NEWS
GAME
Director’s Letter – ♯005
Preface
Hello everyone, Director Soejima here.
This is the final Director Letter before the official game release, marking the culmination of our pre-launch communications. In this letter, I’m thrilled to introduce Story and ＸＢ!
Story Setting
The world of TRIBE NINE unfolds across two different mediums: the anime series that aired in 2022 and the upcoming game version releasing on February 20th.
The anime and game share a chronological timeline, with the game taking place in Neo Tokyo roughly two years after the anime’s finale.
While many of you will be experiencing TRIBE NINE for the first time through the game, it features a standalone storyline, so you don’t need to have watched the anime to enjoy it.
That said, we’d like to take this opportunity to introduce the broader world of TRIBE NINE, encompassing both the anime and the game.
The World of TRIBE NINE
What kind of place is Neo Tokyo?
The world of TRIBE NINE takes place in Neo Tokyo, a fictional country inspired by real-life Tokyo.
But Neo Tokyo is far more expansive than its real-world inspiration. Its 23 cities have developed in dramatically different ways, each boasting a unique blend of culture and environment.
However, Neo Tokyo faced a grave crisis when its youth began engaging in rampant acts of violence. The brutality was beyond description, and the nation teetered on the brink of collapse.
Desperate to restore order, the government enacted the “ＸＢ Law.”
This law mandated that all disputes be settled through ＸＢ (Extreme Baseball), a sport similar to baseball. In time, the youth became captivated by ＸＢ, and Neo Tokyo gradually regained peace.
Cities and Tribes
“Tribes” are groups of young people who actively represent and operate within their respective cities.
In Neo Tokyo, where ＸＢ restored peace and order, young people who excel at ＸＢ now wield considerable influence over global events.
This is because ＸＢ’s influence has surpassed that of the traditional judicial system.
The key to this system is the “Judge Robot,” an imposing figure that presides over all ＸＢ matches.
The Judge Robot not only governs the city but also has the authority to impose penalties on any young person who disregards the rules of ＸＢ.
This automated enforcement has been instrumental in transforming Neo Tokyo, a technologically advanced society, into a world where ＸＢ reigns supreme.
Without the Judge Robot’s vigilant presence, the city would likely descend back into chaos and violence.
In the anime, our protagonist Haru joins the Minato Tribe after a fateful encounter with Kamiya, a young man with a burning passion for ＸＢ.
As the Minato Tribe competes in one thrilling match after another, they find themselves caught up in a decisive showdown that will determine the fate of Neo Tokyo.
Will Haru and his allies, united with other Tribes, overcome the looming threat to their world?
TRIBE NINE in the Game
The transformed Neo Tokyo
Two years after the climactic battle with Haru and his allies, Neo Tokyo has been dramatically reshaped.
A mysterious new ruler has seized control of the cities, and ＸＢ, once the lifeblood of the nation, has fallen into decline.
With ＸＢ fading into obscurity, Neo Tokyo is once again succumbing to violence and chaos.
This unchecked aggression knows no bounds, as cities replace ＸＢ with a brutal death game known as the “Governing Rule,” where bloody battles rage day and night.
Protagonist: Yo Kuronaka
Meanwhile, a young man named Yo Kuronaka awakens with no memory of his past, rescued from an unknown facility by the enigmatic Trash Tribe.
Yo’s childhood friend claims he was once a legendary ＸＢ player, but the memories elude him.
“Who am I? What is ＸＢ? What’s going on in this world?”
Before he can find any answers, events spiral out of control, thrusting Yo back into the heart of Neo Tokyo—a city utterly transformed in just two short years.
Thus, Yo Kuronaka, alongside the enigmatic Trash Tribe, embarks on a journey shrouded in mystery to restore ＸＢ to Neo Tokyo.
Numbers
Yo and his friends will clash with the “Numbers,” the tyrannical leaders who have seized control of the cities and enforced their own twisted forms of justice.
With ＸＢ abandoned, each city has descended into a brutal system of conflict resolution, and the Numbers stand as the undisputed champions of these cruel methods.
These antagonists are a collection of twisted individuals, each more ruthless than the last, who delight in tormenting Yo and his allies through various wicked schemes.
