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Bit.Trip Runner Developer Changes Name To Choice Provisions, Announces New Projects
The developer formerly known as Gaijin Games, is going by a new alias, Choice Provisions, and has some new projects in the works.
The developer behind the games in the Bit.Trip series writes on its blog that it decided to change the name of its studio because the term Gaijin has a negative connotation to some in Japan. Despite being familiar with the studio, it wasn't until today that I learned it's a term for the word "foreigner". When the studio started, the team wanted to emulate their favorite Japanese games they loved growing up.
The name made sense, but it also carried somewhat of a negative connotation to it. No matter how you may feel about the word “gaijin” personally, I think it’s fair to say that some people out there view it as a negative term. Being the upbeat, positive folks we are, the last thing we wanted was for people to be offended by our name. We are but humble purveyors of video games, and the end goal of all the work we do is to make people happy.
Ergo, we’re changing our name to Choice Provisions.
The name change doesn't affect the studio much, and future Bit.trip games will continue being released under the Gaijin name/label. The other resulting change is a small studio acquired by Choice Provisions, Robotube, will now be known as MiniVisions. You can find more details on the change here.
With the blog post and name change, the studio also announced two new upcoming games: Laserlife and Tharsis. The former is a, "metaphysical journey of euphoric sights and euphonic sounds," with players guiding the direction of lasers all set to music and it is coming to Steam. The latter is, "a game of tiny decisions with huge consequences. It uses regular six-sided dice to model emergencies, repairs, research, collaboration, futility, and the madness that can only be achieved three days from the red planet with low air, no supplies, and an electrical fire in the greenhouse," and it is coming to Steam and iOS.
[Source: Choice Provisions, via Joystiq]
Our Take
Gaijin has always offered light-hearted, but fun games. It's new logo represents something a little bit darker. Will future games offer heavier, more mature experiences?
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