Digimon World -next 0rder- Launches in Japan

March 17th, 2016. Today, Digimon World -next 0rder- launched in Japan exclusively on the PlayStation Vita. The game features the traditional open world-virtual pet gameplay that popularized the original Digimon World, and features the protagonist of the first game in a prominent supporting role.

Singer Aoi Eir tweeted about the launch, asking fans to look forward to playing the game and stating that she herself will be playing. Former Digimon Adventure director Kakudou Hiroyuki also tweeted about the launch, explaining that he assisted in directing the voice recording process for the game. They were joined by Han Megumi, voice of Shiramine Nokia in Cyber Sleuth and Kuzuhamon in -next 0rder-. Han showed off her own copy with exclusive Jump Festa stickers. The official Digimon games Twitter celebrated the launch with its costumed mascots Agumon & Gabumon, and character designer Taiki also acknowledged the launch.

This is the first Digimon World game in three years, following up from Re:Digitize Decode on the 3DS. It's also a highly experimental title, introducing a second partner Digimon for tamers to raise simultaneous to their first, a combination evolution system that allows for temporary mid-battle fusions, and a radical new "0rder System" that allows tamers to issue direct commands to their Digimon by spending points that they build up by cheering on their team.

-next 0rder- Update Adds Hard Mode

March 16th, 2016. The official Digimon World -next 0rder- Twitter account revealed the details on a day one Hard Mode addition to Digimon World -next 0rder-, which adjusts the game balance by modifying the stats of enemy Digimon. Tamers can switch Hard Mode on and off by speaking to Punimon within Jijimon's house, or get more information about the mode by asking the Digimon.

Digimon World -next 0rder- will launch in Japan March 17th, 2016, on the PlayStation Vita for 6,980 yen (7,539 JPY after tax). It is the latest entry in the World series, succeeding directly from Re:Digitize Decode on the 3DS, Re:Digitize on the PSP, and World on the PSX. Tying into Digimon Adventure tri., the game will feature Maicoomon as free downloadable content.

Those that preorder the game will get access to five special DLC Digimon, a remastered copy of the 1999 Digimon World soundtrack, and two original Vita themes, "ver. Nostalgic" and "ver. Dot." Theme ver. Dot features a montage of original Digimon LCD sprites, while theme ver. Nostalgic turns the screen into the layout of a Digital Monster virtual pet. 

Fans Defeat Mugendramon in Online Battle to Save War Greymon

Over March 3rd, 2016, the official Digimon World -next 0rder- title site updated its Twitter campaign with a new special battle; in order to defeat the Mugendramon that War Greymon had mutated into back in February, fans needed to cheer on a new partner Digimon, Metal Garurumon, and reach 20,000 "0rder Points." (Referring to the titular game mechanic.) By the 14th tamers had reached that point; after its defeat Mugendramon reverted to War Greymon, and Metal Garurumon fused with it to become Omegamon.

Fans unlocked a special in-game evolution item to evolve their partner into Imperialdramon Dragon Mode as free DLC. (Available from March 17th, 2016, until April 17th, 2016.) The 0rder Point counter was then replaced with the phrase '"ExE" Activate!' (“ExE”発動 "ExE" Hatsudou!)

Digimon World -next 0rder- will launch in Japan March 17th, 2016, on the PlayStation Vita for 6,980 yen (7,539 JPY after tax). It is the latest entry in the World series, succeeding directly from Re:Digitize Decode on the 3DS, Re:Digitize on the PSP, and World on the PSX. Tying into Digimon Adventure tri., the game will feature Maicoomon as free downloadable content.

Those that preorder the game will get access to five special DLC Digimon, a remastered copy of the 1999 Digimon World soundtrack, and two original Vita themes, "ver. Nostalgic" and "ver. Dot." Theme ver. Dot features a montage of original Digimon LCD sprites, while theme ver. Nostalgic turns the screen into the layout of a Digital Monster virtual pet. 

Online Koromon Evolves to Agumon

January 26th, 2016. Just an hour after we reported that Bandai's online virtual pet had evolved to Koromon, the Digimon crossed over the 8000 tweet threshold necessary evolve to its Child stage, Agumon. This has unlocked the next reward tier for Digimon World -next 0rder- and Linkz; every time the Digimon evolves, fans are rewarded for participating in the event by earning additional in-game Chain Melons (for -next 0rder-) and Digistones (for Linkz).

As of now Agumon has accrued a cumulative 8,964 tweets, and will evolve to Adult at the 12,000 mark. The current total number of rewards being given is three total Chain Melons and seven total Digistones. At the Adult level, fans will earn one additional Chain Melon and eight additional Digistones.

Digimon World -next 0rder- will launch in Japan March 17th, 2016, on the PlayStation Vita. Digimon Linkz will launch in 2016, on Android and iOS.

Online Digitama Hatches into Botamon

January 22nd, 2016. Bandai's latest "Nade-Nade" campaign reached its next stage overnight, with the online Digitama for Digimon World -next 0rder- and Linkz hatching into a Botamon. The command to rub the Digitama ("nade-nade") has changed to "give food," emulating the style of care in the original Digital Monster virtual pets. Clicking the button creates a premade Tweet for fans to share, which contributes to the "Care Counter" on the website.

Currently the counter is at 3031; at 3500 Botamon will evolve to his Baby II stage, and the next tier of in-game rewards for both -next 0rder- and Linkz will unlock, granting Digimon tamers an additional Chain Melon and two Digistones in their respective games. The website encourages fans to share the game on Facebook and over the LINE messaging application.

Chain Melons are items which extend a Digimon's lifespan in the World series, while Digistones recover stamina in Linkz, allowing Digimon to train longer. 

Digimon World -next 0rder- will launch in Japan March 17th, 2016, on the PlayStation Vita. Digimon Linkz will launch in 2016, on Android and iOS.