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Skeleton Crew Studio

Games & Interactive
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Founded
2016
Employees
11-50
Offices
2

About Skeleton Crew Studio

Skeleton Crew Studio is a Japanese game developer, publisher and digital creative studio headquartered in Kyoto, with a creative hub in Shibuya, Tokyo. Established in August 2016 by adglobe, the company brings together an international team to develop video games, interactive experiences and cultural projects. Its work spans original games, publishing, commercial development and immersive installations.

The studio’s game development capabilities include 2D and 3D production, game system architecture, cross-cultural localization and console porting. It works across PC and console platforms, including Nintendo Switch and PlayStation, while its publishing division supports independent developers through financing, global distribution and public relations. This combination connects internal production with support for externally developed projects.

Games and publishing

The studio collaborated with French director Thomas Olsson on Olija, an action-adventure game published worldwide by Devolver Digital in January 2021 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Other projects associated with its development and publishing activities include BackSlash, Forestrike, GiLGuL and the live-action visual novel Shibuya Scramble Stories. Its publishing and incubation work also encompasses independent titles such as Fantasketch and Twin Soul.

Interactive experiences and cultural production

Beyond games, Skeleton Crew Studio develops WebAR, XR and virtual exhibition systems for commercial, cultural and public-sector projects. Its portfolio includes Virtual Park Kyoto, museum experiences for regional municipalities and Apple Vision Pro content created with traditional Nishijin-ori weaver HOSOO. These projects connect interactive technology with tourism, regional revitalization, traditional crafts and the arts.

The company also plans interactive events and supports Japan’s independent game community through festival production and creator programmes. Its activities include organizing roles in BitSummit and SHIBUYA GAMES WEEK, alongside incubation, showcases and industry programming. Across these activities, the studio combines game production, publishing and public-facing creative experiences within a broader digital culture practice.

More about Skeleton Crew Studio

Leadership and industry involvement

  • Masahiko Murakami is Representative Director and CEO. His background includes study at San Francisco's Academy of Art University and experience at Kyoto developer Vitei.
  • Murakami also serves as a board director of the Japan Independent Games Aggregate, the organization behind BitSummit.

Creator development and cultural spaces

  • The Game Creator Finding programme provides a framework for incubating independent projects. The Shibuya hub also hosts podcast recordings, including Yoshi-P Radio with Shuhei Yoshida, and community showcases.
  • The studio's O-DEN Gallery hosts art and creator exhibitions, extending its activities into a public exhibition space.

Collaborative production and recognition

  • Tales of Wedding Rings VR was co-produced with Square Enix in 2018. The project was officially selected for the Venice International Film Festival VR Competition.

Notable credits

13 credits
  • Olija
  • Forestrike
  • GiLGuL
  • BackSlash
  • Shibuya Scramble Stories
  • Fantasketch
  • Twin Soul
  • Tales of Wedding Rings VR
  • Virtual Park Kyoto
  • Dinosaur Museum VR
  • VR Space Museum DIONE
  • BitSummit
  • SHIBUYA GAMES WEEK

Offices

Where Skeleton Crew Studio is based

2 locations

  • Kyoto Headquarters

    Headquarters
    Skeleton Crew Studio O-DEN Bldg. 1F, 38-1 Koromonotana-cho, Sanjo-dori Muromachi Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 604-8203, JapanKyoto, Japan

    Overall headquarters and production studio for game development, localization and event operations; the ground floor houses O-DEN Gallery.

    info@skeletoncrew.co.jp
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  • Tokyo Creative Hub

    404 Not Found, Shibuya Sakura Stage Shibuya Side 4F, 1-4 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031, JapanTokyo, Japan

    Opened 2024

    About this office

    Shibuya operational base for project incubation, live broadcasting, podcast recordings and community showcases, developed in partnership with Tokyu Land Corporation.

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