NU: Carnival

NU: Carnival (Mandarin Chinese: 新世界狂歡 xīnshìjiè kuánghuān) is a 18+ mobile joseimuke BL gacha game originating from Taiwan and released in 2022. It is noted to be the first 18+ mobile BL game. A SFW version of the game, NU: Carnival - Bliss, is launched in 2024"" NU: Carnival - Bliss, 24 Jan 2024.. The story of the game follows the adventures and relationship dynamics of protagonist Eiden and his clan members in a fantasy world.
== Canon Overview ==
=== Production ===
NU: Carnival is currently developed and ran by Pinkcore with game content by Infinity Alpha and gameplay mechanics by S.G. Arts. The original NSFW game is distributed on the adult game platform EROLABS"." Reddit: r/NuCarnival.. Infinity Alpha, the company behind the game story, is noted to have staff that are mostly female [Mandarin]. (“由一群喜愛女性向遊戲的夥伴所組成的工作室，成員以女性為主”).
The game is offered in five languages: Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, English, and Korean. Although the writings of the game are originally in Mandarin Chinese, the characters are voiced by Japanese seiyuu in-game, possibly due to the more established BL voicing theme in Japan as well as the immense influence of Japanese media on Taiwanese media and fandom.
=== Plot ===
The main storyline follows Eiden, a modern day office worker and sex toy designer, who is transmigrated into a Klein, a fantasy world where people replenish their essence levels (magic) by having sex. After being mistaken for the legendary Grand Sorcerer Huey, Eiden takes on Huey’s duties to regulate Klein’s altars with clan members who were either contracted to Huey or descendants of those who were once contracted. As Eiden uncovers serious trouble brewing in the Klein continent, he gradually develops sexual as well as emotional relationships with the clan members. The plot has been praised by some fans to contain more emotional depths than one might typically expect from an adult porn game.
==== Sexual Relationships ====
The sexually relationship depicted in-game is usually between Eiden one of the familiars or the clan members. While Eiden is canonically a switch, the top/bottom dynamics between Eiden and individual clan members are fixed. The sexual content often involve kinks that are common in fandom, such as breeding kinks, BDSM, praise kinks, and selfcest with an alternative version of oneself.
=== Gameplay ===
The main storyline of NU: Carnival is displayed similarly as a visual novel, with different character sprites and text boxes, following a linear narrative. The game also incorporates a turn-based battle system. Players can acquire different cards of each character to use in these battles. There is also an “intimacy” feature that allows players access unique story content of each card, some of which are “H-Scenes,” a voice-acted live 2D animation of a sexual encounter between characters. Limited time events are often held in-game, where players can read side stories and roll for limited edition cards of characters.
== Interaction Between Developers and Fans ==
The developers of the game encourage the production of transformative fanwork of NU: Carnival and provide a guideline for derivative work on their official website“.” NU: Carnival, 11 March 2022..
== Fandom ==
=== Fandom Overview ===
==== Common Tropes ====
* Found Family
=== Fanfiction ===
* what does not contain love must contain an illusion by xkazvha (Kuya/Eiden, explicit)
 
=== Fanart ===
* Art based on Chapter 2, 6, 8, events Mystical Banquet, Idol Fest, and Astral Duo by 高橋麵包
* All maid assemble! and genderbent clan members by SadAdrian
 
=== Fan comic ===
* a story about love (Afterwords, CN version) by SadAdrian (Kuya/Eiden, spoiler for Mirage of Scales event Kuya unit room 5)
* College AU by @kawakawasexy (CN)
 
=== Fanzines/Doujinshi ===
* 伊得慶生應援紀念合本《四季予你》(2023 Eiden Birthday Fan Anthology) (CN, Part of 2023 Eiden Birthday Fan Celebration Event)
* List of Taiwanese donjinshi tagged "NU: Carnival" on doujin.com.tw, a repository for Taiwanese doujin works (CN)
=== Fanvids ===
==== Animatics ====
* Fan animation based on events Idol Fest and Chase the Rainbow by 囧兔GwingBunny
* Love Jetaime Parody! by dearp001
==== Cosplay vlogs ====
* NU: Carnival cosplay vlog by Cosir (CN)
=== Meta ===
* NU: Carnival 18+ BL Gacha Game Review by Blerdy Otome
* This Game Costs Lots of Money (a plead for nuance in the "greed" narrative) (longpost) by Phaerlax
* Results for the unofficial character popularity poll on r/NuCarnival
== Fannish Links & Resources ==
=== Wikis ===
* NU: Carnival Wiki
* NU: Carnival on Yaoi Wiki
=== Fan work tags ===
* 新世界狂歡｜NU: carnival (Video Game) tag on AO3
* 新世界狂歡 tag on Written in Waters (CN)
* 新世界狂歡FA tag on Plurk (CN)
=== Other ===
* r/NuCarnival on Reddit
== Reference ==
Category:NU: Carnival