Latest News
Game developers wonder if it’s time to move away from the term “Easy Mode”
Game developer Taro Masuda recently took to Twitter to ask gamers how they felt about the term “Easy Mode” on difficulty selection screens and if it gives them an unpleasant feeling.
After He Was Gone is a tactical RPG without a level-up system
Japanese solo game developer Nono has released the demo version of After He Was Gone on Steam. The game is a tactical RPG that has no level-up system and instead focuses on the use of items and skills.
Genshin Impact’s Ver.2.7 update makes location names easier to read for Japanese players
When playing in Japanese, Genshin Impact contains numerous hard-to-read location names such as 瓊璣野 (Qiongji Estuary) —an issue that’s been rectified with Ver.2.7.
Why are games taking longer and longer to develop? Japanese developers discuss on Twitter
A discussion broke out on Twitter in Japan looking into the reasons why video games are taking longer and longer to develop. Listening to developers involved in making games shows it’s more complicated than simply needing more time or hands on deck to take care of everything.
Nintendo apologizes after sending email about Mario “Kart” Strikers to users in Japan
Nintendo sent an email introducing the Mario Strikers: Battle League First Kick event to Nintendo Switch users, but instead of saying Mario Strikers: Battle League, the email mentioned Mario “Kart” Strikers: Battle League as the game’s title. This has drawn attention on social media in Japan.
Editor’s choices
Non-gaming news
Becoming an immortal meme doesn’t mean success: Japanese author’s series stopped selling after its anime adaptation went viral for awkward animation
Author of “Osamake: Romcom Where The Childhood Friend Won’t Lose” opens up about the negative effect the title’s anime adaptation has had on sales of the light novel series.
Indie games
Learn Japanese by taking photos in this cozy new game (Updated)
Shashingo: Learn Japanese with Photography is a fun new language learning game that helps you learn everyday Japanese by taking photos.
nintendo
Nintendo’s attorney weighs in on what makes emulators illegal
Koji Nishiura, patent attorney and deputy general manager of Nintendo’s intellectual property department, talks about legal problems surrounding emulation.
