Showa American Story: Difference between revisions

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”Showa American Story” was based on [[Popular culture of the United States|American]] and [[Japanese popular culture]] of the 1980s and 1990s, as approached from a Chinese perspective.<ref name=guanch-cnstory>{{cite web |author1=赵挪亚 |title=中国团队开发“日本文化殖民美国”游戏：讲好中国故事，不一定要讲中国的故事 |url=https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2022_01_12_621991_s.shtml |website=观察者 |date=12 January 2022 |language=zh |archive-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115080804/https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2022_01_12_621991_s.shtml }}</ref> At the time, these foreign cultures were introduced to China and appeared in distinct ways within its society, which left impressions in the memories of the developers.<ref name=guanch-cnstory/> The developers derived cultural references from their own memories, rather than from research or consultation.<ref name=guanch-cnstory/> Xiangyu Luo commented that “I used Japanese manga, movies, and the like that were popular in China as my base. I thought it would be more interesting to show people a unique take on Showa style as seen by a Chinese person than it would be if we depicted it faithfully. While I was confident that Chinese users who experienced the same timeframe and creative works as me would understand the charm, I never imagined I’d get this big of a reaction from Japan and the West.”<ref name=”ign-wild”/>

”Showa American Story” was based on [[Popular culture of the United States|American]] and [[Japanese popular culture]] of the 1980s and 1990s, as approached from a Chinese perspective.<ref name=guanch-cnstory>{{cite web |author1=赵挪亚 |title=中国团队开发“日本文化殖民美国”游戏：讲好中国故事，不一定要讲中国的故事 |url=https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2022_01_12_621991_s.shtml |website=观察者 |date=12 January 2022 |language=zh |archive-date=15 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115080804/https://www.guancha.cn/internation/2022_01_12_621991_s.shtml }}</ref> At the time, these foreign cultures were introduced to China and appeared in distinct ways within its society, which left impressions in the memories of the developers.<ref name=guanch-cnstory/> The developers derived cultural references from their own memories, rather than from research or consultation.<ref name=guanch-cnstory/> Xiangyu Luo commented that “I used Japanese manga, movies, and the like that were popular in China as my base. I thought it would be more interesting to show people a unique take on Showa style as seen by a Chinese person than it would be if we depicted it faithfully. While I was confident that Chinese users who experienced the same timeframe and creative works as me would understand the charm, I never imagined I’d get this big of a reaction from Japan and the West.”<ref name=”ign-wild”/>

The developers intended to convey a sense of [[nostalgia]] for the Showa era in the game.<ref name=denf26422>{{cite web |author1=dashimaru |title=日本の植民地になった「昭和66年」のアメリカでゾンビと戦う中国産ゲーム『昭和米国物語』開発者インタビュー。全ての描写には意味がある、中国のスタジオにしか作れない“私たちの昭和”とは |url=https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/220426t |website=電ファミニコゲーマー |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226201710/https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/220426t |archive-date=26 December 2023 |language=ja |date=26 April 2022}}</ref> Although they also considered to proceed with the game as a [[cyberpunk]] work, they ultimately concluded that [[science fiction]] elements would be noise for their portrayal of a setting rooted in that period.<ref name=denf26422/>

The developers intended to convey a sense of [[nostalgia]] for the Showa era in the game.<ref name=denf26422>{{cite web |author1=dashimaru |title=日本の植民地になった「昭和66年」のアメリカでゾンビと戦う中国産ゲーム『昭和米国物語』開発者インタビュー。全ての描写には意味がある、中国のスタジオにしか作れない“私たちの昭和”とは |url=https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/220426t |website=電ファミニコゲーマー |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226201710/https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/interview/220426t |archive-date=26 December 2023 |language=ja |date=26 April 2022}}</ref> Although they also considered to proceed with the game as a [[cyberpunk]] work, they ultimately concluded that [[science fiction]] elements would be noise for their portrayal of a setting rooted in that period.<ref name=denf26422/>

