Shadow Hearts series creator Matsuzo Machida recently gave an update on Penny Blood, the gothic horror JRPG his studio crowdfunded back in 2022 as a spiritual successor. This comes following last week’s news of Armed Fantasia – a game that was crowdfunded as part of the same “Double Kickstarter” campaign by another studio – being cancelled by its publisher.
When it comes to Penny Blood, which is being co-developed by Machida’s Studio Wildrose and Shade, the game has yet to secure a publisher, with Machida citing harsh conditions in the game industry. However, his team is still firmly intent on completing Penny Blood and nurturing the new IP. As one step towards realizing the game’s production and raising the IP’s recognition, the studio is currently working on a new novel adaptation titled Penny Blood REVIOLENCE (unofficial translation).
That is all Machida was able to share at this time. He apologized and explained that his team is unable to provide any further answers regarding the crowdfunding campaign as a whole as there is no new information to share in an official capacity.
Although the crowdfunding campaign for Penny Blood was extremely successful, achieving its target and multiple stretch goals in mere days, the project ran into a standstill following issues between Studio Wildrose and the campaign’s producers – Ben Judd and Dangen Entertainment. In a lawsuit filed in May 2024, Machida alleged that the publisher withheld development funds raised through the Kickstarter.
It appears that since then, the developers have been searching for a new publisher while paying for the project out of their own pockets, but with little luck so far. Still, for backers and fans of Shadow Hearts, it’s reassuring to know that Studio Wildrose has not given up on the project.
Meanwhile, a roguelike spin-off game that serves as a prequel game to Penny Blood – Penny Blood: Hellbound – is available on PC (Steam).
