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. Fri, 22 May 2026 09:44:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 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/developers-of-otaku-schoolgirl-vn-girlfailure-artclub-have-secured-translators-for-english-korean-and-chinese-aiming-for-release-next-year/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-otaku-schoolgirl-vn-girlfailure-artclub-have-secured-translators-for-english-korean-and-chinese-aiming-for-release-next-year/#respond Fri, 22 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=67030 After numerous requests for localization, the developers of Girlfailure Artclub have announced that they've secured translators for the job.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-otaku-schoolgirl-vn-girlfailure-artclub-have-secured-translators-for-english-korean-and-chinese-aiming-for-release-next-year/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-creator-yuji-horii-and-blue-lock-author-muneyuki-kaneshiro-say-their-upcoming-karmic-death-game-style-switch-title-plays-similarly-to-akutagawa/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-creator-yuji-horii-and-blue-lock-author-muneyuki-kaneshiro-say-their-upcoming-karmic-death-game-style-switch-title-plays-similarly-to-akutagawa/#respond Fri, 22 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=67019 Yuji Horii and Muneyuki Kaneshiro share new details about their mysterious upcoming sugoroku-style title Tensei Game.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-creator-yuji-horii-and-blue-lock-author-muneyuki-kaneshiro-say-their-upcoming-karmic-death-game-style-switch-title-plays-similarly-to-akutagawa/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ceo-of-japanese-sexy-game-company-says-depicting-adult-women-with-small-chests-has-become-risky-which-is-why-all-their-characters-are-extremely-well-endowed/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ceo-of-japanese-sexy-game-company-says-depicting-adult-women-with-small-chests-has-become-risky-which-is-why-all-their-characters-are-extremely-well-endowed/#comments Fri, 22 May 2026 09:33:32 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=67046 Qureate CEO and game producer Yuji Usuda talks about how the company is navigating tightening regulations on suggestive content in games.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ceo-of-japanese-sexy-game-company-says-depicting-adult-women-with-small-chests-has-become-risky-which-is-why-all-their-characters-are-extremely-well-endowed/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cozy-story-driven-companion-game-lets-you-study-or-work-alongside-an-apprentice-witch/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cozy-story-driven-companion-game-lets-you-study-or-work-alongside-an-apprentice-witch/#respond Fri, 22 May 2026 08:12:45 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=67038 Memory of Memorie: A Chill Story is an upcoming Japanese companion game where you do your work alongside a witch in training.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cozy-story-driven-companion-game-lets-you-study-or-work-alongside-an-apprentice-witch/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/fromsoftware-parent-company-kadokawa-criticized-for-relying-on-third-party-publishing-and-allowing-profit-leakage-by-activist-shareholder/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/fromsoftware-parent-company-kadokawa-criticized-for-relying-on-third-party-publishing-and-allowing-profit-leakage-by-activist-shareholder/#comments Fri, 22 May 2026 07:22:41 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=67024 In an initiative to oust Kadokawa's CEO Takeshi Natsuno, activist hedge fund Oasis has criticized the company's handling of FromSoftware titles.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/fromsoftware-parent-company-kadokawa-criticized-for-relying-on-third-party-publishing-and-allowing-profit-leakage-by-activist-shareholder/feed/ 9 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-backrooms-meet-showa-era-nostalgia-in-anime-survival-horror-third-person-shooter-anomalith/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-backrooms-meet-showa-era-nostalgia-in-anime-survival-horror-third-person-shooter-anomalith/#respond Fri, 22 May 2026 02:45:20 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=67009 Japanese developer FuRyu has announced a brand new TPS with music by Elden Ring composed Yuka Kitamura and Humanity Has Declined author Romeo Tanaka.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-backrooms-meet-showa-era-nostalgia-in-anime-survival-horror-third-person-shooter-anomalith/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-indie-creators-cute-but-mind-eroding-horror-adventure-nightmare-journey-1135-challenges-you-to-escape-an-endless-twisted-dream/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-indie-creators-cute-but-mind-eroding-horror-adventure-nightmare-journey-1135-challenges-you-to-escape-an-endless-twisted-dream/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66973 Japanese indie horror adventure game Nightmare Journey 1135 is scheduled to release on Steam in 2027.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-indie-creators-cute-but-mind-eroding-horror-adventure-nightmare-journey-1135-challenges-you-to-escape-an-endless-twisted-dream/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/bandai-namco-reports-bizarre-tamagotchi-paradise-death-bug-affecting-pets-over-256-years-old-likely-related-to-integer-overflow/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/bandai-namco-reports-bizarre-tamagotchi-paradise-death-bug-affecting-pets-over-256-years-old-likely-related-to-integer-overflow/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66967 Tamagotchi Paradise players have discovered bugs that occur to dying Tamagotchi in old age, prompting an apology from Bandai Namco.