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. Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:07:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 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/interviews/uta-macross-offline-revival-crowdfunding-blows-past-developers-most-optimistic-expectations-we-ask-project-lead-kei-hirono-what-the-funding-will-make-possible/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/uta-macross-offline-revival-crowdfunding-blows-past-developers-most-optimistic-expectations-we-ask-project-lead-kei-hirono-what-the-funding-will-make-possible/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 10:07:51 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74516 Interview with AUGUST representative Kei Hirono on the Uta Macross revival project and its crowdfunding campaign.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/uta-macross-offline-revival-crowdfunding-blows-past-developers-most-optimistic-expectations-we-ask-project-lead-kei-hirono-what-the-funding-will-make-possible/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/konami-digital-entertainment-reports-75-1-rise-in-profit-thanks-to-solid-performance-of-flagship-titles-full-year-forecast-revised-to-account-for-strong-profit-growth/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/konami-digital-entertainment-reports-75-1-rise-in-profit-thanks-to-solid-performance-of-flagship-titles-full-year-forecast-revised-to-account-for-strong-profit-growth/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:46:27 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74506 Based on the strong financial performance, Konami Group predicts its full-year operating profit to go up by 39.3%.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/konami-digital-entertainment-reports-75-1-rise-in-profit-thanks-to-solid-performance-of-flagship-titles-full-year-forecast-revised-to-account-for-strong-profit-growth/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cosmic-horror-investigation-game-the-colour-beyond-a-zeroth-kind-gets-steam-playtest-prevent-your-own-death-with-the-power-to-infiltrate-minds/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cosmic-horror-investigation-game-the-colour-beyond-a-zeroth-kind-gets-steam-playtest-prevent-your-own-death-with-the-power-to-infiltrate-minds/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:18:48 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74499 The playtest will run until November 12, 2026.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cosmic-horror-investigation-game-the-colour-beyond-a-zeroth-kind-gets-steam-playtest-prevent-your-own-death-with-the-power-to-infiltrate-minds/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/survival-shooter-anomalith-becomes-furyus-strongest-steam-launch-yet-with-concurrent-player-count-already-topping-past-title-peaks/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/survival-shooter-anomalith-becomes-furyus-strongest-steam-launch-yet-with-concurrent-player-count-already-topping-past-title-peaks/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:26:46 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74493 Anomalith released on October 29.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/survival-shooter-anomalith-becomes-furyus-strongest-steam-launch-yet-with-concurrent-player-count-already-topping-past-title-peaks/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/good-smile-company-reports-potential-leak-of-full-credit-card-information-of-2800-customers-in-major-data-breach/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/good-smile-company-reports-potential-leak-of-full-credit-card-information-of-2800-customers-in-major-data-breach/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 07:43:57 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74481 According to Good Smile Company, the data leak is not related to the recently reported PHP vulnerability issue. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/good-smile-company-reports-potential-leak-of-full-credit-card-information-of-2800-customers-in-major-data-breach/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cover-reaches-settlement-with-minor-who-spread-false-rumors-about-hololive-vtuber-legal-guardians-agree-to-pay-damages/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cover-reaches-settlement-with-minor-who-spread-false-rumors-about-hololive-vtuber-legal-guardians-agree-to-pay-damages/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:03:22 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74477 The settlement comes following a court ruling that determined the social media posts constituted infringement.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/cover-reaches-settlement-with-minor-who-spread-false-rumors-about-hololive-vtuber-legal-guardians-agree-to-pay-damages/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japan-financial-services-agency-reportedly-says-selling-adult-games-alone-shouldnt-be-grounds-for-debanking-issue-still-not-recognized-as-widespread-enough-to-warrant-action-however/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japan-financial-services-agency-reportedly-says-selling-adult-games-alone-shouldnt-be-grounds-for-debanking-issue-still-not-recognized-as-widespread-enough-to-warrant-action-however/#respond Thu, 29 Oct 2026 05:12:58 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74472 Japanese politician Zenko Kurishita recently discussed the matter with the FSA alongside affected creators.