VERACITY IN GAMING
VERACITY IN GAMING
Aki Nogishi
JP AUTOMATON writer
A pixiv clone site has been created, and users were using “magic words” to try to take it down
vpixiv is a malicious clone site that has caused quite a stir within Japan. The site was created via unauthorized copying of the data from artist community site pixiv. In response to vpixiv, pixiv users were adding “magic words” to their profiles as a method to have their account pages deleted from the clone site.
Service for the Karakuri Circus mobile game is coming to an end, but onlookers wonder how it survived as long as it did
The Karakuri Circus mobile game Karakuri Circus ~Larmes d’un Clown~ has been operating for three and a half years and with a specific character (Fatima) getting an oddly large number of gacha cards added to the game, rumors spread that Karakuri Circus LC had landed a whale supporting that character.
A Soul Hackers 2 tagline about the game being a successor to Persona and SMT doesn’t sit right with Japanese fans
An advertising tagline for Soul Hackers 2 in Japan has given rise to some complicated feelings among fans of the series. When promoting the game via TV commercials, Twitter, and other media, Atlus has used the tagline: “The new Atlus RPG that succeeds Shin Megami Tensei and Persona.”
FFXIV producer/director Naoki Yoshida criticizes a Japanese internet service provider over connection issues
ISP in Japan called NURO Hikari warns of connection trouble on the day of FFXIV patch 6.2 due to “online game updates” FFXIV producer/director Naoki Yoshida previously criticized a Japanese internet service provider over connection issues.
Tactics Ogre: Reborn developer makes “Mustached Sakaguchi Spinal Cord Sword”
Yasumi Matsuno, producer of the original Tactics Ogre and developer involved with the upcoming Tactics Ogre: Reborn, tweeted a screenshot of a character named “Mustached Sakaguchi Spinal Cord Sword.” Sakaguchi as in Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of Final Fantasy.
Tactics Ogre: Reborn is set to launch in November for PC and consoles
Square Enix has officially announced Tactics Ogre: Reborn for PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam). It’s a remake of the tactical RPG Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together and is set to launch on November 11.
A Call of Cthulhu TRPG rulebook iOS app has been announced for Japan
A rulebook app for the Japanese version of the Call of Cthulhu tabletop RPG called Call of Cthulhu Rulebook PLUS (working title) has been announced. The new app includes the rulebook for the Japanese version of Call of Cthulhu along with a variety of sourcebooks.
Genshin Impact’s Tartaglia trends in Japan because of his “sexy straps.” Why do people find chest and thigh belts so sexy?
The word “ecchi belt,” or “sexy strap,” began trending in Japan after the Genshin Impact official Twitter account posted an image of Tartaglia to commemorate the character’s birthday. In the image, the character is wearing what fans have dubbed as “sexy straps.”
Elected official in Japan wants a legal framework for preserving games and keeping them playable
Ken Akamatsu, the first manga artist elected to Japan's House of Councillors, wants a legal framework for preserving games and keeping them playable.
Daigo Umehara makes his Final Fantasy XIV debut
Pro gamer Daigo Umehara made a splash online when he started playing Square Enix’s hit MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV. Daigo has been playing FFXIV at his own pace between his Street Fighter V practice sessions and radio broadcasts while asking viewers about the controls and how to progress.
FFXIV’s new Data Center in Japan is seeing a confusing mix of cultures after the World reshuffle
In Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV), each Data Center having something of their own local rules was made apparent by the creation of the Meteor Data Center in Japan. Some players were stuck in the middle of different cultures coming together, which was likely something of a culture shock for them.
FFXIV’s Megashiba mount trends in Japan to the confusion of dog lovers who posted their own Shiba Inu
A new purchasable mount called the Megashiba has been added to Final Fantasy XIV, and with its round face and fluffy tail has captured the hearts of players. So much so that #柴犬マウント (#ShibaInuMount) even started trending on Twitter in Japan.
A Ring Fit Adventure player chronicles their successful weight loss journey with a manga
One Ring Fit Adventure player’s success story has been gaining attention on Twitter in Japan. A Twitter user posted their results after consistently playing the game for one year and shared details regarding their playstyle and how they lost 17 kg (37.4 lbs).
Hironobu Sakaguchi is building a “Square Developer’s Office” within FFXIV that will contain messages from 60 staff members
Final Fantasy series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi is creating a “Square Developer’s Office” within FFXIV that will contain messages from 60 people who were involved with the series.
Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi creates a free company called SQUARE in FFXIV
Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi creates a free company called SQUARE in FFXIV. His title within the free company is executive vice president which happens to be what his title was during his time at Square.
FFXIV’s Black Mage was made too strong in PvP and will be rebalanced after player backlash
Naoki Yoshida, producer and director of Final Fantasy XIV, has released a statement explaining that they went too far with the PvP adjustments made to the black mage job. Black Mage will be rebalanced in patch 6.15, which is planned for release on June 7.
Naoki Yoshida has been spotted in the new FFXIV PvP content by a number of players
A new PvP mode called Crystalline Conflict was added to Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) as part of the recent patch 6.1, and a number of players have spotted FFXIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida while playing the new mode.
FFXIV director reiterates ban on third-party tools, world-first raid clear video gets taken down by Square Enix
Final Fantasy XIV director and producer Naoki Yoshida reiterates ban on third-party tools after the raid group Neverland reported a world-first clear of Dragonsong's Reprise (Ultimate) using third-party tools.
Square Enix’s PR team was upset with Naoki Yoshida for saying how FFXVI is in the final stretch of development
FFXVI producer Naoki Yoshida mentioned during a livestream that Square Enix’s North American marketing/PR team was upset with him for saying how the development of FFXVI is in the final stretch, during an interview with Uniqlo’s UT magazine.
A nearly $12,000 Final Fantasy VI Statue even has series creator Sakaguchi bewildered
Square Enix has begun accepting preorders for their “SQEX MASTERLINE FFVI” statue. The statue is priced at a whopping 1,485,000 yen, which is around $11,592.
Elden Ring now makes its tutorial area obvious to players
With FromSoftware’s latest Ver.1.04 Elden Ring patch that just released on April 19, a new pop-up window has been added to help players not miss the game’s tutorial section.
FFXIV fan named an actual asteroid after Naoki Yoshida
Final Fantasy XIV producer and director Naoki Yoshida is now the name of an asteroid. A Reddit user named Rukongai stated, “I had the chance to name a minor planet/asteroid so I picked Yoshi P.”