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Microsoft Doubles Down in Japan
Okay, in Japan, people don’t really buy the Xbox 360. That isn’t to say Japanese people don’t like foreign things. They love foreign things. They just don’t love the Xbox 360. Microsoft isn’t giving up! Today, the company revealed an internal reshuffling, putting Takashi Sensui, who heads up the Home & Entertainment division, in charge of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Japan and the West Duke It Out in This Fighting Game Documentary
Here’s a look at Finalroundbats, a Tokyo-based fighting game tournament. If you’ve ever wondered what the fighting game scene looks like in Japan, this is a window in. It looks kind of murky and moody! Scott Popular hosts the events. More about him and money games here
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Are China’s Days of Cockblocking Console Makers Numbered?
Game consoles are made in China. But they cannot be legally sold in China. Game consoles are banned. This year, Lenovo is launching a game console in China. Funny, that. The iSec, previously called eBox, is slated for a September or October release. The console, which features Kinect-style controls, was supposed to be out earlier…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Final Fantasy. The Music Game.
Never mind that the music game fad has passed, Square Enix is releasing a Final Fantasy music game. The title is a mouthful. Called Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy (ungh), the game features music from the popular role-playing series. Characters from past FF games also make an appearance. Gameplay is divided between field or dungeon sections and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Not Your Typical PSP Memory Stick
If Photo Kano is all the creepy picture taking you could ever want, then you’re going to need a new Memory Stick. Good thing Sony is releasing just that! Going on sale September 29, the Photo Kano 4GB Memory Stick is priced at ¥3,280 (US$40). It comes with a redeemable code for Photo Kano PSP…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Final Fantasy VII Stop Motion Is Eight Minutes of Holy Shit
YouTube user counter656 (aka John Huang) is quickly making a name for himself online with his stop motion videos. The 30-year-old likes making these videos for fun and is trying to upload a new one every 2 months. In the gallery, check out his Mega-Man and Gundam videos (one of which we’ve featured before).
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Japan’s Pop Princess Wants to Give You Tales Loot
On August 31, Ayumi Hamasaki is releasing a new EP called Five. Since Hamasaki is singing the theme for upcoming role-playing game Tales of Xillia, a limited edition version of her new mini-album will come with a redeemable download code. The code can be entered into Tales of Xillia for an in-game, rabbit-eared “Song Princess”…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Like Shenmue? You Must Visit This Cafe.
Masaya Matsukaze has an impressive resume. He’s voiced Teru in Death Note, Morty in Pokémon and Blues in Mega Man NT Warrior. But that’s not his most famous role. Matsukaze voiced Ryo Hazuki in the original Japanese version of Shenmue and Shenmue II. Wouldn’t it be great if you could meet him? You probably can!…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 6, 2011 -
Is It Too Early to Start Thinking about Halloween?
Noooooo | LONDON, ENGLAND: The original Darth Vader costume from the iconic films went on the auction block in 2010. (Photo: Matthew Lloyd | Getty) The Renaissance Art of David Alvarez David Alvarez is a 2D and 3D artist employed at Ubisoft, who has worked on games like Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Assassin’s…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
Is the PSN Getting a Makeover?
The current PlayStation Store (above) is nice and all, but some might find it a bit text heavy. Some being me! It’s also not the most vibrant place. If The Register is to be believed, that could change. According to The Register, Sony is revamping the PS Store, making it more like Xbox Live and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
Report: Xbox Live Cloud Saves Now Live
According to blog Eurogamer, Xbox Live’s cloud saving is now live, making it possible to recover Gamertags across different consoles and access save data. It apparently doesn’t yet work for all games, however. [Eurogamer]
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus Have Never Looked Better
Neither Ico nor Shadow of the Colossus are new per se. But both games are getting HD versions with 3D. The HD versions sparkle and so do these trailers. Ico was first released in 2001. Shadow of the Colossus was released in 2005. Both were developed by Team Ico, which is headed up by Fumito…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
Here It Is, an *Official* Pokémon App
There are unofficial Pokémon apps, such as this. Nintendo and Game Freak are *finally* releasing an official Pokémon app for the AppStore and the Android Market. The app, Pokémon Say Tap? BW, uses music and on screen Pokémon cards in a timing game. The free app is slated to be out this summer, making it…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
No More Heroes, with Way More Nudity
Action game No More Heroes is getting an 18-years-old-and-up edition. What’s in the adult version? Adult things. (Yeah, this post is probably NSFW.) Earlier this year, No More Heroes’ developer released a trailer for No More Heroes: Red Zone, a Move-enabled PS3 port of No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise The trailer showed a glimpse of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
Street Fighter Champ Shows Off Her Childhood Photo
Besides being a model and a TV personality, Kayo Satoh is one of Japan’s top Street Fighter players, more than holding her own against the likes of legendary player Daigo Umehara. According to Satoh, she hasn’t had any plastic surgery to her face, but she does take hormones. Last year, Satoh revealed that she was…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
This Might Be Fun to Wear
In Akihabara, Bandai Namco is showing off its latest line-up of Saint Seiya toys. Check out that life-sized Sagittarius armor! The 1-to-1 scale armor is for display purposes only. And what an awesome purpose that is. Bandai Namco is readying a Saint Seiya PS3 game for a 2011 release. Saint Seiya debuted as a manga…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
Sega and Electronic Arts Join Forces in Japan
Starting with Shadows of the Damned, Sega will begin distributing EA titles in Japan. This should help EA take advantage of Sega’s sales network and get an edge in the Japanese market with titles like Battlefield 3 and FIFA. Famitsu]
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011 -
An Odyssey of Murder, Sorrow, and Peril
On March 24, 2007, 22-year-old Lindsay Hawker went to a cafe with a man she had met only days earlier, Tatsuya Ichihashi, then 28. Ichihashi had approached her on the train and then followed Hawker home, asking her for a drink of water. She acquiesced. While Hawker got him a glass of water, Ichihashi drew…
By Brian Ashcraft Published July 5, 2011
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