Chaos Code: Next Episode of Xtreme Tempest Cancelled; FK Digital is Taking a Break From Development

Chaos Code developer FK Digital shared sad news today with the cancellation of Chaos Code: Next Episode of Xtreme Tempest. The developer also announced they’re taking a break from the development of any new titles after March 31, 2020.

A message from FK Digital

Dear all partners and players,
First of all, thank you everyone for your long-term support and love to us and our games.
We hope you enjoy playing the games developed by us, F K Digital.
Today we truly regret to announce that for various reasons we made a decision to stop
development of any new titles after March 31, 2020 (the existing titles are not affected).
And we also regret to add that the development of our new title “Chaos Code NEXT”,
which we only announced last month, will also be terminated.
Taking a break is for accomplishing a longer journey.
Hope we shall meet again sometime.

A message from producer Mickey Lin

Next, here’s a message from Chaos Code series producer Mickey Lin who tells us more about FK Digital’s tough decision:

I truly regret to inform everyone of this bad news, despite tweeting last week that I will try my best to continue the development of “Chaos Code NEXT”.

Lack of human resources and budget were always the long-term issue for the company – however the real reason why FKD had to make this tough decision is because of my current mental condition to the level that I cannot continue this job anymore.

If you have been following me or Chaos Code for many years, you may know that this title was created by myself – Mickey, together with my younger brother – Michael. Back in 2016, we announced the very first trailer of “Chaos Code NEXT” at Toushinsai (a major e-sports event in Japan).

(Left) myself – Mickey (right) my brother – Michael

Unfortunately, my brother Michael then passed away on 2017/12/25, due to illness. And we never made this sad news public, not even to the employees of FKD.

After I lost my brother, who was also the main director and the main force of Chaos Code development team, there were many times I thought of giving up the whole thing, but “Chaos Code NEXT” was the complete version of Chaos Code, and it was always our dream, for both Michael and myself, to fully finish the development of this title. To achieve this dream, people I really cared and loved supported me, and gave me the motivation to keep up. But recently, I
lost their support, too.

2 years ago, I made the difficult decision to continue chasing our dream. And it was even more painful decision today. This decision would have disappointed many people for sure, but I mentally really cannot hold anymore. From the very first fighting game Michael and I made –
Fighter’s Kyodotai, then Fighter’s Kyodotai Flash, Super Cosplay War Ultra, and till Chaos Code, for 20+ years we never stopped making fighting games, My brother already took rest 2 years ago, maybe it is time for me to take a break now.

Same words again, taking a break is for accomplishing a longer journey.
Hope we shall meet again sometime.

—

I would like to thank my parents for raising me and supporting my career. Only with such enlightened parents I could realize my dream of making video games.

Then there is my Japanese friend SAKURA, who I met during my schooling in Australia. He was the teacher, who was making his own fighting game as a hobby, and then influenced us to start making fighting games.

Next is Mr. Kidooka, President of ARC SYSTEM WORKS. Without his support and guidance, FKD could not have achieved such success today.

And of course, thanks to all business partners and FKD employees who we worked together, and to the arcade shops and players who supported Chaos Code for many years.

And finally, to my dearest brother, Michael, who had been with me for 38 years, grew up playing together and chasing dreams together. I will always remember him.

 

I truly thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.

Mickey Lin 2020/02/10