The development cost of ”Showa American Story” was about US$20 million, as disclosed by Luo.<ref>{{cite web |author1=一柳渡江 |title=游民专访《昭和米国物语》制作人：“我们是村里第一个街溜子” |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/202411/1838215_2.shtml |website=GamerSky |page=2 |language=zh |date=1 November 2024 |archive-date=3 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903053144/https://www.gamersky.com/news/202411/1838215_2.shtml }}</ref>

The development cost of ”Showa American Story” was about US$20 million, as disclosed by Luo.<ref>{{cite web |author1=一柳渡江 |title=游民专访《昭和米国物语》制作人：“我们是村里第一个街溜子” |url=https://www.gamersky.com/news/202411/1838215_2.shtml |website=GamerSky |page=2 |language=zh |date=1 November 2024 |archive-date=3 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250903053144/https://www.gamersky.com/news/202411/1838215_2.shtml }}</ref>

2026 video game

Showa American Story‍[a] is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by the Chinese studio NEKCOM. The player assumes the role of Chouko Chigusa, a stuntwoman who has been revived from the dead. The story is set in post-apocalyptic Showa America, an alternate history reimagining of the United States that is profoundly shaped by the culture and economy of Japan.

Showa American Story is scheduled to be released for PlayStation 5 and Windows in 2026.

Showa American Story is an action role-playing game.[6][7][8] Even though the game does feature action, it is defined simply as a role-playing game by NEKCOM.[4][9][10] It is played in single-player mode.[11]

The player controls the stuntwoman Chouko Chigusa.[12] She can wield melee and ranged weapons.[13][14]

The combat is real-time action.[9] One of the enemy bosses is Gokou, the Governor of Texas, who is both an American cowboy and a Japanese samurai.[15]

The game takes place in a semi-open world.[4] It consists of multiple cities, each of which is its own sandbox.[3] A camper, a motorcycle, and other vehicles are drivable.[4] The traversal between cities is done using the camper, either through fast travel or by driving.[3] The base of operations is the camper.[3]

Showa American Story takes place in post-apocalyptic Showa America.[13][14] It is set in the 66th year of the Showa era,[4][3] which corresponds to the year 1991.[16][17]

The setting is presented as an alternate history.[15] In this world, Japan has bought out much of the United States through its strong economic power, while a surge of immigration by its people has led to an amalgamation of the two cultures into a new way of life in the United States.[13][14] The United States has essentially become an economic and cultural colony of Japan.[18][19]

Chouko Chigusa, a 19-year-old stuntwoman, travels with her younger sister to America. In Neo Yokohama, Chouko goes to a movie audition and is killed by a mysterious agent. However, she is revived from the dead and discovers that America has changed into a post-apocalyptic landscape with zombies, monsters, and other human survivors. In search for her missing sister as well as answers and revenge, she embarks on a journey across America.[20]

Showa American Story is a game developed by NEKCOM.[3] The studio is based in Wuhan, China.[21] The game was initially built using Unreal Engine 4 and was later built using Unreal Engine 5.[15]

NEKCOM started the development of Showa American Story in 2016.[22] The developers worked on the preliminary concept design from 2016 to 2018.[23] During this period, at most five people were involved in the project.[24] The developers began the official phase of the development in late 2018.[24] By early 2022, the project’s team comprised approximately 20 people.[24]

Showa American Story was based on American and Japanese popular culture of the 1980s and 1990s, as approached from a Chinese perspective.[16] At the time, these foreign cultures were introduced to China and appeared in distinct ways within its society, which left impressions in the memories of the developers.[16] The developers derived cultural references from their own memories, rather than from research or consultation.[16] Xiangyu Luo commented that “I used Japanese manga, movies, and the like that were popular in China as my base. I thought it would be more interesting to show people a unique take on Showa style as seen by a Chinese person than it would be if we depicted it faithfully. While I was confident that Chinese users who experienced the same timeframe and creative works as me would understand the charm, I never imagined I’d get this big of a reaction from Japan and the West.”[3]

The developers intended to convey a sense of nostalgia for the Showa era in the game.[25] Although they also considered to proceed with the game as a cyberpunk work, they ultimately concluded that science fiction elements would be noise for their portrayal of a setting rooted in that period.[25]

