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. Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:25:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 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/interviews/new-monster-catching-rpg-lumi-master-lets-you-keep-using-your-favorite-monsters-forever-a-time-friendly-monster-rpg-capture-quickly-train-deeply-an-interview-with-the-de/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/new-monster-catching-rpg-lumi-master-lets-you-keep-using-your-favorite-monsters-forever-a-time-friendly-monster-rpg-capture-quickly-train-deeply-an-interview-with-the-de/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70032 We interviewed Lumi Master producer Han. We asked about the game’s development background, design philosophy, and the systems that allow players to keep their “favorite Lumi” active for a long time.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/new-monster-catching-rpg-lumi-master-lets-you-keep-using-your-favorite-monsters-forever-a-time-friendly-monster-rpg-capture-quickly-train-deeply-an-interview-with-the-de/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/famous-rumor-about-atlus-being-cursed-by-one-of-japans-most-vengeful-deities-debunked-by-kazuma-kaneko-he-never-brought-calamity-upon-us/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/famous-rumor-about-atlus-being-cursed-by-one-of-japans-most-vengeful-deities-debunked-by-kazuma-kaneko-he-never-brought-calamity-upon-us/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70173 On his X account, Kazuma Kaneko recently addressed an urban legend about Atlus being "cursed" by Taira no Masakado. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/famous-rumor-about-atlus-being-cursed-by-one-of-japans-most-vengeful-deities-debunked-by-kazuma-kaneko-he-never-brought-calamity-upon-us/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/open-world-rpg-dragonsword-awakening-offers-abyssal-direwolf-familiar-dlc-for-free-for-a-limited-time/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/open-world-rpg-dragonsword-awakening-offers-abyssal-direwolf-familiar-dlc-for-free-for-a-limited-time/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70167 The open-world anime RPG DragonSword: Awakening is distributing its Abyssal Direworld DLC for free until August 30.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/open-world-rpg-dragonsword-awakening-offers-abyssal-direwolf-familiar-dlc-for-free-for-a-limited-time/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-trading-card-shop-offers-1-million-yen-bounty-to-whoever-finds-robbery-culprit-but-only-if-you-capture-them-alive/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-trading-card-shop-offers-1-million-yen-bounty-to-whoever-finds-robbery-culprit-but-only-if-you-capture-them-alive/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:25:26 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70212 A Pokémon card store in Gifu is looking for the culprit who broke into the shop on July 22 and stole a big portion of its inventory. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-trading-card-shop-offers-1-million-yen-bounty-to-whoever-finds-robbery-culprit-but-only-if-you-capture-them-alive/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/controversial-mii-chan-and-yamada-san-anime-to-proceed-despite-domestic-backlash-over-depictions-of-intellectual-disability-creators-deny-discriminatory-intent/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/controversial-mii-chan-and-yamada-san-anime-to-proceed-despite-domestic-backlash-over-depictions-of-intellectual-disability-creators-deny-discriminatory-intent/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2026 05:22:12 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70161 According to a new statement from Kodansha and the production committee, the anime adaptation remains due to air in 2027.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/controversial-mii-chan-and-yamada-san-anime-to-proceed-despite-domestic-backlash-over-depictions-of-intellectual-disability-creators-deny-discriminatory-intent/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-center-mega-tokyo-in-japan-set-to-reopen-five-months-following-stabbing-incident-safety-related-renovations-in-progress/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-center-mega-tokyo-in-japan-set-to-reopen-five-months-following-stabbing-incident-safety-related-renovations-in-progress/#respond Tue, 28 Jul 2026 03:52:36 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70157 The Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo store and Pikachu Sweets Café are finally set to reopen on August 24, following renovations related to employee safety.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-center-mega-tokyo-in-japan-set-to-reopen-five-months-following-stabbing-incident-safety-related-renovations-in-progress/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-franchise-leans-further-into-google-gemini-collaboration-with-new-ai-event-announced-in-japan/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-franchise-leans-further-into-google-gemini-collaboration-with-new-ai-event-announced-in-japan/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70128 Following the announcement of an AI-chatbot due to be added to Dragon Quest X, Square Enix is planning another Gemini collaboration.