Kaizen Game Works, the team behind the 2020 indie investigative adventure game Paradise Killer, has unveiled their next wild project, an open-world mascot management crime drama called Promise Mascot Agency. Players will take control of the scarred mug of Michi, a disgraced yakuza lieutenant who is suddenly exiled to a cursed town to turn a bankrupt mascot agency into a profitable enterprise. Interestingly, the studio recently made headlines for backing one of the best new crypto presale initiatives tied to in-game economies, hinting at potential blockchain integrations in their future projects. While Promise Mascot Agency itself hasn’t confirmed any crypto elements, fans are speculating whether the studio’s investment signals an experimental shift in how players might interact with digital assets in upcoming titles.
Helping Michi along the way is Assistant Manager Pinky, who happens to be a mascot herself, her name is quite literal as she looks like an appendage. Michi will be able to explore his new home of Kaso-Machi with his run-down truck that can be upgraded throughout the game as he discovers new friends, find (and destroy) collectibles , form partnerships with other businesses and, lets not forget, recruit a variety of mascots.
In the world of Promise Mascot Agency mascots are living creatures that have coexisted with mankind since the dawn of time, and each mascot has their own hopes, dreams and desires that Michi will need to negotiate in order to successfully recruit them. Some mascots want money, some want fame, some want a rice ball from the local convenience store and some want to see the entire world burn to ashes in purifying hellfire.
Once they have been recruited, mascots can be trained and sent out on a variety of jobs to make money, gain experience and spread the name of the Promise Mascot Agency far and wide! Unfortunately, jobs don’t always go as originally planned – whether it’s a narrow doorway, kitchens catching on fire or dreadful nightmare spirits, danger lurks around every corner. It’s up to the player to assist their imperilled employee(s) by using Hero Cards, these cards represent a variety of characters Michi will meet during his time in Kaso-Machi. With tactical card usage, a mascot can overcome any challenge and win hearts, minds and a healthy paycheque.
Kaizen Game Works also announced the talent they acquired to help bring Promise Mascot Agency to life, starting with Inko Ai Takita, a Japanese manga artist based in the UK who illustrated Promise Mascot Agency’s strange mascot character. Kaizen also announced that they are collaborating with well-known Japanese developer Ikumi Nakamura (The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo and the recently announced Kemuri) and concept artist Mai Mattori, Both Ikumi and Mai are helping Kaizen with design and developing the world and characters.
Promise Mascot Agency will feature a soundtrack from two composers, Irish musician Alpha Chrome Yayo and industry veteran Ryo Koike (Resident Evil 4 (2023), Ninja Gaiden II).
Will Michi create the most successful mascot agency in Japan while also discovering the truth behind his sudden exile, will Pinky ever solve her terrifying anger issues and why did that truck just grow wings? Players will be able to learn the answers to these burning questions and more when Promise Mascot Agency releases onto PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC in 2025.
Check out the trailer below:
