Ai Sp@ce
Encyclopedia
Ai Sp@ce is a Japan
ese virtual
3D
massively multiplayer online social game (MMOSG) developed by several companies that form the Ai Sp@ce Production Committee which was launched on October 15, 2008, despite an earlier announcement of a summer 2008 release. Beta testing commenced between mid-September and mid-October 2008. Primary development was handled by Headlock, with Dwango providing the world's infrastructure
and Internet service. Dwango's subsidiary Niwango ties in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from the Nico Nico Douga
video sharing
website by providing users the opportunity to upload gameplay
sequences online.
A downloadable client program
enables its users to interact through motional avatars
with each other and primarily with bishōjo game
heroines from three visual novel
s: Clannad by Key
under Visual Art's
, Shuffle!
by Navel
under Omegavision, and Da Capo II by Circus
. 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 central Akihabara
Island where players with their chara-dolls can gather for chatting and events. The first theme song for Ai Sp@ce is sung by Kotoko.
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 is 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". Facial expressions, figures, and hairstyle
among other things are customizable, and the player can even customize personal information like birthdays and blood type. The main gameplay will begin when the player has chosen one personal bishōjo game
character from the visual novel
s Clannad, Shuffle!
, and Da Capo II, which the player will be able to customize. 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, known in-game as each chara-doll having a different "aitune".
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. 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. When inside the house together, the chara-doll moves of her own accord, though when outside the chara-doll stays with the player. 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. The three islands are connected by a central "Akihabara Island", modeled after the real Akihabara
, where the different players and chara-dolls can interact via chatting and events. When in Akihabara Island, the names given to the avatars and chara-dolls are viewable above their heads.
While Ai Sp@ce can be played free of charge, a player can buy Nico Nico Points from Nico Nico Douga
for 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. The Nico Nico Points can be purchased in 1000, 2000, 3000, and 5000 point sets with one point costing roughly one yen
(about one cent
).
's infrastructure
and Internet
service support. According to Dwango's executive vice-president Toyoki Ōta, planning for the project began in 2006. The initial idea was to make a world like Ai Sp@ce, but only incorporate the 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.
Primary development was handled by Headlock which worked in collaboration with Key
under Visual Art's
, Navel
with Omegavision, and Circus for the design of the bishōjo game
heroines featured in Ai Sp@ce from Clannad, Shuffle!, and Da Capo II. Ai Sp@ce was initially going to be a text-based game similar to that of visual novel
s, but this was changed in favor of a 3D
environment. Dwango's subsidiary Niwango ties in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from the Nico Nico Douga
video sharing website by providing users the opportunity to upload gameplay
sequences online. The trading card game company Bushiroad is also involved in the project. I've Sound
member Kotoko sings the first theme song for Ai Sp@ce, entitled , and the single
was released on December 3, 2008. Other music provided in the game is taken from the three visual novels used as a basis for Ai Sp@ce.
(about US$
5) each at Comiket 74
between August 15 and August 17, 2008, but those who bought the card sets also had to submit a participation application between August 18 and September 3, 2008 at Ai Sp@ces official website. 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.
was released for free on October 15, 2008 downloadable on Ai Sp@ces official website and is compatible only on a Microsoft Windows
PC
. 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 for Ai Sp@ce. In order to register for Ai Sp@ce, a user must already have an account for Nico Nico Douga.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese virtual
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
massively multiplayer online social game (MMOSG) developed by several companies that form the Ai Sp@ce Production Committee which was launched on October 15, 2008, despite an earlier announcement of a summer 2008 release. Beta testing commenced between mid-September and mid-October 2008. Primary development was handled by Headlock, with Dwango providing the world's infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
and Internet service. Dwango's subsidiary Niwango ties in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from the Nico Nico Douga
Nico Nico Douga
is a popular video sharing website in Japan managed by Niwango, a subsidiary of Dwango. Its nickname is "Niconico" or "Nico-dō", where "nikoniko" is the Japanese ideophone for smiling. Nico Nico Douga is the thirteenth most visited website in Japan...
video sharing
Video hosting service
A video hosting service allows individuals to upload video clips to an Internet website. The video host will then store the video on its server, and show the individual different types of code to allow others to view this video...
website by providing users the opportunity to upload gameplay
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
sequences online.
A downloadable client program
Client (computing)
A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....
enables its users to interact through motional avatars
Avatar (computing)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
with each other and primarily with bishōjo game
Bishojo game
A , or , is "a type of Japanese video game centered on interactions with attractive anime-style girls". These games are a sub-genre of dating sims targeted towards a male audience....
heroines from three visual novel
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
s: Clannad by Key
Key (company)
Key is a Japanese visual novel studio which formed on July 21, 1998 as a brand under the publisher Visual Art's and is located in Kita, Osaka, Japan. Key released their debut visual novel Kanon in June 1999, which combined an elaborate storyline, an up-to-date anime-style drawing style, and a...
under Visual Art's
Visual Art's
, formally , is a Japanese publishing company specializing in the publishing and distribution of visual novels for a large list of game developers. Visual Art's has developed the game engines their brands currently use, including the current engine, called Siglus, and older engines RealLive and...
