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, 01 May 2026 09:08:23 +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/dragon-quest-9-and-10-director-says-yuji-horii-taught-him-the-important-lesson-that-dragon-quest-isnt-about-the-scenario/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-9-and-10-director-says-yuji-horii-taught-him-the-important-lesson-that-dragon-quest-isnt-about-the-scenario/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66084 Former Dragon Quest series scenario writer and director Jin Fujisawa talks about what he learned from Yuji Horii during his time at Square Enix.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-9-and-10-director-says-yuji-horii-taught-him-the-important-lesson-that-dragon-quest-isnt-about-the-scenario/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/indie-developer-claims-their-ready-to-ship-game-has-been-waiting-for-steam-approval-for-three-years-holdup-likely-related-to-game-engine/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/indie-developer-claims-their-ready-to-ship-game-has-been-waiting-for-steam-approval-for-three-years-holdup-likely-related-to-game-engine/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66066 The developers of AMYGDALA: Prelude, an indie 2000s-style FPS, have been waiting for their game to be approved for Steam for 3 years.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/indie-developer-claims-their-ready-to-ship-game-has-been-waiting-for-steam-approval-for-three-years-holdup-likely-related-to-game-engine/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/demons-timeline-is-a-deduction-game-where-you-surf-a-fictional-social-media-network-to-solve-paranormal-crimes-with-the-help-of-a-demon-girl-sidekick/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/demons-timeline-is-a-deduction-game-where-you-surf-a-fictional-social-media-network-to-solve-paranormal-crimes-with-the-help-of-a-demon-girl-sidekick/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66010 The Japanese indie mystery game Demons’ Timeline is out now on Steam.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/demons-timeline-is-a-deduction-game-where-you-surf-a-fictional-social-media-network-to-solve-paranormal-crimes-with-the-help-of-a-demon-girl-sidekick/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/nippon-ichi-software-announces-no-dogs-or-cats-will-die-in-its-totally-cute-and-not-at-all-sinister-new-farming-simulator-despite-yomawari-comparisons/ Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66086 Yomawari developer Nippon Ichi Software announces that no cats and dogs will die in its upcoming farming simulator Village in the Shade.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/hololives-indie-publishing-label-comes-back-with-new-triannual-game-submission-format-following-two-month-hiatus/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/hololives-indie-publishing-label-comes-back-with-new-triannual-game-submission-format-following-two-month-hiatus/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 09:08:21 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66093 Indie publishing label holo Indie announces resumption of activities with a new, revised submission system for hololive-inspired games.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/hololives-indie-publishing-label-comes-back-with-new-triannual-game-submission-format-following-two-month-hiatus/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/konamis-cringe-but-gold-efootball-x-naruto-collab-trailer-has-famous-real-life-players-performing-cgi-ninjutsu/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/konamis-cringe-but-gold-efootball-x-naruto-collab-trailer-has-famous-real-life-players-performing-cgi-ninjutsu/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 05:43:27 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66053 Believe it.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/konamis-cringe-but-gold-efootball-x-naruto-collab-trailer-has-famous-real-life-players-performing-cgi-ninjutsu/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/jirai-kei-yuri-visual-novel-menhera-maiden-puts-you-at-the-mercy-of-three-landmine-girls-as-an-international-student-researching-japanese-culture/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/jirai-kei-yuri-visual-novel-menhera-maiden-puts-you-at-the-mercy-of-three-landmine-girls-as-an-international-student-researching-japanese-culture/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 02:41:59 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=66016 Menhera Maiden, the debut title from developer MOONHERA, is a yuri romance where all the heroines are jirai-kei menhera girls. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/jirai-kei-yuri-visual-novel-menhera-maiden-puts-you-at-the-mercy-of-three-landmine-girls-as-an-international-student-researching-japanese-culture/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/90-of-resident-evil-requiem-players-prefer-third-person-perspective-with-leon-but-graces-sections-have-players-more-divided-according-to-capcoms-data/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/90-of-resident-evil-requiem-players-prefer-third-person-perspective-with-leon-but-graces-sections-have-players-more-divided-according-to-capcoms-data/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65978 Resident Evil Requiem developers discuss the players' preferences between the togglable first and third person perspectives in the game. