They explode when thrown, and their daily wage is a single sardine. The Prinny, mascot of the Disgaea series, is a character that has long been loved by fans despite being treated poorly. Now, the Prinny takes center stage as the protagonist of Nippon Ichi Software's first party game, 'Let's Play Together! Prinny Board Battle.'

The game takes the familiar 'Sugoroku' (board game) format of rolling dice to move pieces and layers on signature Disgaea systems like throwing and the Dark Assembly. It features a unique structure where players cooperate to defeat a boss in the first half, only to betray one another and compete for victory in the second. It will be released simultaneously in Japan, Asia, North America, and Europe on November 12.

The game's features were first unveiled at a presentation in Tokyo on the 7th, followed by an interview with Kenzo Saruhashi of Nippon Ichi Software to hear the stories behind its development. Below, we summarize the game's features as introduced at the presentation, followed by an interview covering everything from the motivation behind their first party game to the 'betrayal'-focused design and why they chose the weakest character, the Prinny, as the lead.

A 'Diabolical Tabletop Game' Created by the Disgaea Team

'Let's Play Together! Prinny Board Battle' is Nippon Ichi's first party game, developed by Matsuda, the lead developer of 'Disgaea 5,' with character designs by Takehito Harada, a familiar name to fans of the Disgaea series.

CEO Saruhashi introduced the game's core theme as 'betrayal.' He explained that it is a 'diabolical tabletop game' that fuses the two genres Nippon Ichi excels at: command RPGs and board games.

The core of the game lies in the dramatic shift in relationships between the first and second halves. While four players cooperate during the first half, they turn into rivals in the second, betraying one another. CEO Saruhashi explained, 'In the first half, it's easy for the four players to work together to defeat the boss.' However, once the boss is defeated, the game shifts into a struggle where players repeatedly betray each other to reach the final goal.

From Cooperation to Betrayal... A Scramble for the Defeated Boss

In the first half, the goal is for the four players to cooperate to defeat the boss. Because the boss is strong, a cooperative relationship forms naturally. But the real game begins after the boss is defeated. Since the rule is that the person who brings the defeated boss back to the starting point first wins, a battle naturally ensues over the boss.

Many characters from the history of the Disgaea series also appear. The characters players control are selected from the generic units of the Disgaea series. Conversely, the protagonists from past series appear not as playable characters, but as obstacles and bosses.

Past protagonists appear in the form of the 'Four Heavenly Kings,' with four out of the six currently revealed characters selected at random. After defeating all four, the final boss appears—a 'Board Game Great Demon King' whose identity is obscured by a silhouette, though it is easy to guess who it is. Clearing the game requires defeating this Great Demon King.

The DNA of Disgaea... Lifting, Throwing, Stacking, and Voting

The game incorporates many of the core elements of the Disgaea series. Various facilities like weapon shops, armor shops, and hospitals can be stacked using Disgaea's signature 'lift and throw' system. Stacking facilities can rank them up or move characters.

Additionally, passing various agendas in the 'Dark Assembly' can change the rules of the board game itself. Throwing applies not only to facilities but also to characters. Notably, the game's mascot, the Prinny, is a playable character, but if you lift and throw it, it explodes. This is primarily used as a way to deal damage.

As a party game, it supports 'shared communication' on the Nintendo Switch. In local play, host distribution from Switch to Switch is possible. For online play, if playing on the Switch, four people can play together even if only one person owns the software.

CEO Saruhashi also shared a message for Asian fans. He stated, 'When I attended the Taipei Game Show last year, I promised that we would aim for simultaneous releases for Nippon Ichi titles in Asia whenever possible, and we have realized that goal.' He concluded the presentation by expressing his hope that people around the world would enjoy this party game together.

An interview with Korean media followed.

Let's Play Together! Prinny Board Battle' Interview

Q. The Disgaea series has been built primarily around strategy RPGs. This board game format is quite different from the main SRPG titles. Could you tell us the background behind planning such a unique work using the Prinny.

"When we were planning this game, I looked through Nippon Ichi Software's title lineup and realized we didn't have any multiplayer games. So, I wanted to plan a game that multiple people could play together.

While developing that concept, Matsuda, who is the lead developer for Disgaea, was on the team. He had wanted to make a board game for a long time, so we decided to make that our theme.

We also wanted a simultaneous worldwide release in November. Given the time and team constraints, we thought that creating a title related to an existing IP would attract more users and provide a helpful roadmap for production. Ultimately, it became a project that combined a board game with Disgaea.

Q. When people think of a game featuring the Prinny, the action game 'Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?' comes to mind. Is there any connection between that work and this one.

"I like that game too. However, there is no direct connection to the action game Prinny in this title. But just like in the action game, we've planted 'Easter eggs' throughout that will make fans of the Disgaea series or Nippon Ichi's unique characters smile. I would be very happy if players noticed those parts.

Q. For users waiting for this game, the past protagonists seem to be the biggest draw. Why did you make them bosses.

"I do hear requests to make characters like Laharl playable quite often.

However, when thinking about making a board game, I considered what roles the popular characters from the Disgaea series would play to make it the most fun. As a result, we decided to make the protagonists of each series, including Laharl, enemies. We judged that they would have more presence as huge, powerful enemies that the player must defeat.

That's why the player uses a slightly weaker character like the Prinny. You can use others besides the Prinny, but I thought it would be more fun that way.

Q. In works featuring the Prinny, there are many comic and harsh settings, such as them exploding when thrown or being paid in sardines. How did you try to incorporate these traits into the board game's rules or obstacles.

"Unfortunately for the Prinny, it still explodes when thrown. It's a pitiful existence, working 22 hours a day for one sardine (laughs). In the game, the Prinny is the only character that explodes when lifted and thrown. So, among the playable characters, it is the weakest.

