Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine (??????IMAGINE?), formerly Megami Tensei Online Imagine (????ONLINE IMAGINE?), is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game based in the Megami Tensei universe. Aeria Games acquired the rights to the game from Cave Co., Ltd. Shin Megami Tensei is a major intellectual property of the Japanese developer and publisher, Atlus Co., Ltd. The first of many titles in the franchise was released by Atlus in 1992 for the Japanese Super NES and has grown a large and loyal following around the world with additional game titles for consumer consoles and handheld systems. The latest installment brings the brand online.

Originally released in Japan in 2007, Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online was Cave’s first massive multiplayer online (MMO) title for PC. It features demon summoning and other gameplay features from the previous games. The game requires no subscription fee but charges for specific in-game items which are sold for real currency. On September 9 2008 it was announced that Aeria Games & Entertainment had licensed the game for North American and European Release.[1] Beta invitations were first sent out on December 1, 2008, and the closed beta began the same day. Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine`s open beta was started as of December 30. The official game is now available for download.

This game describes an alternative view of the future where the Earth is overrun by Demons. Humans have clashed, and eventually learned to co-exist with them. The player is a "Demon Buster" (or DB for short), who fights and interacts with these Demons; featuring Japanese anime-like graphics, with the added feature of futuristic devices (such as portable computers that players wear around their arms called COMPs) the game can appeal to a wide range of fans. The gameplay consists of real-time strategic commands, each with a "casting" and "cool-down" time. (similar to Nexon`s free MMO Mabinogi.) The player character is primarily controlled by the number keys and mouse. While the player`s demon generally acts on AI, it can be manually given actions with the F keys. There are several types of weapons. Having a variety of at least 3 affinities (generally Slash, Charge and Blunt) is essential to a melee player. Most equippable items provide minor enhancing effects or simply aesthetics, except for torso and lower body that give defense boosts. There are two currencies: coinages for buying typical items (Macca) and minerals for misc. services and demon summoning (magnetite).

In the Tokyo of the game`s futuristic scene, sometime around the 21st century (Year 202X), survivors of a war known as the "Great Destruction" live in small constructed shelters awaiting the day when humanity can be rebuilt. These survivors, lead by a group known as the "Seven Philosophers" construct a massive tower which eventually became know as "Shinjuku Babel". The remaining survivors then retreated underground and constructed a refugee city known as "Third Home". Here, the player begins their exploration of the world of MegaTen. In this post-apocalyptic world, demonic forces run rampant and it is the player`s job to defeat them. Players are given the option to be in one of three groups: Law, who try to preserve the system and bring it back together; Chaos, who try to break the system; or Neutral, freelance mercenary types. A Players Alignment (Law/Neutral/Chaos) can be changed throught the game either by answering questions on certain acts, or donating money to Law or Chaos churches. Players can, while developing their own character, capture the already mentioned "Demons" and also "Spirits" through the use of specialized skills, then use these captured creatures to battle other monsters in combat. These demons can also be fused together to create more powerful demons. Demon use is based on alignment, skill, level and abilities of the players. Players can also complete quests to find additional items, learn new skills and explore more of the world of MegaTen. Two types of missions to undertake in Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine are acts and quests. Acts are based on the storyline, while quests are small missions you can undertake for extra XP or money (called macca).