The World Next Door by Viz Media is the company's first move away from anime and manga and into the video game industry. The company is perhaps best known for its animated adaptations of gaming franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Pokémon, but this new project will see the company take hold of an original IP to create something completely unique. Partnering with Portland-based indie developer Rose City Games, Viz Media is creating The World Next Door as an impressive title to place both companies on the gaming map.
The World Next Door will come from Viz Media's new gaming division and will be a narrative-focused game. Drawing inspiration from games like Oxenfree and Night in the Woods, The World Next Door will combine an incredible narrative with an aesthetic-driven adventure experience. Anime has also been cited as a big influence of the game, as evidenced from the early artwork of the game. Viz Media is currently accepting publishing inquiries for the game, but does not yet have an expected release window.
Image Dredit: Rose City Games/Viz Media
Anime-Inspired Video Games
'The World Next Door' is the First Title by Viz Media
Trend Themes
1. Narrative-focused Games - The World Next Door is an innovative example of a narrative-focused game that combines storytelling and immersive gameplay.
2. Aesthetic-driven Adventures - The World Next Door taps into the trend of aesthetic-driven adventure experiences that prioritize visual design and atmosphere.
3. Anime-inspired Gaming - Anime-inspired video games like The World Next Door are gaining popularity, presenting opportunities for game developers to explore this niche market.
Industry Implications
1. Entertainment - The entertainment industry, particularly the gaming sector, can see potential for disruptive innovation by creating unique, anime-inspired video games like The World Next Door.
2. Publishing - Publishing companies can explore partnerships with independent game developers to tap into the growing trend of narrative-focused games and bring innovative titles to the market.
3. Art and Design - The art and design industry can find opportunities in creating visually captivating games like The World Next Door, which prioritize aesthetics and offer unique experiences for players.