Kotaro Uchikoshi establishes new studio CRASH KEYS

Key Points:

• Kotaro Uchikoshi, creator of Zero Escape and AI: The Somnium Files, has founded a new game studio called CRASH KEYS, based in Shibuya, Tokyo, focusing on original projects that deliver deeply moving experiences.
• The studio was established in March 2025 but announced publicly now due to the sudden cancellation of a major game project, prompting Uchikoshi to seek new investment partners and work opportunities to sustain the team.
• CRASH KEYS aims to break conventions with its tagline emphasizing creativity through destruction, and Uchikoshi has openly appealed for support, investment, and collaborations via the studio's official website.
• Founding members include Uchikoshi as CEO and director, alongside writers Akira Mine and Muri Sasaki, all with strong backgrounds in narrative-driven games and acclaimed titles such as The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy and Danganronpa 2×2.
• Uchikoshi's notable past works have earned multiple awards and international recognition, highlighting the team's expertise in crafting intricate branching narratives and engaging storytelling in the adventure game genre.