VERACITY IN GAMING
VERACITY IN GAMING
Verity Townsend
Automaton West Editor and translator. She has a soft spot for old-school Sierra adventure games and Final Fantasy VIII (yes, 8!). Can often be found hunting down weird forgotten games and finding out everything about them. Frequently muses about characters and lines from Metal Gear Solid and Disco Elysium. Aims to keep Automaton fresh and interesting with a wide variety of articles.
Big booty Korean game Nikke is a consistent money-maker in Japan, butt is that the only reason?
A year since its release, shooter RPG Goddess of Victory: Nikke continues to maintain a high playerbase with some surprises. But is it due to the sexy Nikkes?
Popular Gaming VTubers Chihiro Yuuki and Momo Azuchi to leave Nijisanji
Nijisanji announced that their game streaming VTubers Chihiro Yuuki and Momo Azuchi will be graduating on January 31, 2024.
Japanese game developer Level-5 reveals how they use generative AI like Stable Diffusion
Ni no Kuni and Professor Layton developer Level-5 demonstrate exactly how they use generative AI to assist game development and promotion.
Speedrunners are glitching their way through The Exit 8 in less than a minute
Players have been exploiting a looping glitch to zoom through Japanese indie walking simulator The Exit 8, with no-glitch runs also making impressive time.
New Neko Atsume release brings cute virtual kitties right into your living room
Meta Quest 3's mixed reality VR brings cute cat collecting sim Neko Atsume Purrfect Kitty Collector right into your living room.
The Last Express, the 90s real-time adventure game that still feels groundbreaking
Looking back on Jordan Mechner's cult classic adventure game that takes players on a thrilling and intriguing ride on the Orient Express.
Unearth the bone-chilling secrets of an old Japanese house in this psychological horror game
Get to the bottom of tragic family secrets in indie horror game Hollow Cocoon, with nods to The Grudge and Fatal Frame series.
Oppenheimer to finally be screened in Japan after much consideration
Christopher Nolan’s biopic of atomic bomb scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer set for a 2024 release in Japanese theaters by independent distributor Bitter Ends.
Almost a fifth of Japan’s animation industry suffer from depression
According to survey results, 17% of animators working in Japan's anime industry suffer from mental health issues, likely due to the tough working conditions.
The Exit 8 shines light on real-life Japanese stations’ creepy passageways
Indie liminal space horror game The Exit 8 prompts Japanese X users to point out unnerving places in Tokyo's real-life train stations.
Japanese grandma racks up hours on the Nintendo Switch playing Suika Game
Gamer lends Nintendo Switch to grandma, sparks hours of watermelon making in Suika Game.
This indie game is many Japanese players’ personal pick for Game of the Year
SANABI, the story-focused 2D action-platformer made by 5 Korean university students, becomes Japanese fans' GotY thanks to its impactful scenario and enjoyable gameplay.
Super Mario 64 speedrunner reveals lightning-fast route to star
Speedrunner astounds internet with weird-looking 5-second route to star in Super Mario 64's Tick Tock Clock stage.
Hideo Kojima discusses the game that gave him an ulcer
Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding creator Hideo Kojima talks about the grueling development process behind Snatcher, his 1988 cyberpunk adventure game.
Tears of the Kingdom: Godzilla makes a convincing appearance in Hyrule
A recreation of classic Japanese movie monster Godzilla in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom has fans stunned by the game's creative potential.
Refind Self: The Personality Test Game was more moving and accurate than I expected
The quirky and poignant Japanese indie adventure Refind Self: The Personality Test Game gradually reveals its story and the player’s personality.
Was the Super Mario RPG hidden boss designed by Final Fantasy artist Tetsuya Nomura? Fans speculate
Renewed interest in Super Mario RPG and its original artwork leads to speculations about the origins of boss monster Culex and the possibility of Final Fantasy artist Tetsuya Nomura being involved in his design.
User combines video games and cycling to lose weight and tackle chronic conditions
Japanese gamer documents weight loss journey on X, combining gaming and exercising in what they call a "Game Diet" to achieve their goals.
Final Fantasy VII: Real-life counterpart of The Shinra Building faces demolition
Designed by a famed 'Mad Architect', Tokyo's imposing GUNKAN building inspired Yusuke Naora's designs for Final Fantasy VII's Midgar and the Shinra HQ, but the building now faces demolition.
Super Mario RPG Remake OST Composer shares a struggle she encountered early in development
Yoko Shimomura gives insight into how she composed the new arranged soundtrack for the Super Mario RPG remake on Nintendo Switch.
One Piece Composer Kohei Tanaka Reveals That He Was Thought of as “Very Stupid” for Specializing in Anime/Game Music
Kohei Tanaka gives insight into the criticism he received for his decision to specialize in anime and game music, and discusses the international impact of his concerts.