Hi there, I’m Oli, the game director at Kaizen Game Works. We’re the minds behind Paradise Killer, and today I’m really excited to share some big news. Our latest creation, Promise Mascot Agency, now has a playable demo available on PS5!
Let me give you a quick overview of what we’ve been up to. We’ve poured countless hours into developing this game, and our team can’t wait for PlayStation users to dive in. Honestly, the PS5 is fantastic. We’re big PlayStation fans here at Kaizen; many of us grew up playing the PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PS4. I’m personally a collector of PlayStation and PS2 games, and those eras had a big influence on how we shaped Promise Mascot Agency.
Remember those classic PS2 games where you could just hang out and explore? Think Way of the Samurai, Raw Danger, Boku No Natsuyasumi, and Steambot Chronicles. Those games let you chill out, meet quirky characters, make key decisions, and explore freely. That’s exactly the kind of experience we wanted to create—an intriguing world full of mysteries, oddballs, secrets, and gameplay that keeps you engaged.
In our game, you play as Michi, an exiled yakuza lieutenant, who teams up with a chaotic goblin named Pinky. Together, you’ll attempt to rescue a struggling mascot agency while unraveling a shadowy underworld plot that landed Michi in the cursed coastal town of Kaso-Machi, Japan. In this world, mascots are very much alive, and Kaso-Machi is teeming with societal misfits who have nowhere else to turn. To save the agency and his yakuza family, Michi must form a new team of mascots and help them achieve their dreams.
Kaso-Machi itself is a town shrouded in a supernatural curse, with a mountain at its center serving as a playground for spirits and gods. It’s a place filled with legends and strange occurrences. Michi can dig into these supernatural mysteries, whether it be ghost sightings, wandering sin talismans, or the elusive Tsuchinoko creature. But there’s a catch: the curse is deadly for any yakuza who dare visit. Michi has to beat the clock—can he solve the conspiracy and save the agency before the curse takes him down?
The journey to create this game started four years ago, and we’ve been working alongside creative talents like Ikumi Nakamura and Mai Mattori to design its characters and unique world. Blending our Kaizen style with Nakamura-san’s vision, we’ve crafted something truly bizarre and nostalgic. As a Western company, we’ve collaborated with Japanese artists, musicians, and creatives, allowing them to bring their authentic experiences and influences to our game. This partnership has created a rich tapestry of cultures and stories.
Recently, we revealed some of the voice talent behind our characters, including Takaya Kuroda, famous for voicing Kiryu Kazuma, who brings Michi to life. It was a surprise to have Kuroda-san join us—it was an absolute thrill. Also teaming up with Ayano Shibuya as Pinky, they create a dynamic duo akin to buddy-cops. Our game is packed with top-notch voice actors, and it marks the first voice acting gigs for industry icons Shuhei Yoshida and SWERY.
We’ve crafted a 20-hour open-world RPG that’s both big and delightfully unconventional. It’s been a labor of love for our small team, and we’re beyond excited to finally share it with you. Dive into the demo and experience the cool features of the PS5’s DualSense controller—they’re incredible! We’ll announce more about the full release soon. Until then, get out there—keep your promises and chase those dreams!
Don’t wait, grab the demo today on the PlayStation Store!
