ZIPANG Nobunaga Games — Online Simulation Game
ROLE
Strategy
Brand communication
Story development
Creative direction
Art direction
UX/UI
Website design, development
Illustration
Copywriting
Social media management
CHALLENGE
Zipang was looking for new ways to re-elicit interest from fans and gain new users for their platform (an online casino); the challenge was to scale promotional efforts for increased awareness and acquisition while working within Japan's promotional regulatory boundaries.
SOLUTION
To help garner new interest in the brand, YL developed a spin-off simulation game “Nobunaga Games” that could be easily accessed via a web browser.
The simulation game allowed players to be retainers or attendants of the audacious and unconventional Oda Nobunaga, who is regarded as one of the three great unifiers of Japan. Players would navigate the turbulent Sengoku Period in a comical story game, encouraging users to explore online casino trials in a historical setting.
RESULT
The campaign website accumulated over 100,000 sessions, and the number of users who registered with Zipang Casino after completing the game exceeded 1,400. The hashtag (#ノブナガ様御意です) was posted on Twitter (now X) and contributed to significant brand recognition alongside the game. The website received prestigious accolades including CSS Design Awards for "Website of the Day," "Best Innovation," "Best UI," and "Best UX." Additionally, it was nominated for "Website of the Month."
Through this online game, potential users could discover and connect with Zipang in an exciting and culturally relevant way, effectively producing a brand-elevating touchpoint in the consumer journey.
Retro gameplay reinvented for the contemporary day
While retaining the feeling of an old manga, we transcended the story into a digital simulation game.
Building a web presence that is an experience
From an easily accessible web browser, users could discover and connect with Zipang in an exciting and culturally relevant unique way.
Winner of Site of the day and Site of the month nomination
The project won Website of the Day and was nominated for Website of the Month by CSS Design Awards.
TEAM
Producer: Genta Sawabe
Creative director: Yoichiro Tamada
Design director: Hiroki Shindo (SOPHIE.STUDIO)
Project management: YUI
Web designer: Kei Saito
Front-end developer / Back-end developer: Daisuke Morohashi, Ryogo Ishino (Junni)
Voice actor: Ryotaro Okiayu (Aoni Production / 青二プロダクション)
Illustrator: Ryota Okamura (visiontrack)
Script writer: KAGEMORI.Y
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
CSS Design Awards: Website of the day, Best UI, Best UX, Best Innovation, Website of the month nomination
Awwwards: Honorable mention
TIMELINE
2023