Square Enix Announces New Fantasy RPG Codenamed 'Project Prelude Rune'

Video game developer and publisher Square Enix is mostly known for franchises like “Final Fantasy” and “Kingdom Hearts,” and now the company is working on a new property. The upcoming new IP has the working title “Project Prelude Rune” and it will be a role-playing game (RPG) that will be developed by a new studio.

“Project Prelude Rune” will be developed by the newly established Studio Istolia in Tokyo, Japan. The game studio’s president is Hideo Baba, a former producer on Bandai Namco’s Tales series. Since Studio Istolia is new, it’s still currently hiring and is looking for planners, designers and programmers, according to Kotaku.

“Studio Istolia further builds on Square Enix Group’s vision to create new intellectual properties alongside existing Square Enix studios. Hideo Baba who has over 18 years of experience in game development will serve as the studio head,” Square Enix said on its website.

As for what “Project Prelude Rune” will actually be about, Square Enix described it as a new RPG with a new fantasy set in a vast land with teeming life. “Nurtured by the earth, the many peoples of this land dared to dream, fighting for what is just— and this is their tale,” the company said.

Unfortunately, Square Enix didn’t give out any information on which platforms “Project Prelude Rune” will be available on, nor did the company give out a release date. However, the publisher did share some concept art.

The concept art shows a fantasy world with dragons and a new fantasy setting that’s dominated by nature. A sketch of what appears to be a battle was also shared on the Japanese website Gamer. What’s most interesting about the sketch is that it features some winged warriors.

“Project Prelude Rune” appears to be in it’s very early stages of development and it might not be out any time soon.