Koneko realized that they needed a writer who could write both science fiction and emotional stories that could make readers cry, which led him to seek out and read science fiction light novels that had that sort of reputation. The basis for this proposal was Koneko wanting to write a story about the ultimate long-distance relationship, but also keep it at the 'furthest point within the range of human imagination.' Esports and VR were added to this concept, solidifying the project vision. In addition to esports, he also wrote proposals that included virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), and after several failed proposals, Okano liked one about a server on the far side of the Moon which houses an AI. The game's motif was built around the concept of esports, and Okano asked Koneko to draw up some proposals based on that theme. Planning for the project began with video game director Daichi Koneko and producer Tōya Okano, the latter of whom has been credited on the staff of Key's visual novels since providing scenario assistance with Air (2000). The game's soundtrack was composed by Shinji Orito, Donmaru, Ryō Mizutsuki, Shōji Morifuji, Hisashi Tenkyū, Shōyu and Shinpei Nasuno.įollowing Key's previous success with the production of two prior visual novels termed 'kinetic novels'- Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet (2004) and Harmonia (2016)-since their gameplay offers no choices or alternate endings, Lunaria was one of three kinetic novels announced in October 2020 alongside Loopers (2021) and Stella of The End (2022). The story was written by light novel author Takeshi Matsuyama, and character design was shared between Key's in-house artist Fumuyun and Sora Saeki. Instead, the player proceeds through the story solely by reading. Lunaria is the fifth of Key's 'kinetic novels'-beginning with Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet (2004)-since its gameplay offers no choices or alternate endings. One day, he wanders onto an unknown server on the Moon and meets the AI avatar Lunar-Q who earnestly wants to see the Earth herself. The story follows high school student Tabito Kamishiro, known as T-bit when playing the virtual reality racing game Skyout, which earns him an income in the form of prize money. It was ported to iOS and Android devices.

It was released on Decemfor Windows and is Key's 17th game overall. Lunaria: Virtualized Moonchild is a Japanese science fiction visual novel developed by Key, a brand of Visual Arts.

Lunaria story game