-
Final Fantasy XIV Beta Dated
The beta test for Final Fantasy XIV was due to kick off yesterday. It didn’t happen. The problem was “critical bugs”. Fret not! Developer Square Enix will have the beta up and running soon The beta is set to start on September 1. From the game’s official site: FINAL FANTASY XIV Open Beta Test Will…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2010 -
“Why Do Japanese Characters Look White?”
This is a common question Westerners have. Japanese characters in anime, manga and video games, they say, “look” Caucasian. That is all a matter of perspective, no? In a post titled “Why do the Japanese Draw Themselves as White?”, blogger Julian Abagond argues that the Japanese do not draw themselves as white. Rather, Westerners (Abagond…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2010 -
Is This Teaser Site For Valkyria Chronicles 3?
The first Valkyria Chronicles game was set in an alternative version of Europe in the year 1935. Could this Japanese teaser site with “Code 1935” in its URL be for Valkyria Chronicles 3? Sega has apparently registered “valkyria3.jp”, leading many to believe that the Japan-based game company was working on another entry in the Valkyria…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2010 -
Star Cosplayer Comes Out As Transgender During TV Show
Kayo Satou, aka “Kayo Police”, has not only been called one of Japan’s best Street Fighter IV players, but also one of Japan’s best-looking Street Fighter IV players. She has revealed that she is transgender. Last night on Japanese television show Majotachi no 22ji (Witches’ 10pm), Kayo came out as transgender. The program often shows…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2010 -
These Ladies Will Be In The New Yakuza Game
Sega is making yet another Yakuza game. Not to be confused with the upcoming PSP spin-off, this new Yakuza title is headed towards the piece. Know what that means? More Yakuza hostesses! Sega has auditioned a slew of girls and selected a handful of hopefuls. From that lot, the in-game hostesses have been selected. At…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2010 -
Hints At New Super Street Fighter IV Characters
Capcom is bringing console game Super Street Fighter IV to arcades. The game center version is getting new characters. But who? A recent issue of Arcadia magazine shows artwork for a skateboard and roller skates, which are associated with twin Hong Kong fighters Yun and Yang from Street Fighter III. Both fighters made cameos in…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2010 -
Check Out PSP-Bound White Knight Chronicles
The latest entry in PS3 exclusive series White Knight Chronicles won’t be coming to Sony’s home console. It will arrive on its PSP. And as previously mentioned, it’s a prequel. Dubbed “White Knight Chronicles: Episode Portable Dogma Wars”, the game is set 10,000 years before the events in the earlier games. The game follows the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published September 1, 2010 -
What Guns Have You Fired?
To: Crecente From: Bashcraft RE: Happy Gun Week Let’s see… A Glock, an Uzi, a .22, and some sort of peashooter rifle. Not really “into” guns or anything. My excuse is that I grew up in Texas. :/ And Happy Gun Week to you! What you missed last night What Do Game Developers Know About…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
What Do Game Developers Know About Real Guns?
In game after game, there they are: guns. Weapons are a common trope. They are a catalyst for action and an instrument for destruction. In-game guns and, well, guns are different. What do game developers know about the real deal? Not every game developer who makes games with firearms has handled an actual weapon, just…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
SNK Shooter And Character In “Revealing Outfit” Coming To North America
SNK, the Osaka-based game developer best known for its fighting games, has made a shooting game that features its fighting game characters. Dubbed KOF: Sky Stage, the vertical shmup has characters like curvy ninja Mai Shiranui fly over freeways and shoot enemies — or in Mai’s case, throw fans at them. The game has been…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
Mafia II Upcoming DLC Packs A Vendetta
Crime game Mafia II is getting its second downloadable add-on called Jimmy’s Vendetta. The DLC follows Jimmy, who is described as “the guy the other guys call when they need to finish the job”. Jimmy cleans up the messes made in Empire Bay, and the game features 30 new quests that run the gamut of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
This Monster Hunter Spin-Off Looks Popular
PSP title MonHun Nikki: Poka Poka Ailu Mura, the spin-off game feature the Monster Hunter cats, went on sale on August 26. It looks like it is really popular. Japanese websites have been collecting photos that show that the game is sold out at a variety of retailers (Sofmap, Bic Camera, Yodabashi Camera). These kinds…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
Let The Beast Show You How To Hold Your Stick
Daigo Umehara. AKA “The Beast”. AKA The best Street Fighter player on Earth. If there’s someone who might have advice on how to improve your game, it’s him. Earlier this year, Umehara appeared on NHK (think BBC for Japan) and provided tips on how gamers can sharpen their game. His reflexes are lighting quick and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
BioShock Creator On BioShock Movie’s Progress
Hollywood is working on a big screen version of underwater opus BioShock. There have been stops and starts, but the game’s designer Ken Levine assures the film adaption is being “actively” worked on. “I will say that it is still an active thing,” Levine tells DC radio station 106.7. “And it is something we are…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
And Finally, Years Later, My Wii Is Online
The Nintendo Wii launched in 2006. For one reason or another, I wasn’t able to get my Wii online, save for a brief spell when Super Smash Bros. Brawl was released. Today all that changed, and my Wii is online. This morning, a wonderful fellow at Nintendo was kind enough to walk me through the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
A Week In Comments
Sony Gets Federal Court to Temporarily Block Sale Of PS3 Modchips [Update] Comment by: newmark5 Nominated by: UsernameOfTheDead Sony has to do this, everyday it breaks my heart when I walk down the street and I see a homeless Sony employee or some other developer who was put on the street from piracy. Forget that…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
Why This Lady Has a Zelda Tattoo
On a recent episode of cloak-and-dagger thriller series Rubicon, a female analyst explains to Miles Fielder, played by actor Dallas Roberts, why she has a Triforce tattoo. Haven’t seen this show yet — is it any good? Thanks for the tip, Jeff!
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
What Kind Of PSP Decorations Represent Yakuza’s Bar Girls?
A Japanese nail saloon has decorated a handful of PSPs covers in the image of in-game hostesses. Thrilling! Here is curvy Yuu Tejima. The design done in her image is called “colorful leopard print”. This is Aya Hoshi. The design is called “Black Love”, because the PSP-3000 is covered with black rhinestone-type thingies and has…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 31, 2010 -
So, I Saw Departures
To: Crecente From: Bashcraft Monday! It’s Monday! I watched Departures over the weekend. I hadn’t seen it. But it was a great, great movie. Fun fact: the guy who directed it spend most of the 1980s directing soft core movies in a series of movies called “Train Pervert”. That’s not uncommon, though, as many of…
By Brian Ashcraft Published August 30, 2010
Brian Ashcraft
Brian Ashcraft's posts