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japan-financial-services-agency-reportedly-says-selling-adult-games-alone-shouldnt-be-grounds-for-debanking-issue-still-not-recognized-as-widespread-enough-to-warrant-action-however/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remake-developer-ilcas-latest-indie-experiment-turns-a-kafka-novel-into-a-surrealist-sokoban-game/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remake-developer-ilcas-latest-indie-experiment-turns-a-kafka-novel-into-a-surrealist-sokoban-game/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 09:50:22 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74461 Forgery: Before the Law (Study), dubbed an "art game in the shape of a puzzle,” draws inspiration from Franz Kafka’s Before the Law.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-diamond-and-pearl-remake-developer-ilcas-latest-indie-experiment-turns-a-kafka-novel-into-a-surrealist-sokoban-game/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/chinese-developer-nutayu-unveils-new-anime-sci-fi-action-rpg-featuring-kemono-girls-mechas-and-fast-paced-melee-combat/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/chinese-developer-nutayu-unveils-new-anime-sci-fi-action-rpg-featuring-kemono-girls-mechas-and-fast-paced-melee-combat/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:31:22 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74419 An official English title hasn't been announced yet.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/chinese-developer-nutayu-unveils-new-anime-sci-fi-action-rpg-featuring-kemono-girls-mechas-and-fast-paced-melee-combat/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dlsites-direct-payment-alternative-sees-steady-adoption-following-international-credit-card-suspensions-monthly-transactions-now-exceed-630k/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dlsites-direct-payment-alternative-sees-steady-adoption-following-international-credit-card-suspensions-monthly-transactions-now-exceed-630k/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:11:20 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74415 Parent company viviON has since also launched its own credit card in collaboration with JCB.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/dlsites-direct-payment-alternative-sees-steady-adoption-following-international-credit-card-suspensions-monthly-transactions-now-exceed-630k/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/doomed-otaku-a-dark-comedy-about-an-impulsive-otaku-girl-who-embezzles-5000-in-fan-money-launches-on-steam-with-very-positive-rating/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/doomed-otaku-a-dark-comedy-about-an-impulsive-otaku-girl-who-embezzles-5000-in-fan-money-launches-on-steam-with-very-positive-rating/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 08:02:34 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74389 The game features visual novel-style story sections and top-down gameplay.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/doomed-otaku-a-dark-comedy-about-an-impulsive-otaku-girl-who-embezzles-5000-in-fan-money-launches-on-steam-with-very-positive-rating/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/steam-store-page-for-fanservice-heavy-bullet-hell-shooter-caladrius-2-dark-element-suddenly-disappears-ahead-of-december-release/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/steam-store-page-for-fanservice-heavy-bullet-hell-shooter-caladrius-2-dark-element-suddenly-disappears-ahead-of-december-release/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:39:37 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74406 It's not yet known what caused the delisting.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/steam-store-page-for-fanservice-heavy-bullet-hell-shooter-caladrius-2-dark-element-suddenly-disappears-ahead-of-december-release/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/shift-ups-destiny-child-to-return-as-idle-rpg-destiny-child-assemble/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/shift-ups-destiny-child-to-return-as-idle-rpg-destiny-child-assemble/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:27:55 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74400 Destiny Child: Assemble, developed by Com2uS and TIKITAKA STUDIO, is set to release in the first half of 2027. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/shift-ups-destiny-child-to-return-as-idle-rpg-destiny-child-assemble/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sony-japan-announces-desk-friendly-spatial-display-that-lets-you-view-3d-virtual-characters-without-special-glasses-or-a-headset/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sony-japan-announces-desk-friendly-spatial-display-that-lets-you-view-3d-virtual-characters-without-special-glasses-or-a-headset/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:22:15 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74393 The ELF-MN1 will release in Japan on December 11.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sony-japan-announces-desk-friendly-spatial-display-that-lets-you-view-3d-virtual-characters-without-special-glasses-or-a-headset/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/reviews/phantom-blade-zero-review-40-hours-in-spectacular-kung-fu-action-and-a-grand-uncanny-world-thats-worth-exploring/ https://automaton-media.com/en/reviews/phantom-blade-zero-review-40-hours-in-spectacular-kung-fu-action-and-a-grand-uncanny-world-thats-worth-exploring/#respond Wed, 28 Oct 2026 04:09:44 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74362 Phantom Blade Zero in-depth review.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/reviews/phantom-blade-zero-review-40-hours-in-spectacular-kung-fu-action-and-a-grand-uncanny-world-thats-worth-exploring/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/ominous-farming-life-sim-village-in-the-shade-has-sold-more-than-3-times-its-target-we-talk-to-the-devs-about-making-a-content-packed-hit-in-just-2-years-with-only-a-dozen-people/ https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/ominous-farming-life-sim-village-in-the-shade-has-sold-more-than-3-times-its-target-we-talk-to-the-devs-about-making-a-content-packed-hit-in-just-2-years-with-only-a-dozen-people/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74292 In-depth, spoiler-free interview with Village in the Shade leads Yu Mizokami and Mio Katsumata.