Cygames has provided a rare update on three of its long-gestating titles. In the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu, which celebrates the company’s 15th anniversary, president Koichi Watanabe confirmed that Project Awakening, Lost Order, and Garnet Arena: Mages of Magicary remain in active development.
Project Awakening: "Really Starting to Take Shape"
Announced in 2016 and later showcased as a PlayStation 4 title in 2018, Project Awakening has been largely absent from public view since a 2021 tech demonstration. Addressing the long wait, Watanabe noted that development is progressing steadily. "What I can say at the moment is that it is 'really starting to take shape,'" he said, adding that the team is working with a sense of confidence.
Regarding the game’s evolution since its initial 2018 reveal, Watanabe explained that while the core direction remains consistent, the team has continued to polish the experience by adding new elements. While a demo titled Project Awakening: Arise was rated in 2019 but never saw a public release, the project has remained a fixture in the quarterly financial presentations of Cygames’ parent company, CyberAgent.
Lost Order and the Final Stretch
Lost Order, another 2016 announcement, is moving into the final stages of production. Watanabe shared new footage with Weekly Famitsu, which reportedly impressed the publication with its quality, especially given its nature as a smartphone title. The project has undergone significant changes since its 2017 closed beta, with the team rebuilding the game from scratch, including the character models.
Watanabe emphasized that Cygames prefers to wait until a title is in a state they are confident will satisfy fans before sharing details. He noted that he is finally beginning to see a clear path toward the game's launch.
Garnet Arena and Future Plans
The status of Garnet Arena: Mages of Magicary, a project produced by Kenichiro Takaki and first announced in 2021, was also addressed. Watanabe stated that development is moving forward and expressed belief that the team will be able to deliver an experience distinct from the company's other titles. He indicated that more information will be shared in due time.
Reflecting on the company’s broader strategy, Watanabe confirmed that while completing the titles announced at Cygames NEXT 2016 remains the priority, the company is also preparing additional new projects. This includes a mix of large-scale games and smaller titles with fixed budgets and schedules, intended both to expand the company’s catalog and provide opportunities for younger creators to gain experience.
Watanabe assured fans that as long as Cygames has not announced the cancellation of a project, it remains in development, with teams currently "firing on all cylinders" to meet their internal quality standards.