Root Double (from the director of the Infinity series)

[VDZ]

It's interesting how much the city is described even when the story appears to take place in only a small area of the city - I wonder what's going to happen in the story that makes the rest of the city important.

[GundamAce]

Here's the bit about Surveillance Cameras

Spoiler for Surveillance Cameras:

Surveillance Cameras
There are surveillance cameras set up at the entry points for Rokumei City, glaring down at potential criminals.
Normally, something like this would be considered an unusual and rather strict scene, but it's necessary because of Rokumei City's "secret city designated by the government" status.
In other words, the city is a special scientific ward appointed by the government, and thus, public order regulations are the most imposed laws in the city.
It's especially thanks to the implementation of the surveillance camersa that the public order is so good.


Also, because of the many research institutes within the city, there is fear of the possibility of industry spies, and so the security is expected to be perfect.
Because many research institutes are also affected by national policies, there is much precaution against the leaking of research results.
This secrecy is why entering and leaving the city has such strict regulations.
The cameras were established just 14 years ago, but there's been barely any opposition from the residents, and now they're completely accustomed to it. Their mindset is basically "it's like a 'policeman patrol'. If there's nothing to feel guilty about, then I don't mind."
They have simply accepted the surveillance cameras as a part of their daily lives.

[GundamAce]

A little bit of an update regarding what will be present at the next Comiket:

"On those days, a new trailer will be screening. (Currently, we're quickly working to finish it!) Playing during the trailer will be the completed opening theme! Also, there will be CGs that are being shown to the public for the first time, along with the confirmation of a part of the cast. There will also be a group of keywords that are important to the scenario."

[GundamAce]

The first day of Comiket is over. No news about the contents of the trailer yet, but amusingly enough, people were already cosplaying as Root Double characters there.

[GundamAce]

Small piece of news, we have the name of the OP: "Double Bible".

Double Bible... I guess that could be a reference to the whole "BC-AD" thing this game seems to have going for it.

[4as]

Originally Posted by GundamAce

"Double Bible".

Ahaha *snork*
That is just flat out silly.

[GundamAce]

Well, the second day is over, but still no news about the PV. Judging from some Twitter conversations about it, I wonder if they've been sworn to secrecy until the final day. Oh well.

If you're curious what the booth looks like though, here it is (it's a small photo though, probably because it was taken by Nakazawa's cell).

http://twitpic.com/3l0hfs

[GundamAce]

The trailer's up! There's two versions: one with male narration at the end, and one with female narration at the end:

http://www.yetigame.jp/w/spe02.html

While you can hear several voices in the trailer (I think one of them is Watase's while the main voice is Louise's), none of the seiyuu have been named. Furthermore, the trailer contains a part of the OP Double Bible, which is sung by Aira Yuuki.

EDIT: Youtube versions of the videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkkSY..._order&list=UL (Male version)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNd7asful7E (Female version)

[GundamAce]

Here is a list of all the keywords in the trailer:

AD/Alone Desire／Rokumei City Parapsychology Institute／Government designated top secret city／Andrésy witch hunts／BC Receptor／Communication Management Service／ARMS/Air Reading Mascot System／Rokumei City's Firefighting Department Special Advanced Rescue Party Sirius

Rokumei City's Simultaneous Serial Arson Incidents／BC Receptor／Victims of Crime Class Support Laws／WX Particles Amplifier／Ultra Intuitional Science Technique Department／Sirius' Long Day／Posterior IGF2R Gene Abnormality Type S／Super Computer Brain Cell／Senses Sympathy System (?)

Rokumei City's Security Department: Eclipse／Communicator／Denial Syndrome／Special Observation Target Na Unit 2／Self-Information Ability Location Emission Experiment／BC/Beyond Communication／BC Principle／Dark Energy／W Particles／The Fifth Power／BC Misuse Prohibition Laws／Charles Bonnet Syndrome

In this world full of deception, grave questions will be thrust／Elementary Particles／RAM System／Accelerated Growth of Outer Space／Information Energy／M Particles／Rokumei City's multi-unit apartment Gas Explosion Incident／Procyon／Meltdown／Betelgeuse New Medications／Transmission Experiment Phase 2／Unit 316

Empathy／Research Academy City／Test Subject N／Telepathy／Ability Level and Aptitude Strength／Third Man Phenomenon／Blind Spot／Anti-BC Alliance／Betelgeuse New Medications／Rokumei Academy

Thanks goes to a Japanese Twitter user who got all the terms. Without it, I wouldn't be able to translate it.

