Computer Games derived from or inspired by anime (Japanese animation) and/or manga (Japanese comics).  To begin with this section will borrow heavily from firm's press releases and from catalogues etc for the descriptions.  Also the emphasis will be on computer games released for Windows'95 or MS-DOS and the Western market.

BATTLETECH
Published by FASA.
For more than a decade FASA had incorporated into its fictional BattleTech universe some images created and used in the Japanese television series Macross.  Though FASA maintained it had licensed the mecha designs from the Japanese Studio Nue its right to use these images was challenged by Harmony Gold and Playmates Toys who had the American rights to the Robotech TV series (an Americanised version of Macross).  Although the court case against FASA was dismissed, FASA phased out the dozen or so specific design images that appeared in the Macross series so that the only mecha designs now present in BattleTech are those done by FASA itself.

DESTINY   (Under development, coming 1999)
By Web Works Interactive.
An Asian based multiplayer RPG.  Based/inspired by anime/manga/Chinese comics will have five unique Asian based characters.  For gameplay while you can play by yourself "it has been specifically designed to be more playable as a multiplayer game, creating situations that specifically allow party members to share/combine skills and work together as a team to solve quests".  For the number of possible players the designers are currently targeting a minimum of 10 players.

Note: they are currently running a character design competition where you can submit your favourite Asian style character.

GUNDAM 0079 THE WAR FOR EARTH
By Bandai Digital Entertainment.
"A futuristic new universe is at your command.  It's universal century 0079.  Offplanet cylindrical space colonies represent Earth's only hope for the future.  But the Duchy of Zeon longs for freedom and they'll stop at nothing to get it.  Don the prototype Gundam 0079 Mobile Suit and lead the United Federation into battle against the forces of the Zeon aggressors.  This gripping 3D adventure game gives 360' movement and viewing.  With great graphics, you can select from a variety of weapons, an option of 1st or 3rd person views.  " From the Military Simulations catalog.

HEAVY GEAR
By Activision.
"This new mech combat game, based on the Heavy Gear roleplaying game, leaves all others behind! With a stunning, fluid animation system.  Highly detailed buildings, rocks, rolling 3D terrain that looks like terrain! You can build a Heavy Gear from scratch with one of 16 customizable chassis, or pilot one of the 16 provided Heavy Gears.  Deploy squad mates and call in air and artillery strikes while you pilot your own heavy gear, has stunning cut-scenes and character based missions.  Features huge mobile landships.  You can kneel, side-step and crouch.  " From the Military Simulations catalog.

ONI
By Bungie.
"Experience Full Contact Action in a futuristic anime-inspired 3D world.  Empty your clip into your opponents and then take out the survivors with flying kicks and neck snapping throws.  With its revolutionary engine, Onie will change the way you look at 3rd person action games .  .  .  Oni takes place in a near future 3D anime world which can be imagined as a blend of 'La Femme Nikita', 'Ghost in the Shell' and 'Fist ofFury'.  '

SEPTERRA CORE (coming in USA Fall'99, eg our Spring'99)
Being developed by Valkyrie Studios.
To be published by European publisher TopWare Interactive with Monolith Productions
obtaining the North American publishing rights.  An anime Role-Playing Epic for Win95.  "Septerra Core is a futuristic fable set on a world of seven continents that float, one above the other, around a central, living computer core.  With the scope and grandeur of a mythological epic, Septerra Core features strong characters and an intricate storyline set in a fantastical anime-inspired universe.  Gameplay combines traditional role-playing elements, and easy-to-use adventure and fast-paced , strategic combat.  " .  .  .  "Gamer play the part of Maya, a young Junk Scavenger who lives on the second layer of Septerra Core, where inhabitants dwell amongst the trash discarded by the inhabitants of the level above them.  Picking teams of three from the cast of nine supporting characters, Maya sets out on a quest to the core of the seven layered world to unlock its apocalyptic secrets.  each of the selectable companions has varied motivations and skills, and will interact differently with over 100 fully interactive non-player characters.  In addition, Septerra Core features an unique spell-casting system based on a deck of 'Fate cards' and a clock-based combat system that combines the strategy of turn-based combat with the thrill of fast paced action.  The game promises top-notch production values, including 640x480 graphics, 16-bit color and cinematic animation sequences.  "  From firm's media release.

SHOGO: MOBILE ARMOR DIVISION
By Monolith Productions.
Uses their LithTech 3D engine which has been favourably compared to the Quake 2 and Unreal engines.  "The influence of Robotech, Patlabor and the more recent Neon Genesis Evangelion can be found in Shogo, not to mention non-mech science fiction anime such as Ghost in the Shell and Venus wars  .  .  .  we give you 10 meter tall anthropomorphic Mobile Combat Armor, devastating weapons of destruction, and all the visual flair a discerning anime fan would hope for.  "  From firm's media release.

THE 3D ADVENTURES OF SAILOR MOON
By 3VR, Inc.
A interactive CD-ROM game for ages 6+ that offers five different play areas to explore, including the Magical Puzzle Room, the 3D Fashion Salon, the Galactic Moon Library, the Crystal Fighting Arena and Moon Castle TV Show.

BY FIRM:

3VR, Inc.    http://www.3vr.com/
    The 3D Adventures of Sailor Moon
Activision  http://www.activision.com/games/pub-index.html
    Heavy Gear
Bandai Digital Entertainment   http://www.bdec.com/
    Gundam 0079: The War for Earth
Bungie   http://www.bungie.com/
    Oni
FASA   http://www.fasa.com/index1.html
    BattleTech
Monolith Productions   http://www.lith.com/
    Septerra Core   (North American publishers)
    Shogo: Mobile Armor Division
TopWare Interactive   http://www.topware.com/
    Septerra Core   (European publishers)
Valkyrie Studios   http://www.valkyriestudios.com/
    Septerra Core   (Developers)
Web Works Interactive  http://destiny.inet.net.my/
    Destiny

For list of anime derived or related video games, not personal computer games, try the games/anime-faq associated with the rec.arts.anime.games newsgroup.

Of course we would be interested in hearing about any anime and/or manga inspired or related games that are not yet listed (and can be played by those who only understand English) contact me at masweb@metva.com.au.

Note: reference to a product name without its trademark status is not meant to suggest lack of trademark rights in that name.  All images, character names and titles are copyrighted by their respective rights holders.

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