1. What Was Dice Adventure? An Overview
Tales of the World Dice Adventure – Chizu no Arika: Released on April 26, 2012, Tales of the World: Dice Adventure was a browser-based crossover RPG/board hybrid in the Tales of the World franchise. Developed and published by Bandai Namco Games, it featured chibi-style renditions of popular characters. Players moved across a virtual board by rolling dice, engaging with story events, forming party rosters, and battling NPCs and other players While the interface was in Japanese, access was open to international players with a Bandai Namco ID The game shut down its servers on June 28, 2013
2. Gameplay Mechanics Explained
2.1. The Dice-Driven Journey
Dice Adventure combined board-game progression with RPG battles. Every turn, players rolled virtual dice to determine movement across various themed maps. Landing on event tiles would trigger story developments or enemy encounters
2.2. Party Formation & Combat
As players explored, they recruited beloved characters from various Tales titles (like Phantasia, Symphonia, etc.) to build a crossover party. Combat used simplified RPG mechanics, where battles unfolded upon landing on enemy maps .
2.3. Monetization & Bonus Content
The free-to-play model allowed full gameplay for free, but players could purchase in-game items (e.g., boosters, cosmetic avatars). Additional content featured in promotional tie-ins, such as snack foods containing serial codes for unlocking characters and gear
3. Chizu no Arika: The Theme That Shaped the Game
3.1. Daisy×Daisy and the Release
The opening theme, “Chizu no Arika” (地図のありか), was performed by Daisy×Daisy and released as a single on March 21, 2012. It reached #45 on Japan’s Oricon charts and stayed for three weeks
3.2. Single Formats & Bonuses
The single was released in CD+DVD and CD-only editions. Both versions included karaoke tracks, while the CD+DVD included the game’s promotional video
3.3. In-Game Tie-In Rewards
Serial codes from the single unlocked exclusive game content:
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CD+DVD version granted the Cless Alvein character and a special avatar jacket.
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CD-only version included Milla Maxwell and a jacket variant
4. Development & Release History
4.1. Announcement & Trailers
The first official reveal was at Jump Festa 2012, featuring animated promo scenes produced by A‑1 Pictures, with Chizu no Arika as the backdrop. Trailers showcased chibi art, board mechanics, and the tagline “Spring 2012 launch” .
4.2. Platform & International Access
Launched exclusively as a Japanese web browser game, the service still allowed global access via Bandai Namco login. Later, mobile browser support was introduced
4.3. Lifecycle & Shutdown
Despite initial excitement, service ended June 28, 2013. During its lifecycle, the game garnered bonuses through snack tie-ins and continual content updates via codes
5. Legacy and Impact on the Tales Series
5.1. Community Memories
Although offline since 2013, Dice Adventure remains a cult favorite. Fans remember the unique board-style gameplay and the charming chibi character interactions.
5.2. Crossover Innovation
The blend of dice mechanics with crossover party systems offered a fresh take that influenced future Tales spin-offs and mobile adaptations.
5.3. Chizu no Arika’s Cultural Echo
“Chizu no Arika” remains a beloved track among fans. Daisy×Daisy’s catchy tune and the character avatars tied to it solidified its place in Tales history
FAQs: Dice Adventure – Chizu no Arika Edition
Q1: Can I still play Dice Adventure today?
No—the official service permanently closed on June 28, 2013 .
Q2: Was it playable outside Japan?
Yes—players worldwide could access the Japanese browser client using a Bandai Namco ID .
Q3: What is Chizu no Arika’s significance?
It’s the official theme by Daisy×Daisy, central to the game’s identity and promotional efforts .
Q4: How did snack codes work?
Bandai Namco released snack packs that included serial codes for unlocking special in-game characters and avatar items
Q5: Which studio animated the promo scenes?
A‑1 Pictures, known for prominent anime series, created the game’s promotional animations .
Q6: Where can I hear Chizu no Arika now?
Look for Daisy×Daisy’s single “Chizu no Arika / Watashi no Ikiru Imi” on music platforms and playlists
Conclusion
Tales of the World: Dice Adventure stands out as a charming experiment in cross-genre gaming within the Tales franchise—a board game RPG hybrid driven by virtual dice and flavored with crossover character parties. Although its servers went dark in 2013, the legacy of its theme song Chizu no Arika, the engaging dice mechanics, and unique acquisition methods live on in fans’ memories. Whether you reminisce or study its design, Dice Adventure remains a fascinating part of Tales history.