[VDZ]

Getting strong Remember11 vibes from the keywords.

[GundamAce]

Brief update: Nakazawa mentions on his Twitter that he went to the studio today to watch over the voice recording session. If they're already doing voice recording, then I guess that means the script's pretty much done already.

[GundamAce]

Sorry it took me so long to post this, but I also identified the Bible quote in the trailer:

You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape.

-Psalms 88:8

[GundamAce]

Another Nakazawa twitter update.

In one of his recent posts, he mentioned that the text size of Root Double is about 3.5 MB right now. I/O's MB size was 3.12 and Ever17's MB size was 2.87, so it seems like this one will be longer than both of them. Either way, I have doubts now that this game is simply going to be 2 routes long, especially considering that I/O was 10 routes long (though 3 of those routes were about 8 hours while the other 7 were about 2-3 hours).

[winkel]

Originally Posted by GundamAce

Brief update: Nakazawa mentions on his Twitter that he went to the studio today to watch over the voice recording session. If they're already doing voice recording, then I guess that means the script's pretty much done already.

Although I am concerned seeing as Tsukishima Souki is the one actually writing the script and not Nakazawa. Not that I don't trust his work... Imaginary Range was a pretty unique game, and I bet his story for Root Double will be good too, but I was hoping for some true Nakazawa goodness.

[GundamAce]

Originally Posted by winkel

Although I am concerned seeing as Tsukishima Souki is the one actually writing the script and not Nakazawa. Not that I don't trust his work... Imaginary Range was a pretty unique game, and I bet his story for Root Double will be good too, but I was hoping for some true Nakazawa goodness.

Well, maybe he's not writing the whole script. After all, in I/O, while Nakazawa left the writing of Routes A-D to other writers, he still wrote Route E (which was pretty much the "True Route"), but it wasn't listed until after the credits for Route E. So maybe he'll do the same here, just in secret.

And from what I got out of the segments I translated from the main site, Tsukishima's writing style seems to be good so far.

[GundamAce]

Minor update from Nakazawa's twitter: the main site should be updated again in a few days. Also, recording is still currently going on for the game.

[GundamAce]

Main site update:

- The "Game System" page has finally been opened
- A page on "Psychic Magical Girl: Beyond☆Commi". (Not sure how this is going to apply in game. Maybe she's supposed to be like Lem from I/O)
- Two new CGs and scenes, titled "A Hair's Breadth" and "Rampaging Doubt and Spite"
- Pages on "Beyond Communication" and "The Seven Wonders of Rokumei City"

I'll translate those once I have time later.

[GundamAce]

First of the new CG scenes.

Episode 7: A Hair's Breadth

◆September 16th, 11:00 Episode/Route A――――

After that, they try visiting all the rooms,
but they cannot find the rescuees or the AD.

"We've also checked the passageways. We searched every nook and cranny."
Watase and Kazami continues towards the passageway leading to the factory.
But the passageway has caved in, so they can't advance forwards.

But the factory is just up ahead.
The group has already finished completely searching around the inner circuit.

"This is weird... the rescuees are nowhere to be found."
"It certainly is strange. But they might be in the factory."
"We'll could go back and help with the rescue on the other side."
"That's true. Perhaps they're――"
Just when Watase says that, there's an unexpected sound at their feet.

(What's that!?）
Taken aback, they look down――
The floor at Kazami's feet is cracking.

(The floor's going to...！）
At the instant he thinks that――Watase's time is delayed.
He can see everything in slow motion.

"!"
Realizing the accident that's coming, Kazami instantly reacts.
――Right after that, the floor at Kazami's feet collapses.

