- A Thank You Message on the Release from the Director of Donutal - 11 September 2026
Hello. My name is Obi, and I am the director of the new adventure game Donutal at Arc System Works Co., Ltd.Donutal was successfully released the other day, and today, one week after the launch, I would like to express my gratitude once again. ▶️Thank You for the ReleaseDonutal was successfully released on September 4, 2026! We addressed the valuable feedback we received from the demo version's survey as much as possible in this title, and the entire development team is deeply moved to see so many people enjoying it. To be honest... until the game went out into the world, my "nervousness" outweighed my "excitement." We did our absolute best with our limited time to "deliver the best possible experience," but how it would be received by the players remained an unknown factor until the release... The anxiety that "even if we deliver it with confidence, it might not be accepted" is somethi…
- 'Donutal' Streaming Guidelines - 7 September 2026
Thank you so much for playing Donutal!We are thrilled to see so many positive reviews coming in—the entire development team is deeply grateful for your support. In accordance with Arc System Works' Streaming Guidelines, streaming and content creation are permitted for all scenes in Donutal! *Since this is an adventure game, we kindly ask for your cooperation in taking extra precautions regarding spoilers (e.g., adding spoiler warnings or avoiding major plot points in titles and thumbnails). ▼Arc System Works Streaming Guidelines▼https://www.arcsystemworks.com/video-policy/Please feel free to share and stream your conversations with the aliens!
- "Donutal" Released Today! - 4 September 2026
■ "Donutal" Released Today & EarlyPurchase Bonus Now Available!Alien Conversation Adventure"Donutal" is out today! As an early purchase bonus, we are givingaway the "Donutal Original Soundtrack," which includes 13 in-game music tracks. This bonus isavailable for a limited time only, so don't miss out!・DonutalRelease Date: Friday, September 3, 2026 Price:$9.99 Early Purchase Bonus: "Donutal Original Soundtrack" (Available until November 30, 5:00 pm (PST) *Bonus period is subject to change without notice. *The soundtrack may be sold separately at a later date.
- Looking Back at the BGM of Donutal Through its Trailers - 3 September 2026
Hello, everyone.I'm Obi, the director of the upcoming new game Donutal at Arc System Works.With the release of Donutal just around the corner, we've been regularly posting via note to share the appeal of the game and behind-the-scenes stories from its development. Today, I’d like to introduce the BGM (Background Music) of the game, highlighting tracks from the recently released 3rd trailer as well as past trailers.⚠️ Please note: Due to the nature of this topic, I will inevitably touch upon some information from the main game. While I have taken great care to write this article without major spoilers, if you wish to experience the game completely fresh, please proceed with caution! ▶️ 1st Trailer (Teaser) Released on 2026/02/19 ・Track Title Playing Throughout the Trailer: EMERGENCY SEQUENCE This track creates a tense atmosphere and is played during a "certain moment" within the inspecti…
- Donutal releases tomorrow! Commemorative illustration revealed!! - 3 September 2026
Today's artwork features the recurring "Popol" alongside "DOLPHIN," the android who assists the protagonist. In this game, you’ll team up with DOLPHIN to interview aliens arriving on Earth. What kind of story will unfold through DOLPHIN's assistance and your interactions with the Popol? Stay tuned to find out!
- 2 days to go until 'Donutal' launches! Special commemorative art(?) drop!! - 2 September 2026
Today, we have another commemorative illustration...wait, no, it's actually a character bento!
- 3 days to go until 'Donutal' launches! Special commemorative art drop!! - 1 September 2026
3 days to go until 'Donutal' launches! Special commemorative art drop!! we are sharing a cute illustration of an Octo happily holding their favorite shellfish!
