Idea Factory International
Idea Factory International business and news from across the web.
Olympia Soiree Catharsis confirmed for worldwide Nintendo Switch releaseOlympia Soiree Catharsis, an otome visual novel, is confirmed for a worldwide release on Nintendo Switch in 2027, with Aksys Games and Idea Factory handling the localization. The game, a sequel to Olympia Soirée, was originally released in Japan in December 2025 and features a new romantic fantasy narrative.
Cupid Parasite for PC launches September 22The otome visual novel Cupid Parasite will launch for PC via Steam on September 22, with pre-orders opening on July 2. The game previously released on Nintendo Switch in 2020 and 2021. The PC version includes an exclusive trading card pack for pre-orders.
9 R.I.P. sequel western release launches in fall 2026Idea Factory International has announced that 9 R.I.P. sequel, the follow-up to the original 9 R.I.P., will receive a western release in fall 2026 for the Nintendo Switch. The game continues Misa Isshiki's story as she navigates high school, romance, and the consequences of her past actions, offering multiple routes and endings.
9 R.I.P. sequel launches this fall in the westIdea Factory International announced that the otome visual novel sequel 9 R.I.P. sequel will launch for Nintendo Switch in the west this fall, available both physically and digitally. The game features new choice types like Purity and Depth, and includes nine romance routes with returning and new characters. The sequel continues the story following the endings of the first game, with Heavenly Routes offering direct continuations and Godly Routes serving as epilogues.
Vampire Survivors has a free content expansion, plus a Legacy of the Bloodmoon DLC in Summer 2026Developer poncle has released a free content update for Vampire Survivors, version 1.15, which includes major quality-of-life improvements, new content like stages and characters, and various tweaks. Additionally, the 'Legacy of the Bloodmoon' DLC was announced for Summer 2026, serving as an expansion to 'Legacy of the Moonspell'. poncle also revealed plans for a new studio in Japan headed by Sawaki Takeyasu and a lineup of 'Survivaton' games.
New Hakuoki Memoirs: Drifting Clouds Otome Game Is Tenun no ShouEastasiasoft will release the Hakuoki Shinkai: Tenun no Shou fan disc as Hakuoki Memoirs: Drifting Clouds worldwide for the Nintendo Switch in Q1 2027. The otome game, originally released in Japan in October 2022, features short stories set during the Kyoto period and includes established routes for various characters. A limited physical edition will be available with exclusive extras.- Otome visual novel Hakuoki Memoirs: Drifting Clouds comes to Nintendo Switch in early 2027eastasiasoft will release the first official English localization of the otome visual novel Hakuoki Memoirs: Drifting Clouds for Nintendo Switch in early 2027, featuring English text and Japanese voiceovers. Physical editions, including a limited run of 2000 collector's sets, will be available for pre-order via Playasia starting June 4th. This release includes side stories set between the original chapters of Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom.
Review: Birushana: Winds of Fate Prioritizes New LovesBirushana: Winds of Fate, a fan disc for Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei, offers new routes for supporting characters and epilogues for the original bachelors. While the epilogues are brief, the new main routes are considered stronger, with the Shigehira route being particularly well-written. The visual novel is set to release on Nintendo Switch on May 26, 2026.
Nintendo Download: 21st May (North America)The latest Nintendo Download update for North America brings a variety of new games to the eShop, including "Yoshi and the Mysterious Book," "Tales of ARISE – Beyond the Dawn Edition," and "Coffee Talk Tokyo." Other notable releases include "Bubsy 4D," "FZ: Formation Z," and "R-Type Dimensions III," alongside numerous indie titles across various genres.
Over Requiemz Wizard of Oz Otome Arrives in AugustAksys Games has announced that the otome game Over Requiemz, inspired by The Wizard of Oz, will be released on August 20, 2026, for the Nintendo Switch. The game features a male protagonist as a convict supervisor in the world of Oz, with players needing to survive alongside characters based on the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. A standard edition costs $49.99, while an Aksys-exclusive edition including a soundtrack CD is priced at $59.99.
