AI: The Somnium Files writer updates cryptic message, potentially teasing a sequel 

Kotaro Uchikoshi, director of Spike Chunsoft’s AI: The Somnium Files and writer of AI: The Somnium Files – Nirvana Initiative, posted a new cryptic message to his official English X account on April 1. The message was posted as a reply to his equally mysterious post from March 28, which made users hopeful that he may be teasing a third entry to the Somnium Files series. 

While Uchikoshi’s previous post featured a wall of garbled Japanese text and a glitched out video of a broken screen, in his latest update, he simply says, “eaxqedcnrpnawnycapxkp glzdsmnnhdhvrshggcmxv.” This was impressively deciphered by X user @Broken__Bee only 15 minutes later to potentially mean, “im being overwatched by the authorities right now.” Even decoded, the message remains puzzling, and the fact that it was posted on April Fools is only messing with players’ heads further.  

However, as the message comes in reply to the March 28 post (which was very Nirvana Initiative-reminiscent), it might be safe to remain optimistic about a new sequel. Furthermore, as noted by NoisyPixel, Uchikoshi’s teasing was quoted by Nirvana Initiative director Akira Okada back in March with actual footage from the game. 

The garbled Japanese text in-game overlaps with Uchikoshi's post
The garbled Japanese text in-game overlaps with Uchikoshi’s post

As an aside, Uchikoshi is rumored to currently be working on Extreme x Despair, a collaboration with Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka. This was hinted at by Kodaka in a tweet from January 2024. 

Amber V
Amber V

Novice Editor-in-Chief since October 2023.

She grew up playing Duke Nukem and Wolfenstein with her dad, and is now enamored with obscure Japanese video games and internet culture. Currently devoted to growing Automaton West to the size of its Japanese sister-site, while making sure to keep news concise and developer stories deep and stimulating.

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