Square Enix is about to launch Nicotto Town in Japan, a new online flash-based virtual space.
The new service -- a collaboration with Japanese internet provider Nifty -- will be aimed at the casual market, with no traditional Square Enix characters in sight.
Instead, you'll be dressing and parading your fashionable avatars in a cutesy setting, while chatting up fellow members and taking in a few mini-games.
In Nicotto Town, you'll also be able to establish a home and garden -- sprucing it up in Animal Crossing fashion -- although no details have been revealed on what sort of monetary transactions will be involved when purchasing in-game items.
The promotional site does mention that an in-game blog and the access to mini-games will be free of charge.
Nifty is hosting a beta trial from August 22 to September 5, with the official website now taking applications -- the first 5,000 entries will be accepted.
Images courtesy Nifty
Nicotto Town [Nifty, via Siliconera]
