Key Key or The Key may refer to: Common meanings * Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm * Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock * Key (map ...

is a Japanese

visual novel A , often abbreviated as VN, is a form of digital semi-interactive fiction. Visual novels are often associated with and used in the medium of video games, but are not always labeled as such themselves. They combine a textual narrative with sta ...

video game Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...

development studio and

brand A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that distinguishes one seller's good or service from those of other sellers. Brands are used in business, marketing, and advertising for recognition and, importantly, to create an ...

under the publisher

Visual Arts The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts al ...

. The video games developed by Key are initially published by Visual Arts and released for

Windows Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...

; consumer

ports A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...

are published by

Interchannel was a Japanese video game developer and publisher. History Interchannel was founded on October 2, 1995 as an NEC subsidiary named . Its founding was a result of divisions within NEC being spun off. NEC Interchannel took over NEC Avenue's music ...

and

Prototype A prototype is an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. It is a term used in a variety of contexts, including semantics, design, electronics, and Software prototyping, software programming. A prototyp ...

. Key released their debut title, '' Kanon'', in 1999, followed by their second title, ''

Air The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing for ...

'', in 2000. Both ''Kanon'' and ''Air'' were initially released as

adult games An ''eroge'' ( or , ''erogē''; ; a portmanteau of ''erotic game'' , ''erochikku gēmu'') is a Japanese genre of erotic video game. In 1982, Japan's Koei, founded by husband-and-wife team Yoichi and Keiko Erikawa (and later known for strategy ...

, but Key released their third game, ''

Clannad Clannad () is an Irish band formed in 1970 in Gweedore, County Donegal by siblings Ciarán, Pól, and Moya Brennan and their twin uncles Noel and Pádraig Duggan. They have adopted various musical styles throughout their history, including f ...

'', in 2004 with a

rating A rating is an evaluation or assessment of something, in terms of quality, quantity, or some combination of both. Rating or ratings may also refer to: Business and economics * Credit rating, estimating the credit worthiness of an individual, c ...

of approval for all ages. Key's fourth game, '' Planetarian: The Reverie of a Little Planet'', was also released in 2004 with a rating for all ages, and is described as a " kinetic novel" by the development team because of its completely linear storyline. Key's fifth game, '' Tomoyo After: It's a Wonderful Life'', was released in 2005 as an adult game and

spin-off Spin-off may refer to: *Spin-off (media), a media work derived from an existing work *Corporate spin-off, a type of corporate action that forms a new company or entity * Government spin-off, civilian goods which are the result of military or gove ...

from ''Clannad''; it expanded on the scenario of the heroine Tomoyo Sakagami. Key released their sixth visual novel, ''

Little Busters! is a Japanese visual novel developed by Key. It was released on July 27, 2007 for Windows PCs and is rated for all ages. ''Little Busters!'' is Key's sixth game, along with other titles such as '' Kanon'', ''Air'', and ''Clannad''. An adult ve ...

'', in 2007 with a rating for all ages. Key's seventh title, '' Little Busters! Ecstasy'', was an expanded, adult version of ''Little Busters!'' released in 2008. Key's eighth game, ''

Kud Wafter is a Japanese adult visual novel developed by Key, released on June 25, 2010, for Windows. ''Kud Wafter'' is Key's eighth game, along with other titles such as '' Kanon'', ''Air'', and ''Clannad''. Key released a version of ''Kud Wafter'' withou ...

'', was released in 2010 as an adult game and spin-off from ''Little Busters! Ecstasy''; it expanded on the scenario of the heroine Kudryavka Noumi. Key released their ninth game '' Rewrite'' in 2011 with a rating for all ages. Key released a

fan disc A fan disc (sometimes called fandisk or simply abbreviated as FD) is a package of additional content, usually released by a game company after the successful launch of one of its titles. The contents of fan discs varies, but often includes new i ...

of ''Rewrite'' titled ''Rewrite Harvest festa!'' in 2012. Key's 11th game ''

Angel Beats! 1st Beat ''Angel Beats! 1st Beat'' is a Japanese visual novel developed by Key, a brand of Visual Arts. It was released on June 26, 2015 for Windows and is rated for all ages. The game is based on the 2010 anime television series ''Angel Beats!'', original ...

'' was released in 2015. Key released the kinetic novel ''

Harmonia In Greek mythology, Harmonia (; grc, Ἁρμονία / harmoˈnia/, "harmony", "agreement") is the immortal goddess of harmony and concord. Her Roman counterpart is Concordia. Her Greek opposite is Eris, whose Roman counterpart is Discord ...

'' in 2016. Key's 13th game ''

Summer Pockets ''Summer Pockets'' is a Japanese visual novel developed by Key, a brand of Visual Arts. It was released on June 29, 2018 for Windows and is rated for all ages. ''Summer Pockets'' is Key's 13th game, following its previous games such as '' Kanon'', ...

'' was released in 2018, and an expanded version titled ''Summer Pockets Reflection Blue'' was released in 2020. Three kinetic novels were released in 2021: ''

Loopers ''Loopers'' is a Japanese science fiction visual novel developed by Key, a brand of Visual Arts. It was released on May 28, 2021 for Windows and is Key's 15th game overall. It was ported to iOS and Android devices, as well as the Nintendo Switch ...

'', '' Planetarian: Snow Globe'' and '' Lunaria: Virtualized Moonchild''. Another kinetic novel, ''

Stella of The End is a Japanese post-apocalyptic visual novel developed by Key, a brand of Visual Arts. It was released on September 30, 2022 for Windows and is Key's 18th game overall. The story follows transporter Jude Gray who accepts a request to deliver a gyno ...

'', followed in 2022. A four-volume kinetic novel series for the ''

Prima Doll is a Japanese multimedia project created by Key and Visual Arts in October 2020, which also includes toy figurines by Kotobukiya, a short story serialization and a web novel. A 12-episode anime television series by Bibury Animation Studios a ...

'' multimedia project will be released between 2023 and 2024. As of September 2022, 62 versions of Key's 18 released visual novels have been published by VisualArt's. Of the 62, 11 were released with an adult rating, and the remaining 51 had a rating for all ages. VisualArt's has ceased manufacturing 40 versions of Key's 18 games. Key released a

box set A box set or (its original name) boxed set is a set of items (for example, a compilation of books, musical recordings, films or television programs) traditionally packaged in a box and offered for sale as a single unit. Music Artists and bands ...

called "Key 10th Memorial Box" in July 2009 containing six of Key's visual novels with a rating for all ages. The availability of Key 10th Memorial Box was restricted to ordering online. Key released "memorial editions" of their first five games in April and May 2010 with ratings for all ages.

Visual novel list

Windows

Consumer ports

Notes

References