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/interviews/ominous-farming-life-sim-village-in-the-shade-has-sold-more-than-3-times-its-target-we-talk-to-the-devs-about-making-a-content-packed-hit-in-just-2-years-with-only-a-dozen-people/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/psychological-horror-game-one-time-trigger-tasks-you-with-examining-patients-of-a-special-care-facility-to-expose-a-hidden-doppelganger/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/psychological-horror-game-one-time-trigger-tasks-you-with-examining-patients-of-a-special-care-facility-to-expose-a-hidden-doppelganger/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:59:52 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74326 A demo is available now on Steam.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/psychological-horror-game-one-time-trigger-tasks-you-with-examining-patients-of-a-special-care-facility-to-expose-a-hidden-doppelganger/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/my-dad-is-a-femboy-short-visual-novel-out-on-itch-io-a-dark-humor-sci-fi-where-men-over-forty-must-choose-between-death-and-becoming-a-femboy/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/my-dad-is-a-femboy-short-visual-novel-out-on-itch-io-a-dark-humor-sci-fi-where-men-over-forty-must-choose-between-death-and-becoming-a-femboy/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:35:58 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74321 Available in English and Simplified Chinese.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/my-dad-is-a-femboy-short-visual-novel-out-on-itch-io-a-dark-humor-sci-fi-where-men-over-forty-must-choose-between-death-and-becoming-a-femboy/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/re-dive-wonderland-an-otome-visual-novel-where-you-get-isekaid-into-an-rpg-to-release-in-english-on-november-10/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/re-dive-wonderland-an-otome-visual-novel-where-you-get-isekaid-into-an-rpg-to-release-in-english-on-november-10/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:20:33 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74314 The title was developed by a small indie team from South Korea.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/re-dive-wonderland-an-otome-visual-novel-where-you-get-isekaid-into-an-rpg-to-release-in-english-on-november-10/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-reports-66-7-rise-in-operating-profit-in-its-games-sector-as-new-releases-and-past-titles-perform-strongly/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-reports-66-7-rise-in-operating-profit-in-its-games-sector-as-new-releases-and-past-titles-perform-strongly/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 09:01:39 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74310 Capcom saw a significant boost in performance in the first half of this fiscal year (April to September 2026).]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/capcom-reports-66-7-rise-in-operating-profit-in-its-games-sector-as-new-releases-and-past-titles-perform-strongly/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/a-famously-conservative-manga-artist-is-suing-the-japanese-government-over-changes-to-imperial-law-he-believes-discriminate-against-women-and-commoners/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/a-famously-conservative-manga-artist-is-suing-the-japanese-government-over-changes-to-imperial-law-he-believes-discriminate-against-women-and-commoners/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 07:21:06 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74284 Curiously, the author is also seeking damages over emotional suffering.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/a-famously-conservative-manga-artist-is-suing-the-japanese-government-over-changes-to-imperial-law-he-believes-discriminate-against-women-and-commoners/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/vagrant-story-creator-shares-hypothetical-ideas-for-a-survival-rpg-that-would-revisit-unused-ideas-from-the-original-game-and-put-players-in-trolley-problem-situations/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/vagrant-story-creator-shares-hypothetical-ideas-for-a-survival-rpg-that-would-revisit-unused-ideas-from-the-original-game-and-put-players-in-trolley-problem-situations/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:56:44 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74269 Yasumi Matsuno was recently asked by SaGa series creator Akitoshi Kawazu about how he envisions a new Vagrant Story game.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/vagrant-story-creator-shares-hypothetical-ideas-for-a-survival-rpg-that-would-revisit-unused-ideas-from-the-original-game-and-put-players-in-trolley-problem-situations/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/daughter-raising-sim-volcano-princess-to-get-free-complete-edition-update-on-steam-on-october-30-improved-localization-and-new-content/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/daughter-raising-sim-volcano-princess-to-get-free-complete-edition-update-on-steam-on-october-30-improved-localization-and-new-content/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:51:54 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74275 The update includes all upgrades and additional content from the console/mobile version released in July this year.