Serial Experiments Lain teaser sparks hope for port or remaster of rare PS1 game 

The official X account for the Serial Experiments Lain franchise posted a mysterious teaser on October 31. Users have pointed out that the three-second clip resembles a title/loading screen, which has sparked hope for a potential port or remaster of the anime series’ elusive video game adaptation. 

The Serial Experiments Lain game was published as a Japan-exclusive title in 1998 for the PlayStation by Pioneer LDC. The unorthodox game, described as a “network simulator,” does not feature typical gameplay – it puts the player in the role of a counselor exploring the mental state of the protagonist Lain Iwakura. You play by accessing a fictional database server from an in-game OS to view text, images and audio. 

Due to its complex system and lack of typical game-like objectives, the game was not a commercial success, and its rarity, paired with the Serial Experiments Lain anime’s status as a cult classic, have caused it to become a premium collector’s item over the years.  

The extraordinary scarcity also means that fans of the Lain series have been desperate for some kind of modern port or remaster for years. Given that the recent post on X was made in the run up to the game’s anniversary (it was released on November 26, 1998), there are many Japanese users hoping for an announcement sometime this month.