"Kazami!"
Watase instantly reaches out his hand, and grabs Kazami's arm.
At that moment, a sharp pain runs through his cracked ribs.

(Guhh!!)
But he endures it, and grasps Kazami's arm tightly.
The dust from the collapsed floor blows up, but clears up before long――
Kazami's faces looks across at Watase's.

"Whew... that was close, wasn't it, Tachibana?"
"C-Captain...!"
"It's a good thing you reacted instantly. Actually, this is quite a big deal for the body of this Watase Kasasagi."
When he says that, Kazami suddenly laughs.

"Even if you have amnesia, Captain, you really are our commanding officer..."
"So it seems... but we can save the admiration for later."
"I'm going to pull you out, so give me your other hand."
"Okay..."
Watase seizes both of Kazami's hands, and like that, brings her up in one pull.

"Th-Thank you very much, Captain..."
"You're not hurt, are you?"
"N-No..."
"I see. I'm glad to hear that. However..."
He looks over at the collapsed floor in the passage.

"Area 6 has been severely damaged by that large fire."
"You're right... do you think the others are all right?"
"We should hurry and go back so we can confirm that."
Watase says this, and they go running off again.


※The image and text are still in the middle of development.

[GundamAce]

Episode 10: Rampaging Doubt and Spite

◆September 16th, 2:00 P.M. Episode/ Route A――――

And when he approaches the passageway connecting to Area 1――
He hears a strange sound coming from ahead of him.

"... What's that sound?"
He holds his breath, and peeks ahead of him from the curve of the passageway.

(Moribe!?)
Jun is standing 10 meters (33 feet) ahead of him, holding an engine cutter.
For some reason, there's blooding flows from her head while she mutters something to herself.

(TN: An engine cutter is basically like a specialized type of chainsaw, frequently used by rescue teams. It can cut through many thick substances, like concrete, brick, and metal.)

"Where... the hell is that person...?
That's right... it really was that...
Then... it can't be helped anymore...
If I don't do it, I can't protect everyone... I have to kill that person...
It's painful, but I've got to do my best...!"
Jun mutters to empty space, as if she's reciting a magic spell.

When he hears that, Watase shudders.
(By "that person"... does she mean me!?)
No matter how he thinks about it, it's strange, but after just having Ukita try to kill him, Watase can't think that way anymore.
Watase turns around, and whispers into Kazami's ear.

"This is bad... Moribe's brought out an engine cutter."
"Kuh... it can't be helped. I'll try temporarily drawing her attention."
"... Are you okay with that? Even though Moribe's like your little sister...?"
"If she's gone this far, then it's likely any type of persuasion I try will be useless, so...!"
Kazami says this with a bitter voice, and Watase nods.
But just as she's about to walk out――
Watase makes a sound with his shoes.

"Who's there!?"
The sound of the engine cutter rapidly draws near.
"Wh-Why did you...!"
"Tachibana, let's run!"
Watase and Kazami desperately start running down the passageway.

Like that, they try to escape into the facility.
They take refuge in Area 3, down the continuing passageway, and when they close the gate, Kazami speaks with a frightened voice.
"C-Captain... where should we run away to?"
"... Now that Moribe's brought out that engine cutter, it'll be meaningless to barricade ourselves in any of the rooms. She'll just destroy the doors."
"But there must be some safe place we can take refuge in..."


※The image and text are still in the middle of development.

[GundamAce]

Now then, here's the part about "Beyond Communication"

Spoiler for Beyond Communication:

2030 A.D.――A future where there is scientific proof of the existence of telepathy.

Alongs with the times, the way that humans have communicated has greatly changed.
A long time ago, humans conveyed their will to others through gestures and actions, and before long, words were created.
Letters were born, typography and printing was born, telegraphs, telephones, and the Internet were born... communication has evolved.
And at the beginning of this century――human communication methods are undergoing a large conversion due to an event.

The manifestation of "BC".

BC――Beyond Communication.
Long distance thought communication, ultra thought communication, very old communication ability... the name is packed with various meanings, but the most direct way of saying it is――"the power to connect minds."

