Ai Space

Before gameplay can begin, a player must download a client program unique to Ai Space which will enable its users to interact on the game's servers. The player is given the chance to customize a motional avatar to explore the virtual world. This avatar can be chosen to take on a male or female form; the male avatars are described as "cool" while female avatars are described as "sweet".[6] Facial expressions, figures, and hairstyle among other things are customizable, and the player can even customize personal information like birthdays and blood type.[6] The main gameplay will begin when the player has chosen one personal bishōjo game character from the visual novels Clannad, Shuffle!, and Da Capo II, which the player will be able to customize.[1] These bishōjo characters, known in the game as character dolls, or "chara-dolls", are able to wear different costumes (based on in-game items), and do a variety of things such as memorize various motions to act out or dance.[7] The chara-dolls can even eventually develop a unique personality for each user, known in-game as each chara-doll having a different "aitune".[1][7][8]

The player and the selected chara-doll are able to live together in the game on one of the game's three virtual "islands" which are designed to resemble the worlds features in the three aforementioned visual novels used as reference material for the game.[4][9] The house in which the players resides is equipped with furniture, though more could potentially be bought, along with items for the chara-doll or player to wear.[1][2] When inside the house together, the chara-doll moves of her own accord, though when outside the chara-doll stays with the player.[9] The player can freely converse with their chara-doll in a manner similar to visual novels where the text appears in the lower portion of the computer screen.[10] The three islands are connected by a central "Akihabara Island", modeled after the real Akihabara, where the different players and chara-dolls can interact via chatting and events.[4] When in Akihabara Island, the names given to the avatars and chara-dolls are viewable above their heads.

While Ai Space can be played free of charge, a player can buy Nico Nico Points from Nico Nico Douga for use in the game to expand the gameplay. Nico Nico Points can be used to obtain special in-game items such as clothing for the player's avatar and chara-doll, and furniture for the house where the player resides.[11] The Nico Nico Points can be purchased in 1000, 2000, 3000, and 5000 point sets with one point costing roughly one yen (about one cent).

Ai Space is a collaborative effort from several companies that form the Ai Space Production Committee.[10] The project is headed by the Dwango online service provider which developed the virtual world's infrastructure and Internet service support. According to Dwango's executive vice-president Toyoki Ōta, planning for the project began in 2006.[2] The initial idea was to make a world like Ai Space, but only incorporate the Da Capo II franchise, but this was changed to incorporate the Clannad and Shuffle! franchises as well. In 2006, Dwango was still primarily involved with the mobile phone industry, but were able to gain Internet service experience due to launching their subsidiary video sharing website Nico Nico Douga, which made it possible for Ai Space to move forward in development.[2]

Primary development was handled by Headlock which worked in collaboration with Key under Visual Art's, Navel with Omegavision, and Circus for the design of the bishōjo game heroines featured in Ai Space from Clannad, Shuffle!, and Da Capo II.[5] Ai Space was initially going to be a text-based game similar to that of visual novels, but this was changed in favor of a 3D environment.[2] Dwango's subsidiary Niwango ties in the Nico Nico Anime Channel from the Nico Nico Douga video sharing website by providing users the opportunity to upload gameplay sequences online.[4] The trading card game company Bushiroad is also involved in the project.[10] I've Sound member Kotoko sings the first theme song for Ai Space,[1] entitled "U Make Ai Dream" (U make 愛 dream), and the single was released on December 3, 2008. Other music provided in the game is taken from the three visual novels used as a basis for Ai Space.

• Ai Space's official website (in Japanese)