FAQ
Questions about Shinobi Story, the original MMO, and the standalone Unreal Engine revival.
The Revival
What is Shinobi Story?
Shinobi Story is an independent open-world ninja MMORPG created by Vlad Shumov. The original project ran from 2019 to 2024 and is now being rebuilt as a standalone game in Unreal Engine.
Is Shinobi Story coming back?
Yes. Shinobi Story is coming back as a standalone Unreal Engine game. The revival is a new project built around the strongest ideas from the original MMO.
What kind of game is the new Shinobi Story?
The goal is an open-world ninja MMO focused on jutsu combat, exploration, villages, clans, PvP, world bosses, progression, cosmetics, and roleplay-friendly social systems.
The revival aims to carry the original game's community-driven spirit into a new standalone experience.
Is the new Shinobi Story a standalone game?
Yes. Shinobi Story is a real standalone PC game being built in Unreal Engine by an independent game studio. It is not a mod, private server, or project that requires the original game's client or technology.
Who is developing the new Shinobi Story?
The new Shinobi Story is being developed by an independent studio team led by creator Vlad Shumov. Four people are already working on the project.
Will Shinobi Story be community-driven?
Yes. We want players to help shape Shinobi Story through feedback and discussion. Community input will help inform priorities, features, game systems, balance, and the overall direction of the game.
History & Identity
Is Shinobi Story an official Naruto game?
No. Shinobi Story is an independent ninja MMO. It is not an official Naruto game and is not affiliated with the Naruto franchise or its rights holders.
Why do people call Shinobi Story a Naruto MMO?
Players searching for a Naruto MMO, Naruto MMORPG, Naruto open-world game, or Naruto online RPG often find Shinobi Story because it focuses on the shinobi fantasy: villages, jutsu, clans, PvP, exploration, world bosses, and roleplay.
The accurate description is independent open-world ninja MMORPG. It is relevant to those searches because of the fantasy and gameplay overlap, not because it is official.
What was the original Shinobi Story?
The original Shinobi Story was a live-service open-world ninja MMORPG operated from 2019 to 2024. It included custom maps, jutsu combat, clan mechanics, player-built villages, open-world PvP, world bosses, cosmetics, roleplay tools, and regular content updates.
Vlad Shumov started the project as a solo founder, then brought together a volunteer team of 11 developers. The project shipped patches on a roughly monthly cadence for years.
How many players did Shinobi Story have?
More than 56,000 players joined Shinobi Story during the original project, and the project reached more than 1 million impressions.
How did the original Shinobi Story begin?
The original Shinobi Story began as a fan-made private server and grew into a heavily customized project with custom maps, custom UI, jutsu visuals, scripts, and original game systems.
The old codebase has since been made open source.
Will the revival use the old technology?
No. The revival is being built as a new standalone game in Unreal Engine.
Updates & Media
Is there a release date?
No public release date has been announced yet. The current site is focused on the return of the project and development updates.
Where can players follow development?
Follow Vlad Shumov on X at @VladShumovv for development updates.
Where can I see screenshots?
A large screenshot archive from the original project is available on Vlad Shumov's Shinobi Story portfolio page.