The new nostalgia × horror adventure game "1999 TOKOYO Building" is scheduled for release on November 10, 2026 (Tuesday). The title is planned for launch on Steam by Kodansha Game Creators' Lab.
Before the official release, a demo will be available for free on Steam starting today. The demo fully includes Chapter 1, allowing players to enjoy approximately two hours of gameplay. The in-game music is composed by Yasuhiro Nakajima, who was also responsible for the original soundtrack of "Orikoto."
Additionally, original merchandise for this title will be released by Animate. Some designs for merchandise currently in production will be revealed alongside today's announcement.
*This game contains some violence, shocking expressions, and depictions related to suicide.
■ Exploration treading on taboos and life-or-death dialogue confrontations
Right: Everyone has one or two things they don't want others to know about, right?
This is a horror adventure game. Players must infiltrate rooms to investigate the "secrets" of their eccentric and dangerous colleagues, with the goal of living peacefully with them without being killed. The game progresses through two alternating phases: one involves exploring by clicking to investigate within 360° backgrounds rendered in a low-poly style (burglary); the other involves interacting with Live2D characters in option-driven visual novel dialogues.
The story is set in December 1999 at "Tokoyo Building," a dilapidated indoor amusement park rumored to be a place where people vanish without a trace. The protagonist, Akira, who has lost his memory and stumbled into Tokoyo Building,
After being caught burglarizing by the owner, Yano, he is forced to stay at Tokoyo Building as an employee living on-site. However, the colleagues he lives with are all dangerous individuals. No one knows what might happen if he angers them.
Use your expert lock-picking skills to infiltrate their private rooms, uncover their "secrets," and find clues that will help you survive.
Left: The employees don't seem to get along very well either...
Right: If you don't know someone, you won't know what might anger them. However, knowing too much could also arouse their suspicion...
During dialogue sequences, the other party's reactions change based on the player's choices. Even slightly offending someone could result in immediate death. Powered by Live2D technology, characters seamlessly switch between various expressions during conversations.
Understanding your colleagues' secrets means touching upon their respective troubles and pains. In this strange interaction where death lurks nearby, will Akira be able to escape Tokoyo Building?
[Characters]
Akira Hirugi | Amnesiac Boy
The protagonist of this work. After being caught burglarizing by the owner, he begins working off-the-books at Tokoyo Building in exchange for room and board. He possesses superb skills that allow him to pick any lock.
Camellia | Fortune Teller with a Permanent Scowl
A girl who works as a fortune teller at the fortune-telling hall. Her hobby is making dolls. She has an impatient personality.
Samejima | Inferiority Complex Aquarium Keeper
Solely responsible for managing the huge aquarium surrounding Tokoyo Building. A big eater.
Count | Self-proclaimed super popular charismatic villain
A performer popular with female customers. He always dresses as Count Dracula but often skips his performances.
Tokoyo Hero | Hot-blooded Stuntman
He is the "Tokoyo Hero" who fights the Count in hero shows. Among the residents of Tokoyo Building, he is surprisingly one of the more normal people.
Hafuri Iwai | Neurotic Employee
A diligent and responsible employee. Together with the owner, Yano, he supports the operations of Tokoyo Building.
Kazuto Yano | Workaholic Manager
The owner of Tokoyo Building. He works 24 hours a day in this indoor amusement park that is constantly short-staffed.
■ Demo fully featuring Chapter 1 releases today
The key figures in Chapter 1 are the Count and Camellia. Suspicion, fear, immorality, and friendship—all the unique charms of this work converge here.
The demo for "1999 TOKOYO Building" is now available for free on Steam starting today. The demo fully includes Chapter 1, offering approximately 2 hours of substantial gameplay content. Players can interact with the residents of Tokoyo Building and illegally infiltrate their rooms to uncover their hidden secrets.
The in-game music is composed by Yasuhiro Nakajima, who also handled the music for "Orikoto." In addition to nostalgic tunes that evoke the atmosphere of 1999, the music naturally changes its tone without interruption as the protagonist's state of mind shifts. Please look forward to this new musical experience that closely follows the story's development.
Yasuhiro Nakajima
Composer. While studying in the Film Department at Osaka University of Arts, he taught himself how to compose for film and television. He worked at a TV production company before going independent in 2014. He has composed music, arranged scores, and created sound effects for TV commercials, animations, and musicals. In the gaming field, he was responsible for the original soundtrack of "Orikoto."
■ Original Merchandise by Animate Confirmed
Original merchandise for this title will be released by Animate! We are revealing some of the product designs in advance.
Detailed information regarding the full product lineup, prices, and release dates will be announced separately at a later date. Please follow the official X account of Kodansha Game Creators' Lab and wait patiently.
■ Official social media accounts operated by part-time staff working at Tokoyo Building are also posting the latest updates!
Please follow us!
TOKOYO Building
■ Creator Profiles
Tokoyo Real Estate
A three-person game development team consisting of scenario writer Mitsuki Nagase, illustrator and Live2D modeler Shingetsu Ogino, and game designer/engineer Aoi Minato. In June 2024, after becoming GCLA Fellows, they were selected for Kodansha's Game Creators' Lab. This title is the team's debut work.
■ Product Information
Game Title: 1999 TOKOYO Building
Platform: Steam
Supported Languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese
Genre: New Nostalgia × Horror Adventure
Release Date: November 10, 2026 (Tuesday)
Demo: Now available (includes Chapter 1, approx. 2 hours of gameplay)
Number of players: 1
Developer: Tokoyo Real Estate
Music: Yasuhiro Nakajima
Publisher: Kodansha Ltd.
Copyright: © Tokoyo Real Estate / Kodansha
■ About Kodansha Creators' Lab
Kodansha Creators' Lab is an R&D department established in June 2021 by Kodansha Ltd.'s Fourth Business Division.
With the concept of "redefining editing," we connect with creators of various types, launching products that are not limited to books and magazines.
・"Kodansha Game Creators' Lab," which supports independent game creators and plans new game developments
・"User-Generated Content Media Lab," which operates services such as the matching-type manga submission site DAYS NEO
・"Kodansha Film Lab," which supports independent video creators and develops new video projects
・"Creator Support Lab," which broadly supports creator growth and advancement regardless of field
・"Content Design Lab," which proposes solutions using the power of content for problems faced by corporations and local governments
・Creators' Lab consists of departments such as the "IP Planning Lab," which creates new content with a producer's mindset. It supports creators in realizing their dreams while also utilizing the power of "editing" to solve various issues for corporations and local governments.