"There's A Strong Passion Among Them": CyberConnect2 Has Been Strategically Targeting Furries With Fuga: Melodies Of Steel

Summary

• Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a tactical RPG series by CyberConnect2.
• The series explicitly targets the furry community, which is responsible for the commercial success of Fuga.
• Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 is releasing on May 29.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a tactical role-playing series by CyberConnect2, the studio best known for the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series. The third instalment in the series, Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3, is set to release on May 29.

The series is approaching 500,000 sales, an impressive feat for a relatively niche series. The key to Fuga's success? The furry community. The series is centred around anthropomorphic characters who are forced to survive in a war-ravaged world — the series combines cute anthropomorphic characters with dark themes, a surprisingly effective combination.

In an interview with Automaton, CyberConnect2 chief executive officer Hiroshi Matsuyama spoke about the relationship between Fuga: Melodies of Steel and the furry community.

Passion = Sales

"When it comes to furry games, there actually aren't many options out there," Matsuyama explains. "That's part of why our Fuga series has seen such a strong response in the United States, and has gained recognition both for its setting and its gameplay. Since we're well aware of this, we've made it a point to participate in furry and anthro-related conventions in the U.S., such as Anthrocon, which draws over 9,000 visitors every year."

Matsuyama is explicit about CyberConnect2's intentions: "These kinds of activities are a clear-cut part of our strategy for growing Fuga's fanbase." Matsuyama has met overseas furries in person, and he appreciates their passion for the series.

This passion also has a clear positive effect on sales, according to Matsuyama: "To illustrate - we saw a huge spike in the Fuga series' sales during Steam's Anthro Festival. It kind of helped awaken latent interest among U.S. furry fans. Our sales tripled during the campaign, and almost all of that came from the U.S."

Fuga: Melodies of Steel's most popular market is the United States, followed by Japan, China and France.

CyberConnect 2 describes Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 as "the series' most emotional and shocking story yet" as the main cast band together to find Malt, who has disappeared.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel 3 releases May 29 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel

WHERE TO PLAY