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/90-of-resident-evil-requiem-players-prefer-third-person-perspective-with-leon-but-graces-sections-have-players-more-divided-according-to-capcoms-data/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/studio-ghibli-masterpieces-risk-slipping-into-obscurity-among-younger-audiences-in-japan-due-to-tv-exclusivity-domestic-journalist-suggests/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/studio-ghibli-masterpieces-risk-slipping-into-obscurity-among-younger-audiences-in-japan-due-to-tv-exclusivity-domestic-journalist-suggests/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65973 Japanese journalist speculates Nippon TV is intentionally limiting viewing opportunities for Studio Ghibli films to defend television.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/studio-ghibli-masterpieces-risk-slipping-into-obscurity-among-younger-audiences-in-japan-due-to-tv-exclusivity-domestic-journalist-suggests/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-intuition-based-mystery-game-crimsooon-sun-in-which-you-investigate-a-college-girls-disappearance-by-spotting-contradictions-coming-to-steam/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-intuition-based-mystery-game-crimsooon-sun-in-which-you-investigate-a-college-girls-disappearance-by-spotting-contradictions-coming-to-steam/#comments Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:12:23 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65997 Indie mystery visual novel Crimsooon Sun is getting a PC port, scheduled to launch on Steam sometime in 2026.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-intuition-based-mystery-game-crimsooon-sun-in-which-you-investigate-a-college-girls-disappearance-by-spotting-contradictions-coming-to-steam/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developer-ordered-to-pay-3-84-million-in-damages-following-five-year-dispute-with-nexon-over-alleged-source-code-and-asset-theft/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developer-ordered-to-pay-3-84-million-in-damages-following-five-year-dispute-with-nexon-over-alleged-source-code-and-asset-theft/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:48:17 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65989 Ironmace, the developer of Dark and Darker, has been ordered to pay approximately $3.84 million in damages to Nexon.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developer-ordered-to-pay-3-84-million-in-damages-following-five-year-dispute-with-nexon-over-alleged-source-code-and-asset-theft/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/former-blue-archive-developers-unveil-new-magical-rpg-astrae-oratio-following-legal-trouble-and-cancellation-of-controversial-project-kv/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/former-blue-archive-developers-unveil-new-magical-rpg-astrae-oratio-following-legal-trouble-and-cancellation-of-controversial-project-kv/#respond Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:54:42 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65983 South Korean development studio Dynamis One, formed by former Blue Archive staff, announces new fantasy RPG titled Astrae Oratio. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/former-blue-archive-developers-unveil-new-magical-rpg-astrae-oratio-following-legal-trouble-and-cancellation-of-controversial-project-kv/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-psychological-horror-visual-novel-lets-you-step-into-the-role-of-a-teacher-visiting-the-homes-of-mentally-unstable-hikikomori-girls-in-your-class/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-psychological-horror-visual-novel-lets-you-step-into-the-role-of-a-teacher-visiting-the-homes-of-mentally-unstable-hikikomori-girls-in-your-class/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65932 The psychological horror visual novel Spring at Dawn, I Am a Monster is set to be released on Steam sometime later this year.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-psychological-horror-visual-novel-lets-you-step-into-the-role-of-a-teacher-visiting-the-homes-of-mentally-unstable-hikikomori-girls-in-your-class/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/danganronpa-and-the-hundred-line-creator-kazutaka-kodaka-thinks-domestic-visual-novel-games-are-stagnating-developers-cant-hope-to-compete-with-novelists-with-story-alone/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/danganronpa-and-the-hundred-line-creator-kazutaka-kodaka-thinks-domestic-visual-novel-games-are-stagnating-developers-cant-hope-to-compete-with-novelists-with-story-alone/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65923 Danganronpa and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy creator Kazutaka Kodaka talks about what makes a good visual novel. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/danganronpa-and-the-hundred-line-creator-kazutaka-kodaka-thinks-domestic-visual-novel-games-are-stagnating-developers-cant-hope-to-compete-with-novelists-with-story-alone/feed/ 4 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/fate-grand-order-and-dissidia-final-fantasy-veterans-new-roguelite-card-game-forces-you-into-a-high-speed-death-game-ritual-performed-by-13-witches/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/fate-grand-order-and-dissidia-final-fantasy-veterans-new-roguelite-card-game-forces-you-into-a-high-speed-death-game-ritual-performed-by-13-witches/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:45:26 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65953 Lunar Pulse, a new title developed by Yosuke Shiokawa's studio 213℉ is set to release in 2027 for PC (Steam).]