Judo Taps On Its Winning Minecraft Formula Again 

The International Judo Federation’s (IJF) reprises another dive into the Minecraft world following the success of its Tokyo 2020 esports campaign last July.     

The Mystery of the Kodokan, is an in-game “experience” that serves as a sequel to last year’s game that focused on the Nippon Budokan stadium. The pair of games comprise the Mystery of Judo series and engagingly brings the values of judo to young audiences across the globe.

With reports claiming over two million children globally participating in the first game and 90 per cent of them having never engaged in judo before, the IJF hopes to build on its successful debut with its latest game. 

In the latest version, players are challenged to collect judo belts hidden in and around the Kodokan Judo Institute and the virtual landscape created around it. Collecting all the belts will grant players access to claim a unique in-game judo Minecraft skin.

The current game was launched in Tashkent last week to celebrate the 2022 World Championships and is available for both desktop and mobile players.

“Following the success of Mysteries of the Budokan, launched on the occasion of the Tokyo Games last year, and having surpassed more than 2 million unique users, we were fortunate to receive interest and collaboration from the Kodokan to promote the historical birthplace of judo, using Minecraft for the youth,” said IJF Director General Vlad Marinescu.

“It is an experience that gamifies learning in order to share the values and principles of judo.”

“We congratulate our partners involved in this beautiful, mythical and legendary world and we are proud to launch it this year on the occasion of the World Championships in Tashkent.”

With the launch, the IJF is aiming to continue to establish a footprint within the esports industry while teaching judo values to make better citizens through video games.

“We are very proud to launch the second chapter of The Mystery of Judo,” said Ruben Houkes, IJF Judo for Children Chairman.”

“To promote our sport, we need to be there, where our new generation of judoka are, offering them a unique first judo experience, combining history, judo and values.”