Shibuya Scramble Creator Sues Platform Over Missing $170K
Key Takeaways: The Quick Answer
- Developer Jiro Ishii is taking legal action after crowdfunding platform Ubgoe withheld $170,000 USD (27.75 million yen) from a massively successful campaign.
- Ubgoe claims the funds were “mistakenly wired” to the wrong account but refuses to provide transparent banking evidence to the game’s legal counsel.
- Development continues thanks to outside backing from Tokyu Land Corporation, and a second, self-hosted funding round is scheduled for April 2026.
A Crowdfunding Dream Turned Nightmare
Jiro Ishii, the mastermind behind the cult-classic visual novel 428: Shibuya Scramble, recently launched a campaign for its highly anticipated spiritual successor.
Fans rallied hard. Shibuya Scramble Stories smashed its funding goals, raising a massive 55 million yen (roughly $340,000 USD) on the Japanese platform Ubgoe.
According to recent interviews with Denfaminicogamer, and reported by Automaton, that massive success quickly spiraled into a legal mess.
Japanese crowdfunded $340k game still missing half its funds as platform claims it "accidentally sent the money elsewhere"https://t.co/BTzWizVt2V pic.twitter.com/NGFlBHT5Xo
— AUTOMATON WEST (@AUTOMATON_ENG) April 2, 2026
The “Mistaken Transfer” Excuse
The platform was originally supposed to transfer the full $340,000 USD back in September 2025.
When the deadline passed, Ubgoe CEO Kazuo Okada claimed the money was accidentally wired to a different client.
Historically, a legitimate business would simply initiate a bank reversal for a wire error. Ubgoe repeatedly refused to show clear transaction records to Ishii’s legal counsel, Takahiro Kasagi.
As the records were finally shown, crucial numbers were physically covered up with paper—fueling heavy suspicion that the missing $170,000 USD wasn’t just a simple typo.
The Future of Shibuya Scramble Stories
A terrifying loophole in the platform’s terms places the legal burden of fulfilling backer rewards entirely on the developer—even if the platform loses the money.
“I suppose I was acting under the assumption that people are inherently good,” Ishii stated, realizing his team was on the hook for rewards they couldn’t afford.
Fortunately, Skeleton Crew Studio secured emergency backing from Tokyu Land Corporation to keep the lights on and guarantee the game actually ships.
The team is refusing to compromise on quality and will launch a second, self-hosted funding round. They are cutting out the middleman entirely to ensure every single yen actually reaches the studio.
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
Download the Allkeyshop Browser Extension Free
For all the latest video game news, trailers, and best deals, make sure to bookmark us.
You can find all the best and cheapest online deals on CD keys, game codes, gift cards, and antivirus software from the verified CD key sellers on our store pages.
To not miss any news on Allkeyshop, subscribe on
Google News
.
MORE RELEVANT ARTICLES
Comments (0)