VERACITY IN GAMING
VERACITY IN GAMING
Why do people glorify PS2-era graphics? Players who claim they don’t need any better urged to do a reality check
The PS2's graphics performance was groundbreaking for its time, and some players still claim that the console's visuals can hold their own against modern game systems. Is it nostalgia that keeps gamers singing the console's praises, or did the PS2 truly have timeless visuals?
Even in Japan, using a period when texting translates to “I’m pissed”
In the English-speaking world, using periods at the end of your sentences while texting is more than likely to create the impression that you’re either elderly, angry or a grammar snob, which is why omitting it has become more or less the norm. It turns out, a similar phenomenon exists in Japanese texting culture as well.
ByAmber V
Severe shortage of animators and “post-Covid changes” in the anime industry as told by the director of Studio Trigger
Studio Trigger managing director, Kazuya Masumoto, speaks about recent changes in workflow and recruitment, influenced largely by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the field of Production Management.
- ByAmber V
Only Up! has name hijacked by clone game after being discontinued
Midnight Games, developer of the title previously known as “Only Multiplayer: Up!” have changed their upcoming game’s name to Only Up!, the name of SCKR Games' now discontinued title.
Fate/Samurai Remnant was meant to be a soulslike at first – producer interview reveals fascinating insight
In an interview, Fate/Samurai Remnant producer Tomohiko Sho talks about details such as how the game was meant to be a soulslike and why Saber isn't fully playable.
If you’re going to a party in Japan, don’t be late! Here’s why being fashionably late could ruin your reputation
Why do people in Japan have such a strict view of punctuality? Cultural differences between Japan and overseas countries can show us why being tardy in Japan is such a big deal.
Why has the PlayStation brand never been able to create a ‘successful’ original mascot?
Why does PlayStation keep changing their mascot? Nintendo has Mario, Sega has Sonic, but PlayStation seems to have accumulated a team of mascots over the years. Online users discuss why the brand just can't seem to stick to one character.
Could AI replace manga artist assistants? AI startup founder shows “16-page manga completed without drawing,” sparking discussion about loss of human jobs
Japanese AI startup founder Takahiro Anno introduced his almost fully automated comic generation process, causing discussion about manga artist’s assistants/apprentices potentially being replaced by AI and other effects the use of generative AI technology may have on Japan’s comic industry.
- ByAmber V
Orwellian Japanese social media platform “Dystopia” uses AI surveillance and censoring to prevent cyberbullying
Japanese web service developer Soudanbako released the beta version of their new social media platform called Dystopia on September 24 for iOS and Android. The app uses AI to censor offensive phrases and prevent cyberbullying.
- ByAmber V
Zenless Zone Zero: What I learned about the new HoYoverse game playing the 15-minute demo at Tokyo Game Show 2023
I played 15 minutes of HoYoverse's Zenless Zone Zero demo at Tokyo Game Show 2023. Here's what I thought about the yet to be released title's gameplay mechanics and character designs.
Hideki Kamiya to leave PlatinumGames on October 12
Game creator Hideki Kamiya announced on September 25 that he will be resigning from PlatinumGames. The company has also issued an official statement.
Japanese publisher hosts public panel about the massive commercial failure of their game
Japanese game publisher D3PUBLISHER hosted a panel dedicated to discussing the commercial failure of their 2023 title ED-0: Zombie Uprising on Tokyo Game Show 2023.
- ByAmber V
Why Studio Ghibli becoming a subsidiary of a Japanese broadcasting network isn’t as shocking as it may seem
Studio Ghibli will become a subsidiary of Nippon TV starting October 6. While the acquisition may be worrying to some, the studio already has a long history of working under another company.
Ghost in the Brain – a Japanese nightmare-exploration horror game inspired by Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Hell Screen
Japanese indie developer Simizu announced their upcoming first-person horror title Ghost in the Brain/孵る明晰夢 for the PC (Steam). The game is scheduled for release in February 2024.
Japanese game in which you struggle against “drunk physics” to take a drunk man home to be released in 2023
Japanese indie developer Yamauchi_games will be releasing Drunk Way to Home, in which the player has to help a heavily intoxicated man find his way back home even though he can't walk without collapsing after every few steps.
Pokémon: The Teal Mask – strange phenomenon makes Okidogi gradually retreat behind camera after using certain move
Shortly upon the release of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a strange behavior of the new Pokémon Okidogi was discovered and reported by an X/Twitter user.
Japanese user explains why people in Japan follow two religions using Love Live! and IdolMaster as an analogy
A Japanese user explains how Japanese people can believe in two religions, Shintoism and Buddhism, at the same time with a Love Live! and Idol Master analogy. Users find the unconventional explanation to hold some truth.
Pokémon Sleep to tackle issue of Helper Pokémon always being tired and sad with upcoming updates
A "mini roadmap" for Pokémon Sleep was announced on September 15, according to which future updates of the game will bring improvements related to the Energy of Pokémon.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince – Maya’s outfit made less revealing with reinforced boob armor
Square Enix released a new trailer for Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, along with the game’s demo on September 15. Revisions to Maya Mahabala's outfit have been attracting attention in particular.
Pokémon: The Teal Mask DLC players too busy analyzing the authentic countryside environment to go on with the plot
The Teal Mask DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet released just recently, and is gaining a lot of attention for its environment, modeled of real-life rural Japan.
- ByAmber V
Japanese baseball fans keep diving into nasty river canal, risking injury, infection and even death
Hanshin Tigers beloved tradition of diving into Dotonbori River's nasty water can't be stopped. Even over a thousand police officers weren't enough to halt this rowdy tradition.
Upcoming Japanese game takes you to a world of Zen, letting you leap across a 3D ink wash painting-like landscape
TENSEI, scheduled for 2024, is an “endless” 3D action game in which the player leaps across an environment that resembles and acts as if it were an ink wash painting.