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dragon-quest-franchise-leans-further-into-google-gemini-collaboration-with-new-ai-event-announced-in-japan/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/furyus-ambitious-liminal-space-shooter-anomalith-and-dark-alice-in-wonderland-roguelite-crymelight-to-get-limited-time-steam-demos-starting-july-31/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/furyus-ambitious-liminal-space-shooter-anomalith-and-dark-alice-in-wonderland-roguelite-crymelight-to-get-limited-time-steam-demos-starting-july-31/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70115 Launching as part of Steam's Six One Demo Days event, ANOMALITH and CRYMELIGHT's demos will be available until August 7.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/furyus-ambitious-liminal-space-shooter-anomalith-and-dark-alice-in-wonderland-roguelite-crymelight-to-get-limited-time-steam-demos-starting-july-31/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/chillas-art-announces-horror-snow-shoveling-game-snowed-under/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/chillas-art-announces-horror-snow-shoveling-game-snowed-under/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70107 Chilla's Art's latest game has you endlessly shoveling snow as you head towards a mysterious steel tower.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/chillas-art-announces-horror-snow-shoveling-game-snowed-under/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/koei-tecmos-chubbier-atelier-karia-player-poll-spurs-desperate-pleas-to-please-do-it-and-make-her-bigger-among-japanese-fans/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/koei-tecmos-chubbier-atelier-karia-player-poll-spurs-desperate-pleas-to-please-do-it-and-make-her-bigger-among-japanese-fans/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70129 Atelier Karia's "chubbier" design gains immense support in Koei Tecmo's recent user survey. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/koei-tecmos-chubbier-atelier-karia-player-poll-spurs-desperate-pleas-to-please-do-it-and-make-her-bigger-among-japanese-fans/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-developer-makes-apology-game-in-which-you-can-spank-his-butt-to-make-up-for-delayed-release-of-spanking-exorcist/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-developer-makes-apology-game-in-which-you-can-spank-his-butt-to-make-up-for-delayed-release-of-spanking-exorcist/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70101 Developer makes unique apology to make up for Spanking Exorcist's prolonged Steam review process.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-developer-makes-apology-game-in-which-you-can-spank-his-butt-to-make-up-for-delayed-release-of-spanking-exorcist/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/million-selling-adult-visual-novel-senren-banka-to-get-official-anime-adaptation-in-2027-with-original-cast-reprising-their-roles/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/million-selling-adult-visual-novel-senren-banka-to-get-official-anime-adaptation-in-2027-with-original-cast-reprising-their-roles/#respond Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:58:57 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70140 Yuzusoft announces Senren Banka as their first ever anime adaptation, scheduled to air in 2027.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/million-selling-adult-visual-novel-senren-banka-to-get-official-anime-adaptation-in-2027-with-original-cast-reprising-their-roles/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/make-heroine-wo-katasetai-manga-to-cease-serialization-due-to-editorial-issues-and-publishers-allegedly-withholding-sales-figures-from-authors/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/make-heroine-wo-katasetai-manga-to-cease-serialization-due-to-editorial-issues-and-publishers-allegedly-withholding-sales-figures-from-authors/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:23:58 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70121 According to mangaka Tatsuwaipu, the manga will be published independently starting January 2027. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/make-heroine-wo-katasetai-manga-to-cease-serialization-due-to-editorial-issues-and-publishers-allegedly-withholding-sales-figures-from-authors/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ive-seen-many-colleagues-die-in-their-50s-black-lagoon-director-sunao-katabuchi-reflects-on-anime-industry-working-conditions-as-japan-gets-new-dedicated-insurance-program/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ive-seen-many-colleagues-die-in-their-50s-black-lagoon-director-sunao-katabuchi-reflects-on-anime-industry-working-conditions-as-japan-gets-new-dedicated-insurance-program/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70075 Sunao Katabuchi recently gave his thoughts on the health of anime production staff and whether AI could help relieve the burden.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ive-seen-many-colleagues-die-in-their-50s-black-lagoon-director-sunao-katabuchi-reflects-on-anime-industry-working-conditions-as-japan-gets-new-dedicated-insurance-program/feed/ 4 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/nintendos-rare-commercial-only-famicom-model-found-in-fully-working-condition-in-a-japanese-love-hotel-rekindling-the-nintendo-love-hotel-urban-myth/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/nintendos-rare-commercial-only-famicom-model-found-in-fully-working-condition-in-a-japanese-love-hotel-rekindling-the-nintendo-love-hotel-urban-myth/#respond Fri, 24 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70072 A recent viral post reveals a fully-working Famicombox, Nintendo's commercial-use console, in a love hotel in Japan. