Anonymous;Code
Anonymous;Code | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | |
Publisher(s) |
|
Director(s) | Toshihiko Kajioka |
Producer(s) | Tatsuya Matsubara |
Writer(s) |
|
Composer(s) | Takeshi Abo |
Series | Science Adventure |
Platform(s) | |
Release | Nintendo Switch, PS4
|
Genre(s) | Visual novel |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Anonymous;Code is a visual novel video game developed by Mages and Chiyomaru Studio, and is the sixth mainline entry in the Science Adventure series. Following a series of delays, the game was released for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on July 28, 2022 in Japan. The PlayStation Vita version was announced but has since been cancelled. A western English release, published by Spike Chunsoft, was announced in July 2022 and adds a Windows version to the list of platforms. It is scheduled for 2023.
Plot
In the year 2036, the Sad Morning disaster occurs, where an incident involving computers leads to the destruction of major cities around the world. A similar event is expected to take place in 2038, so a supercomputer called GAIA is used to create an alternate Earth using an Earth Simulator in order to study the possible effects of the impending catastrophe. The experiment was initially inconclusive because of the possibility of low birth rates in the alternate Earth, so a message called the Arecibo Message was used to allow humans to live there. However, humanity in the alternate Earth then creates their own Earth Simulator which leads to questions about the original Earth's existence. The game takes place in 2037. The protagonist, a hacker named Pollon Takaoka, has an ability which allows him to save and load moments, much like save features in video games.[1]
Development
Anonymous;Code was developed by Chiyomaru Studio and Mages, and was written by Naotaka Hayashi, Ayano Suehiro, and Tsukasa Tsuchiya.[1][2] Alongside Occultic;Nine, it was initially announced as part of the Science Visual Novel series, intended to be separate from the developers' Science Adventure series.[3][4] However, both games were later incorporated into the Science Adventure series, with Occultic;Nine and Anonymous;Code serving as the fifth and sixth main entries in the franchise respectively.[5] In contrast with the concept of infinitely expanding horizontal "world lines" used in Shikura's Science Adventure game Steins;Gate, Anonymous;Code uses the concept of infinitely expanding vertical "world layers", with the main character being able to manipulate layers below his, and is themed around hacking.[6] According to Shikura, the game's role is in part resolving unanswered questions from the Science Adventure series.[7]
Shikura stated that he initially wanted to increase the game's immersion by applying a unique artwork to every scene and using full animation during major events. However, he realised the game would need at least 3000 pieces of artwork (in contrast to the usual 100 found in visual novels), not counting the costs to produce the animations, and thus discarded this idea. His research on how to lower the costs of an immersive visual novel led him to consider reusing old animation, developing Steins;Gate Elite from this idea.[8]
Release
The game was released for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in Japan on July 28, 2022,[9][10] after numerous delays since 2016.[11][12][7][13] A PlayStation Vita version was initially announced, but was cancelled due to the system's discontinuation.[14][13] An official English language localization was announced on July 2, 2022 and will be published by Spike Chunsoft worldwide sometime in 2023 for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and Windows. This version will have an initial run of limited SteelBook launch editions.[15] Mages has also mentioned that they might develop a PlayStation 5 version.[16]
References
- ^ a b Ishaan (2015-03-29). "Anonymous;Code Is 5pb's Next Sci-Fi Visual Novel". Siliconera. Curse, Inc. Archived from the original on 2016-01-01. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ^ "Anonymous;Code Visual Novel's 1st 2 Characters Revealed". Anime News Network. 2016-03-07. Archived from the original on 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ^ Token (2016-07-03). "【5pb.祭り2016】「ANONYMOUS;CODE」ステージでは"セーブ&ロード"を用いる新システム「ハッキングトリガー」が明らかに!". Gamer (in Japanese). Ixll Co. Archived from the original on 2017-01-08. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ "本作のトリガーは"ハッキングトリガー"!? 『アノニマス・コード』の見どころについて志倉千代丸氏が語る【5pb.祭り2016】". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. 2016-07-03. Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2017-01-08.
- ^ "History" (in Japanese). Mages. Archived from the original on 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
- ^ Romano, Sal (2015-03-28). "5pb. announces Anonymous;Code". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2016-03-10. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ^ a b Romano, Sal (2019-09-04). "Anonymous;Code still in development, not due out in 2019". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2019-09-04. Retrieved 2019-09-04.
- ^ "志倉千代丸氏インタビュー 『シュタインズ・ゲート エリート』は"ゲーム以上でいて、アニメ以上"". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. 2017-09-21. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2018-02-14.
- ^ Shikura, Chiyomaru (March 18, 2022). "志倉千代丸 on Twitter: "重要な事言うの忘れてた! 科学ADVシリーズ最新作 『アノニマス・コード』 2022年7月28日 発売決定! それにともない、4月1日には こちらも世界初公開として生配信にて プレイ動画をお届けします! 告知でした! お友達にも伝えてね〜 この動画はオマケです笑 #アノニマス・コード"". Twitter. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
- ^ sexy隊長 (November 11, 2021). "MAGES.の浅田誠さんを直撃。『ANONYMOUS;CODE』や『ミステリート』の現状、新機軸のタイトルの経緯とは!?". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). Retrieved November 11, 2021.
- ^ "Anonymous;Code launches for PS4, PS Vita this winter in Japan". Gematsu. 2016-06-15. Archived from the original on 2016-06-18. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
- ^ Romano, Sal (2020-01-26). "Anonymous;Code launches next winter in Japan, new trailer". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
- ^ a b Romano, Sal (2020-10-25). "Anonymous;Code launches in fall 2021 for PS4 and Switch in Japan; PS Vita version cancelled". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2020-10-28. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
- ^ "Anonymous;Code Game to Release in Fall 2021". AnimeNewsNetwork. 2020-10-25. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
- ^ "Anonymous;Code coming west in 2023 for PS4, Switch, and PC". Gematsu. July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
- ^ Romano, Sal (2020-10-26). "Mages. president Chiyomaru Shikura teases PS5 version of Anonymous;Code". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 2020-10-29. Retrieved 2020-10-27.