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/fate-grand-order-and-dissidia-final-fantasy-veterans-new-roguelite-card-game-forces-you-into-a-high-speed-death-game-ritual-performed-by-13-witches/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-official-april-newsletter-for-steams-chaotic-roguelike-elin-has-been-released-featuring-mini-illustrations-and-sheet-music-acquired-through-top-secret-means/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-official-april-newsletter-for-steams-chaotic-roguelike-elin-has-been-released-featuring-mini-illustrations-and-sheet-music-acquired-through-top-secret-means/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65690 Elin State of the Game – April 2026, the fifth edition of Elin's official newsletter.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-official-april-newsletter-for-steams-chaotic-roguelike-elin-has-been-released-featuring-mini-illustrations-and-sheet-music-acquired-through-top-secret-means/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/nongaming-news/pony-canyon-records-impairment-loss-of-39-5-million-related-to-anime-production-costs/ https://automaton-media.com/en/nongaming-news/pony-canyon-records-impairment-loss-of-39-5-million-related-to-anime-production-costs/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:22:27 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65946 The decision reportedly comes amidst Pony Canyon’s difficult financial situation as of late, driven a lack of hit titles.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/nongaming-news/pony-canyon-records-impairment-loss-of-39-5-million-related-to-anime-production-costs/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/arknights-leakers-ordered-to-pay-190k-usd-in-damages-in-one-of-several-crackdowns-by-developer-endfield-leakers-also-penalized/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/arknights-leakers-ordered-to-pay-190k-usd-in-damages-in-one-of-several-crackdowns-by-developer-endfield-leakers-also-penalized/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:04:12 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65938 Hypergryph has shared an update on its recent crackdowns against leakers and cheaters in Arknights and Arknights: Endfield.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/arknights-leakers-ordered-to-pay-190k-usd-in-damages-in-one-of-several-crackdowns-by-developer-endfield-leakers-also-penalized/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/isekai-village-building-arpg-in-which-you-reincarnate-as-the-neighbor-of-a-beautiful-idol-demoness-who-habitually-tries-to-raze-your-settlement/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/isekai-village-building-arpg-in-which-you-reincarnate-as-the-neighbor-of-a-beautiful-idol-demoness-who-habitually-tries-to-raze-your-settlement/#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:38:47 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65914 PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 releases planned for 2027.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/isekai-village-building-arpg-in-which-you-reincarnate-as-the-neighbor-of-a-beautiful-idol-demoness-who-habitually-tries-to-raze-your-settlement/feed/ 2 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/armored-core-inspired-3d-high-speed-mech-shooter-omega-phenex-commenced-project-six-gets-first-open-playtest/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/armored-core-inspired-3d-high-speed-mech-shooter-omega-phenex-commenced-project-six-gets-first-open-playtest/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:35:43 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65906 The open beta will run until June 25.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/armored-core-inspired-3d-high-speed-mech-shooter-omega-phenex-commenced-project-six-gets-first-open-playtest/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/gungrave-rights-acquired-by-south-korean-studio-behind-gungrave-g-o-r-e-with-plans-to-expand-the-franchise/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/gungrave-rights-acquired-by-south-korean-studio-behind-gungrave-g-o-r-e-with-plans-to-expand-the-franchise/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:26:33 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65901 Studio IGGYMOB will work alongside Gungrave's original creator the series' original creator Yasuhiro Nightow for future developments.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/gungrave-rights-acquired-by-south-korean-studio-behind-gungrave-g-o-r-e-with-plans-to-expand-the-franchise/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/spending-time-getting-comfy-with-the-steam-controllers-advanced-inputs-can-yield-drastic-performance-improvements-compared-to-traditional-stick-only-devices/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/spending-time-getting-comfy-with-the-steam-controllers-advanced-inputs-can-yield-drastic-performance-improvements-compared-to-traditional-stick-only-devices/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:51:06 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65890 An interview with the developers and designers behind Valve's new Steam Controller.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/spending-time-getting-comfy-with-the-steam-controllers-advanced-inputs-can-yield-drastic-performance-improvements-compared-to-traditional-stick-only-devices/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-overwhelmingly-positive-android-repair-cyberpunk-steam-game-d1al-ogue-urgently-looking-for-crowdfunding-platform-due-to-lack-of-funds-for-upcoming-sequel/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-overwhelmingly-positive-android-repair-cyberpunk-steam-game-d1al-ogue-urgently-looking-for-crowdfunding-platform-due-to-lack-of-funds-for-upcoming-sequel/#respond Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:22:47 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65876 In a recent update, D1AL-ogue development studio Cherry Picker shed some light on the current status of the previously announced sequel.