However, by including that weakest character, the fun comes from trying to win using them. I think that's the kind of fun that comes from a game for people who want to take on that challenge. I look forward to seeing players win using the weakest Prinny.

Q. In party games, a proper balance that allows beginners and veterans to enjoy the game together is important. Could you introduce any systems designed so that anyone can easily aim for a comeback and have a fun time.

"To introduce a few, there is a system called the 'Sugoroku Assembly.' It's a familiar system from the Disgaea series. You can use it to force a system to hinder someone or pass a request that only benefits yourself. That can disrupt the power balance up to that point.

Also, defeating the boss is the first goal. But ultimately, swapping the defeated boss to the starting point provides a greater advantage. It's not just about defeating it; there's a comeback element afterward.

Q. The setting where 'having tolerance' or acting 'more eccentric and unconventional than anyone else' holds the key to victory feels unique. Could you tell us the points behind designing these victory conditions? Also, how do you expect players to use their heads while playing.

"It's not just about raising characters to become strong. There are many elements, such as hindering other players or dealing with the existence of hidden bosses to disrupt the board. It's a chaotic state where you don't know what will lead to victory.

Whether you want to annihilate the enemy, stop on advantageous tiles, or use skills and items to move in a trickster style—the personality of the player and the character determines the path to victory. Since there's so much personality in those parts, I hope you find your own playstyle.

Q. You mentioned wanting to emphasize the experience of 'betrayal' in a good sense by utilizing cooperative relationships. How is this emphasized in the game? Also, I'm curious if you thought these elements were what represented the Prinny, related games, and Nippon Ichi's unique identity, making them a motif for this game.

"Regarding the game's concept of 'betrayal' and 'from cooperation to betrayal,' I thought about it this way: in a game where people play together, there will always be a certain number of users who don't want to attack or act hostile toward others.

However, I also thought that the fun comes from competing with people. So, we made the first half of the game a system where it's easy for users to cooperate. After that, since only one person can win in the end, they fight over the boss. Users don't have to hold back because it's just a game. We designed it so that after cooperating, you can immediately betray and confront each other.

Also, there are many Disgaea-specific systems that aren't in normal board games, like throwing and the assembly. I think combining these with the existing board game parts created the unique fun of this game.

Q. I think the charm of a party game is the thrill of a one-hit comeback. Does this work have elements that allow players in disadvantageous situations to make a comeback, or devices that keep players on their toes until the end.

"To defeat the boss in the game, you have to raise your character step by step. There is a RPG-like aspect of working hard to raise your character.

However, the final victory condition of moving the boss can be achieved by outsmarting your opponent, even if your character isn't fully grown. So, the fact that it's not over just because you defeat the boss is a point that keeps the tension high until the end.

To talk a bit technically, in this work, you can perform multiple actions in a single player turn. You can combine several structures in one turn, such as spinning a slot to decide the tiles to move, using skills, and using items. If you combine them well, they can connect like a combo, allowing you to get ahead of your opponent.

Q. Games featuring the Prinny have emphasized their unique humor and fun nature. As it is being released in many countries in this era, I would like to know what parts you are paying attention to in globalizing this humor.

"Regarding localization, we don't actually worry about it that much. We know that there are professional translators in each region who will translate well and adjust it so it's easy for players in each region to understand (laughs).

So, rather, we have to make the fun in the original Japanese properly. Otherwise, the translation won't be fun either. So we are making sure that part is fun no matter what.

Q. I heard there is a hidden boss. It's a question I have to ask: is the hidden boss Baal, the Super Overlord?

"I'd like you to check that by actually playing. There are some hints on the package, but I'd like to keep it a secret here (laughs).

Q. Do you have any plans to add new characters via updates after release.

"As of now, there are no update plans at a stage where we can decide and announce them.

However, as you said, there are still plenty of Disgaea characters. Balancing it as a party game is difficult. But I think updates could become a possibility if people play the game a lot.

Q. There is a system that sets the location where you explode and respawn when a player is defeated. Is that an intentional system? If so, why did you introduce it.

"The fact that a character can respawn after being defeated is, of course, an intentional system. As mentioned in the previous question, if the gap keeps widening while cooperating, it's not fun.

However, it is a game system where you defeat opponents. It's painful if there's only a one-sided disadvantage when you're defeated. So, it's for balancing the game by allowing you to respawn yourself.

Q. As a developer, which would you rather see: players laughing together while cooperating, or a user getting angry after being betrayed.

"Of course, it's great to have a lively time with cooperative play. Although I use the word 'betrayal,' getting hit in a game like this isn't so much about being angry as it is fun in itself. Earlier, other players were playing a 4-player game, and I think those moments of excitement are scenes that we, as developers, really want to see and are happy to see.

Q. Generally, party games often don't adopt a full-price strategy. What is Nippon Ichi's policy?

"Regarding pricing policy, we are discussing it with CLE for each region, including Japan, according to local circumstances.

We have a policy of completing and presenting games with content worthy of their price. Having people purchase the games we've made at the list price is a policy that applies to all regions, not just Asia, but also Japan, North America, and Europe.

Perhaps you felt the range of stages was narrow because you only played the demo once today. However, the structure is such that new places continue to open up as you progress through the game. What you saw in one play is not everything.

(*On the 16th, after the interview, the price of the game was announced as ₩66700 for both the package and download versions.)

Q. Lastly, a word for the heroes looking forward to Nippon Ichi's first party game, please.

"This title is based on the world of the Disgaea series. Users who actually know Disgaea will find various fun parts. However, it is designed so that even people who don't know Disgaea at all can enjoy it. I hope many users will enjoy it.