Square Enix officially announces the development of NieR: Automata as a sequel to NieR.
NieR: Automata is released in Japan for PlayStation 4, developed by PlatinumGames and published by Square Enix.
The game is released worldwide for PlayStation 4 and Windows PC.
NieR: Automata becomes available on Steam, expanding its accessibility to PC gamers worldwide.
Game of the Year editions of NieR: Automata are released featuring additional content and bonus materials.
NieR: Automata becomes available on the Xbox Game Pass subscription service enhancing player access.
Mysterious alien machines arrive on Earth, beginning a devastating war against humanity.
Humans escape Earth after losing the war, taking refuge on the Moon and creating android forces to reclaim the planet.
The YoRHa android military force is established to combat the alien machine threat and retake Earth.
YoRHa units are deployed to Earth to engage in combat with the machines and support human efforts.
Androids 2B (Combat) and 9S (Scanner) begin their missions on Earth, initiating the main campaign against the machine lifeforms.
Discovery that machines have developed a networked consciousness, and strategies are adapted accordingly.
Androids learn of the human origin and face existential questions about their identity and purpose.
The conflict between YoRHa androids and machines reaches a critical point, leading to an ambiguous resolution.