"A new way to transmit one's will", it's a form of communication with others that doesn't require language.

This ability is part of a class that, in the past, was called "psychic powers", "telepathy", and "ESP".
It also could be considered "reading the atomosphere" and a "sixth sense", but BC is a phenomenon that might not have fully manifested itself yet.
It was once believed to be something that belonged to the occult world, but by 2030, it ahs advanced studies in particle physics, physiology, and genetic engineering, so with both its manifestation and phenomenon mechanisms almost having been proven by science, there is now barely anyone who doubts its existence.

A human who can use BC is called a "Communicator".

16 years ago―― in 2014, as if the timing of BC's scientific proof had almost been prepared, a great number of Communicators were born around the world, as if they had been linked.
By "a great number", the rate of Communicators born did not exceed several tens of thousands, so there's no doubt that they're still extraordinarily rare.

BC is largely divided into two classifications.

◆Ability #1: Telepathy
　 The ability to directly send a "voice" to someone else's mind.
　 The transmitter (the speaker) and the receiver (the listener) cannot have a "conversation" at the same time.
　 They can only talk mutually. To liken it to something, it'd be close to say it's like having a conversation with a string-can telephone and a tranceiver.
　 If you are a Communicator, you can use this ability on anyone (However, the effective range of this power changes depending on the Communicator's abilities.)

◆Ability #2: Empathy
　 The ability to read someone else's mind.
　 However, it's not like Empathy can be used unconditionally on someone.
　 Empathy can't be used unless the Communicator has built up a trusting and empathetic relationship with the one they use it on.
　 In other words, as long as their companion thinks "If it's you, then I don't mind if you look into my mind", then it can be used.
　 Normal people create a firm barrier around their mind, so Empathy is almost never used at all.
　 Only a part of the Communicators can use this ability. (Again, the range of this power changes depending on the Communicator's abilities.)

The are the only two abilities know as of present, but as BC is not yet fully understood, there's a lot more that's unknown about it.
Anyway, in the first place, the brain itself is still not very well understood.
The common view amongst BC researchers is that as Telepathy and Empathy advance further, "The Third Ability" may develop.


Since the discovery of BC, research all around the world has advanced, and there has been an advance in Japanese national project services.

As Rokumei City has an important research theme to it, each research institute is carrying out various studies and experiments.

In that Mecca is the "Rokumei City Parapsychology Research Institute".


Although BC is a convenient ability, a considerable amount of practice is required to master it.
So in the recent years, a school has been created in order to give Communicators special education to develop their abilities.
That is, a private school for Communicators.
It is the Parapsychology Special Division School, "Rokumei Academy".
Rokumei Academy offers consistent education from elementary, middle, and high school, and from when they are children, the students are trained in their unusual talent.
Naturally, the curriculum includes a lot of classes related to BC.
In order to enter the school, they have to go through a BC ability "aptitude test".
Every year, the principal tells the same thing to the new students.
――"You have all passed a rigid selection, so you could be called the elites of BC ability."――

Natsuhiko and Mashiro commute to Rokumei Academy, so naturally they have BC aptitude.
Mashiro in particular has displayed, from the start, exceptional mastery and talent in Telepathy.

And so, Rokumei City is a powerful municipal city with its BC research and education.
Also, there's an extrodinarily high ratio of Communicators living in the city (1 Communicator for every 500 people).
This is is why the Japanese government postively recommends for Communicators to move to Rokumei City.





Their goal is to properly train and safeguard Communicators.
Communicators are generally misunderstood and become the target of persecution in ordinary towns.
The large manifestion of BC was in 2014──because people still do not understand BC, various tragedies have broken out all over the world.
To protect Communicators from those with ill-will against them and to guide them on the right path, the country maintains laws that allow their minds to be at ease and take various measures to make sure they are treated favorably.
They receive the maximum amount of benefits from Rokumei City.
So to speak, Rokumei City is a city that is a utopia for both researchers and Communicators.

Now then...
Just what does this BC have to do with the "accident"...?

Whew, this took quite the while to translate.