https://automaton-media.com/en/ AUTOMATON is a website that covers the Japanese gaming world. We bring you the news on video games from Osaka and Tokyo. Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:38:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-automaton-sitelogo-120x120-1-32x32.png https://automaton-media.com/en/ 32 32 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/momodora-creator-announces-new-project-record-of-dorathia-a-turn-based-dungeon-crawler-rpg-inspired-by-gamebooks/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/momodora-creator-announces-new-project-record-of-dorathia-a-turn-based-dungeon-crawler-rpg-inspired-by-gamebooks/#respond Tue, 06 Oct 2026 04:38:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73412 Tthe game focuses on the magi, twelve weavers of fate who were briefly mentioned in Momodora: Moonlit Farewell.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/momodora-creator-announces-new-project-record-of-dorathia-a-turn-based-dungeon-crawler-rpg-inspired-by-gamebooks/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cosmoship-yamato-2199-a-new-anime-film-directed-by-evangelion-creator-hideaki-anno-announced/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cosmoship-yamato-2199-a-new-anime-film-directed-by-evangelion-creator-hideaki-anno-announced/#respond Tue, 06 Oct 2026 01:22:04 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73400 Acclaimed mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi serves as co-director.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cosmoship-yamato-2199-a-new-anime-film-directed-by-evangelion-creator-hideaki-anno-announced/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/happy-propaganda-is-a-censorship-simulator-in-which-you-play-as-a-chat-mod-for-a-totalitarian-state-run-broadcast/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/happy-propaganda-is-a-censorship-simulator-in-which-you-play-as-a-chat-mod-for-a-totalitarian-state-run-broadcast/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73389 Developed by Not a Dog, Happy Propaganda lets you become a chat moderator for a broadcast run by the fictional totalitarian state of Vesna.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/happy-propaganda-is-a-censorship-simulator-in-which-you-play-as-a-chat-mod-for-a-totalitarian-state-run-broadcast/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/crymelight-is-a-heavily-story-driven-action-roguelike-exploring-the-messy-relationships-and-twisted-emotions-of-young-girls-we-talk-to-director-takumi-isobe/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/crymelight-is-a-heavily-story-driven-action-roguelike-exploring-the-messy-relationships-and-twisted-emotions-of-young-girls-we-talk-to-director-takumi-isobe/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73347 TGS 2026 interview with CRYMELIGHT director and producer Takumi Isobe.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/crymelight-is-a-heavily-story-driven-action-roguelike-exploring-the-messy-relationships-and-twisted-emotions-of-young-girls-we-talk-to-director-takumi-isobe/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/longtime-japanese-voice-actor-of-metal-gears-snake-talks-about-bond-with-hideo-kojima-and-why-he-wont-do-a-metal-gear-without-him/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/longtime-japanese-voice-actor-of-metal-gears-snake-talks-about-bond-with-hideo-kojima-and-why-he-wont-do-a-metal-gear-without-him/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73371 Akio Otsuka, the voice of Snake, recently talked about his relationship with Hideo Kojima.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/longtime-japanese-voice-actor-of-metal-gears-snake-talks-about-bond-with-hideo-kojima-and-why-he-wont-do-a-metal-gear-without-him/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/liminal-space-third-person-shooter-anomalith-draws-inspiration-from-resident-evil-and-escape-from-tarkov-while-embracing-an-anime-girl-retro-japanese-worldview-we-talk-to-the-producer/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/liminal-space-third-person-shooter-anomalith-draws-inspiration-from-resident-evil-and-escape-from-tarkov-while-embracing-an-anime-girl-retro-japanese-worldview-we-talk-to-the-producer/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73343 AUTOMATON West interview with Anomalith producer Gai Kidokoro. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/liminal-space-third-person-shooter-anomalith-draws-inspiration-from-resident-evil-and-escape-from-tarkov-while-embracing-an-anime-girl-retro-japanese-worldview-we-talk-to-the-producer/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/upcoming-indie-racing-rpg-ghosts-of-the-mountain-pass-looks-like-initial-d-set-in-90s-italy/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/upcoming-indie-racing-rpg-ghosts-of-the-mountain-pass-looks-like-initial-d-set-in-90s-italy/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73377 Ghosts of the Mountain Pass is currently in development for PC (Steam),]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/upcoming-indie-racing-rpg-ghosts-of-the-mountain-pass-looks-like-initial-d-set-in-90s-italy/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-now-has-a-dedicated-team-for-bringing-latest-re-engine-technologies-to-character-creation-across-all-of-its-games/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-now-has-a-dedicated-team-for-bringing-latest-re-engine-technologies-to-character-creation-across-all-of-its-games/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73378 During the CAPCOM Open Conference RE:2026, Hiroyuki Chi revealed details about the company's recently established cross-functional team. