Former Chibi-Robo! devs want their new game to be the Japanese equivalent of American ninja movies, with a setting that looks like the real thing but isn’t
![koROBO](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/korobo-chibi-robo-20240719-302422-002-768x432.jpg)
The Chibi-Robo! devs' upcoming new game is set in "Brocklyn, New Yock City," and this unusual setting has an interesting idea behind it.
Palworld has been watched on Twitch for over 78 million hours, making it the platform’s most popular release of 2024
![Palworld cute Pals](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/20240213-27116-header-768x432.png)
Palworld has topped Twitch charts in terms of the most streamed new releases of 2024 with a peak viewership of 434k.
Protect a birthday cake from a crowded Japanese station in this hyperactive sidescroller
![The Cake Japanese side scrolling action game](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240718-34090-header2-768x432.jpeg)
Coming to Early Access on July 19, The Cake is a quirky action game from Japanese developer Racjin, known for some of the Bomberman games.
10,000-hour puzzle RPG Tactical Nexus becomes free-to-play because the devs “don’t want to extort money” from players who end up not playing the game
![Tactical Nexus](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/puzzle-rpg-20240717-301970-header-768x432.jpg)
The developers of the Japanese indie puzzle game Tactical Nexus have decided to make the title free-to-play for an unusual reason.
Palworld does not use generative AI, PocketPair CEO assures
![Palworld](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240710-33786-header-768x438.jpg)
Palworld's AI accusations have been ongoing since the game's launch, but PocketPair's CEO has come out to deny any use of generative AI.
SNK veterans’ new project Black Finger JET is back up and running
![Black Finger JET](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240709-33724-header-768x432.jpeg)
Former Metal Slug developers' game saved by partnership with United Arab Emirates-based studio Red Dunes Games.
Japanese indie dev promotes their game with tissues, but can that really get more Wishlists on Steam?
![Tissues](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240702-33318-header-768x495.jpeg)
Game developer reveals how they are trying to make Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo stand out in the sea of upcoming Steam games
Palworld shuts down inflammatory “dead game” remarks following big Sakurajima update
![Palworld Sakurajima update](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240702-33310-768x430.jpg)
With a massive spike in players following its Sakurajima update, Palworld and its developers have shut down "dead game" discourse.
Kiki’s Delivery Service meets Zelda in this much-anticipated cozy game coming to Switch and PC
![Mika and The Witch's Mountain Kiki's Delivery Service Studio Ghibli inspired game](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240628-33105-header-768x432.jpg)
The much-anticipated Mika and the Witch's Mountain will be bringing its Studio Ghibli inspired charm to the Switch and Steam this August.
Death Game Hotel: Gamble life and limb in Swery’s ultra-gory VR game, coming this July
![Death Game Hotel](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240624-32882-header-768x432.jpeg)
Death Game Hotel is a sit-down VR title that lets you pit your wits against opponents in deadly games of Poker and Goblet of the Grim Reaper
Neko Odyssey lets players photograph cats in an idyllic pixel art Japan
![Neko Odyssey candy store](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240613-32320-001-768x432.jpg)
The Steam Next Fest demo of Neko Odyssey showcases an intriguing, cozy adventure game where you befriend and take photos of cute cats in Japan.
SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim demo promises dark, sexy and surreal experience where your decisions can be fatal
![SAEKO Giantess Dating Sim surreal Japanese indie game](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611-32253-header-768x432.jpg)
Can you survive being the tiny plaything of a girl with some... interesting hobbies?
Dev rejects call to add waifu dating system due to lack of real-life romantic experience
![Troubleshooter Abandoned Children SRPG game](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240611-32228-header-768x432.jpg)
Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children's developer gains attention for “funny but sad” response to a Steam user’s request for a dating system.
Japanese dev showcases Japan’s hit small-scale indie games that have sold over 500k units
![Ender Lilies cover art](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240610-32179-768x454.jpg)
Solo indie creator showcases Japanese indie games made by 10 or fewer developers that have sold over 500k units.
The Exit 8’s claustrophobic corridors are coming to VR with Meta Quest release
![The Exit 8](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240606-32067-header-768x432.jpeg)
The Exit 8 VR is being released on Meta Quest this July, promising to immerse players in the hit anomaly-spotting game like never before
Platform 8’s invisible enemy bug was fixed, but The Exit 8 sequel still has plenty of intended anomalies to scare you with
![Platform 8](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240605-31995-header-768x432.jpeg)
Platform 8 developer Kotake Create reveals that the invisible enemy anomaly in The Exit 8's sequel was actually a bug.
The Exit 8 and Platform 8 will have no further sequels – developer is working on a horror adventure title slated for 2025
![Platform 8 in-game screenshot](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20240602-295906-header-768x432.jpg)
The creator of The Exit 8 and Platform 8 has disclosed that there will be no further sequels to the "Number 8 series."
The Exit 8 creator releases official sequel “Platform 8”, with similar backroom vibes and new gameplay
![Platform 8 by Kotake Create](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240531-295759-header-768x431.jpg)
Kotake Create released an official sequel to the hit anomaly-spotting game The Exit 8. The new game takes place on a Japanese train.
Touhou Project creator updates fan game guideline, asks indie creators to refrain from crowdfunding
![Hakurei Reimu as seen in Touhou Hopeless Masquerade](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240531-31750-768x432.jpg)
The Touhou Project series' creator ZUN has updated his derivative works guideline, adding more platforms for indie creators.
“We were making 10 million a month with just a two-man team” developer describes the heyday of Japanese mobile/browser games
![Kaito Royale by DeNa](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240530-31674-768x553.jpg)
A Japanese developer gives interesting insights into the early days of what grew to be today's huge mobile/social game market.
Raise aquatic macho dudes in this cozy aquarium sim
![Machorium Muscle Aquarium Simulator](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240529-31621-header-768x432.jpg)
Created by Japanese indie dev NEOLAVI, Machorium is a relaxing idle aquarium simulator with protein-munching buff dudes instead of fish.
“60% to the developer, 40% to the publisher.” We asked a solo dev about their bold public pitch to game publishers
![Tactics Greed screenshot](https://automaton-media.com/en/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/20240528-295102-header-768x432.jpg)
A Japanese solo indie dev published an unusual open bid for publishers interested in picking up their game. We asked them about it.