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/nintendos-rare-commercial-only-famicom-model-found-in-fully-working-condition-in-a-japanese-love-hotel-rekindling-the-nintendo-love-hotel-urban-myth/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-rhythm-game-step-theater-made-by-popular-youtuber-who-quit-his-day-job-to-commit-to-game-development-gets-steam-demo/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-rhythm-game-step-theater-made-by-popular-youtuber-who-quit-his-day-job-to-commit-to-game-development-gets-steam-demo/#respond Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70086 Rhythm Heaven-inspired story based game Step Theater just got a 20-minute demo on Steam.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-rhythm-game-step-theater-made-by-popular-youtuber-who-quit-his-day-job-to-commit-to-game-development-gets-steam-demo/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/koei-tecmo-announces-new-atelier-ryza-asmr-centered-on-a-slightly-older-klaudia/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/koei-tecmo-announces-new-atelier-ryza-asmr-centered-on-a-slightly-older-klaudia/#respond Fri, 24 Jul 2026 09:58:31 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70068 Koei Tecmo and Gust announce a new Atelier Ryza-themed ASMR compilation for this August. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/koei-tecmo-announces-new-atelier-ryza-asmr-centered-on-a-slightly-older-klaudia/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/atelier-karias-developers-are-asking-players-if-they-want-the-heroine-to-become-plump-after-she-eats-a-lot-via-an-official-survey/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/atelier-karias-developers-are-asking-players-if-they-want-the-heroine-to-become-plump-after-she-eats-a-lot-via-an-official-survey/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:18:45 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70062 Answers from the survey will inform Atelier Karia's development and future social media content.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/atelier-karias-developers-are-asking-players-if-they-want-the-heroine-to-become-plump-after-she-eats-a-lot-via-an-official-survey/feed/ 3 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sega-considers-a-shift-to-digital-crucial-for-boosting-game-sales-but-has-no-plans-of-abandoning-its-physical-media-culture-president-says/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sega-considers-a-shift-to-digital-crucial-for-boosting-game-sales-but-has-no-plans-of-abandoning-its-physical-media-culture-president-says/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:15:05 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70055 Sega president Shuji Utsumi recently talked about the company's stance on game distribution.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sega-considers-a-shift-to-digital-crucial-for-boosting-game-sales-but-has-no-plans-of-abandoning-its-physical-media-culture-president-says/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ex-playstation-boss-shuhei-yoshida-reflects-on-misjudging-fromsoftwares-demons-souls-and-sony-losing-chance-to-publish-dark-souls/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ex-playstation-boss-shuhei-yoshida-reflects-on-misjudging-fromsoftwares-demons-souls-and-sony-losing-chance-to-publish-dark-souls/#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:44:36 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70047 Shuhei Yoshida recently reminisced about "amazing" games he has encountered in his career, including FromSoftware's Demon's Souls.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/ex-playstation-boss-shuhei-yoshida-reflects-on-misjudging-fromsoftwares-demons-souls-and-sony-losing-chance-to-publish-dark-souls/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/rhythm-heaven-producer-tsunku-got-several-offers-to-make-similar-games-but-refused-them-because-of-his-indebtedness-to-nintendo/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/rhythm-heaven-producer-tsunku-got-several-offers-to-make-similar-games-but-refused-them-because-of-his-indebtedness-to-nintendo/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70012 Rhythm Heaven Groove producer and composer Tsunku writes about his feelings on the new game and its development. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/rhythm-heaven-producer-tsunku-got-several-offers-to-make-similar-games-but-refused-them-because-of-his-indebtedness-to-nintendo/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-silent-hill-f-scenario-team-at-konami-was-encouraged-to-read-100-to-200-books-a-year-according-to-producer/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-silent-hill-f-scenario-team-at-konami-was-encouraged-to-read-100-to-200-books-a-year-according-to-producer/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=69979 Silent Hill f producer Motoi Okamoto recently talked about the game's development in a CEDEC 2026 lecture.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/the-silent-hill-f-scenario-team-at-konami-was-encouraged-to-read-100-to-200-books-a-year-according-to-producer/feed/ 10 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-ghost-developer-tose-takes-hit-due-to-cancelled-major-project-from-overseas-operating-profit-down-almost-45/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-ghost-developer-tose-takes-hit-due-to-cancelled-major-project-from-overseas-operating-profit-down-almost-45/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=69962 Codenamed "Project D," the title was initially put on hold in February 2026 by the client.