{"rewrite":{"id":"r_01a6f99ae744fb360013dfb7","clusterId":"c_fe736234aca270f18bfbc3a7","slug":"cyberconnect2-vp-details-self-publishing-challenges-and-hack-z-e-r-o","model":"deepseek-v4-flash:free","headline":"CyberConnect2 VP Details Self-Publishing Challenges and .hack//Z.E.R.O.","summary":"In an interview at Anime Expo 2026, CyberConnect2 vice-president Taichirō Miyazaki discussed the studio's move into self-publishing, the upcoming .hack//Z.E.R.O. as its first self-published entry in the series, and the status of two other C5 initiative titles, Cecile and Tokyo Ogre Gate.","whyItMatters":"The interview provides the clearest look yet at how CyberConnect2 is balancing its legacy as a licensed-game developer with a new self-publishing strategy, anchored by a long-dormant franchise.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eCyberConnect2 vice-president Taichirō Miyazaki sat down with Anime News Network at Anime Expo 2026 to discuss the studio\u0026#39;s transition into self-publishing, a path it began with the Fuga: Melodies of Steel trilogy. The next major test is .hack//Z.E.R.O., the first .hack game to be self-published by CyberConnect2 with Bandai Namco Entertainment\u0026#39;s permission. Miyazaki said the rights to the .hack franchise are mostly held by Bandai Namco, but the studio\u0026#39;s long relationship and the success of its self-publishing experiment helped secure approval.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMiyazaki also addressed the challenges of handling release dates, regional pricing, and storefront rules without a publisher\u0026#39;s support, calling the experience eye-opening. On the C5 initiative, he confirmed that Cecile is still in development, though he did not offer a timeline. Tokyo Ogre Gate, the other announced title, was mentioned as underway but without specifics.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"CyberConnect2 VP Taichirō Miyazaki says .hack//Z.E.R.O. is the series' first self-published game, with Bandai Namco's blessing. Cecile is still in development; Tokyo Ogre Gate is underway.","twitterPost":"CyberConnect2 VP Taichirō Miyazaki on self-publishing: .hack//Z.E.R.O. is the first self-published entry, Cecile still in dev, Tokyo Ogre Gate underway.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"CyberConnect2 VP Taichirō Miyazaki detailed the studio's self-publishing journey at Anime Expo 2026, confirming .hack//Z.E.R.O. as the first self-published .hack game with Bandai Namco's approval. He also gave updates on Cecile and Tokyo Ogre Gate, two titles from the C5 initiative.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Anime News Network\",\"url\":\"https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2026-07-16/cyberconnect2-vp-discusses-self-publishing-the-.hack-series-and-the-status-of-upcoming-games/.239712\",\"title\":\"All the News and Reviews from Anime Expo 2026 CyberConnect2 VP Discusses Self-Publishing, the .hack series, and the Status of Upcoming Games\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":4655,"outputTokens":678,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1785175790,"createdAt":"2026-07-27T18:03:52.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-07-27T18:05:45.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-27T18:03:52.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_fe736234aca270f18bfbc3a7","canonicalTitle":"All the News and Reviews from Anime Expo 2026\nCyberConnect2 VP Discusses Self-Publishing, the .hack series, and the Status of Upcoming Games","representativeArticleId":"a_7e0dd12f8228a319e510b4ed","sourceCount":1,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":true,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\".hack\"],\"studios\":[\"CyberConnect2\"],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":true}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-07-25T13:00:00.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-07-25T13:00:00.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-27T18:05:45.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"Anime News Network","url":"https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2026-07-16/cyberconnect2-vp-discusses-self-publishing-the-.hack-series-and-the-status-of-upcoming-games/.239712","title":"All the News and Reviews from Anime Expo 2026\nCyberConnect2 VP Discusses Self-Publishing, the .hack series, and the Status of Upcoming Games"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":[".hack"],"studios":["CyberConnect2"],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"games","is_roundup":true},"keyFacts":null}