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-now-has-a-dedicated-team-for-bringing-latest-re-engine-technologies-to-character-creation-across-all-of-its-games/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/persona-5-graphic-designer-lam-announces-demvamps-an-original-short-anime-project-about-a-vampire-war/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/persona-5-graphic-designer-lam-announces-demvamps-an-original-short-anime-project-about-a-vampire-war/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:59:43 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73365 At the center of the war are Lavinia, a mysterious vampire girl who covets the vampire throne, and Yo, a young boy who becomes her thrall.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/persona-5-graphic-designer-lam-announces-demvamps-an-original-short-anime-project-about-a-vampire-war/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/shadow-hearts-series-creator-gives-update-on-spiritual-successor-penny-blood-the-studio-still-hasnt-secured-a-publisher-but-has-not-given-up-on-the-project/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/shadow-hearts-series-creator-gives-update-on-spiritual-successor-penny-blood-the-studio-still-hasnt-secured-a-publisher-but-has-not-given-up-on-the-project/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2026 03:52:37 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73334 The project ran into issues after the Kickstarter campaign's organizers allegedly withheld funds from the developers.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/shadow-hearts-series-creator-gives-update-on-spiritual-successor-penny-blood-the-studio-still-hasnt-secured-a-publisher-but-has-not-given-up-on-the-project/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/psychological-thriller-visual-novel-anti-anti-gets-steam-demo-a-locked-room-mystery-at-a-dubious-idol-audition/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/psychological-thriller-visual-novel-anti-anti-gets-steam-demo-a-locked-room-mystery-at-a-dubious-idol-audition/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73301 Anti-Anti is a mystery ensemble drama VN coming to Steam on October 27.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/psychological-thriller-visual-novel-anti-anti-gets-steam-demo-a-locked-room-mystery-at-a-dubious-idol-audition/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/visions-of-mana-directors-studio-sasanqua-to-enter-the-indie-publishing-business-with-surrealist-adventure-game-afantasia/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/visions-of-mana-directors-studio-sasanqua-to-enter-the-indie-publishing-business-with-surrealist-adventure-game-afantasia/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:24:27 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73323 Developed by Brazilian creator noidnoidnoid, AFANTASIA marks the first time Studio Sasanqua will be credited as a publisher.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/visions-of-mana-directors-studio-sasanqua-to-enter-the-indie-publishing-business-with-surrealist-adventure-game-afantasia/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/reviews/fate-extra-record-showcase-and-publisher-qa-aniplex-explains-modern-jrpg-overhaul-and-new-systems-addresses-concerns-about-development-handover/ https://automaton-media.com/en/reviews/fate-extra-record-showcase-and-publisher-qa-aniplex-explains-modern-jrpg-overhaul-and-new-systems-addresses-concerns-about-development-handover/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:42:51 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73307 Details about Fate/EXTRA Record revealed by Aniplex during the Tokyo Game Show 2026 media session and publisher Q&A.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/reviews/fate-extra-record-showcase-and-publisher-qa-aniplex-explains-modern-jrpg-overhaul-and-new-systems-addresses-concerns-about-development-handover/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/litgirls-bookbound-dungeons-is-a-dungeon-crawling-rpg-where-girls-based-on-classic-literature-lose-their-clothing-upon-taking-damage/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/litgirls-bookbound-dungeons-is-a-dungeon-crawling-rpg-where-girls-based-on-classic-literature-lose-their-clothing-upon-taking-damage/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2026 08:11:32 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73293 LitGirls: Bookbound Dungeons is coming to Steam in the first half of 2027, with console versions also due to be announced.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/litgirls-bookbound-dungeons-is-a-dungeon-crawling-rpg-where-girls-based-on-classic-literature-lose-their-clothing-upon-taking-damage/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sega-genesis-long-forgotten-mecha-srpg-vixen-357-is-coming-to-steam-with-full-english-support/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sega-genesis-long-forgotten-mecha-srpg-vixen-357-is-coming-to-steam-with-full-english-support/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2026 06:42:01 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73285 Developer Extreme and publisher Shinyuden announced that 1992's mecha SRPG Vixen 357 would be coming to Steam later this year.