Namco has announced a new Xenosaga RPG for Vodaphone Live in Japan. The side story, which will take place 100 years before the events of the series' first two main installments, will let players assume control of Ziggy, who was back then a Federation agent in charge of counterterrorism. Apart from Ziggy, other familiar faces will also make an appearance in Pied Piper. The script of the game, which consists of three episodes, was written by Xenosaga mastermind Tetsuya Takahashi.

Xenosaga Pied Piper's first episode is currently available in Japan, with the second chapter to follow later this year. The third chapter has yet to receive a release date. Downloading the game's first chapter to your cell-phone costs 500 yen ($4.58 US), not including charges for the following two chapters.

• GameWatch