, Shuffle!
Shuffle!
is a Japanese visual novel developed by Navel. It was originally released as an adult game for Microsoft Windows on January 30, 2004. It was subsequently followed by an all-ages release for the PlayStation 2 and an expanded adult release for Windows...
by Navel
Navel (company)
is a Japanese label of Omega Vision Inc. a publisher of bishōjo eroge visual novel video games. Its name is a reference to the navel orange.-Games produced:By Navel*Shuffle! *Soul Link...
under Omegavision, and Da Capo II by Circus
Circus (company)
Circus is a Japanese visual novel studio known for creating adult-oriented bishōjo games. In addition to the normal Circus brand name, there are other brand divisions including Circus Northern, Circus Fetish, Circus Metal, and Sanctuary...
. 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 central Akihabara
Akihabara
, also known as , is an area of Tokyo, Japan. It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station. Its name is frequently shortened to in Japan...
Island where players with their chara-dolls can gather for chatting and events. The first theme song for Ai Sp@ce is sung by Kotoko.
Gameplay
Before gameplayGameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
can begin, a player must download a client program
Client (computing)
A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....
unique to Ai Sp@ce which will enable its users to interact on the game's servers. The player is given the chance to customize a motional avatar
Avatar (computing)
In computing, an avatar is the graphical representation of the user or the user's alter ego or character. It may take either a three-dimensional form, as in games or virtual worlds, or a two-dimensional form as an icon in Internet forums and other online communities. It can also refer to a text...
to explore the virtual world
Virtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
. 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". Facial expressions, figures, and hairstyle
Hairstyle
A hairstyle, hairdo, or haircut refers to the styling of hair, usually on the human head. The fashioning of hair can be considered an aspect of personal grooming, fashion, and cosmetics, although practical, cultural, and popular considerations also influence some hairstyles.-History of...
among other things are customizable, and the player can even customize personal information like birthdays and blood type. The main gameplay will begin when the player has chosen one personal bishōjo game
Bishojo game
A , or , is "a type of Japanese video game centered on interactions with attractive anime-style girls". These games are a sub-genre of dating sims targeted towards a male audience....
character from the visual novel
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
s Clannad, Shuffle!
Shuffle!
is a Japanese visual novel developed by Navel. It was originally released as an adult game for Microsoft Windows on January 30, 2004. It was subsequently followed by an all-ages release for the PlayStation 2 and an expanded adult release for Windows...
, and Da Capo II, which the player will be able to customize. These bishōjo
Bishojo
is a Japanese term used to refer to young and pretty girls, usually below university age. Bishōjo is not listed as a word in the prominent Japanese dictionary Kōjien...
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, known in-game as each chara-doll having a different "aitune".
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. 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. When inside the house together, the chara-doll moves of her own accord, though when outside the chara-doll stays with the player. 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. The three islands are connected by a central "Akihabara Island", modeled after the real Akihabara
Akihabara
, also known as , is an area of Tokyo, Japan. It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station. Its name is frequently shortened to in Japan...
, where the different players and chara-dolls can interact via chatting and events. When in Akihabara Island, the names given to the avatars and chara-dolls are viewable above their heads.
While Ai Sp@ce can be played free of charge, a player can buy Nico Nico Points from Nico Nico Douga
Nico Nico Douga
is a popular video sharing website in Japan managed by Niwango, a subsidiary of Dwango. Its nickname is "Niconico" or "Nico-dō", where "nikoniko" is the Japanese ideophone for smiling. Nico Nico Douga is the thirteenth most visited website in Japan...
for 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. The Nico Nico Points can be purchased in 1000, 2000, 3000, and 5000 point sets with one point costing roughly one yen
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
(about one cent
Cent (United States coin)
The United States one-cent coin, commonly known as a penny, is a unit of currency equaling one one-hundredth of a United States dollar. The cent's symbol is ¢. Its obverse has featured the profile of President Abraham Lincoln since 1909, the centennial of his birth. From 1959 to 2008, the reverse...
).
Development
Ai Sp@ce is a collaborative effort from several companies that form the Ai Sp@ce Production Committee. The project is headed by the Dwango online service provider which developed the virtual worldVirtual world
A virtual world is an online community that takes the form of a computer-based simulated environment through which users can interact with one another and use and create objects. The term has become largely synonymous with interactive 3D virtual environments, where the users take the form of...
's infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
and Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
service support. According to Dwango's executive vice-president Toyoki Ōta, planning for the project began in 2006. The initial idea was to make a world like Ai Sp@ce, but only incorporate the Da Capo II franchise
Media franchise
A media franchise is an intellectual property involving the characters, setting and trademarks of an original work of media , such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or a video game. Generally, a whole series is made in a particular medium, along with merchandising and endorsements...
, but this was changed to incorporate the Clannad and Shuffle!
Shuffle!
is a Japanese visual novel developed by Navel. It was originally released as an adult game for Microsoft Windows on January 30, 2004. It was subsequently followed by an all-ages release for the PlayStation 2 and an expanded adult release for Windows...
franchises as well. In 2006, Dwango was still primarily involved with the mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
industry, but were able to gain Internet service experience due to launching their subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
video sharing
Video hosting service
A video hosting service allows individuals to upload video clips to an Internet website. The video host will then store the video on its server, and show the individual different types of code to allow others to view this video...
website Nico Nico Douga
Nico Nico Douga
is a popular video sharing website in Japan managed by Niwango, a subsidiary of Dwango. Its nickname is "Niconico" or "Nico-dō", where "nikoniko" is the Japanese ideophone for smiling. Nico Nico Douga is the thirteenth most visited website in Japan...
, which made it possible for Ai Sp@ce to move forward in development.
Primary development was handled by Headlock which worked in collaboration with Key
Key (company)
Key is a Japanese visual novel studio which formed on July 21, 1998 as a brand under the publisher Visual Art's and is located in Kita, Osaka, Japan. Key released their debut visual novel Kanon in June 1999, which combined an elaborate storyline, an up-to-date anime-style drawing style, and a...
under Visual Art's
Visual Art's
, formally , is a Japanese publishing company specializing in the publishing and distribution of visual novels for a large list of game developers. Visual Art's has developed the game engines their brands currently use, including the current engine, called Siglus, and older engines RealLive and...
, Navel
Navel (company)
is a Japanese label of Omega Vision Inc. a publisher of bishōjo eroge visual novel video games. Its name is a reference to the navel orange.-Games produced:By Navel*Shuffle! *Soul Link...
with Omegavision, and Circus for the design of the bishōjo game
Bishojo game
A , or , is "a type of Japanese video game centered on interactions with attractive anime-style girls". These games are a sub-genre of dating sims targeted towards a male audience....
heroines featured in Ai Sp@ce from Clannad, Shuffle!, and Da Capo II. Ai Sp@ce was initially going to be a text-based game similar to that of visual novel
Visual novel
A is an interactive fiction game featuring mostly static graphics, usually with anime-style art, or occasionally live-action stills or video footage...
s, but this was changed in favor of a 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
environment. Dwango's subsidiary Niwango ties in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from the Nico Nico Douga
Nico Nico Douga
is a popular video sharing website in Japan managed by Niwango, a subsidiary of Dwango. Its nickname is "Niconico" or "Nico-dō", where "nikoniko" is the Japanese ideophone for smiling. Nico Nico Douga is the thirteenth most visited website in Japan...
video sharing website by providing users the opportunity to upload gameplay
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
sequences online. The trading card game company Bushiroad is also involved in the project. I've Sound
I've Sound
I've Sound, or simply called , is a Japanese techno/trance music production group based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō, Japan. Led by Kazuya Takase, it features the talents of seasoned "sound creators" and many different female vocalists, known as to their fans....
member Kotoko sings the first theme song for Ai Sp@ce, entitled , and the single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
was released on December 3, 2008. Other music provided in the game is taken from the three visual novels used as a basis for Ai Sp@ce.
Beta testing
Despite an initial announcement of a summer 2008 release of Ai Sp@ces full version, beta testing for 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 Sp@ce Deluxe Card Sets" for 500 yenJapanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
(about US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
5) each at Comiket 74
Comiket
, otherwise known as the , is the world's largest self-published comic book fair, held twice a year in Tokyo, Japan. The first Comiket was held on December 21, 1975, with only about 32 participating circles and an estimated 600 attendees. Attendance has since swelled to over a half million people....
between August 15 and August 17, 2008, but those who bought the card sets also had to submit a participation application between August 18 and September 3, 2008 at Ai Sp@ces official website. 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.
Release
Ai Sp@ces client programClient (computing)
A client is an application or system that accesses a service made available by a server. The server is often on another computer system, in which case the client accesses the service by way of a network....
was released for free on October 15, 2008 downloadable on Ai Sp@ces official website and is compatible only on a Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
. 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 for Ai Sp@ce. In order to register for Ai Sp@ce, a user must already have an account for Nico Nico Douga.