Category: Tokyo Chronos

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VR Mystery Novel Tokyo Chronos Beings Kickstarter Campaign

After a teasing reveal back in May, Japanese virtual reality (VR) developer MyDearest and LA-based Sekai Project have begun detailing more about their upcoming project Tokyo Chronos. That started last month with an appearance during the  Anime Expo 2018, and now today with the teams launching a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign. 

Tokyo Chronos

Being developed by a veteran team of industry professionals which includes Sword Art Online producer Kazuma Miki, Tokyo Chronos has been described as a VR mystery novel focused on immersion and storytelling, where the suspense and drama are told via a mix of visual animation and new comic book style user interface (UI).

There’s still no solid synopsis of the entire story just yet. The protagonist in the story is a 16-year old high school student called Kyosuke Sakurai. One day he wakes up in the “Chronos World”, an empty, deserted Shibuya where time has frozen. Previous details have mentioned eight friends who become trapped in this world where no one else exists, and where one person disappears at a time.

Currently, a total of four characters have been revealed. Apart from Sakurai there’s Karen Nikaido, described as “A quiet and mysterious girl. Calm but strong-willed.” Then there’s Yu Momono, “A girl with a simple and innocent personality. Has known Sakurai for the longest.” And lastly Yuria Togoku, a genius physicist who carries round a stuffed animal named Patty.

Tokyo Chronos

Looking to support Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR, the funding campaign for Tokyo Chronos aims to raise $75,000 USD. Funding tiers begin at $30 for an early bird discount off of a Steam or PlayStation VR key. Once finished, the standard tier will be $40 for a key. Prefer a physical copy? Then you’ll have to stump up $60 for the privilege (PC only). Or for those with the means – and dedication to see the project funded – there’s always the Ultimate Package for $2,499. This gets you the videogame, books, soundtrack, signed stuff, development swag and even a vinyl.

Check out the Kickstarter for more info, and both the videos below. For further updates during the campaign, keep reading VRFocus.

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Crowdfunding Campaign Set to Launch for Tokyo Chronos

Virtual reality (VR) development studio MyDearest Inc are getting ready for the launch of a Kickstarter campaign for Tokyo Chronos, a title that the studio describes as being a ‘VR mystery novel’. Attendees at Anime Expo 2018 will also get the chance to learn more about the title with a playable demo and panel discussion.

Tokyo Chronos is a character-based VR visual novel that uses the immersion of VR to involve the player in the story. The creators behind the project have been involved in several well-known properties such as Sword Art Online and CLANNAD.

The creators are planning on launching the Kickstarter campaign on 10th July. It has not yet been confirmed how much the team are attempting to raise, but some of the creative team, including director Haruki Kashiwakura and producer Kazuma Miki say they will be keeping backers and fans informed on new developments during the campaign, including information on characters and voice actors, as well as insights into the development process.

Those who are lucky enough to attend Anime Expo 2018 will be able to try out an exclusive playable demo of the title by visiting the South Hall, Booth #4418. Some of the creators of the project will also be present to discuss Tokyo Chronos as part of a panel titled: New Era of Visual Novel: Dive Into the Screen with VR Technology.

Very little is currently known about Tokyo Chronos, a brief, tantalising synopsis is all that has been unveiled so far concerning the plot, reading as follows:

When, and why, have we become separated?

A group of eight childhood friends —

The time has come for the truth to be revealed.

Trapped in an empty, deserted Shibuya where time has frozen over.

A strange world where the eight disappear one by one.

— I am dead. Who killed me?

If crowdfunding is successful, Tokyo Chronos is expected to be released in early 2019 for Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, PlayStation VR and HTC Vive. VRFocus will be sure to bring you further updates as they becomes available.