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-overwhelmingly-positive-android-repair-cyberpunk-steam-game-d1al-ogue-urgently-looking-for-crowdfunding-platform-due-to-lack-of-funds-for-upcoming-sequel/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/russian-roulette-based-survival-game-where-you-have-to-outdrink-an-obsessive-demon-girl-coming-to-steam-in-2026/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/russian-roulette-based-survival-game-where-you-have-to-outdrink-an-obsessive-demon-girl-coming-to-steam-in-2026/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:07:24 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65866 Drunken Goddess Reflux, directed and written by Fuyuki Hayashi, is coming to Steam in 2026]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/russian-roulette-based-survival-game-where-you-have-to-outdrink-an-obsessive-demon-girl-coming-to-steam-in-2026/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/tips/pragmata-how-to-get-the-secret-ending/ https://automaton-media.com/en/tips/pragmata-how-to-get-the-secret-ending/#respond Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:59:04 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65857 Pragmata has an extra scene you can unlock by completing a few extra steps after finishing the game. Here's how to go about it.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/tips/pragmata-how-to-get-the-secret-ending/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/crystar-a-sorrowful-bishojo-action-jrpg-where-you-grow-stronger-the-more-you-cry-is-at-its-lowest-price-ever-on-steam-at-just-1-99-usd/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/crystar-a-sorrowful-bishojo-action-jrpg-where-you-grow-stronger-the-more-you-cry-is-at-its-lowest-price-ever-on-steam-at-just-1-99-usd/#respond Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:45:23 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65851 This comes in celebration of the announcement of CRYMELIGHT, the third entry in FuRyu's series.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/crystar-a-sorrowful-bishojo-action-jrpg-where-you-grow-stronger-the-more-you-cry-is-at-its-lowest-price-ever-on-steam-at-just-1-99-usd/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/a-potential-dlc-for-the-hundred-line-would-have-to-be-worthy-of-the-name-the-hundred-line-3-director-kazutaka-kodaka-says/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/a-potential-dlc-for-the-hundred-line-would-have-to-be-worthy-of-the-name-the-hundred-line-3-director-kazutaka-kodaka-says/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:35:10 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65844 The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy director Kazutaka Kodaka gives an update on what he's planning for the game's DLC.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/a-potential-dlc-for-the-hundred-line-would-have-to-be-worthy-of-the-name-the-hundred-line-3-director-kazutaka-kodaka-says/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-9-and-10-directors-new-psychological-indie-game-in-which-you-type-away-the-emotional-trauma-of-troubled-girls-to-release-on-may-20/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-9-and-10-directors-new-psychological-indie-game-in-which-you-type-away-the-emotional-trauma-of-troubled-girls-to-release-on-may-20/#respond Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65801 Directed by Jin Fujisawa, the inide psychological visual novel x typing game Pain Pain Go Away! is set to release on May 20.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-9-and-10-directors-new-psychological-indie-game-in-which-you-type-away-the-emotional-trauma-of-troubled-girls-to-release-on-may-20/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-live-action-dating-sim-where-you-reincarnate-as-a-pet-hamster-and-get-spoiled-rotten-by-three-sisters-is-finally-coming-back-after-steam-store-page-rem/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-live-action-dating-sim-where-you-reincarnate-as-a-pet-hamster-and-get-spoiled-rotten-by-three-sisters-is-finally-coming-back-after-steam-store-page-rem/#respond Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65791 Kodansha's Sweet Hamster Days, originally announced in August 2025, is back on track after a temporary Steam removal.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-live-action-dating-sim-where-you-reincarnate-as-a-pet-hamster-and-get-spoiled-rotten-by-three-sisters-is-finally-coming-back-after-steam-store-page-rem/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/furyu-announces-crymelight-a-dark-alice-in-wonderland-themed-roguelite-action-game-with-a-poker-style-deckbuilding-system/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/furyu-announces-crymelight-a-dark-alice-in-wonderland-themed-roguelite-action-game-with-a-poker-style-deckbuilding-system/#respond Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=65779 The successor to FuRyu's Crystar and Crymachina is an ambitious roguelite action game with poker-style deckbuilding.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/furyu-announces-crymelight-a-dark-alice-in-wonderland-themed-roguelite-action-game-with-a-poker-style-deckbuilding-system/feed/ 0