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sega-genesis-long-forgotten-mecha-srpg-vixen-357-is-coming-to-steam-with-full-english-support/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/project-aces-apologizes-to-ace-combat-8-owners-on-steam-over-ace-combat-zeros-limited-launch-options-says-its-looking-into-potential-solutions/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/project-aces-apologizes-to-ace-combat-8-owners-on-steam-over-ace-combat-zeros-limited-launch-options-says-its-looking-into-potential-solutions/#respond Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:51:55 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73277 Players are not happy about having to install Ace Combat 8 just to launch Ace Combat Zero.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/project-aces-apologizes-to-ace-combat-8-owners-on-steam-over-ace-combat-zeros-limited-launch-options-says-its-looking-into-potential-solutions/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/column/world-end-economica-is-the-spice-and-wolf-authors-sci-fi-visual-novel-about-trading-on-the-moon-steam-gems-from-japan-you-might-be-missing-out-on/ https://automaton-media.com/en/column/world-end-economica-is-the-spice-and-wolf-authors-sci-fi-visual-novel-about-trading-on-the-moon-steam-gems-from-japan-you-might-be-missing-out-on/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73230 Steam gems from Japan you might be missing out on #6: WORLD END ECONOMiCA]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/column/world-end-economica-is-the-spice-and-wolf-authors-sci-fi-visual-novel-about-trading-on-the-moon-steam-gems-from-japan-you-might-be-missing-out-on/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/gen-urobuchis-original-ending-for-madoka-magica-walpurgisnacht-rising-was-adjusted-to-tone-down-the-cruelty-and-offer-a-sense-of-salvation/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/gen-urobuchis-original-ending-for-madoka-magica-walpurgisnacht-rising-was-adjusted-to-tone-down-the-cruelty-and-offer-a-sense-of-salvation/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73241 Gen Urobuchi talks about how the Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Walpurgisnacht Rising ending was changed to offer a "sense of salvation." ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/gen-urobuchis-original-ending-for-madoka-magica-walpurgisnacht-rising-was-adjusted-to-tone-down-the-cruelty-and-offer-a-sense-of-salvation/feed/ 2 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/playstation-creator-ken-kutaragi-says-modern-games-are-at-a-turning-point-urges-industry-not-to-lose-curiosity/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/playstation-creator-ken-kutaragi-says-modern-games-are-at-a-turning-point-urges-industry-not-to-lose-curiosity/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73215 Ken Kutaragi recently talked to industry peers and students at the opening ceremony of CEREC.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/playstation-creator-ken-kutaragi-says-modern-games-are-at-a-turning-point-urges-industry-not-to-lose-curiosity/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cryptic-japanese-nintendo-switch-excavation-game-requires-you-to-use-a-guitar-controller-like-a-makeshift-shovel/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cryptic-japanese-nintendo-switch-excavation-game-requires-you-to-use-a-guitar-controller-like-a-makeshift-shovel/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73259 Isekibori (which translates roughly to “Relic Dig”) released on October 1 for the Nintendo Switch.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cryptic-japanese-nintendo-switch-excavation-game-requires-you-to-use-a-guitar-controller-like-a-makeshift-shovel/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/touhou-project-creator-allows-doujin-works-to-be-sold-as-commercial-e-books-through-new-initiative/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/touhou-project-creator-allows-doujin-works-to-be-sold-as-commercial-e-books-through-new-initiative/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:24:29 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73265 E-book publisher BookLive is launching a space for Touhou doujinshi creators to sell their work with permission from Team Shanghai Alice.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/touhou-project-creator-allows-doujin-works-to-be-sold-as-commercial-e-books-through-new-initiative/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dynasty-warriors-series-producer-tomohiko-sho-is-conflicted-about-leading-future-remasters-im-in-my-fifties-i-sometimes-wonder-how-many-games-i-can-make-before-i-retire/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dynasty-warriors-series-producer-tomohiko-sho-is-conflicted-about-leading-future-remasters-im-in-my-fifties-i-sometimes-wonder-how-many-games-i-can-make-before-i-retire/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2026 08:52:06 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73223 Sho expressed a desire to work on new games, whether they be sequels or brand-new IPs.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dynasty-warriors-series-producer-tomohiko-sho-is-conflicted-about-leading-future-remasters-im-in-my-fifties-i-sometimes-wonder-how-many-games-i-can-make-before-i-retire/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/supercell-leader-ryo-reflects-on-bands-return-after-7-years-for-the-witch-on-the-holy-night-movie/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/supercell-leader-ryo-reflects-on-bands-return-after-7-years-for-the-witch-on-the-holy-night-movie/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2026 07:19:14 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73225 The band will also be reuniting with singer Yanaginagi for the first time in 15 years.