Gaia Games, the studio of Shin Megami Tensei mastermind Kouji Okada, finally announced its first project in the newest issue of Weekly Famitsuu. Titled Monster Kingdom, the game is an original RPG for PlayStation Portable and will be published by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan.

As a fantasy RPG, Monster Kingdom puts players in control of the Jewel Summoner Wyse. Jewel Summoners are capable of calling upon monsters that have been transformed into jewels. Wyse is travelling to find Shenah, who murdered his mother. Always on his side is a monster appropiately called Schatten (German for shadow). Other Jewel Summoners include the son of a former head of parliament named Grey and Lin who has long forseen Shenah's menace.

Gameplay-wise, Monster Kingdom places a heavy emphasis on the collection of monsters. More than 100 of those creatures will be ready to head into battle with you. Thanks to Wi-Fi support, players can trade their monsters and challenge fellow users online.

Monster Kingdom will be available in Japan sometime in winter 2005.

• IGN