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Megami Meguri Public Transit Card 3DS Game's Promo Reveals December 8 Release

The official website of CAPCOM's Megami Meguri (Goddess Tour), the upcoming Nintendo 3DS game that will use IC cards, began streaming a promotional video on Tuesday. The video reveals the game's December 8 release date.

The video also introduces a new character named Amaterasu, a "goddess among goddesses" who will accompany players on their trip. Yuka Ozaki voices the character.

The site has also revealed seven additional characters known as the Seven Goddesses, who are testing Tsukumo in her journey to godhood. The characters include Ame no Uzume (Mirai Sasaki), Soto Orihime (Sae Ootsuka), Kukurihime (Ayaka Imamura), Konohana Sakuyahime (Aina Suzuki), Toyotama Hime (Reina Ueda), Ame no Sagume (Haruka Chisuga), and Ishi Kore Dome (Asuka Ōgame).

The game centers on Tsukumo (voiced by Ayasa Itō), a spirit who wishes to become a goddess who shines on people like the sun. Players help Tsukumo grow into a goddess by traveling throughout Japan and developing their relationship with her. Players will be able to "teach" Tsukumo words, which she can then use in conversation with players using the "Megami Speak Engine," a voice synthesis program.

LovePlus character designer Tarō Minoboshi is designing the characters for the game.

Aside from the standard edition, the game will also get a Collector's Package and Complete Edition release. The Collector's Package, which costs 5,800 yen (about US$56), will include special box art by Minoboshi, five DLC clothing sets (seen below), 20 expendable in-game "jewels," a 36-page artbook, a 30-track original soundtrack CD, and a poster. The Complete Edition, which costs 9,800 yen (about US$96) and is available only on the e-CAPCOM online store, will contain all the content of the Collector's Package, along with special e-CAPCOM box art, acrylic multi-stands of Tsukumo in her room wear, a Megami Meguri pass case and ticket holder, and a microfiber cloth.

The game uses IC cards, which are used in Japan to pay for public transportation fares. In the game, players tap the IC card on the Nintendo 3DS, which will give players items and allow them to converse with characters. The exact nature of the items and characters will vary depending on the data on the card, such as riding history.

10 types of IC cards — including Kitaca, Suica, Pasmo, Toica, Manaca, Icoca, PiTaPa, Sugoca, Nimoca, and Hayakaken cards — will all be supported in the game, and the game will portray over 9,000 real-life stations in Japan.

The game is part of a planned project done in conjunction with local railways with the intent to revitalize local areas.