GungHo Online Entertainment is pursuing a capital and business alliance with Sony Music Entertainment Japan, which is set to become its largest shareholder, while its game lineup includes the upcoming Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet and Ragnarok: Adventures, and the closure of Disney Pixel RPG in September 2026.
GungHo Online Entertainment is in the middle of a major ownership shift. In late August 2026, the company announced a capital and business alliance with Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Sony Music will acquire all 12,006,500 common shares held by SON Financial LLC, GungHo's current largest shareholder, at 2,385 yen per share, for about 28.6 billion yen. The transfer, scheduled for December 30, 2026, gives Sony Music a 23.29% voting rights stake, making it GungHo's largest shareholder and an affiliated company. Pending regulatory approval, the two companies plan to jointly develop and operate smartphone, console, and PC games, and pursue projects using Sony Music Group IP. GungHo will keep its Tokyo Stock Exchange listing.
On the game side, GungHo has both new titles in the works and one shutting down. In June 2026, during a Nintendo Direct, GungHo revealed Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet, a sequel to its 2020 free-to-play Switch game. The game introduces the series' first open world, along with new traversal abilities and co-op play, and is set for a spring 2027 release on Nintendo Switch 2. In August 2026, GungHo announced Ragnarok: Adventures, an auto-battle RPG in the Ragnarok Online series, for Japan. It is scheduled to begin service in 2026 on iOS and Android, with a free-to-play model and optional paid items. The game uses a vertical screen for one-handed play and an idle system, unlike previous Ragnarok MMORPGs. It has already been released overseas under names such as Ragnarok Idle Adventure Plus.
Meanwhile, GungHo is closing Disney Pixel RPG. The smartphone RPG will end service on September 30, 2026, roughly two years after its October 2024 launch. The reason was not disclosed. Paid item sales ended July 1, and gacha draws will end August 19. Unused Red Crystals will be refunded after the service ends. The official website and customer support are scheduled to close on January 13, 2027. Until the service ends, the developer plans to add more main story content and run events.
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Sep 1
GungHo Online Entertainment announced a capital and business alliance with Sony Music Entertainment Japan. SME will acquire 12,006,500 GungHo shares from SON Financial LLC for about 28.6 billion yen (roughly US$179 million) in an off-market transaction. Pending regulatory approval, SME becomes GungHo's largest shareholder and an affiliated company. The two will explore joint development and operation of smartphone, console, and PC games, plus new projects using SME Group IP. GungHo keeps its Tokyo Stock Exchange listing.
Aug 29
Sony Music Entertainment and GungHo Online Entertainment announced a capital and business alliance on August 28. SME will acquire all 12,006,500 common shares held by SON Financial LLC, GungHo's current largest shareholder, at 2,385 yen per share for about 28.6 billion yen. The transfer, scheduled for December 30, 2026, gives SME a 23.29% voting rights stake, making it GungHo's largest shareholder. The companies plan to combine GungHo's game development with Sony Music Group's entertainment expertise.
Aug 13
GungHo Online Entertainment announced on August 13, 2026 that Ragnarok: Adventures, an auto-battle RPG in the Ragnarok Online series, will launch in Japan. The game is scheduled to begin service in 2026 on iOS and Android through the App Store and Google Play, with a free-to-play model and optional paid items. Pre-registration opened the same day via the App Store, Google Play, or by following the official X account. The title has already been released overseas under names such as Ragnarok Idle Adventure Plus. Unlike previous Ragnarok series MMORPGs, which used horizontal screens and real-time communication, Ragnarok: Adventures uses a vertical screen designed for one-handed play and an idle system where characters grow and collect items even when the game is not running. The game retains series elements including pop characters, a wide variety of jobs, skills, and stat-based character customization. It also includes strategic battles with NPC companions, guild content, town-building in a My Town area, and fishing. A campaign on the official X account runs from August 13 to August 25, 2026, offering 30 winners a 5,000 yen Amazon Gift Card for following and reposting.
Jul 6
GungHo Online Entertainment announced that the smartphone RPG Disney Pixel RPG will end service on September 30, 2026, roughly two years after its October 2024 launch. The reason was not disclosed. Paid item sales ended July 1, and gacha draws will end August 19. Unused paid currency will be refunded.
Jul 1
GungHo Online Entertainment announced on July 1 that its smartphone RPG Disney Pixel RPG will end service on September 30, 2026, at 11:00 JST. The game launched on October 7, 2024, and will run for about two years. The announcement came via the game's official X account and a notice on the official website. Until the service ends, the developer plans to add more main story content and run various in-game events. Sales of paid items stopped on July 1. Sales of Red Crystal payment items, gacha using Red Crystals, and stamina recovery will end on August 19 at 11:00 JST. Blue Crystals will remain usable until the service termination. Unused Red Crystals will be refunded through a dedicated form after the service ends; players are advised to keep their in-game ID and inquiry code. The official website and customer support are scheduled to close on January 13, 2027. The game is a command battle RPG featuring Disney characters in pixel art, including Mickey Mouse, Pooh, Baymax, Stitch, and Maleficent in themed costumes.
Jun 10
GungHo revealed Ninjala 2: The Uncharted Planet, a sequel to its 2020 free-to-play Switch game, during a Nintendo Direct livestream on Tuesday. The game is set for a spring 2027 release on Nintendo Switch 2 and introduces the series' first open world, along with new traversal abilities and co-op play.