)—specifically, the Genya Arc and the Sabaku Arc.[/p][p]The PS and PC versions come with both arcs included (effectively two games in one), but the Sabaku Arc will be sold separately on the Nintendo Switch. [/p][p]The Sabaku Arc takes place immediately after the end of the Genya Arc, and will be available separately for the following prices:[/p][p][/p][p]With this news, brand new Key Art for the Sabaku Arc makes its debut below:[/p][p][/p][h3]📜 More About Shujinkou[/h3][p]Shujinkou marks Rice Games' debut commercial title and the first installment in a planned trilogy. The game's expansive world spans six nations, each with its own story arc and a rich cast of major and minor characters.

This year's release includes both the Genya Arc and the Sabaku Arc. The Genya Arc follows the battle against the language-devouring "Akuma" to save Shu’s homeland, while the Sabaku Arc explores diplomacy in a new nation and the struggle to alter an ally's prophesied fate, revealed through a mysterious painting.

Each arc offers roughly 40–60 hours of gameplay and introduces its own cast of new protagonists to befriend and antagonists to face.[/p][p][/p][h3]💯 Thousands of Players Learning AND Gaming! [/h3][p]Since launch, thousands of players around the world have enjoyed Shujinkou, with many fans sharing directly with us that the game inspired them to start pursuing Japanese language classes and even helped some land new jobs connected to their passion for Japanese.

Others have spent hundreds of hours exploring Shujinkou's 200 quests, multiple minigames, and thousands of character interactions across its expansive cast. Based on player data, earning the Platinum trophy typically takes roughly 250 hours, reflecting Shujinkou's breadth of unique content.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]⚙️ Reviews and Feedback[/h3][p]Preliminary reviews have been excellent, with Shujinkou earning a 90 Metacritic score (Universal Acclaim) and a 94 OpenCritic Top Critic score as of August 2025. [/p][p][/p][p]We've submitted over 70 review keys worldwide, but as a small self-publishing studio, it remains a challenge to gain broad media attention. Sales have been modest on PC but have exceeded expectations on PlayStation, and we remain committed to supporting the game with monthly patches across all platforms.[/p][p][/p][h3]🎮 Looking forward with the Nintendo Switch port[/h3][p]With its upcoming Nintendo Switch release, players can explore dozens of handcrafted labyrinths on the go and even use the touchscreen to practice writing hiragana, katakana, and a wide range of kanji.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]🍚 About the Rice Games Team[/h3][p]Rice Games Inc is a multilingual team of game developers from around the world. Many team members are fluent or native speakers of multiple languages, including English, Japanese, German, and Mandarin.[/p][p]With teammates spread across more than seven time zones, ensuring smooth coordination over Shujinkou's over six-year development period was no small feat. The team's global presence spans several countries, including:[/p]

• [p]United States: California, Hawaii, Washington, Texas, Florida, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, Utah, etc.[/p]
• [p]Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany[/p]

[p]The Rice Games team is composed largely of young, highly motivated individuals eager to leave their mark on the video game industry with their first major commercial release. While some team members bring years of experience—particularly within the Music Team, with arrangement and composition credits—they, too, are venturing into new territory, having never worked on an RPG of Shujinkou's scale.
[/p][p][/p][p]
Thanks for reading this major update, and we hope to see you dungeon-crawling on the Nintendo Switch next month :).

Team @ Rice Games[/p]

[p]We’re excited to announce that Shujinkou is now officially VERIFIED on Steam Deck! ✅ [/p][p]Huge thanks to the awesome Steam Deck verification team for checking things out and giving us the green light. Whether you're on the go or chilling on the couch, you can now dive into the world of Shujinkou with full confidence and smooth performance![/p][p][/p][p]
[/p][p]Good luck taking down some of those tough Yajuu, or maybe use your fingers or Steam Deck-supported stylus to practice writing some Japanese for the Kanakae Orbs you've collected so far. [/p][p][/p][p]Thank you all for your support. [/p][p][/p][p]We can’t wait to see you adventuring on Deck! [/p][p]Team @ Rice Games[/p]