ＸＢ (Extreme Baseball)
The basics of ＸＢ
Now, let’s dive into the exciting ＸＢ system in the game!
The climax of the game pits Yo and his allies against the Numbers in a thrilling ＸＢ showdown. This isn’t your typical action battle; it’s a full-on team clash where everyone participates!
Use everything you’ve learned and every ally you’ve recruited during your city adventures to crush the Numbers and emerge victorious!
Debate
ＸＢ is a unique battle system that combines the thrill of competition with the power of narrative. Victory is determined not just by skill, but also by the ability to maintain emotional resilience and sportsmanship throughout the match.
Think of it as a war of words, where you must passionately defend your position and sway the audience to your side.
Following baseball-inspired rules, the team with the highest score wins. Your objective is to keep your team’s spirits high, win the verbal exchanges, and guide Yo and his allies to victory.
While character training affects their ＸＢ performance, story mode ＸＢ matches utilize preset characters to ensure a seamless narrative experience.
If your characters are under-leveled or not yet acquired, the system automatically adjusts their abilities to maintain a balanced and enjoyable story flow.
Unlike the action-focused battles you’ve encountered so far, ＸＢ offers a more relaxed and engaging way to experience the story, allowing you to focus on the narrative and character interactions.
“Tension” in ＸＢ
ＸＢ is an unique blend of physical and psychological combat. Alongside the duels, you’ll engage in verbal showdowns designed to break your opponent’s spirit.
Successfully countering your opponent’s arguments can trigger significant shifts in “Tension.” As in battle, higher Tension unlocks stronger moves and devastating abilities.
Be prepared for the Numbers to lash out in anger, forcing the Tension higher, or for the debate to reach an impasse.
To overcome these challenges and push the Numbers to their limits, you must choose your words carefully, make strategic plays, and seize every opportunity to turn the tide of the confrontation.
However, this design created ambiguity about the game’s core focus: was it about “debating” or “playing baseball?” Many players who wanted to experience ＸＢ as a debate-driven game felt unsure if their choices were correct, resulting in a frustrating and unsatisfying experience.
For this release version, we have completely shifted ＸＢ’s focus to “debate,” integrating it with the “Verity Orb” system (explained later). The game’s internal mechanics have been entirely rewritten to ensure that correct dialogue choices directly lead to better baseball results.
To make the game more accessible and enjoyable, we’ve implemented several improvements: clear visual indicators of debate progression, options for skipping to improve game tempo, and conversational feedback that clarifies the correctness of command choices.
Factors that give you an advantage inＸＢ
Verity Orb
During your adventure, you’ll uncover clues called “Verity Orbs” – these can give you the edge you need to defeat the Numbers.
In ＸＢ battles, a Verity Orb lets you deliver a devastating counter to a Number’s argument. But choose wisely! You’ll need to select the correct Orb from your inventory.
A successful Verity Orb selection can drastically change the course of the match, more so than regular debate options.
When a chance appears, look back on the conversation so far and figure out which Verity Orb is your best bet.
Our thinking was that ＸＢ needed to be a straightforward experience with minimal learning, especially given the presence of standard battles in the game.
However, many players felt that Verity Orbs didn’t allow for enough player agency or strategic decision-making, which detracted from the experience.
With the improved discussion system now minimizing the need for baseball-style gameplay, we’ve decided to lean into the strategic potential of Verity Orbs, even if it adds a layer of complexity.
Super Play
In ＸＢ, making the right choices lets your characters unleash “Super Plays” – powerful, tension-fueled moves that can turn the tide of a match with awesome visual effects.
A character’s strengths directly influence their Super Plays. Offensive characters excel at batting and base-running Super Plays, while defensive characters are more likely to trigger defensive Super Plays.
Just like in battles, a character’s role in ＸＢ is directly tied to their potential. Find the Ace that fits your team’s strategy!
Originally, we envisioned ＸＢ as a long-term engagement, with players gradually unlocking cooler Super Plays as they progressed through character development.
However, this system proved confusing. Players in the early stages of development were often stuck with generic cutscenes, resulting in a repetitive and unengaging experience. We’ve overhauled this system to ensure a wider variety of Super Plays are available from the start.
