Clock Tower Creator, Ju-On: The Grudge Director Working On The “Ultimate J-Horror Experience”

Japanese indie studio Nude Maker, led by Clock Tower creator Hifumi Kouno, is currently working on a new horror game known as “Project Scissors” for PlayStation Vita, iOS, and Android that it calls the “ultimate J-horror experience.”

It’s been 20 years since Kouno created Clock Tower so now seemed like the right time to create a spiritual successor. To do so, Kouno has employed a batch of horror game and film talent to help him realize his vision.

This includes Silent Hill creature designer Masahiro Ito as Nude Maker’s creature and prop designer, and Ju-On: The Grudge director Takashi Shimizu as creative producer. Shimizu will also be directing a live-action teaser trailer for the game in order to give us a glimpse into Project Scissors’s nightmarish world.

Project Scissors is set upon a luxurious cruise liner in the middle of the ocean. During the trip, people on board the liner are murdered and the ship is vandalized so that it becomes an inescapable trap. You’ll be one of the people on board, looking to solve the mysteries of the murders to save yourself and the remaining passengers.

“When conceiving the idea for a new horror game, I focused on staying true to the essence of what I created in Clock Tower, which was the edge-of-the-seat suspense and fear of an unknown,” Kouno said.

“I have been preparing for this game for over 5 years—and now the development is finally about to begin.”

“This is my first foray into the indie scene, but the nature of the horror genre in its purest form is about overcoming obstacles such as limited budget and time with passion and talent,” Kouno continued. “I’m willing to push myself to the limit, and I’m excited and ready for this challenge.“

It seems that English and Japanese storefront Playism is working with Nude Maker, suggesting that a western is release is likely. There’s no mention of an expected release date yet, but it has been confirmed that it will be coming to PlayStation Vita, iOS, and Android.

An unexpected but exciting rise of Japanese horror games is coming, it would seem, what with Kojima and Del Toro teaming up on Silent Hills, and now Kouno and Shimizu for Project Scissors.