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/bandai-namco-reports-bizarre-tamagotchi-paradise-death-bug-affecting-pets-over-256-years-old-likely-related-to-integer-overflow/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/it-still-feels-a-bit-random-honestly-solo-indie-dev-whose-breakout-hit-sold-200000-units-in-two-weeks-shares-detailed-breakdown-of-sales-and-what-boosted-wishli/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/it-still-feels-a-bit-random-honestly-solo-indie-dev-whose-breakout-hit-sold-200000-units-in-two-weeks-shares-detailed-breakdown-of-sales-and-what-boosted-wishli/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66955 Indie game developer Blukulélé recently revealed detailed sales data related to their hit chess-themed deckbuilding rogulike Gambonanza.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/it-still-feels-a-bit-random-honestly-solo-indie-dev-whose-breakout-hit-sold-200000-units-in-two-weeks-shares-detailed-breakdown-of-sales-and-what-boosted-wishli/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-broadcaster-postpones-documentary-on-maid-cafe-for-women-with-developmental-disabilities-following-allegations-about-poor-working-conditions/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-broadcaster-postpones-documentary-on-maid-cafe-for-women-with-developmental-disabilities-following-allegations-about-poor-working-conditions/#comments Thu, 21 May 2026 10:02:30 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66985 TV Asahi has announced that it will postpone the airing of a documentary dedicated to a Japanese maid cafe that employs women with developmental disabilities]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-broadcaster-postpones-documentary-on-maid-cafe-for-women-with-developmental-disabilities-following-allegations-about-poor-working-conditions/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/rpg-makers-brand-new-built-from-scratch-engine-will-let-developers-create-hd-2d-style-games-with-extensive-customization/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/rpg-makers-brand-new-built-from-scratch-engine-will-let-developers-create-hd-2d-style-games-with-extensive-customization/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 09:34:56 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66980 Gotcha Gotcha Games unveils new details on the features of RPG Maker U2U, their brand new game development engine.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/rpg-makers-brand-new-built-from-scratch-engine-will-let-developers-create-hd-2d-style-games-with-extensive-customization/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-pokemon-company-is-considering-authentication-via-government-issued-ids-to-battle-tcg-scalping-in-japan/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-pokemon-company-is-considering-authentication-via-government-issued-ids-to-battle-tcg-scalping-in-japan/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 07:48:15 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66954 Starting August 2026, The Pokémon Company is considering requiring identity verification for access to certain products and events in Japan.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-pokemon-company-is-considering-authentication-via-government-issued-ids-to-battle-tcg-scalping-in-japan/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-engineers-say-even-the-smartest-ai-cant-match-our-creators-when-it-comes-to-sensibility-the-technology-is-being-adopted-to-reduce-routin/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-engineers-say-even-the-smartest-ai-cant-match-our-creators-when-it-comes-to-sensibility-the-technology-is-being-adopted-to-reduce-routin/#comments Thu, 21 May 2026 05:21:01 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66944 Capcom’s game development platform and AI solutions VP Shinichi Inoue talks about the company's views on AI and details of Google Cloud collaboration.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-engineers-say-even-the-smartest-ai-cant-match-our-creators-when-it-comes-to-sensibility-the-technology-is-being-adopted-to-reduce-routin/feed/ 2 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/square-enix-announces-game-dev-contest-in-japan-with-winners-receiving-publishing-deals-and-up-to-1-89-million-usd-in-prize-money/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/square-enix-announces-game-dev-contest-in-japan-with-winners-receiving-publishing-deals-and-up-to-1-89-million-usd-in-prize-money/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 04:57:21 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66935 Starting December 2026, Square Enix will welcome developers in Japan to submit their projects for a chance to win generous monetary prizes and publishing support.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/square-enix-announces-game-dev-contest-in-japan-with-winners-receiving-publishing-deals-and-up-to-1-89-million-usd-in-prize-money/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/behind-the-hit-coin-based-roguelike-raccoin-is-coreblazer-a-support-team-rather-than-a-publisher-how-did-this-mysterious-group-help-push-the-game-toward-success-and-what-exactly-d/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/behind-the-hit-coin-based-roguelike-raccoin-is-coreblazer-a-support-team-rather-than-a-publisher-how-did-this-mysterious-group-help-push-the-game-toward-success-and-what-exactly-d/#respond Thu, 21 May 2026 04:05:06 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66922 An interview with Doraccoon, the indie studio behind RACCOIN, and COREBLAZER, the company that supported the hit title's development.