Decipher has acquired the license from Bandai Entertainment to produce an all-new trading card game based on the multi-media dot hack property.  Conceived as a property that would stretch across various forms of media and entertainment, dot hack has as its core the concept of a huge, out-of-control online game known as The World. The creators of dot hack wanted to use the different narrative strengths of the various media to tell different parts of the dot hack saga.  Already a huge hit in all its phases in Japan, the dot hack phenomenon has established a firm beachhead in American popular culture. The anime series, known as dot hack//SIGN is currently playing on the Cartoon Network's Saturday Adventure block, and DVD releases of the anime series are well on their way to becoming bestsellers for Bandai.  The recently released PS2 video game version, dot hack//INFECTION, is expected to reach Sony's Greatest Hits status within the year, while the dot hack//Legend of the Twilight manga series is almost certain to be a big hit for Tokyopop when it appears in September (see 'Tokyopop Gets Dot Hack Manga').

Decipher's CCG, dot hack//ENEMY, attempts to immerse players in The World, like the fictional roleplaying community depicted in the other dot hack releases.  In dot hack//ENEMY players experience The World from the point of view of the monsters and mysterious AI entities, which are corrupting the system.  Early playtesters have found 'shuffle-and-play' mechanics of the Decipher game make it  '...fast with a high fun factor.' As players accumulate enough Victory Points to win the game, they are simultaneously trying to stop their opponents from doing the same.  A unique tournament structure allows players to collect experience points to 'level up' their abilities.  This feature mimics the feel of the massive online roleplaying game as players gain experience and levels through the organized play system, they increase their ability to gain access to exciting and exclusive gameplay elements.

This summer Decipher will demonstrate the new game at its booths at Origins, Comic Con, GenCon, and DragonCon, while Bandai will do the same at Anime Expo, Comic Con, Otakon, CNAnime, and AnimeWeekend.  No details on price, pack or exact format are available now, but look for more details before Decipher launches its dot hack//ENEMY CCG in October.