Kotaro Uchikoshi Announces New Studio Crash Keys
Crash Keys was formally announced now but established in March 2025, and it opens for investment at the same time, so the launch is a funding move, not a first day of work.
Key Facts
- Kotaro Uchikoshi announced the establishment of Crash Keys Inc. on October 15, 2026, with himself as representative director.
- Crash Keys Inc. was established in March 2025 and is based in Shibuya, Tokyo.
- Crash Keys lists game development and video, anime, and other media production among its business activities.
- Crash Keys is seeking investment partners to fund original projects and build its business foundation.
- Kotaro Uchikoshi served as scenario director on HUNDRED LINE -The Last Defense Academy-, released in 2025.
Reporting from 4 sources: 4Gamer.net, Automaton, Denfaminicogamer, Game Spark.
Game creator Kotaro Uchikoshi formally announced on October 15, 2026 the establishment of Crash Keys Inc., a company where he is representative director. Crash Keys was established in March 2025 and is based in Shibuya, Tokyo. Uchikoshi will pursue new original projects at Crash Keys, working from ideas unbound by existing frameworks. Details of each project will be announced sequentially as preparations are completed. The company operates under the catchphrase "There are doors that only a broken key can open" and lists game development (planning, direction, scenario) and video, anime, and other media (composition, original concept, screenplay) as its business activities. Crash Keys is seeking investment partners to advance original projects and build its business foundation. Uchikoshi is a founding member of Too Kyo Games and served as scenario director on HUNDRED LINE -The Last Defense Academy-. He has worked on the Zero Escape series, the AI: The Somnium Files series, and the infinity series including Ever17.
Crash Keys has opened an official website and released the catchphrase in full: "There are doors that only a broken key can open." The press release expands it into three lines: "All creation begins with destruction. Smash the old key you have been clutching. Beyond it lies a world yet unseen. CRASH KEYS breaks common sense and unlocks the door to the unknown."
The company is registered at Miyamasuzaka Building 609, 2-19-15 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. It accepts interview requests from media organizations, and says the background of the establishment and future business development will be explained in individual interviews. Business policy, project concepts, and investment details will be handled the same way for interested companies and investors, through the contact window at info@crashkeys.com.
Crash Keys describes Uchikoshi's track record in its own profile. It names complex branching structures, sci-fi and philosophical themes, and unpredictable twists as his hallmarks, and says he has earned particularly high praise overseas. 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors won IGN's "Best Story 2010." Its sequel Zero Time Dilemma took GameSpot's "Handheld Game of the Year 2012" and other awards from overseas outlets. He was nominated in the Best Narrative category at the Game Developers Choice Awards 2013.
HUNDRED LINE -Final Defense Academy- won an Excellence Award at the Japan Game Awards 2025, plus the Scenario and Rookie categories at the Famitsu Dengeki Game Awards 2025. It was nominated for Best Storytelling at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 and Best Writing in a Game at the New York Game Awards 2026. Automaton also notes that AI: The Somnium Files held a "Very Positive" Steam status, with 91 percent positive from 8,925 user reviews.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 4 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- 4Gamer.net 打越鋼太郎氏，新会社「CRASH KEYS」の設立を正式発表。「Zero Escape」シリーズをはじめ，数々の型破りなADVを手がけてきたゲームクリエイター
- Automaton 『Ever17』『AI: ソムニウム ファイル』の打越鋼太郎氏が新会社「Crash Keys」設立。既存の枠組みにとらわれない新オリジナルプロジェクト進行中
- Denfaminicogamer 『Zero Escape（極限脱出）』シリーズなど手がけた打越鋼太郎氏が新会社「CRASH KEYS」を設立。新たなオリジナルプロジェクトに向けて
- Game Spark 『Ever17』『極限脱出』などの打越鋼太郎氏、来年発表予定だった新作が開発中止になったと報告。新スタジオ「CRASH KEYS」設立を明かし、新たな仕事や出資を募る