ChunSoft's Zero Escape franchise is currently in limbo, as series director Kotaro Uchikoshi revealed this week that his team was unsuccessful in securing a budget for a proposed third entry in the series, due to a lack of sales.
Though previous series entries Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors andVirtue's Last Reward were well-received overseas, Uchikoshi notes that neither game was much of a success in Japan, leading to disinterest in a sequel among managerial staff. Despite the recent setback, however, Uchikoshi maintains thatZero Escape 3 "will definitely be released somehow, someday!"
Fans of the series responded to the news with an outpouring of support via Twitter. Uchikoshi currently seeks funding for the project from a third-party investor.
"If there is an great investor who thinks 'Virtue is its own reward', I wish him/her to send me a message," Uchikoshi stated. "If you know such a wonderful person, please induce him/her to cooperate."