The mysterious "New RPG" tri-Ace has been teasing for a week turns out to be the product of a collaboration with Sega. Titled End of Eternity, the multiplatform game has been in development for quite some time. In fact, development is already 65% complete and the developers are eyeing a winter 2009 release in Japan.

End of Eternity takes place inside a gigantic machine known as Basel. The Basel was built to rescue mankind from extinction, after the environmental situation had worsened to the extent that man couldn't exist on the earth's surface anymore. The Basel looks like a tower. Its upper levels are reserved for religious facilities and homes of the rich. Meanwhile, the poor live on the Basel's lower levels.

So far, the following three characters have been revealed: The game's protagonist Zephyr is an introverted 17-year old teenager. His friend Vacheron is a former soldier. The 26-year old is a lively person. Finally, there is a mysterious girl known only as Prototype No.20. The 19-year old was subjected to an experiment that will result in her death at the age of 20.

Inside a dungeon, players will be able to spot enemies. The developers promise a seamless transition into battle. Once the opposition has been engaged, the player can control one of three active party members. Depending on various party members' positions on the battle map, special attacks can be triggered off. The battle system is boldly described as comparatively strategic, semi-realtime and like no other system seen in an RPG to date.

End of Eternity for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 will be available in Japan sometime this winter.

• Geemu Jouhou! Geemu no Hanashi