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-ghost-developer-tose-takes-hit-due-to-cancelled-major-project-from-overseas-operating-profit-down-almost-45/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/in-falsus-blends-mouse-and-keyboard-rhythm-gameplay-with-a-near-future-mystery-visual-novel-following-five-girls/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/in-falsus-blends-mouse-and-keyboard-rhythm-gameplay-with-a-near-future-mystery-visual-novel-following-five-girls/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=69964 The game will feature 70 tracks, including music by well-known independent Japanese artists.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/in-falsus-blends-mouse-and-keyboard-rhythm-gameplay-with-a-near-future-mystery-visual-novel-following-five-girls/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-butt-spanking-indie-horror-indefinitely-delayed-on-steam-due-to-prolonged-review-process-concerning-sexual-content/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-butt-spanking-indie-horror-indefinitely-delayed-on-steam-due-to-prolonged-review-process-concerning-sexual-content/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 11:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70022 The release date for Actor's sexy horror game Spanking Exorcist is TBD.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-butt-spanking-indie-horror-indefinitely-delayed-on-steam-due-to-prolonged-review-process-concerning-sexual-content/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-live-service-anime-rpg-aether-gazer-announce-plans-to-preserve-the-game-in-playable-state-following-end-of-services/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-live-service-anime-rpg-aether-gazer-announce-plans-to-preserve-the-game-in-playable-state-following-end-of-services/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:27:11 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=70017 Aether Gazer developers announce plans to "preserve the game experience long-term" even after services end.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/developers-of-live-service-anime-rpg-aether-gazer-announce-plans-to-preserve-the-game-in-playable-state-following-end-of-services/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/palworlds-latest-additions-have-paved-the-way-for-infinite-gorilla-implosions/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/palworlds-latest-additions-have-paved-the-way-for-infinite-gorilla-implosions/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:14:23 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=69958 Palworld players have figured out a glorious combination of Gorirat's Full-Power Gorilla Mode, the Megaton Implode skill, and the new "Heavily Armored" passive.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/palworlds-latest-additions-have-paved-the-way-for-infinite-gorilla-implosions/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/open-world-anime-rpg-dragonsword-awakening-cleared-for-launch-as-court-dismisses-all-of-webzens-claims-against-the-game/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/open-world-anime-rpg-dragonsword-awakening-cleared-for-launch-as-court-dismisses-all-of-webzens-claims-against-the-game/#respond Thu, 23 Jul 2026 03:02:55 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=69951 The Seoul District Court has dismissed Webzen's injunction against the release of Hound13's new RPG Dragonsword: Awakening.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/open-world-anime-rpg-dragonsword-awakening-cleared-for-launch-as-court-dismisses-all-of-webzens-claims-against-the-game/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/umamusume-1-5-year-anniversary-interview-with-cygames-the-difficult-undertaking-of-bringing-the-independent-training-mode-overseas-so-early-brand-new-career-scenario-and-more/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/umamusume-1-5-year-anniversary-interview-with-cygames-the-difficult-undertaking-of-bringing-the-independent-training-mode-overseas-so-early-brand-new-career-scenario-and-more/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=69878 AUTOMATON WEST interview with Umamusume: Pretty Derby developer Cygames. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/umamusume-1-5-year-anniversary-interview-with-cygames-the-difficult-undertaking-of-bringing-the-independent-training-mode-overseas-so-early-brand-new-career-scenario-and-more/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/devil-may-cry-3-artist-says-dante-and-vergils-devil-trigger-forms-were-designed-to-tackle-personal-gripe-with-the-heroes-transforming-with-their-clothes-on/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/devil-may-cry-3-artist-says-dante-and-vergils-devil-trigger-forms-were-designed-to-tackle-personal-gripe-with-the-heroes-transforming-with-their-clothes-on/#respond Wed, 22 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=69928 Kazuma Kaneko recently shared some behind the scenes trivia about his designs for DMC 3.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/devil-may-cry-3-artist-says-dante-and-vergils-devil-trigger-forms-were-designed-to-tackle-personal-gripe-with-the-heroes-transforming-with-their-clothes-on/feed/ 0