A New Era of Gaming: Launch of 'Chimney Town'
On May 22, 2026, leading Japanese companies EbuAction and CHIMNEY TOWN collaborated to release an exciting new Roblox game titled 'Chimney Town', based on the popular picture book 'えんとつ町のプペル' (Chimney Town). This official game aims to provide a unique interactive experience for users while expanding the presence of Japanese intellectual property in the global gaming market.
Collaboration and Development
The game was developed under the guidance of EbuAction, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, which specializes in developing and promoting gaming content within platforms such as Roblox. CHIMNEY TOWN, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, supervises the original content, ensuring the game captures the enchanting essence of the beloved picture book and its film adaptation.
With a daily active user base exceeding 144 million in Roblox globally, EbuAction recognizes that the new generation, including Gen Z and Alpha, prefers engagement through interactive experiences rather than passive consumption of content. 'Chimney Town' represents a strategic response to this trend.
Reimagining a Beloved Story
'Chimney Town' transports players into the whimsical world of the original picture book, allowing them to engage with its characters and environments in novel ways. As a testament to the book's influence, the original picture book, authored by entertainer Nishino Akihiro, saw immense success. It was transformed into a movie that generated approximately 2.7 billion yen at the box office and attracted 1.96 million viewers. The story's reach has expanded to various entertainment formats including musicals and kabuki, and its sequel film, expected to premiere in March 2026, heightens interest in the brand.
The new game provides a fresh path for generations of fans and newcomers alike, linking modern gaming habits with cherished narratives. As players venture through 'Chimney Town', they participate in adventures that combine exploration and social interaction.
Key Features of 'Chimney Town'
This Roblox adventure boasts several distinctive features:
1.
A Journey in a Hot Air Balloon: Players embark on an airborne adventure seeking to reach an altitude of 4,000 meters. While soaring, they must gather materials and secure fuel to maintain their balloon’s speed, adding a unique survival aspect to the gameplay.
2.
Ship Hopping and Battles: As players traverse the skies, they can leap from one hot air balloon to another. This dynamic introduces combat, where players confront foes while navigating the air routes, promoting an engaging experience suitable for both beginners and seasoned gamers alike.
3.
Personalized Boss Battles: Standout moments include boss battles where players face off against their own Roblox avatars, enhancing the comedic and shareable elements of gameplay, which encourages players to capture and share their experiences on social media.
Initial lobbies feature characters like Rubitch and Dorothy, who assist players in customizing their balloons and acquiring initial items, deepening the connection to the original story.
Game Overview
- - Title: Chimney Town (Japanese: チムニータウン)
- - Genre: Adventure Simulation
- - Original Work: Picture Book 'えんとつ町のプペル' by Nishino Akihiro, published by Gentosha
- - URL: Chimney Town on Roblox
- - Pricing: Free to play, with in-game purchases available
- - Launch Date: May 22, 2026, at 18:00 JST
- - Platform: Roblox
- - Supported Devices: PC, smartphones, tablets
- - Languages Supported: Japanese, English, with automatic translation for other languages
- - Developed by: EbuAction
- - Supervised by: CHIMNEY TOWN
Future Developments
Post-launch, EbuAction plans to implement monthly updates featuring new content to keep the game dynamic and engaging. This approach will also facilitate the formation of a vibrant fan community, showcasing 'Chimney Town' as a prime example of how Japanese IP can flourish on global platforms.
Both EbuAction and CHIMNEY TOWN are excited about the potential of 'Chimney Town' to offer a new entertainment experience, using the rich narrative and imaginative world of the original book to captivate a diverse audience of players around the world.
About CHIMNEY TOWN
Founded by Nishino Akihiro, CHIMNEY TOWN began with 'えんとつ町のプペル' and has since diversified its entertainment offerings across film, musicals, kabuki, and ballet. Their latest film, '映画 えんとつ町のプペル 〜約束の時計台〜', is currently in theaters. The company also runs Japan's largest online salon, the 'Nishino Akihiro Entertainment Research Institute', and has ventured into various other projects such as 'CHIMNEY COFFEE' and the cosmetic brand 'COMET & WHINNY'.
About EbuAction
Established in January 2023, EbuAction focuses on marketing support and new game content development on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite. They aim to create innovative user engagement strategies, collaborating with various brands and public organizations in their projects.
With 'Chimney Town', both companies demonstrate their commitment to leveraging gaming as a medium for storytelling, making cherished narratives accessible and enjoyable for the next generation.