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/daughter-raising-sim-volcano-princess-to-get-free-complete-edition-update-on-steam-on-october-30-improved-localization-and-new-content/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-unite-to-shut-down-on-march-23-but-new-library-feature-will-allow-users-to-access-some-of-the-games-content-even-after-eos/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-unite-to-shut-down-on-march-23-but-new-library-feature-will-allow-users-to-access-some-of-the-games-content-even-after-eos/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:31:41 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74264 Pokémon Unite is scheduled to end services on March 23, 2027, almost six years after its launch for the Nintendo Switch in 2021.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/pokemon-unite-to-shut-down-on-march-23-but-new-library-feature-will-allow-users-to-access-some-of-the-games-content-even-after-eos/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/zero-escape-creator-kotaro-uchikoshi-thinks-the-game-industry-shouldnt-outright-reject-generative-ai-says-cancelled-game-couldve-been-salvaged-if-his-team-had-used/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/zero-escape-creator-kotaro-uchikoshi-thinks-the-game-industry-shouldnt-outright-reject-generative-ai-says-cancelled-game-couldve-been-salvaged-if-his-team-had-used/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:38:50 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74251 Zero Escape and AI: The Somnium Files series creator Kotaro Uchikoshi talks about the future of game development in the AI era. ]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/zero-escape-creator-kotaro-uchikoshi-thinks-the-game-industry-shouldnt-outright-reject-generative-ai-says-cancelled-game-couldve-been-salvaged-if-his-team-had-used/feed/ 1 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/seemingly-ai-generated-fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-guidebooks-flood-amazon-japan-self-publishing-system-allows-anyone-to-mass-produce-guideslop/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/seemingly-ai-generated-fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-guidebooks-flood-amazon-japan-self-publishing-system-allows-anyone-to-mass-produce-guideslop/#respond Tue, 27 Oct 2026 05:35:48 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74252 Reviews suggest some consumers are being misled into buying them.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/seemingly-ai-generated-fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-guidebooks-flood-amazon-japan-self-publishing-system-allows-anyone-to-mass-produce-guideslop/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/blue-archive-producer-yong-ha-kim-says-nexon-is-enthusiastic-about-expanding-the-ip-hints-at-possible-tps-survival-or-srpg-spin-off/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/blue-archive-producer-yong-ha-kim-says-nexon-is-enthusiastic-about-expanding-the-ip-hints-at-possible-tps-survival-or-srpg-spin-off/#respond Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74225 Following the handover of Blue Archive's publishing rights from Yostar to Nexon in Japan, producer Yongha Kim talks about the title's future.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/blue-archive-producer-yong-ha-kim-says-nexon-is-enthusiastic-about-expanding-the-ip-hints-at-possible-tps-survival-or-srpg-spin-off/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/final-fantasy-and-mana-veterans-weigh-in-on-how-ai-will-change-game-development-and-why-turning-zero-into-one-should-always-be-a-humans-job/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/final-fantasy-and-mana-veterans-weigh-in-on-how-ai-will-change-game-development-and-why-turning-zero-into-one-should-always-be-a-humans-job/#respond Mon, 26 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74219 Yoshinori Kitase, Hiromichi Tanaka, and Koichi Ishii – known for their work on the Final Fantasy and Mana series – recently shared their thoughts on how generative AI will change game development.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/final-fantasy-and-mana-veterans-weigh-in-on-how-ai-will-change-game-development-and-why-turning-zero-into-one-should-always-be-a-humans-job/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sci-fi-military-visual-novel-torch-and-trigger-follows-two-child-soldiers-forced-to-pose-as-a-family-and-raise-a-five-year-old-genius/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sci-fi-military-visual-novel-torch-and-trigger-follows-two-child-soldiers-forced-to-pose-as-a-family-and-raise-a-five-year-old-genius/#respond Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:43:56 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74224 A demo is out now on Steam and itchi.io.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/sci-fi-military-visual-novel-torch-and-trigger-follows-two-child-soldiers-forced-to-pose-as-a-family-and-raise-a-five-year-old-genius/feed/ 0 https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-youtuber-behind-troubled-320k-crowdfunded-game-receives-death-threats-after-new-update-on-refunds-and-development-goes-awry-remark-implying-backers-are-the-gullible-type-sparks-backlash/ https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-youtuber-behind-troubled-320k-crowdfunded-game-receives-death-threats-after-new-update-on-refunds-and-development-goes-awry-remark-implying-backers-are-the-gullible-type-sparks-backlash/#respond Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:42:07 +0000 https://automaton-media.com/en/?p=74227 Japanese YouTuber Narunii recently made a new update regarding his troubled fantasy game project Chikai no Fuchi.]]> https://automaton-media.com/en/news/japanese-youtuber-behind-troubled-320k-crowdfunded-game-receives-death-threats-after-new-update-on-refunds-and-development-goes-awry-remark-implying-backers-are-the-gullible-type-sparks-backlash/feed/ 0