OVER REQUIEMZ launches August 20 in the westThe otome visual novel OVER REQUIEMZ, developed by Idea Factory and Kogado Studio, will launch for Nintendo Switch in the west on August 20. Publisher Aksys Games announced that physical edition pre-orders are now available, including a store-exclusive edition with the original soundtrack CD. The game is a dark reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, where the protagonist is sentenced to death and must investigate mysterious ruins with other convicts.- Romantic Comedy Otome 'Cupid Parasite' Coming to Steam in 2026; New Trailer Streaming NowIdea Factory International has announced that the romantic comedy visual novel Cupid Parasite will be released on PC via Steam in 2026. Originally launched on Nintendo Switch, this marks the publisher's first otome title on PC since 2018. The game features branching narrative routes based on player choices and relationship management.
Cupid Parasite Otome Game Headed to PC via SteamIdea Factory International announced that the otome game Cupid Parasite will be released on PC via Steam in 2026. The game, which follows the goddess of love working at a dating agency, is already available on Nintendo Switch. This marks the company's first otome game release on PC via Steam in eight years.
Cupid Parasite arrives on Steam this year — MP3s & NPCsIdea Factory announced that the visual novel Cupid Parasite will be released on PC via Steam later this year. Originally launched on the Nintendo Switch in 2021, the game will feature a closed beta from April 27 to May 15. Cupid Parasite follows Lynette Mirror, the top bridal advisor at Cupid Corporation, as she navigates romantic relationships with the infamous Parasite 5.- Cupid Parasite coming to PC in 2026Idea Factory International has announced that the otome visual novel Cupid Parasite will be released for PC via Steam in 2026. Further details regarding the specific release date are expected closer to launch.
- Otome Visual Novel '9 R.I.P. Sequel' Opening Movie Revealed, Bonus Trading Cards Announced for Switch ReleaseIdea Factory International has announced that the otome visual novel sequel 9 R.I.P. sequel will be released on Nintendo Switch in 2026. The publisher revealed the game's opening movie and confirmed that physical Standard Edition copies will include a bonus trading card pack while supplies last. The sequel continues the story of Misa Isshiki, focusing on her second year of high school with branching narrative paths based on player decisions.
- Otome Visual Novel 'Birushana: Winds of Fate' Gets Physical Switch Release Details, Plus Edition PreordersIdea Factory International has revealed details for the physical release of the otome visual novel Birushana: Winds of Fate for Nintendo Switch. Preorders for the Standard and Plus Editions, which include an art book and trading cards, open April 22, 2026. The game, a fan disc follow-up to Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei, expands the story with new routes and epilogues, featuring nine romanceable characters.
Review: Volontes Is an Otome That Doesn’t Feel Very RomanticVolontes is an otome visual novel that, despite its gorgeous character designs and intriguing premise funded by Kickstarter, feels disappointing. The game suffers from a low-budget presentation, short routes, and romance that often feels tacked on with little build-up. While the lore and multiple endings offer some depth, the overall experience is hampered by awkward localization and a simplistic UI, making it a less-than-stellar entry in the genre.
Death end re;Quest Code Z announced for English release in AsiaDeath end re;Quest Code Z will receive an English release on Nintendo Switch in Asia in late 2026, announced Eastasiasoft and Idea Factory. The dungeon RPG features 3D exploration, strategic turn-based combat, and multiple endings. A physical release, including a limited edition with exclusive items, will be available for pre-order on April 16, 2026.- Anime-style dungeon RPG Death end re;Quest Code Z arrives for Nintendo Switch as an Asian English edition in 2026Death end re;Quest Code Z, an anime-style dungeon RPG from Compile Heart, is set to release for Nintendo Switch in Asia with English text and Japanese voiceovers in 2026. Eastasiasoft Limited is partnering with Idea Factory to bring the standalone spin-off to new audiences as a physical English edition, with pre-orders for limited and standard editions opening soon via Playasia.