Nippon Ichi Software (NIS)’s next entry in the Disgaea series will demonstrate the company’s ongoing efforts to modernize its development technology and improve the quality of its 3D graphics, according to CEO Kenzo Saruhashi.
In an interview with South Korean outlet ThisIsGame during Taipei Game Show 2026, Saruhashi was asked how he views NIS’s somewhat rocky transition to 3D graphics.
In response, the CEO admitted, “We recognize that we still need to catch up with competitors when it comes to creating appealing 3D models and animations.” To close the gap, it seems the company has established an internal, cross-project team dedicated to raising overall graphical quality across all NIS titles. Saruhashi added that the studio is also bringing in outside design expertise for this purpose, although he didn’t go into the details.
While the developer has several smaller-scale projects already slated for release in 2026, Saruhashi says that the next entry of NIS’s flagship RPG series is where the fruits of these efforts will be most apparent. “Although it’s not something we’re ready to announce yet,” he said, “we think you’ll be able to see the outcomes of these technical improvements in the latest Disgaea title.”
Saruhashi also touched on NIS’s strategy of pursuing multiple, smaller games rather than devoting its resources to large-scale releases. Last year, company announced six new games slated for release within 2025 and 2026, with the majority being new, experimental IPs or ideas pitched by employees through NIS’s internal competition “Nippon Ichi Project Festival.”
He explained that this approach allows staff to repeatedly experience the full development cycle, from creating a game, shipping it, to gathering player feedback, which helps them grow as developers. Completing more projects, he believes, ultimately improves the company’s ability to produce successful games, hence the focus on shorter development cycles.
At the same time, Saruhashi reassured fans of NIS’s established franchises that the company is aware of expectations and is actively working to strike a balance between its experimental projects and much-awaited sequels.
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