We’ve also integrated the new ＸＢ mechanics with the Tension system, mirroring the approach taken with battles.
In the official release version managing Tension is now even more crucial in ＸＢ than in regular battles, allowing players to leverage their combat skills in ＸＢ encounters.
Extreme Play
During ＸＢ battles, you might occasionally acquire an “Extreme Factor.”
These special factors are awarded for achieving difficult feats, such as getting multiple outs in a single play. When you have an Extreme Factor, characters can unleash their unique “Extreme Play” ability.
Consider this a character’s ultimate move in ＸＢ, even more impactful than a Super Play.
The animations are also very cool, so be sure to experience your favorite character’s Extreme Play!
About the Story
TRIBE NINE’s story unfolds in chapters, each focusing on a different city. The release version includes the “Shinagawa City” and “Minato City” chapters.
We’ll be adding new city chapters regularly, with Chapter 3 arriving shortly after launch. After that, we plan to release new cities roughly every three months. Let me give you a preview of Chapters 0 through 2.
Chapter Overview
Ch. 0: I’m Tired Of Playing The Hero
Chapter 0 serves as the introduction to your adventure. You’ll meet the awakened Yo, encounter the Trash Tribe, and learn the ropes with basic controls and core features.
The story takes place in “24 City,” a mysteriously appearing new location.
This city acts as a comprehensive tutorial, guiding you through gameplay progression and essential battle mechanics like evasion and counterattacks.
In the Deadly Playtest and Deadly Demo, Chapter 0 prioritized narrative immersion, carefully establishing the relationship between the protagonist and a key character.
While the story was well-received, the gameplay feedback was quite critical.
For mobile games like TRIBE NINE, we understand players typically want a quick tutorial experience or to immediately engage with their favorite characters.
However, our playtest data revealed Chapter 0’s pacing wasn’t meeting these expectations.
The learning curve for the game systems proved too steep, and the boss battles were a source of significant stress.
The emphasis on narrative also created a disconnect when gacha mechanics were introduced after Chapter 0, leading to player disappointment and feedback like, “I didn’t realize this was a gacha game.”
We recognize that this lack of clarity felt like a betrayal to some players.
To address these concerns, after thorough team discussions, we’ve lowered the overall difficulty of Chapter 0 and introduced the “Synchro” and “Formation” features earlier in the chapter. Our goal is to make TRIBE NINE more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.
We understand these changes might make the game feel more like a traditional gacha title, and some players may have reservations about that.
However, Chapter 0’s length, even after the challenging sections, meant that the original design would have ultimately created a more frustrating player experience. We believe these changes are the fairest approach.
Ch. 1: Hazardous Workplace
Chapter 1 kicks off your full-fledged adventure! Take on “Numbers 1” in Shinagawa City.
As the region’s most technologically advanced and well-maintained city, Shinagawa City is less desolate than other areas.
You’ll find it easy to navigate thanks to its clear layout.
The city’s “business”-themed Governing Rule forces residents into a near-constant state of hard labor. Overthrow Numbers 1 and liberate the people from the fear of the dreaded “Execution” penalty!
In Shinagawa City, the mechanical shark “S.H.A.R.K” awaits as a formidable boss.
S.H.A.R.K combines attacks that restrict your movement, cutting off escape routes and limiting your options.
When its health dwindles, S.H.A.R.K will submerge and vanish, setting up for surprise attacks.
These sudden strikes are devastating, capable of wiping out your team in a single blow. If S.H.A.R.K disappears, stay alert and move strategically to avoid a fatal encounter.
Our data indicated that most players preferred to complete Chapter 1’s story uninterrupted, focusing on Full Marks Sticker collection and character building afterward. This suggests a desire for uninterrupted narrative immersion before engaging with progression systems.
To accommodate this playstyle, we’ve adjusted the difficulty curve to ensure smoother progression throughout Chapter 1, avoiding sudden difficulty spikes.
The S.H.A.R.K boss fight has also been improved. Many players struggled with the mine attack, so we’ve enlarged the mines and added clearer visual cues to make the counter-strategy more apparent.
