CyberConnect2 has recently announced the development of .hack//Z.E.R.O., a new game in the .hack multimedia series. The announcement was made on February 16, the 30th anniversary of the company.
While Bandai Namco Entertainment served as publisher for past titles, .hack//Z.E.R.O. will be self-published.
CyberConnect2 describes the new game, the first in the series (ignoring smartphone releases) since the 2012 fighter .hack//Versus, as “a novel RPG experience that blends the series’ trademark duality of fantasy (game world) and reality (real world) with modern expectations, infused with 100% pure CyberConnect2 spirit.” The company adds that it will be “enjoyable for both veteran fans and new players alike.”
See the action RPG’s teaser trailer, which was directed by Satoru Utsunomiya (CG director on Star Wars: Visions‘ “The Duel,” JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stone Ocean) below:
.hack//Z.E.R.O.‘s staff includes Hiroshi Matsuyama (.hack//OUTBREAK co-director, CyberConnect2 CEO and President) as executive producer, Seiichiro Hosokawa (.hack//G.U. games) as character designer, and Hiroto Niizato (.hack//OUTBREAK co-director) as creative director. “World-renowned violinist” Taro Hakase is in charge of writing the music.
The ,hack series, which also includes anime and printed media, follows players of a fictional multiplayer game called “The World.” Per the official timeline, the series kicked off in April 2002 with the TV anime .hack//SIGN.
2017 saw the release of .hack//G.U. Last Recode, a collection that contained remastered versions of the three .hack//G.U. games and a newly created “epilogue” titled .hack//G.U. Reconnection, on PlayStation 4 and PC. The collection came to the Nintendo Switch in 2022.
Source: @cc2information
