2008 · Visual novel

Ai Space

A now defunct Japanese 3D MMO social game. Formed by a partnership between several companies, players had the chance to interact with characters and visit locations from the worlds of "Clannad", "Shuffle!", and "Da Capo II".

Released: 15 October 2008
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Visual novel
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Third person
Country: Japan

About

Ai Space (officially stylized as ai sp@ce) was a Japanese virtual 3D massively multiplayer online social game (MMOSG) developed by several companies that formed the Ai Space Production Committee which was launched on October 15, 2008 for Windows PCs, despite an earlier announcement of a Q3 2008 release. Beta testing commenced between mid-September and mid-October 2008. Primary development was handled by Headlock, and Dwango provided the world's infrastructure and Internet service. Dwango's subsidiary Niwango tied in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from the Nico Nico Douga video sharing website which provided users the opportunity to upload gameplay sequences online. The game closed down on June 30, 2011.

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 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 Space is sung by Kotoko.

Media

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Before gameplay can begin, a player must download a client program unique to Ai Space 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.

, 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".

Development

Ai Space is a collaborative effort from several companies that form the Ai Space Production Committee. The project is headed by the Dwango online service provider which developed 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. The initial idea was to make a world like Ai Space, 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 Space to move forward in development.