- 【Development Report】The Behind-the-Scenes Story of the New Adventure Game - 28 August 2026
Hello.My name is Obi, and I am the director of the new game currently in development at Arc System Works titled Donutal.Today, I would like to share the secret story behind the birth of Donutal! ▶️Arc-style "Just-Make-It Project"Donutal was born from an initiative called the "Just-Make-It Project," proposed by Arc System Works' President Kidooka. Simply put, it is an in-house pitch competition open to all employees of Arc System Works and its group companies. To make it easier for junior staff to take on the challenge, length of service and job title have zero impact on evaluation. Instead, it purely comes down to "strength of concept" and the "core element of fun". For me—a planner in my fourth year after joining as a new graduate at the time—this project was a rare opportunity to give tangible shape to my own vision. ▶️A Turning Point in My Career and AmbitionAt the time of applicatio…
- "Donutal" Set to Release on September 3, 2026! - 27 August 2026
■Donutal Release Date Confirmed for Friday, September 3, 2026 — Early Purchase Bonus Announced!Donutal is officially set for release on Friday, September 3, (PDT)! As an early purchase bonus, players will also receive the "Donutal Original Soundtrack," featuring 13 in-game tracks. This bonus is available for a limited time, so be sure to add the game to your Wishlist today!・Donutal Release Date: Friday, September 3, 2026 Price:$9.99 Early Purchase Bonus: "Donutal Original Soundtrack" (Available until November 30, 5:00 pm (PST) *Bonus period is subject to change without notice. *The soundtrack may be sold separately at a later date. ■New Character Trailer Released - Introducing Various AliensA new trailer introducing the unique characters appearing in the game has been released! Watch to discover extraterrestrials visiting Earth for various reasons—tourism, immigration, asylum, or even c…
- 【Development Report】The Thoughts Behind the Title of Our New Game "Donutal" - 21 August 2026
Hello.My name is Obi, and I serve as the director for the new game Donutal at Arc System Works. In this newsletter, we would like to share various topics about the game from a developer's perspective, so please entertain us for a while. Today, I will talk about the thoughts put into the title itself: Donutal. *Donutal Logo Donutal is a coined term that I, as the director, came up with to express the worldview that forms the foundation of the game. When you looked at the logo, you might have wondered, "Is it related to donuts?" or "Is it a donut shop simulator?" Believe it or not, it actually is slightly related to donuts. ▶️The Origin of "Donut" in "Donutal"The first half of "Donutal", which is "Donut", originates from the theory that "the universe is donut-shaped". Simply put, this theory views "the structure of the universe as a donut-like shape (a torus structure)". You could also sa…
- System Overview Trailer Out Now! - 24 June 2026
Today, we released a brand-new System Overview Trailer.Donutal is scheduled for release on Steam in 2026.Please add the game to your wishlist and stay tuned for the launch!
- Thank You for Playing the "Donutal" Demo and Future Adjustment Plans - 16 April 2026
Thank you very much for playing the demo of our alien communication adventure, Donutal. We have had a massive number of players try the game right after its release, and the entire development team is deeply grateful.Through the demo survey, social media, and other channels, we have received a wealth of feedback regarding the world-building, character designs, BGM, and the interrogation system. We truly feel the high expectations you have for this title, and we have carefully read through every single piece of your valuable feedback and requests.Based on the community's feedback, we will be polishing the game—focusing primarily on the areas listed below—to deliver a more comfortable and immersive experience in the final release.\Improvements to Controls, UI, and AccessibilityTo allow you to choose the control method that best suits your playstyle, we are adding the following features:Ke…
- Alien Screening Adventure "Donutal" Announced – Demo Available Now! - 19 February 2026
Arc System Works is excited to announce that its upcoming title, Donutal, is scheduled for release on Steam in 2026. A playable demo is available now.Please note: Save data from the demo will not carry over to the full version.About DonutalYou awaken from a cold sleep and suddenly find yourself in the year 2206. What you once knew as the International Space Station is now the International Space Port - a gateway for aliens coming to Earth. Crushed by a massive, unexplained debt, you’re forced into a job you never asked for: Chief Xeno Inspector.Seems simple enough, just wave in the friendly aliens and turn away the dangerous ones. However, make the wrong call and Earth could be destroyed. No pressure though, right?System FeaturesGroup-Based Screening: Examine a group of up to eight aliens. Analyze their collective information to spot patterns, inconsistencies, or red flagsSimultaneous I…