Kaizen: A Factory Story, an upcoming video game, is poised to capture the essence of manufacturing lines set against the backdrop of 1980s Japan. Described on Steam as “an open-ended puzzle automation game,” it invites players to engage in the intricate process of creating products that, in turn, create more products. This thematic focus aligns seamlessly with the previous works of its developer, Zachtronics, now rebranded as Coincidence, a new collective formed by the original Zachtronics team.
The Creative Vision
Zach Barth, the creative director of Kaizen and a key figure from Zachtronics, reflects on his passion for games centered around production lines. “I just really like it? I don’t know,” he admits, acknowledging the allure of this niche. Barth, who has been instrumental in the design of many games, feels a unique connection to themes of programming and manufacturing. “There’s a lot of games I don’t understand at all. But I think that games about programming and production, I feel like I have a special understanding of,” he explains.
The transition from Zachtronics to Coincidence marks a significant shift in company dynamics. Following the disbandment of Zachtronics in late 2022 after the release of Last Call BBS, the new entity embraces a more fluid structure. Barth describes this innovative approach as one where traditional hierarchies are dismantled, allowing team members to pursue projects that resonate with them. “What they want, first up, is Kaizen,” he states.
A Glimpse into the Past
Matthew Seiji Burns, who crafted the narrative and composed the music for Kaizen, elaborates on the game’s setting. Players assume the role of a Japanese American navigating the vibrant business landscape of Japan during the economic bubble of the late ’80s. “Right when Japan is making all of its most iconic products, the ones that we remember and kind of idolize a little bit, like the Sony Walkman or the Nintendo Game Boy,” Burns shares. While the game will not feature these actual products due to licensing issues, it aims to evoke the nostalgia and significance of that era.
<p"Many of the games we've made are about making things," Barth adds. "And so you need a setting where people make stuff, right? The similarity between '80s Japan and Shenzhen I/O, which is based on 2013 Shenzhen, lies in their rich culture of production. The characters in the game talk about making things.”
The Journey Forward
The evolution from Zachtronics to Coincidence is more nuanced than it may seem. Barth reveals that his decision to conclude his work with Zachtronics stemmed from a period of burnout, leading him to explore teaching. However, the challenges posed by the pandemic extended the development timeline of Last Call BBS, and by the time it launched, Barth had discovered that teaching was not his true calling. “Turns out you don’t need to get a teaching license to teach computer science; they’ll just let anybody in,” he quips, reflecting on his brief foray into education.
With teaching behind him, Barth has fully re-engaged with game development. His enthusiasm is palpable; while Kaizen: A Factory Story is on the verge of release, he is already working on a second game that is nearly complete, alongside plans for a third. “I think I have to do it until I die,” Barth confesses when asked about his future in game design. “I don’t think I have a choice. I mean, like, until I retire, and I don’t even, like, see that happening. So I think it’s, yeah, make games and die. That’s my plan.”
Kaizen: A Factory Story is set to release for PC via Steam on July 14, 2025. For those eager to explore the gaming landscape, be sure to check out our ranking of the best PC games.
