New material in the section "Investor/Publisher Wanted." This time, we highlight a free-to-play fighting game set in medieval Japan, Katori: Code of Blade, from the Minsk-based indie studio Gamecraft.
The project was introduced by Anton Fomin, the studio director.
Anton Fomin
About the Team
The studio began operations in 2025. It is a small, but tight-knit and coordinated team with extensive experience in game development. Each member of our team has launched projects and worked in major gaming companies. There are eight of us, working remotely full-time, located in Minsk/Moscow. Currently, the team is financially supported by the founders' own funds, without external investors.
About the Project
Work on our current project, Katori: Code of Blade, began a year ago, around the same time the company was established. Some of the developers already had experience working together within another company, so the development hit the ground running.
We chose the fighting game genre since we already had experience in developing such games. As for the setting of samurai-era Japan, we found it intriguing: samurais, ninjas, yakuza—all of these are familiar and strongly associated with martial arts.
I should note that there aren't many competitors in the niche we've chosen, both in terms of genre and setting.
Currently, the game is released in a test format in the Google Play and RuStore stores. It is set to be released on the App Store in the coming weeks.
About the Gameplay/Mechanics
The core gameplay revolves around duels with katanas in one-on-one battles. Success in these battles depends not only on the character's equipment but largely on the player's skills.
In combat, players can attack their opponent from four directions. They can also defend themselves accordingly in the same directions. Besides simple attack-defend actions, players can use dodges, counterattacks, powerful strikes, finishing moves, and combos, which consist of several strikes learned and combined by the players during the game. Soon, we will also add fatalities.
The game has several modes. The main mode is the PvP arena. There is also a campaign with a storyline.
We are currently preparing another mode for release—Faction Wars. These are weekly events with daily local battles where players fight, earn points for their factions, and compete against other factions.
Also in development is an unannounced cooperative mode, local fights with friends, new exciting activities, and new opponents.
In the metagameplay, players can customize their characters, unlock and upgrade new equipment, learn super moves, and create combos from them as they like. They can also meditate and unlock "combos of the day," which deal additional damage.
The game features seasons in which players gain additional rewards.
There are daily quests that provide additional bonuses upon completion.
Additionally, there is an achievements section where players earn achievements and rewards for their success in the game.
Many interesting features are planned for the future.
About the Target Audience
The target audience for this project is males aged 16 to 35 who enjoy fighting games in general and have a fondness for Japanese and knightly themes.
The closest reference for the target audience on mobile platforms is the Shadow Fight series. Broadening the perspective, fans of games like For Honor, Mount & Blade, Chivalry, Sekiro, and similar ones, where the core mechanic involves melee combat, are also relevant.
About the Business Model
Our goal is to ensure the LTV exceeds the CPI and allows for scalability.
We certainly rely on organic reach, although it is hard to predict. In our view, the game looks attractive and modern, and considering the relatively small number of games in this genre and setting, we hope for success. Even at this stage, bloggers are actively sharing gameplay footage and achievements. The first videos, articles, and reviews are starting to appear.
Regarding monetization mechanics, the game includes:
- loot boxes;
- season passes;
- equipment upgrades;
- visual customization;
- combat move learning;
- a piggy bank system;
- seasonal and special offers;
- numerous advertising monetization points (Rewarded Video);
- and much more.
About the Metrics
We have begun to receive and process the first metrics, which look promising. We are ready to share this data with potential partners.
Who We Are Looking For
We are seeking an investor willing to join our project and support its development financially. We are looking for funding in the amount of $300,000. The investment will be directed towards:
- project development and support;
- test marketing;
- improving project metrics;
- performance marketing.
How to Contact?
- Email: Katori.corp@gmail.com
- Telegram: @a_nimof