The development cost of Showa American Story was about US$20 million, as disclosed by Luo.[26]

Showa American Story is scheduled to be released for PC and PlayStation 5 in 2026.[27][28]

In January 2022, NEKCOM unveiled Showa American Story.[6][29] At the time, the game was announced for PC, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.[30] Starting a few days before this official reveal, the studio teased the project under the title Project SAS with a daily countdown.[31] In November 2024, the studio revealed that the game would be released for PC and PlayStation 5 in 2025.[32] In November 2025, the studio stated that the game was delayed to 2026.[28]

Showa American Story won Phenomenon of the Year, and was also nominated for Most Anticipated Game and Surprise of the Year at the UCG Game Awards 2024.[33][34]

  1. ^ a b Kazuhisa (28 December 2024). “欧米の人が日本のゲームを作るとサムライや忍者ばかり。でも日本はそんなもんじゃないでしょう？―――「昭和米国物語」のプロデューサーの経歴から探る，中国でいまB級コンソールゲームを作るということ”. 4Gamer (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 14 November 2025.
  2. ^ Robson, Daniel; 片岡龍一 (11 September 2023). “1stトレーラーの予想外の反響にも冷静に対処し、当初の目標通りに鋭意制作中！『昭和米国物語』開発者インタビュー”. IGN Japan (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 13 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Krabbe, Esra (29 April 2022). “Showa American Story Is a Wild and Sexy Chinese Depiction of America as Set in Showa 66”. IGN. Archived from the original on 22 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e 小林白菜; ミス・ユースケ (19 December 2024). “『昭和米国物語』インタビュー。昭和66年、日本はアメリカを経済支配した。80年代とガオガイガーを愛した中国生まれオタクからのラブレター【初解禁画像も突っ込みどころ満載】”. Famitsu (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 29 December 2024.
  5. ^ “Showa American Story”. Gematsu. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025.
  6. ^ a b Torres, Josh (1 November 2024). “Showa American Story releases in 2025 for PlayStation 5 and PC”. RPG Site. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025.
  7. ^ Handley, Zoey (5 November 2024). “Showa American Story proves it’s still on its way with an absolutely bizarre new trailer”. Destructoid. Archived from the original on 8 December 2025.
  8. ^ Adam, Khayl (2 September 2024). “Showa American Story Reveals Texan Governor’s Majestic Body Hair”. Push Square. Archived from the original on 13 December 2024.
  9. ^ a b 勝田哲也 (27 December 2024). “子供時代に触れた日本文化への愛を込めて。「昭和米国物語」チーフプロデューサー・羅 翔宇氏インタビュー”. GAME Watch (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 16 January 2025.
  10. ^ 太空熊 (8 January 2022). “我采访了《昭和米国物语》制作人，他说可以多来点创意工坊”. 3DMGAME (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 14 January 2022.
  11. ^ Janca, Ben (1 November 2024). “Showa American Story | Official Story And Gameplay Trailer”. GameSpot. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024.
  12. ^ Vitale, Adam (31 August 2024). “New screenshots for Showa American Story reveal Gokou, the Governor of Texas”. RPG Site. Archived from the original on 13 June 2025. For the full name of the character, see Krabbe, Esra; Robson, Daniel (1 November 2024). “Exclusive: Showa American Story Gets Dramatic New Trailer, Release Window”. IGN. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025.
  13. ^ a b c Romano, Sal (7 January 2022). “Post-apocalyptic action RPG Showa American Story announced for PS5, PS4, and PC”. Gematsu. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022.
  14. ^ a b c Vitale, Adam (7 January 2022). “Post-apocalyptic RPG Showa American Story announced for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC”. RPG Site. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025.