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/behind-the-hit-coin-based-roguelike-raccoin-is-coreblazer-a-support-team-rather-than-a-publisher-how-did-this-mysterious-group-help-push-the-game-toward-success-and-what-exactly-d/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/anime-gacha-game-issues-apology-after-being-accused-of-plagiarizing-real-life-japanese-bladesmiths-weapon-designs/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/anime-gacha-game-issues-apology-after-being-accused-of-plagiarizing-real-life-japanese-bladesmiths-weapon-designs/#comments Wed, 20 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66903 Anime gacha RPG Echocalypse: The Scarlet Covenant recently issued an official apology regarding allegedly plagiarized weapon designs.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/anime-gacha-game-issues-apology-after-being-accused-of-plagiarizing-real-life-japanese-bladesmiths-weapon-designs/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/annihilated-a-dark-indie-vn-card-battler-that-forces-you-to-save-only-one-member-of-a-physically-and-mentally-broken-adventurer-party-celebrates-over-100000-steam/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/annihilated-a-dark-indie-vn-card-battler-that-forces-you-to-save-only-one-member-of-a-physically-and-mentally-broken-adventurer-party-celebrates-over-100000-steam/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66890 Japanese indie development circle Death Kumiai celebrates 100,000+ Wishlists for its upcoming title Annihilated.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/annihilated-a-dark-indie-vn-card-battler-that-forces-you-to-save-only-one-member-of-a-physically-and-mentally-broken-adventurer-party-celebrates-over-100000-steam/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/forza-horizon-6s-japanese-setting-is-so-lifelike-local-players-say-going-outside-feels-like-wow-they-made-japan-from-forza-horizon-6-in-real-life/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/forza-horizon-6s-japanese-setting-is-so-lifelike-local-players-say-going-outside-feels-like-wow-they-made-japan-from-forza-horizon-6-in-real-life/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66884 Bringing the stage of Playground Games’ racing series to Japan for the first time, it comes as no surprise that Forza Horizon 6 has been on Japanese gamers’ radars. Even prior to its launch, the game’s early map reveal generated a lot of hype for including the famous “holy sites” of street racing and Initial D, but now that the full game is out, local players are expressing awe at how truly “Japanese” Forza Horizon 6 feels, even down to the smallest details like the ridiculously spacious parking lots of rural convenience stores.  Interestingly, one such comment comes from game industry veteran Keiichiro Toyama, creator of the Silent Hill and Siren series. After presumably spending a good deal of time playing Forza Horizon 6 at home, the developer joked that stepping outside into the heart of Tokyo made […]]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/forza-horizon-6s-japanese-setting-is-so-lifelike-local-players-say-going-outside-feels-like-wow-they-made-japan-from-forza-horizon-6-in-real-life/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developer-makes-the-same-game-twice-in-unity-and-godot-after-struggling-to-choose-an-engine-delivering-detailed-comparison-of-the-pros-and-cons/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developer-makes-the-same-game-twice-in-unity-and-godot-after-struggling-to-choose-an-engine-delivering-detailed-comparison-of-the-pros-and-cons/#comments Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66898 Game developer Thomas Grové made his game in both the Unity and Godot engines to determine which to use for the final project.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developer-makes-the-same-game-twice-in-unity-and-godot-after-struggling-to-choose-an-engine-delivering-detailed-comparison-of-the-pros-and-cons/feed/ 9 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/project-rabbit-is-a-dark-alice-in-wonderland-inspired-soulslike-action-rpg-coming-from-korea/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/project-rabbit-is-a-dark-alice-in-wonderland-inspired-soulslike-action-rpg-coming-from-korea/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 07:28:52 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66874 Novaflare recently teased its upcoming new title Project Rabbit, a dark fantasy soulslike RPG with escape and survival elements.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/project-rabbit-is-a-dark-alice-in-wonderland-inspired-soulslike-action-rpg-coming-from-korea/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-content-creator-platform-to-retroactively-tighten-mosaic-and-blur-censorship-regulations-for-adult-works-following-feedback-and-criticism-from-various-relevant-organizations/ Wed, 20 May 2026 06:22:07 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66869 Japanese content creation platform Fantia announces that it would be tightening their mosaic and blur censorship regulations starting May 25.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ichiban-kasugas-voice-actor-will-not-be-appearing-in-stranger-than-heaven-bizarre-non-appearance-announcement-reveals/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ichiban-kasugas-voice-actor-will-not-be-appearing-in-stranger-than-heaven-bizarre-non-appearance-announcement-reveals/#respond Wed, 20 May 2026 04:03:06 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66863 Shunsuke Daito, the voice of Mortimer in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, has been confirmed for a role in Stranger Than Heaven, but co-star Kazuhiro Nakaya will not be appearing.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ichiban-kasugas-voice-actor-will-not-be-appearing-in-stranger-than-heaven-bizarre-non-appearance-announcement-reveals/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-expanded-its-workforce-by-over-200-employees-in-the-past-year-with-further-plans-for-upsizing/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-expanded-its-workforce-by-over-200-employees-in-the-past-year-with-further-plans-for-upsizing/#comments Wed, 20 May 2026 03:53:14 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66858 Capcom now counts 3,976 full-time employees following significant personnel upsizing in the past few fiscal years.