Brian Ashcraft

Japanese Gamers React to Xbox One Changes

After a big ruckus, Microsoft decided to change its Xbox One online policy. In the West, there were a variety of reactions to this change—mostly positive. But what about in Japan? Japan, of course, is one of the biggest markets for console games. It’s also home to Microsoft’s rivals, Sony and Nintendo. The original Xbox…

Some of Japan’s Cutest and Most Amusing Twitter Pics

Twitter doesn’t only inform at 140 characters a tweet, but it also amuses and delights with pictures. Here’s a look at some, certainly not all, of Japan’s most adorable, entertaining, and interesting photos found on Twitter. As with these things, be aware that people in Japan also find these images unusual—hence, them being retweeted numerous…

Good news! Game Center CX, the great Japanese video game program, is being turned into a feature film. It’ll be out in spring 2014 in Japan.

Protesting Piracy in China with…Blow-Up Dolls

Late last week at Peking University in Beijing, China, men wearing skimpy underwear and carrying inflatable friends streaked the university’s north campus and tried to jump into Weiming Lake. Then, university security showed up. That’s when all hell broke loose. Note: This post contains content some readers might find objectionable. Campus security seized the men,…

The Truth about Japan’s Amazing “Book Towers”

Jenga, this ain’t. Hundreds of books carefully stacked, creating what’s known as a “tower pile” (tawaa tsumi or タワー積み) in Japanese. Store employees spend thirty minutes—or more—to create these book sculptures that delight some and upset others. Traditionally, books in Japanese bookstores are stacked in small piles or placed on shelves—like anywhere else. The book…

Garbage Can That Looks Like the Mac Pro Is a Hot Item in Japan

You know how people are comparing the new Mac Pro to a garbage can? Turns out one Japanese garbage can is already reaping the rewards. Below, you can see the Mac Pro. No, strike that. Below, you can see a garbage bin by Osaka-based design firm Ideaco. It really, really looks like the new Mac…

Inside the Japanese Arcade That Looks Like a Hong Kong Slum

Japan has an array of arcades. Many of them have their own personalities, but only one of them looks like this. Located in Kawasaki and called “Anata no Warehouse” (“Your Warehouse”), this arcade is apparently based on Hong Kong’s Kowloon Walled City. Back in 2009, Kotaku reader Landon checked it out, saying, “It’s 18 years-old-and-up,…

Secret of Mana illustrator Hiro Isono recently passed away due to heart failure. May he rest in peace.

Why Some in Japan Aren’t Thrilled with Final Fantasy XV‘s Setting

As the game’s trailer states, Final Fantasy XV is a fantasy based on reality. A select group of Japanese gamers don’t exactly seem thrilled with that. What is bothering a handful of players is that the latest game has elements that seem, I dunno, commonplace? That is, if you live in Japan. Here’s what I’m…

Sounds Like Final Fantasy XV Might Get a Sequel

The newly announced Final Fantasy XV looks like a big game. It could even be big even for a successive title—something like a Final Fantasy XV-2, if you like. Perhaps! In various forms, the game has been in development for a long time. And when speaking with Famitsu.com, Final Fantasy XV game designer Tetsuya Nomura…

Atlus’ Parent Company Is Under Investigation for Shady Practices

Atlus is famous for role-playing games, like the Persona series. In Japan, its parent company is now in trouble with Japanese authorities for dodgy bookkeeping. The name “Atlus” only exists on paper as a brand name in Japan. The company was dissolved and removed from the stock market a few years back, after it became…

Sony’s E3 Booth in Nine Photos

Just nine! That’s it. That’s all you are getting. You want more? Tough! Here’s a look at Sony’s E3 booth, which is filled with games, consoles, screens, people, fake race cars, and a real one. To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft

Event Horizon at Sony’s E3 Booth

Or is it the Pulp Fiction briefcase? Or the Ark of the Covenant? Or that box in Kiss Me Deadly? Nope, it’s Sony’s E3 booth showing off the PlayStation 4. Man, the booth is so bright, you gotta wear shades. To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter…

Have a Good Look at Final Fantasy XV Gameplay

Excited about Final Fantasy XV? Want to see more footage of FFXV gameplay? Here ya go. To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft

Twelve Minutes of Creepy Old Man Head Tech for the PS4

We’ve already seen several minutes of Quantic Dream’s amazing (and amusing) PS4 tech demo. Here are several more minutes! Twelve, actually. To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft

Michael Bay Involved in Ghost Recon Film

Ubisoft’s tactical shooter series Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon is going Hollywood. And it’s doing that with movie direct Michael Bay of Armageddon and Transformers fame. “Having one of Hollywood’s boldest feature film directors attached to bringing Ghost Recon to the big screen is a dream come true for us,” said Jean-Julien Baronnet, chief executive officer,…

This Nine Minute Metal Gear Solid V Trailer Is Pretty Gross

Nine minutes! That’s a long freakin’ time. Not all the footage is brand, brand new, but be warned, it’s rather graphic in places. Heads up, if you are squeamish. To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft

So Far, Next-Gen Is Being Won By Crap You Can Already Do

Progress! Turns out that what’s next is what’s now. After watching two big press conferences for two big consoles (Xbox One and PS4), it looks like the future is being decided by the present. It’s still early, yes. But the knee jerk to Microsoft’s Xbox One, and all that it entails, is severe. Whether it’s…

Final Fantasy XV Is Not a PS4 Exclusive

Final Fantasy XV is coming to the PS4 and the Xbox One, Square Enix just announced. “FFXV is being developed with a tool called Direct X 11,” Square Enix’s Shinji Hashimoto said at today’s Square Enix press conference “With this tool it’s possible to port the title to various hardware,” Hashimoto added. “Following yesterday’s announcement…

Brock from Pokémon Can Drive, Pilot, or Operate Almost Anything

Remember Brock from the Pocket Monsters anime? He left the series a few years back to go be a Pokémon Doctor, but can still lives on in our hearts as the dude who can operate nearly anything put in front of him. That includes rockets. And drawbridges. Recently on 2ch, Japan’s largest online forum, an…