  15. ^ a b c Robson, Daniel (30 August 2024). “Exclusive: Meet Showa American Story’s New Boss Character, Texan Samurai-Cowboy Gokou”. IGN. Archived from the original on 21 April 2025.
  16. ^ a b c d 赵挪亚 (12 January 2022). “中国团队开发”日本文化殖民美国”游戏：讲好中国故事，不一定要讲中国的故事”. 观察者 (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 15 January 2022.
  17. ^ 祝思齐 (28 January 2022). “《昭和米国物语》：当我们把外国网友的评论分享给开发者”. ChuApp. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023.
  18. ^ 超级无敌的栗子 (1 November 2024). “游民独家！《昭和米国物语》宣传图抢先看”. GamerSky (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 6 August 2025.
  19. ^ “『昭和米国物語』日本の文化的植民地となった昭和66年アメリカでゾンビと戦うアクションRPG。PVの楽曲は大事MANブラザーズバンドの『それが大事』”. Famitsu (in Japanese). 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025.
  20. ^ “『昭和米国物語』日本の文化的植民地となった昭和66年アメリカでゾンビと戦うアクションRPG。PVの楽曲は大事MANブラザーズバンドの『それが大事』”. Famitsu (in Japanese). 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 20 April 2025. Romano, Sal (7 January 2022). “Post-apocalyptic action RPG Showa American Story announced for PS5, PS4, and PC”. Gematsu. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022.
  21. ^ Partis, Danielle (20 July 2022). “Nekcom raises $8m, opens new US studio”. GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on 14 February 2025.
  22. ^ Romano, Sal (2 January 2022). “NEKCOM Games to announce new RPG Project SAS on January 6”. Gematsu. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025.
  23. ^ 熊冬东 (16 August 2024). “对话铃空游戏CEO罗翔宇：当《昭和米国物语》项目组被传解散”. ChuApp (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 12 October 2024.
  24. ^ a b c 胜负师 (14 January 2022). “《昭和米国物语》制作人专访：乐子人的胜利！”. Ultra Console Game. Archived from the original on 17 January 2026.
  25. ^ a b dashimaru (26 April 2022). “日本の植民地になった「昭和66年」のアメリカでゾンビと戦う中国産ゲーム『昭和米国物語』開発者インタビュー。全ての描写には意味がある、中国のスタジオにしか作れない”私たちの昭和”とは”. 電ファミニコゲーマー (in Japanese). p. 1. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023.
  26. ^ 一柳渡江 (1 November 2024). “游民专访《昭和米国物语》制作人：”我们是村里第一个街溜子”“. GamerSky (in Chinese). p. 2. Archived from the original on 3 September 2025.
  27. ^ Romano, Sal (12 November 2025). “Showa American Story delayed to 2026”. Gematsu. Archived from the original on 18 December 2025.
  28. ^ a b “『昭和米国物語』発売時期を2026年に延期。”昭和100年”には間に合わず。「プレイヤーに悔いのない作品をお届けするため」苦渋の決断”. Famitsu (in Japanese). 13 November 2025. Archived from the original on 12 November 2025.
  29. ^ Krabbe, Esra; Robson, Daniel (1 November 2024). “Exclusive: Showa American Story Gets Dramatic New Trailer, Release Window”. IGN. Archived from the original on 26 August 2025.
  30. ^ Vitale, Adam (7 January 2022). “Post-apocalyptic RPG Showa American Story announced for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC”. RPG Site. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025.
  31. ^ Romano, Sal (2 January 2022). “NEKCOM Games to announce new RPG Project SAS on January 6”. Gematsu. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025.
  32. ^ 猛鲨男鱼王 (1 November 2024). “《昭和米国物语》引爆玩家激情：村里第一个gai溜子”. GamerSky (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 6 August 2025.
  33. ^ For the nominations, see “UCG游戏大赏2024全奖项提名公开！”. Ultra Console Game (in Chinese). 27 December 2024. Archived from the original on 4 April 2025. For the results, see “UGA2024圆满结束！全奖项获奖游戏和厂商公开！”. Ultra Console Game (in Chinese). 15 January 2025. Archived from the original on 5 April 2025.
  34. ^ For the results, see 沁雅畅慧 (16 January 2025). “「UCG 游戏大赏 2024」颁奖典礼圆满结束”. Game Bonfire (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 21 January 2025.

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