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-expanded-its-workforce-by-over-200-employees-in-the-past-year-with-further-plans-for-upsizing/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/nongaming-news/former-weekly-shonen-jump-manga-artist-says-editors-insisted-on-erotic-content-as-a-precondition-to-publishing-superhero-series-with-a-female-protagonist/ https://automaton-media.com/en/nongaming-news/former-weekly-shonen-jump-manga-artist-says-editors-insisted-on-erotic-content-as-a-precondition-to-publishing-superhero-series-with-a-female-protagonist/#comments Tue, 19 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66835 Ken Ogino, author of the cancelled Shonen Jump title Lady Justice, recently talked about the manga's behind-the-scenes.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/nongaming-news/former-weekly-shonen-jump-manga-artist-says-editors-insisted-on-erotic-content-as-a-precondition-to-publishing-superhero-series-with-a-female-protagonist/feed/ 3 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-indie-gay-bar-management-sim-sodomy-fatale-will-have-you-serving-blood-cocktails-to-flamboyant-homosexual-vampires/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-indie-gay-bar-management-sim-sodomy-fatale-will-have-you-serving-blood-cocktails-to-flamboyant-homosexual-vampires/#comments Tue, 19 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66836 Jamsanpoid, the developer behind From Madness With Love, drops their "laid back" gay bar management sim Sodomy Fatale on Steam.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-indie-gay-bar-management-sim-sodomy-fatale-will-have-you-serving-blood-cocktails-to-flamboyant-homosexual-vampires/feed/ 2 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-sharp-player-decline-we-expected-never-came-final-fantasy-11-director-talks-about-recent-surge-in-players-and-challenges-the-mmorpg-faces-due-to-server-limitation/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-sharp-player-decline-we-expected-never-came-final-fantasy-11-director-talks-about-recent-surge-in-players-and-challenges-the-mmorpg-faces-due-to-server-limitation/#comments Tue, 19 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66826 Final Fantasy XI producer and director Yoji Fujito gives an update on the MMORPG as it celebrates its 24-year-anniversary.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-sharp-player-decline-we-expected-never-came-final-fantasy-11-director-talks-about-recent-surge-in-players-and-challenges-the-mmorpg-faces-due-to-server-limitation/feed/ 8 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/urban-myth-dissolution-center-publisher-shueisha-games-solicits-new-title-pitches-and-even-creators-with-no-development-experience-are-eligible-to-apply/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/urban-myth-dissolution-center-publisher-shueisha-games-solicits-new-title-pitches-and-even-creators-with-no-development-experience-are-eligible-to-apply/#respond Tue, 19 May 2026 09:48:08 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66846 Shueisha Games, the publisher behind Urban Myth Dissolution Center, has opened applications for new game proposals.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/urban-myth-dissolution-center-publisher-shueisha-games-solicits-new-title-pitches-and-even-creators-with-no-development-experience-are-eligible-to-apply/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-publishers-site-temporarily-crashes-from-sheer-number-of-people-flocking-to-download-nsfw-patch-for-sexy-nun-action-jrpg-sinisistar2/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-publishers-site-temporarily-crashes-from-sheer-number-of-people-flocking-to-download-nsfw-patch-for-sexy-nun-action-jrpg-sinisistar2/#respond Tue, 19 May 2026 09:08:08 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66828 Japanese gothic action RPG SiNiSiStar2 just released on Steam, alongside a special 18+ patch that unlocks the game's mature scenes. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-publishers-site-temporarily-crashes-from-sheer-number-of-people-flocking-to-download-nsfw-patch-for-sexy-nun-action-jrpg-sinisistar2/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dlsite-parent-company-to-launch-new-service-for-playing-pc-titles-on-smartphones-using-per-title-purchases-instead-of-subscription-model/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dlsite-parent-company-to-launch-new-service-for-playing-pc-titles-on-smartphones-using-per-title-purchases-instead-of-subscription-model/#respond Tue, 19 May 2026 05:48:30 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66818 viviON has announced the cloud gaming service viviON Games, scheduled to launch sometime in 2026.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dlsite-parent-company-to-launch-new-service-for-playing-pc-titles-on-smartphones-using-per-title-purchases-instead-of-subscription-model/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/netflix-is-launching-a-new-animation-studio-specializing-in-generative-ai-job-listings-suggest/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/netflix-is-launching-a-new-animation-studio-specializing-in-generative-ai-job-listings-suggest/#respond Tue, 19 May 2026 05:29:57 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66813 Netflix has been hiring across multiple roles for the "gen-AI native" animation studio INKubator established in March.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/netflix-is-launching-a-new-animation-studio-specializing-in-generative-ai-job-listings-suggest/feed/ 0