Amber V

Editor-in-Chief since October 2023. She grew up playing Duke Nukem and Wolfenstein with her dad, and is now enamored with obscure Japanese video games and internet culture. Currently devoted to growing Automaton West to the size of its Japanese sister-site, while making sure to keep news concise and developer stories deep and stimulating.

Articles: 824

News
2023-10-03 13:28

Touhou isn’t old: 15- to 19-year-olds make up the majority of the fandom even in 2023

According to the Touhou Project Popularity Poll for 2023, almost 40% of the Touhou fandom is aged 15 to 19 years old, which has caused some shocked reactions throughout the community.

News
2023-10-02 14:40

User prompts Bing’s AI to report itself for infringing on Nintendo’s copyrights

Users have been creating all kinds of images with The Bing Image Creator that uses DALL-E 3, including images of copyrighted characters. One Japanese user decided to make a report to Nintendo about the issue, but made the Bing AI write the report.

News
2023-09-29 18:18

Why devs shouldn’t take player feedback at face value – Japanese players discuss

Japanese users discuss the correct way for game devs to go about accepting player feedback and incorporating proposed solutions into their games. The topic was prompted by an episode from the development of Dying Light.

News
2023-09-29 17:09

Sonic Superstars producers discuss challenges in development, release date overlapping with Mario

The producers of Sega's Sonic Superstars, Takashi Iizuka of Sega of America and Naoto Oshima of Arzest discuss challenges they were faced with throughout development.

News Non-Gaming News
2023-09-28 13:48

Even in Japan, using a period when texting translates to “I’m pissed”

In the English-speaking world, using periods at the end of your sentences while texting is more than likely to create the impression that you’re either elderly, angry or a grammar snob, which is why omitting it has become more or less the norm. It turns out, a similar phenomenon exists in Japanese texting culture as well.

News
2023-09-27 16:19

Severe shortage of animators and “post-Covid changes” in the anime industry as told by the director of Studio Trigger

Studio Trigger managing director, Kazuya Masumoto, speaks about recent changes in workflow and recruitment, influenced largely by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the field of Production Management.

News
2023-09-26 15:12

Could AI replace manga artist assistants? AI startup founder shows “16-page manga completed without drawing,” sparking discussion about loss of human jobs

Japanese AI startup founder Takahiro Anno introduced his almost fully automated comic generation process, causing discussion about manga artist’s assistants/apprentices potentially being replaced by AI and other effects the use of generative AI technology may have on Japan’s comic industry.

News Non-Gaming News
2023-09-26 11:42

Orwellian Japanese social media platform “Dystopia” uses AI surveillance and censoring to prevent cyberbullying

Japanese web service developer Soudanbako released the beta version of their new social media platform called Dystopia on September 24 for iOS and Android. The app uses AI to censor offensive phrases and prevent cyberbullying.

News
2023-09-25 16:16

Japanese publisher hosts public panel about the massive commercial failure of their game

Japanese game publisher D3PUBLISHER hosted a panel dedicated to discussing the commercial failure of their 2023 title ED-0: Zombie Uprising on Tokyo Game Show 2023.

News
2023-09-15 14:27

Pokémon: The Teal Mask DLC players too busy analyzing the authentic countryside environment to go on with the plot

The Teal Mask DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet released just recently, and is gaining a lot of attention for its environment, modeled of real-life rural Japan.

News
2023-09-14 16:38

Why does Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force’s official furry mascot look like…that

An official X/Twitter account affiliated with Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) recently announced that their official mascot called Omaneko will be making a PR appearance at Kemoket, Japan’s largest “kemono” (furry/anthro) related comic fair. But what’s the deal with the…

News
2023-09-14 14:08

Female Japanese streamer hosts “Incel mixer party” with VIP viewing seats

Controversial female ex-pro game Tanukana has announced that she will be hosting a real-life matchmaking event for incels, which others will be able to view for a fee.

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