{"rewrite":{"id":"r_661cbf46f16710627b8e9f8b","clusterId":"c_24cdcbfd8ef2395e66a08cfd","slug":"free-to-play-open-world-rpg-aniimo-begins-closed-beta-test-in-japan","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Free-to-Play Open-World RPG 'Aniimo' Begins Closed Beta Test in Japan","summary":"Pawprint Studio announced on July 9 that the closed beta test for the Japanese version of its open-world monster-collecting RPG 'Aniimo' has started. The test, which runs on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, iOS, and Android, gives players early access to over 100 types of creatures called Aniimo, along with boss battles, dungeon exploration, training, housing, and multiplayer elements. A new promotional video was released alongside the CBT, showing three segments: a home base with daily life, the city of Astra with shops and customization options, and a large open world where characters run across vast landscapes. The playable area includes the first zone 'Soyokaze Plain' and part of a new water-themed area revealed for the first time in the CBT. The story in the test reaches a temporary conclusion regarding the legendary being Iruri. 'Aniimo' is a free-to-play title scheduled for release later in 2026, and pre-registrations are now open on all platforms. The developer is headquartered in Singapore and operates globally.","whyItMatters":"This CBT is the first public hands-on opportunity for Japanese players to test a free-to-play monster-collecting RPG that aims to compete in the open-world space, with a multi-platform launch planned for later this year.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003ePawprint Studio, a Singapore-based developer with global operations, launched the closed beta test for the Japanese version of \u0026#39;Aniimo\u0026#39; on July 9, 2026. The new promotional video released alongside the CBT is structured in three parts: the first introduces a home base element and new Aniimo appearances, the middle section depicts the city of Astra with shops, costumes, and creature customization, and the latter half shows characters running across a large open world to convey scale. The beta includes the complete first area \u0026#39;Soyokaze Plain\u0026#39; plus a portion of a water-themed area that has not been shown before. Players can capture and link with over 100 types of Aniimo, take on boss battles, explore dungeons, fight random NPCs, train their creatures, furnish a home, and play cooperatively or interactively with others. The story in the test concludes around the legendary being Iruri. Pre-registrations are being accepted on the official website, Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Epic Games Store. \u0026#39;Aniimo\u0026#39; is set to launch as a free-to-play title in 2026 for PC, consoles, and mobile devices. The two sources, Denfaminicogamer and Game Spark, both report the same details from the press release, with Game Spark noting that the game is scheduled for the latter half of 2026.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"The closed beta for 'Aniimo' offers over 100 creatures to capture, plus a water-themed area never seen before. The new PV shows daily life, city exploration, and running across a vast open world.","twitterPost":"Singapore-based Pawprint Studio's free-to-play open-world monster-collector 'Aniimo' starts its Japanese CBT today. Pre-registrations are open on PC, consoles, and mobile. The game launches later this year.","threadsPost":null,"newsletterBlurb":"Pawprint Studio has begun the closed beta test for the Japanese version of its free-to-play open-world monster-collecting RPG 'Aniimo'. The test includes over 100 creatures, boss battles, and a new water-themed area. A new promotional video is also live. The game is targeting a 2026 release on multiple platforms.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Denfaminicogamer\",\"url\":\"https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/260709e\",\"title\":\"Free-to-Play Open-World RPG 'Aniimo' Closed Beta Test Begins Today, Offering Early Access to Over 100 Aniimo, Training, Boss Battles, and Multiplayer\"},{\"source\":\"Game Spark\",\"url\":\"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/07/09/169034.html\",\"title\":\"Free-to-play open-world monster collection RPG 'Aniimo' begins CBT for Japan! Experience over 100 collectibles and boss battles - fun PV released\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":7498,"outputTokens":1789,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1783587583,"createdAt":"2026-07-09T08:50:32.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-07-09T08:52:28.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-09T08:50:32.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_24cdcbfd8ef2395e66a08cfd","canonicalTitle":"基本無料オープンワールド・モンスター収集RPG『アニモ』日本向けCBT開始！100体以上の収集やボス戦を体験可能―楽しげなPV公開","representativeArticleId":"a_2a5a1d52b3b77672ec771ab8","sourceCount":2,"writtenSourceCount":2,"writeAttempts":1,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"Animo\"],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"games\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-07-09T04:00:03.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-07-09T04:00:34.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-09T08:52:28.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"Denfaminicogamer","url":"https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/news/260709e","title":"基本プレイ無料のオープンワールドRPG『アニモ』クローズドβテストが本日よりスタート。100種以上のアニモが登場し、育成やボス戦、マルチプレイなどを先行体験できる"},{"source":"Game Spark","url":"http://www.gamespark.jp/article/2026/07/09/169034.html","title":"基本無料オープンワールド・モンスター収集RPG『アニモ』日本向けCBT開始！100体以上の収集やボス戦を体験可能―楽しげなPV公開"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["Animo"],"studios":[],"people":[],"type":"news","domain":"games","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["The closed beta test for 'Aniimo' in Japan began on July 9, 2026.","Over 100 types of Aniimo are available for capture and linking in the CBT.","The CBT includes the first area 'Soyokaze Plain' and part of a new water-themed area.","'Aniimo' is scheduled for release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, iOS, and Android.","A new promotional video was released on July 9, 2026, alongside the CBT."]}