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Ai Space

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Ai Space
Developer(s)Ai Space Production Committee
Publisher(s)Ai Space Production Committee
Platform(s)Windows
ReleaseOctober 15, 2008–June 30, 2011
Genre(s)MMOSG,Virtual world
Mode(s)Single-player,multiplayer

Ai Space(officially stylized asai sp@ce) is a Japanesevirtual3Dmassively multiplayer online social game(MMOSG) developed by several companies that formed the Ai Space Production Committee which was launched on October 15, 2008 forWindowsPCs,despite an earlier announcement of a Q3 2008 release.[1][2]Beta testingcommenced between mid-September and mid-October 2008.[3]Primary development was handled by Headlock, and Dwango provided the world'sinfrastructureand Internet service. Dwango's subsidiary Niwango tied in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from theNico Nico Dougavideo sharingwebsite which provided users the opportunity to uploadgameplaysequences online.[4]The game closed down on June 30, 2011.

A downloadableclient programenables its users to interact through motionalavatarswith each other and primarily withbishōjo gameheroines from threevisual novels:ClannadbyKeyunderVisual Art's,Shuffle!byNavelunder Omegavision, andDa Capo IIbyCircus.[5]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 are connected by a centralAkihabaraIsland where players with their chara-dolls can gather for chatting and events.[1]The first theme song forAi Spaceis sung byKotoko.[1]

Gameplay

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Beforegameplaycan begin, a player must download aclient programunique toAi Spacewhich will enable its users to interact on the game's servers. The player is given the chance to customize a motionalavatarto explore thevirtual 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".[6]Facial expressions, figures, andhairstyleamong other things are customizable, and the player can even customize personal information like birthdays andblood type.[6]The main gameplay will begin when the player has chosen one personalbishōjo gamecharacter from thevisual novelsClannad,Shuffle!,andDa Capo II,which the player will be able to customize.[1]Thesebishōjocharacters, 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.[7]The chara-dolls can even eventually develop a unique personality for each user, known in-game as each chara-doll having a different "aitune".[1][7][8]

The player and the selected chara-doll are 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.[4][9]The house in which the players resides is 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 moves of her own accord, though when outside the chara-doll stays with the player.[9]The player can 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.[10]The three islands are connected by a central "Akihabara Island", modeled after the realAkihabara,where the different players and chara-dolls can interact via chatting and events.[4]When in Akihabara Island, the names given to the avatars and chara-dolls are viewable above their heads.

WhileAi Spacecan be played free of charge, a player can buy Nico Nico Points fromNico Nico Dougafor use in the game to expand the gameplay. Nico Nico Points can be used to obtain special in-game items such as clothing for the player's avatar and chara-doll, and furniture for the house where the player resides.[11]The Nico Nico Points can be purchased in 1000, 2000, 3000, and 5000 point sets with one point costing roughly oneyen(about onecent).

Development

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Ai Spaceis a collaborative effort from several companies that form the Ai Space Production Committee.[10]The project is headed by the Dwango online service provider which developed thevirtual world'sinfrastructureandInternetservice 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 likeAi Space,but only incorporate theDa Capo IIfranchise,but this was changed to incorporate theClannadandShuffle!franchises as well. In 2006, Dwango was still primarily involved with themobile phoneindustry, but were able to gain Internet service experience due to launching theirsubsidiaryvideo sharingwebsiteNico Nico Douga,which made it possible forAi Spaceto move forward in development.[2]

Primary development was handled by Headlock which worked in collaboration withKeyunderVisual Art's,Navelwith Omegavision, and Circus for the design of thebishōjo gameheroines featured inAi SpacefromClannad,Shuffle!,andDa Capo II.[5]Ai Spacewas initially going to be atext-based gamesimilar to that ofvisual novels,but this was changed in favor of a3Denvironment.[2]Dwango's subsidiary Niwango ties in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from theNico Nico Dougavideo sharingwebsite by providing users the opportunity to uploadgameplaysequences online.[4]Thetrading card gamecompany Bushiroad is also involved in the project.[10]I've SoundmemberKotokosings the first theme song forAi Space,[1]entitled "U Make Ai Dream"(U make ái dream),and thesinglewas released on December 3, 2008. Other music provided in the game is taken from the three visual novels used as a basis forAi Space.

Beta testing

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Despite an initial announcement of a Q3 2008 release ofAi Space's full version,[1]beta testingfor the game was conducted in three separate phases between mid-September to mid-October 2008. Phase one commenced between September 16 and September 19, 2008 and was restricted to 1,010 users. People had the chance to buy one of 1,010 "Ai SpaceDeluxe Card Sets "for 500yen(aboutUS$5) each atComiket 74between August 15 and August 17, 2008,[12]but those who bought the card sets also had to submit a participation application between August 18 and September 3, 2008 atAi Space's official website.[3]Phase two beta testing occurred between September 22 and September 26, 2008 (though not September 23) and consisted of the first 1,010 users plus another 2,525, bringing the total number to 3,535. Finally, phase three commenced between October 7 and October 14, 2008 and consisted of the previous 3,535 users plus another 2,525, bringing the total number of beta testers to 6,060.[3]

Release

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Ai Space'sclient programwas released for free on October 15, 2008 downloadable onAi Space's official website forWindowsPCs.On opening day, the number of people able to play the game was restricted to 53,000 users, and the number was gradually increased based on the order of a registration number a given player received when registering forAi Space.[13]In order to register forAi Space,a user must already have an account for Nico Nico Douga.[13]

References

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  1. ^abcdefgh"Clannad,Shuffle,D.C. IIto Launch 3D Virtual World ".Anime News Network.2008-04-08.Archivedfrom the original on 11 April 2008.Retrieved2008-04-08.
  2. ^abcde"Clannad,Shuffle!,D.C. IIto Reappear in a 3D World "(in Japanese). IT Media. 2008-04-08.Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2008.Retrieved2008-04-27.
  3. ^abc"Ai SpaceBeta Testing "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 7 August 2008.Retrieved6 August2008.
  4. ^abcd"About section atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee.Retrieved2008-04-27.
  5. ^ab"Introduction section atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-06-26.Retrieved2008-04-27.
  6. ^ab"Avatar description section atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-08-11.Retrieved2008-05-10.
  7. ^ab"Character doll section atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 26 June 2008.Retrieved14 June2008.
  8. ^"Aitune description section atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 26 June 2008.Retrieved23 June2008.
  9. ^ab"Terminology explanation atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-06-26.Retrieved2008-04-27.
  10. ^abc"You Can Live With Bishōjo Characters! 3D Living Space ServiceAi Spaceto Begin in Summer 2008 "(in Japanese). 4Gamer. 2008-04-08.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2008.Retrieved2008-04-27.
  11. ^"Nico Nico Points description atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 16 October 2008.Retrieved17 October2008.
  12. ^"Comiket 74 information page atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 6 August 2008.Retrieved6 August2008.
  13. ^ab"Limitation notice atAi Space's official website "(in Japanese). Ai Space Production Committee. Archived fromthe originalon 17 October 2008.Retrieved16 October2008.
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