CyberConnect2 is officially returning to “The World.”

As part of its 30th anniversary celebration on February 16, 2026, the studio announced a brand-new home console RPG titled .hack//ZERO the first completely new entry in the long-running .hack franchise in years.

But this isn’t just another sequel. For the first time in the series’ history, the project will be handled entirely in-house.

The original .hack//Infection launched in 2002, introducing players to a fictional MMORPG called “The World.” The series quickly became known for its layered storytelling blending events inside the game with consequences unfolding in reality.

Across three main game seasons and multiple spin-offs, the franchise expanded beyond gaming into anime, novels, manga, OVAs, and more. It wasn’t just a game series it was a multimedia experiment built around the idea of dual realities colliding.

Until now, every .hack game had been developed by CyberConnect2 and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.

With .hack//ZERO, that changes.

With permission from Bandai Namco, CyberConnect2 will publish the game themselves, overseeing planning, development, and release entirely in-house. It marks a significant shift for a franchise that has historically operated under a larger publisher’s umbrella.

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100% CyberConnect2-Infused

According to the studio, .hack//ZERO is a completely new RPG that inherits the franchise’s defining theme:

The intertwining duality between the virtual world (game) and reality.

However, the team says the concept is evolving for the modern era. While concrete gameplay details remain under wraps including platforms and release date the messaging suggests a full-scale reinvention rather than a nostalgic retread.

The music will be composed by world-renowned violinist Taro Hakase, whose involvement hints at a strong musical identity. The announcement specifically highlights violin-led melodies as a foundational part of the project’s new production direction.

For longtime fans, that signals something ambitious. For newcomers, it suggests a fresh entry point.

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More Than Just a Game Announcement

The reveal came as part of a broader 30th anniversary initiative from CyberConnect2.

Alongside .hack//ZERO, the company announced:

• The launch of a new film business division, CyberConnect2 FILM
• A nationwide “CyberConnect2 Exhibition” touring all 47 prefectures of Japan
• Fan meetings in eight cities
• A dedicated 30th anniversary special website and teaser portal for .hack//ZERO

It’s a sweeping celebration of the studio’s history and a clear statement about its future.

What We Don’t Know (Yet)

Details are currently scarce. There’s no confirmed release window. No platform list. No gameplay footage beyond the teaser presence.

But the significance of the announcement isn’t in what was shown it’s in what it represents.

For a series built on the idea of blurred lines between reality and digital space, returning in 2026 an era defined by online identity, virtual communities, and persistent worlds feels almost poetic.

If CyberConnect2 truly has full creative control this time, .hack//ZERO could be more than a revival.

It could be a reset.

And for fans who’ve been waiting to log back into “The World,” that’s more than enough reason to pay attention.