SEATTLE — Visual novel publisher MiKandi Japan and Japanese game maker Laplacian have partnered to develop a new visual novel series.
The working title for the project is “E-Gene,” and the story revolves around famous historical figures and animal girls.
MiKandi Japan is producing and publishing the game. Laplacian is writing the scenario and creating the artwork.
MiKandi Japan, a Japanese-to-English game and manga publisher, is best known for funding the localization of XERO’s bishoujo visual novel “Libra of the Vampire Princess” on Kickstarter in 2016. The game plus its two mini-episodes are currently available on Steam.
Laplacian is a Japanese game studio specializing in creating bishoujo visual novels that focus on science, comedy and adventure.
The game will be voiced by Japanese artists and will be playable with both English and Japanese subtitles.
Gamers who enjoy stories fused with history, science fiction, witty humor and animal characters will want to keep an eye on this project, its creators said.
Ono Wasabi, Game Producer for Laplacian explains the game world concept and introduces the first character:
"The key concept behind ‘E-Gene’ is that All the great struggles throughout human history were due to the disputes between dogs and cats.’
“Marie Antoinette, who was on the side of the dogs during the revolution led by the cat side, incurred the wrath of the public when she said, ‘Well, if all the cats are gone, let them keep dogs.’ In our story, great historical figures are being brought back to life using genetic technology, when another grand dispute unfolds. And to top it off, these great figures are coming back … as adorable animal girls!”
The first game in the series will be created with funds raised through MiKandi Japan’s Patreon page and released in the fall.
After that, a Kickstarter campaign to further develop the series is planned. As for pricing, “E-Gene” will be affordable game series, its creators said. One- to 10-hour games cost $1-10 each.
To support the project, visit MiKandi Japan’s Patreon page here. Visit MiKandi Japan here. Visit Laplacian here.
