In a disappointing development, Accord’s Library, a beloved fan website dedicated to preserving the lore of the Nier and Drakengard games, announced its closure. This decision came after the site’s team received a notification from the Square Enix Legal Team.
In a message shared on their Discord server, Accord’s Library expressed their sadness about the situation. They stated,
“These past few years have been a pleasure, but we regret to inform you all that we’ve been contacted by the Square Enix Legal Team. After private discussions, we’ve concluded that Accord’s Library must close its doors by the end of the month.”
They thanked their supporters and encouraged fans to remain active on the Discord server, even as the website would shut down.
Accord’s Library began operating in 2021 and quickly became a treasure trove for fans. It offered a wide array of resources, including artwork, news, and lore. Notably, the site also included scans of manga and novellas, providing valuable information on their release dates and pricing. This made it a crucial resource for fans looking for content that was no longer easily available, as well as for those interested in fan translations. While some aspects may have crossed legal lines, the intention behind the site was to share and preserve Yoko Taro’s work, which resonates deeply with fans.
Interestingly, Yoko Taro, the creator of the Nier series, showed support for Accord’s Library earlier this year. In April, Taro posted a heartfelt message on the site’s Discord, thanking fans for their loyalty and acknowledging their dedication to preserving his work. His only request was the removal of a single photo of himself, which the website promptly did.
Despite Taro’s goodwill, Square Enix holds the intellectual property rights to the series, and as he is not a full-time employee of the company, his support was ultimately unable to prevent the site’s closure.
As it stands, Accord’s Library will remain available until October 31, after which it will be permanently closed. This marks the end of an era for a community dedicated to celebrating and preserving the unique worlds created by Yoko Taro.