VERACITY IN GAMING
VERACITY IN GAMING
“Give me your wallet!” Atelier series gacha game under fire for “money-grabbing” commercial
Japanese mobile gacha game Atelier Resleriana: Forgotten Alchemy and the Polar Night Liberator has recently gone under fire for a controversial TikTok posted as advertising. Users describe the video as “treating players like money-cows."
ByAmber V
Some Kantai Collection players allegedly sent death threats, attempted arson against rightsholders of Japanese warship
The Kantai Collection franchise and fandom have become involved in controversy after a letter of protest addressed to the game’s developers started circulating on social media around November 9. The issue revolves around the Japanese warship Kikuzuki and seems to have escalated into death threats and arson attempts by players of the game.
- ByAmber V
Spinning cone-man machos clash against each other in upcoming Japanese 3D arena fighter
Japanese indie developer NEOLAVI revealed the first teaser for their 3D arena fighter game MACHO SPINNER on November 9. The game is planned for release for the PC (Steam) and will be available in English.
Sega develops “voxel-style 3D monster generation AI” in joint project with Japanese start-up
EQUES Corporation announced the development of a “voxel-style 3D monster generation AI” in a joint project with Sega Corporation on November 7.
What is it that Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Armored Core 6 have that Sonic Frontier doesn’t – creators of Sonic Frontiers discuss sales
Sega released Sonic Frontiers on November 8, 2022, and with a year behind its launch, the title has proven to be a big critical and commercial success. But the creators seem to want the title to reach much greater heights.
- ByAmber V
The end of Attack on Titan was hiding a goofy Spirited Away reference
The Part 4 compilation special of Attack on Titan: The Final Season aired on November 4, 2023, bringing long-awaited closure to the series, but it seems to contain an unexpected but heartwarming reference to Ghibli Studio’s hit movie Spirited Away.
- ByAmber V
Nintendo Switch climbing game OnlyUP! appears, but seems to be unrelated to original Only Up!
A Nintendo Switch climbing game titled OnlyUP! was released on November 9. Although its gameplay is strikingly similar, it seems to be unrelated to Only Up! by SCKR Games.
Develop and debug a game with your BFF in upcoming Japanese indie RPG/visual novel Debug Girl
Debug Girl is an upcoming Japanese RPG/visual novel in which you reunite with an old friend and spend your summer vacation creating a video game together.
Armored Core 6 update Ver. 1.04.1 buffs lots of weapons, including Moonlight, Karasawa and others
FromSoftware released the “Regulation Ver. 1.04.1” update for ARMORED CORE VI FIRES OF RUBICON. The patch improves the performances of many weapons and frame parts, including the Laser Shotgun, Moonlight, and Karasawa.
The PlayStation 5 to have its largest supply up to date for the 2023 holiday season
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced on November 7 via PlayStation.Blog that this holiday season, they will be preparing the largest PlayStation 5 inventory since the console’s release.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury led to record-breaking sales for Bandai Namco in 2023
Bandai Namco Holdings announced their midterm financial results on November 7. Sales related to the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise have increased dramatically compared to last year, owing largely to The Witch of Mercury anime.
- ByAmber V
Live-action The Legend of Zelda movie announced: Nintendo and creators of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse collaborate
On November 8, Nintendo announced that they have begun development of a The Legend of Zelda live-action movie.
What made this Chinese “live action” dating simulator skyrocket in popularity?
The new Chinese live action interactive dating sim Love is All Around was met with rave reviews instantly upon release, peaking at 65,000 concurrent players. What has caused the sensation?
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth scenario writer urges fans to stop asking for characters to be “killed off”
Kazushige Nojima, the story and scenario writer of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, has spoken out against fans sending direct demands for particular characters to be killed off in games, stressing that all his characters are written with love.
“Sekiro but with cute anime girls” Sekiro-like Japanese indie game releases to rave reviews
The free-to-play "Sekiro-like" Japanese indie game Kannagi Usagi released on November 3, earning acclaim for its gameplay and visuals.
Square Enix’ remake of iconic JRPG Star Ocean: The Second Story showered with praise immediately upon release
Square Enix released STAR OCEAN THE SECOND STORY R on November 11 for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 and PC (Steam). What has made the remake such a resounding success?
Escape the “backrooms” of a Japanese subway station in upcoming UE5 indie game
Japanese indie game studio KOTAKE CREATE announced their upcoming liminal space-inspired walking simulator The Exit 8, in which you have to escape a seemingly endless underground passage.
Weekly Shonen Jump reveals shockingly high manuscript rates for beginner artists
Shueisha recently revealed their per-page manuscript rates for serialized and one-shot manga published by novice authors in Weekly Shōnen Jump. The decision to officially disclose how much they pay their authors, as well as the surprisingly high sums revealed, have caused a sensation among the public as well as the mangaka community.
- ByAmber V
Super Mario Bros. Wonder worldwide speedrun record topped at 1 hour and 34 minutes with the generous help of glitches
A Twitch streamer has broken the Super Mario Bros. Wonder spreedrun record, setting a new high of 1 hour, 34 minutes and 28 seconds. They seem to have received the assistance of some convenient glitches.
Bushiroad’s first console game criticized for quality issues and low budget
Bushiroad released their new Nintendo Switch title Rear Sekai on October 12, but it’s had a rocky start, with the story and gameplay receiving negative criticism. The game’s $650,000~ range development budget also seems to be adding fuel to the fire.
Are VTubers people or characters? How does Japan’s law treat defamatory acts against VTubers
For VTubers, defending oneself legally from slander is a complicated matter, as they are by definition characters and not persons. Japanese legal experts comment on the topic.
- ByAmber V
Nintendo announces collaboration with nursing homes in Japan, initiative to familiarize elderly with the Nintendo Switch, titles such as Mario Kart 8
Nintendo has signed a collaborative agreement with Gakken Cocofump, a company that operates elderly welfare facilities in Japan. The two companies will organize recreational events aimed at improving the QOL of the elderly using the Nintendo Switch.
- ByAmber V