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/supercell-leader-ryo-reflects-on-bands-return-after-7-years-for-the-witch-on-the-holy-night-movie/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/morpho-reverie-combines-rhythm-gameplay-and-a-visual-novel-in-a-narrative-exploring-musicians-being-replaced-by-ai/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/morpho-reverie-combines-rhythm-gameplay-and-a-visual-novel-in-a-narrative-exploring-musicians-being-replaced-by-ai/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2026 07:08:32 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73217 The game recently received a new story trailer, with a demo planned to release this fall.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/morpho-reverie-combines-rhythm-gameplay-and-a-visual-novel-in-a-narrative-exploring-musicians-being-replaced-by-ai/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/suda51s-grasshopper-manufacture-splits-from-netease-games-to-go-independent/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/suda51s-grasshopper-manufacture-splits-from-netease-games-to-go-independent/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2026 03:47:28 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73208 Grasshopper Manufacture CEO Goichi “Suda51” Suda has announced that the Japanese game studio will no longer be owned by NetEase Games as of October 1, once again becoming independent. The split comes after NetEase Games’ five-year ownership of Grasshopper Manufacture, which was the result of an equity transfer agreement that involved the latter’s former parent company, GungHo Online Entertainment. The studio produced two titles under NetEase Games: 2024’s Shadows of the Damned: Hella Remastered (a remaster of the 2011 action-adventure game) and 2026’s Romeo is a Dead Man. According to Suda, the decision to go independent was reached after thorough discussions with NetEase Games, which gave its generous support to […]]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/suda51s-grasshopper-manufacture-splits-from-netease-games-to-go-independent/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-official-september-newsletter-for-steams-chaotic-roguelike-elin-has-been-released-the-hamsters-have-been-freed-farewell-to-the-hamster-wheel/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-official-september-newsletter-for-steams-chaotic-roguelike-elin-has-been-released-the-hamsters-have-been-freed-farewell-to-the-hamster-wheel/#respond Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:10:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=72970 Elin State of the Game – September 2026, the 7th edition of Elin's official newsletter.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-official-september-newsletter-for-steams-chaotic-roguelike-elin-has-been-released-the-hamsters-have-been-freed-farewell-to-the-hamster-wheel/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/does-turning-sonic-into-movies-and-anime-benefit-gamers-producer-takashi-iizuka-talks-about-how-the-transmedia-strategy-feeds-back-into-game-development-resources/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/does-turning-sonic-into-movies-and-anime-benefit-gamers-producer-takashi-iizuka-talks-about-how-the-transmedia-strategy-feeds-back-into-game-development-resources/#respond Wed, 30 Sep 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73162 Interview with Sonic the Hedgehog series producer Takashi Iizuka.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/does-turning-sonic-into-movies-and-anime-benefit-gamers-producer-takashi-iizuka-talks-about-how-the-transmedia-strategy-feeds-back-into-game-development-resources/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/anime-style-3d-action-roguelite-eternal-palace-sakura-coming-to-steam-and-switch-on-november-5/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/anime-style-3d-action-roguelite-eternal-palace-sakura-coming-to-steam-and-switch-on-november-5/#respond Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:42:36 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73194 A demo is available on Steam.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/anime-style-3d-action-roguelite-eternal-palace-sakura-coming-to-steam-and-switch-on-november-5/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-creepypasta-inspired-horror-adventure-do-not-play-indefinitely-delayed-after-change-in-development-structure/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-creepypasta-inspired-horror-adventure-do-not-play-indefinitely-delayed-after-change-in-development-structure/#respond Wed, 30 Sep 2026 08:25:07 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73189 DO NOT PLAY developer SCRAP announced that they would end their partnership with Fahrenheit 213 and delay the release of the upcoming game.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-creepypasta-inspired-horror-adventure-do-not-play-indefinitely-delayed-after-change-in-development-structure/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ace-combat-zero-the-belkan-wars-modern-port-cant-be-sold-separately-due-to-fighter-jet-licenses-expiring-devs-explain/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ace-combat-zero-the-belkan-wars-modern-port-cant-be-sold-separately-due-to-fighter-jet-licenses-expiring-devs-explain/#comments Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:50:46 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=73165 The 20-year-old game will be distributed exclusively as a pre-order bonus for AC8.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ace-combat-zero-the-belkan-wars-modern-port-cant-be-sold-separately-due-to-fighter-jet-licenses-expiring-devs-explain/feed/ 6