Masahiro Sakurai

“Stop using Masahiro Sakurai to attack other developers.” Japanese users criticize use of Smash creator’s game design advice in growingly negative domestic gaming community 

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Pokemon Pokopia

Pokémon Pokopia creator says the idea came from his rookie days “placing grass on the map” at Game Freak 

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Death Stranding 2: On the Beach

We ask Kojima Productions why they’ve stuck to Decima for nearly ten years. Chief technology officer on what makes Death Stranding’s engine irreplaceable 

AUTOMATON WEST Avatar
Nagito Komaeda in Danganronpa 2x2

Danganronpa 2×2 special trial hands-on:  A “certain someone” turns up dead in a Danganronpa 2 that feels very familiar, but very new 

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Romeo Is a Dead Man

Romeo Is a Dead Man devs show off practical effects expertise, like melting dummy heads with actual flamethrowers 

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“Mate or die.” Major women’s game developer in Japan explains how the “straight omegaverse” works in its upcoming Switch exclusive visual novel

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Former Idolmaster director’s new bishojo visual novel doesn’t “water down” its Japanese aesthetics for overseas audiences, aiming for “a fresh experience crossing cultural barriers”

Đorđe P Avatar
Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy’s third entry “will not compromise on graphics whatsoever” despite multiplatform shift. Director Naoki Hamaguchi addresses concerns 

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Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement

Longtime Castlevania and Bloodstained developer Shutaro Ida passes away at 52 after battling cancer 

Carlos "Zoto" Zotomayor Avatar
Valkyrie Tune

Former Idolmaster director’s new sci-fi romance visual novel Valkyrie Tune: Synthesis of Souls takes a surprisingly serious, philosophical turn, set in a world that “feels off” 

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Remember the Pokemon Sapphire playthrough which was entirely beaten by actual fish? Looking back at some of our weirdest stories from 2020

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Mindhack

From “curing” chuunibyou teenagers to typing away emotional trauma: Japanese indie games about mental health 

Carlos "Zoto" Zotomayor Avatar