Nippon Ichi Software has shipped Ys X: Nordics and Proud Nordics in Japan, but western players waited months for both titles. Now the company’s CEO wants that wait to end.
Kenzo Saruhashi, CEO of Nippon Ichi Software and newly appointed president of NIS America, told reporters that localization time has kept the company from releasing games in the West on the same day as their Japanese debut. He wants that to change.
“We want to release more Nippon Ichi games in the West,” Saruhashi said. “We want to release them simultaneously with their Japanese debut.”
The Gap Between Releases
Ys X: Nordics launched in Japan on September 28, 2023. The United States got it on October 25 of the following year, a span of nearly a year. The sequel, Proud Nordics, followed the same pattern: out in Japan on July 31, 2025, and in the United States on February 20, 2026.
Saruhashi acknowledged the gap during his interview. He said the two companies previously operated more as separate entities rather than a subsidiary and parent company relationship.
“The main reason NIS America hasn’t adopted simultaneous releases before is localization time,” he explained. “There are still resource limitations and physical impediments, but we are slowly, gradually closing the gap working together.”
The Cost Of Simultaneous Launches
The move would bring Japanese games to Western audiences faster. It would also require closer coordination between the two companies.
Saruhashi described a Japanese corporate culture where employees expect lifelong employment and contribute with that mindset. He said that approach has protected the company during hard times.
He noted that old-fashioned approach is fading, but he credited it for helping the company weather difficulties.
The U.S. Industry Is Struggling
Saruhashi painted a grim picture of the American games industry. Tariffs, rising costs, chip shortages, layoffs, games flopping, and studios closing all weigh on the sector.
He denied that NIS America is impacted by those difficulties. He explained that Japanese companies rarely lay off employees due to cultural norms and legal differences.
“It’s very rare for a Japanese company to lay off employees,” he said. “Japanese employees are expected to be loyal to their company and contribute with that mindset.”
The Appetite For Japanese Games
Saruhashi sees a growing appetite for Japanese games in the West and Western games in Japan. He framed the simultaneous release push as part of that broader trend.
He did not say which titles might come next or when. He did say the companies are moving in that direction together.
What The Numbers Show
The gap between Ys X: Nordics and Proud Nordics releases is the clearest evidence of the problem. Here is how the timeline breaks down:
- Ys X: Nordics launched in Japan on September 28, 2023
- Ys X: Nordics reached the United States on October 25 of the following year
- Proud Nordics launched in Japan on July 31, 2025
- Proud Nordics reached the United States on February 20, 2026
The company has been slow to adopt simultaneous releases.
Why Localization Drives The Delay
Localization is the bottleneck. Translating dialogue, menus, and text assets takes time, and it requires coordination between the two companies.
Saruhashi said the gap is closing slowly. He did not give a timeline for when simultaneous releases might become standard.
The State Of The Industry
Saruhashi’s comments come as the wider games industry faces real strain. Tariffs, rising costs, and chip shortages are pushing studios toward consolidation.
Layoffs and studio closures are becoming more common. Games that flop are flopping.
Saruhashi’s denial that NIS America is affected is consistent with his description of Japanese corporate practices.
What Comes Next
Saruhashi’s plan is straightforward. Release more Nippon Ichi games in the West. Release them on the same day as the Japanese debut.
The question is whether the two companies can coordinate effectively. Localization remains the main barrier, and Saruhashi admitted as much.
The appetite is there. The infrastructure is developing. The gap is closing, slowly and gradually, but it is closing.
Saruhashi’s vision is gradual: the same day, the same game, in two markets. Whether the industry can keep up with that pace is another matter entirely.
Key facts box
– Ys X: Nordics released in Japan: September 28, 2023
– Ys X: Nordics released in U.S.: October 25 of the following year
– Proud Nordics released in Japan: July 31, 2025
– Proud Nordics released in U.S.: February 20, 2026
Timeline of releases
1. Ys X: Nordics ships in Japan on September 28, 2023
2. Ys X: Nordics reaches the United States on October 25 of the following year
3. Proud Nordics ships in Japan on July 31, 2025
4. Proud Nordics reaches the United States on February 20, 2026
Source material: “The Publisher Of Ys, Disgaea, Trails Wants To Do More Worldwide, Simultaneous Game Releases,” Kotaku.
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