Ai Sp@ce

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article or section contains information about an unreleased video game.
The content may change substantially as more information becomes available. Please do not add speculation to this article, and remember to cite a published source for details.

Ai Sp@ce

Developer(s)	Ai Sp@ce Production Committee
Publisher(s)	Ai Sp@ce Production Committee
Platform(s)	PC
Release date	Summer 2008
Genre(s)	MMOSG, Virtual world
Mode(s)	Single-player (online) Multiplayer (online)
Media	Download

Ai Sp@ce is a Japanese virtual 3D massively multiplayer online social game (MMOSG) in development by several companies that form the Ai Sp@ce Production Committee which will launch in summer 2008.^[1]^[2] Primary development is handled by Headlock, with Dwango providing the world's infrastructure and Internet service. Dwango's subsidiary Niwango plans to tie in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from the Nico Nico Douga video sharing website by providing users the opportunity to upload gameplay sequences online.^[3] A downloadable client program enables its users to interact through motional avatars with each other and primarily with bishōjo game heroines from three visual novels: Clannad by Key under Visual Art's, Shuffle! by Navel under Omegavision, and D.C. II: Da Capo II by Circus.^[4] After a player creates an avatar, one of the bishōjo game heroines is selected as a personal character doll, or "chara-doll", to live with on one of the game's three virtual "islands" which are patterned on the worlds featured in the three visual novels. The islands will be connected by a central Akihabara Island where players with their chara-dolls can gather for chatting and events.^[1] The first theme song for Ai Sp@ce will be sung by Kotoko.^[1]

1 Gameplay
2 Development
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Gameplay

Before gameplay can begin, a player must download a client program unique to Ai Sp@ce which will enable its users to interact on the game's servers. The player will be given the chance to customize a motional avatar to explore the virtual world. This avatar can be chosen to take on a male or female form; the male avatars are described as "cool" while female avatars are described as "sweet".^[5] Facial expressions, figures, and hairstyle among other things are customizable, and the player can even customize personal information like birthdays and blood type.^[5] The main gameplay will begin when the player has chosen one personal bishōjo game character from the visual novels Clannad, Shuffle!, and D.C. II: Da Capo II, which the player will be able to customize.^[1] These bishōjo characters, known in the game as character dolls, or "chara-dolls", are able to wear different costumes (based on in-game items), and do a variety of things such as memorize various motions to act out or dance. The chara-dolls can even eventually develop a unique personality for each user.^[1] The player and the selected chara-doll will be able to live together in the game on one of the game's three virtual "islands" which are designed to resemble the worlds features in the three aforementioned visual novels used as reference material for the game.^[6]^[3] The house in which the players reside will be equipped with furniture, though more could potentially be bought, along with items for the chara-doll or player to wear.^[1]^[2] When inside the house together, the chara-doll will move of her own accord, though when outside the chara-doll will stay with the player.^[6] The player will be able to freely converse with their chara-doll in a manner similar to visual novels where the text appears in the lower portion of the computer screen.^[7] The three islands will be connected by a central "Akihabara Island", modeled after the real Akihabara, where the different players and chara-dolls can interact via chatting and events.^[3] When in Akihabara Island, the names given to the avatars and chara-dolls will be viewable above their heads.

[edit] Development

Ai Sp@ce is a collaborative effort from several companies that form the Ai Sp@ce Production Committee.^[7] The project is headed by the Dwango online service provider which is developing the virtual world's infrastructure and Internet service support. According to Dwango's executive vice-president Toyoki Ōta, planning for the project began in 2006.^[2] The initial idea was to make a world like Ai Sp@ce, but only incorporate the D.C. II: Da Capo II franchise, but this was changed to incorporate the Clannad and Shuffle! franchises as well. In 2006, Dwango was still primarily involved with the mobile phone industry, but were able to gain Internet service experience due to launching their subsidiary video sharing website Nico Nico Douga, which made it possible for Ai Sp@ce to move forward in development.^[2] Primary development is handled by Headlock which works in collaboration with Key with Visual Art's, Navel with Omegavision, and Circus for design of the bishōjo game heroines featured in Ai Sp@ce from Clannad, Shuffle!, and D.C. II: Da Capo II.^[4] Ai Sp@ce was initially going to be a text-based game similar to that of visual novels, but this was changed in favor of a 3D environment.^[2] Dwango's subsidiary Niwango will tie in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from Nico Nico Douga by providing users the opportunity to upload gameplay sequences online.^[3] The trading card game company Bushiroad is also involved in the project.^[7] I've Sound member Kotoko will sing the first theme song for Ai Sp@ce.^[1]