We’ve fine-tuned the numerical balance of encounters to better match player progression without significantly altering the core combat mechanics.
To transition into the more challenging Chapter 2, we’ve increased the number of Full Marks Stickers required for entry.
Completing Chapter 1 unlocks new content, encouraging further exploration of Shinagawa City and setting the stage for future adventures.
Ch. 2: The Monster Within
Chapter 2 takes you to Minato City, the former base of the anime’s main characters, where you’ll confront “Numbers 9”.
Minato City is significantly more run-down than Shinagawa, with a complex and interconnected layout.
Exploration is highly rewarding here. Straying from the main path might lead you to “Keys” that unlock building doors, granting access to entirely new areas. Minato City offers a richer exploration experience than Shinagawa City.
As you venture deeper into Minato City, the heroic mecha “Brave Diver” will challenge you as a powerful boss.
Brave Diver combines fluid sword attacks with devastating long-range strikes, unleashing a relentless barrage with high mobility.
Breaking Brave Diver’s Posture is key to temporarily limiting their movement and gaining an opportunity to strike back. Learning to manage its attacks and avoid being overwhelmed will be crucial for victory.
During Chapter 2, Kazuki Aoyama joins as a guest character (though he won’t be playable until a later update). Kazuki is a versatile ally, providing party-wide barriers and high break potential.
If you’re taking a lot of damage and need to focus on evasion, Kazuki can be a valuable addition to your team.
Sneak Peak Information
Finally, let me share a sneak peek at a new character joining the roster in the release version, along with some exciting details about upcoming events.
New Playable Character: Santaro Mita
Get ready to meet Santaro Mita, Minato’s “secret weapon” and a star player from the TRIBE NINE anime, now joining the game in the release version!
Santaro is a ★2 character obtainable through Synchro, not a limited-time exclusive.
He’s a versatile evade-tank, boosting party attack while drawing enemy aggro and reliably dodging attacks.
His ultimate ability groups enemies together, allowing for efficient crowd control when coordinated with allies.
While less effective against single powerful foes, Santaro excels in multi-enemy encounters.
He’ll be especially valuable in the increasingly challenging battles of Chapter 2. If you obtain him, definitely consider adding him to your party!
Post Release Event Content
While it may be a bit early to announce, we’re planning to hold an event shortly after release.
This event will feature unique side stories spotlighting some of your favorite characters, along with special event-exclusive content.
It’s a long-term event with valuable rewards, so stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the launch date. We can’t wait to share more!
Final Comments
This concludes our three-part Director Letter series.
Thank you for your patience with my writing – I know it wasn’t always the smoothest.
First and foremost, I’m truly grateful for your interest in TRIBE NINE and for taking the time to read these letters.
To everyone who participated in the Deadly Playtest and Deadly Demo, thank you for your invaluable feedback. We’ve read nearly every questionnaire response, watched countless gameplay streams, and scoured social media for your thoughts. We’re working hard every day to incorporate your feedback and are continuing to make improvements right up until release.
TRIBE NINE is Akatsuki Games’ first foray into 3D action titles, a passion project five years in the making. We’ve navigated changing trends and made numerous design choices along the way.
However, the Deadly Playtest and Deadly Demo versions revealed inconsistencies and mismatches between our vision and player expectations. We sincerely regret any shortcomings.
Going forward, we’re committed to open communication with our players. We’ll be transparent about our update plans and responsive to your feedback.
Our goal is to create a game that stays true to its core, a game loved by many. We deeply appreciate your continued support and feedback.
For the release version, we’ve practically rebuilt the game from the ground up.
The controls are vastly improved from the Deadly Playtest and Deadly Demo versions, and we can’t wait for you to experience the changes in Neo Tokyo.
A special thank you to everyone who participated in the Deadly Playtest and Deadly Demo: Your enjoyment fuels our passion.
TRIBE NINE wouldn’t be where it is today without you. From all of us, thank you!
TRIBE NINE officially launches on February 20th!
We’ve poured our hearts and souls into this game, and we hope you love Yo’ and his friends crazy, high-octane adventure!
See you in Neo Tokyo!
