Countdowns seem to be the preferred method of building hype for video games this month.  Both Marvelous Entertainment and CyberConnect2 have recently launched mysterious countdown pages on their Japanese sites.

Marvelous is best known for their work on the Harvest Moon series, as well as their recent hit No More Heroes.  This countdown however doesn’t seem to suggest that it’s for a continuation of either title. I noticed a few strange things about the teaser image.  The clock itself is a collection of triangles. In fact, I noticed 16 triangles in all.  Does this mean anything?  Most likely not.  Also when the second hand reaches 12, the clock glows briefly and then the second hand spins backwards to 12 again.

I honestly have no clue what Marvelous is hinting at in this case, but I am excited none the less.  In about a week when the countdown has run it’s course I will most certainly follow up.

CyberConnect2 is most well known for their .Hack// series as well as a few Naruto fighters.  It has been a while since a new .Hack// was announced – perhaps a next-gen title is in the works.  If that is the case I admit I am a bit disappointed with how boring this countdown is in contrast to Marvelous’s.  Get with the picture, CC2!

There was a time in my life when I was oddly obsessed with the .Hack// series and I am glad to see that the possibility of a new title doesn’t interest me that much.  Still, I am really intreagued by whatever Marvelous is hinting at – here’s hoping for as awesome new RPG.