Brian Ashcraft, Author at Kotaku

Nintendo Sales Down 40 Percent

Kyoto-based Nintendo Co., Ltd. released its financial statement from its April – June 2009 earnings. Net sales were down compared to the same time last year — down by 40 percent, that is. Obviously, Nintendo experienced phenomenal sales during the same period last year and faced a much more optimistic global economy. According to Nintendo,…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2009

PS3, PS2, PSP Software Sales Down

Across the board, Sony posted lower software sales on all three of its platforms: PS3, PSP and the PS2. The PS3 software sales were the highest at 14.8 million during the April – June 2009 quarter, but that’s down from 18.9 from the previous quarter and down from 40.8 million from the quarter before that.…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2009

Sony Game Business Sales Down 18 Percent

Electronics giant Sony has released its April – June 2009 quarter financial earnings. Like most corporations operating in this sluggish global economy, Sony’s sales are down. According to a report issued by the company, “Game business sales and operating revenue declined 18.0 percent year on year, to ¥1,053.1 billion.” One of the main causes of…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2009

Final Fantasy Anecdote Dated for Japan

DS title The Four Warriors of Light: A Final Fantasy Anecdote is a traditional turn-based roleplaying game for the Nintendo DS that tells the story of a boy trying to save a princess. It’s coming out in Japan! The game is dated for October 29 and is priced for ¥5,980 (US$63). Check out game play…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2009

With Mr. T, This Could Have Been The Next Big Thing

Pandemic Studios was working on a Wii game called The Next Big Thing. It’s been canned, but here’s a trailer of what could’ve have been, well, the next big thing. Pandemic Studios Brisbane closed earlier this year. The embedded clip features the game’s working title, No Limits Racing. Pandemic’s Next Big Thing [Australian Gamer News…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2009

New Final Fantasy XIII Field Screens

A trio of gorgeous screens showing Final Fantasy XIII characters Lightning, Snow and Oerba in three very different FFXIII field settings. Beautiful stuff. Final Fantasy XIII is coming to the PS3 in Japan sometime this winter. スクエニ、PS3「FFXIII」情報総まとめ【後編】。バトルシステムや召喚獣、イベントシーンを公開 [Game Watch]

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2009

Hey Nintendo, Why Aren’t Core Third Party Games Selling?

Third party Wii titles like MadWorld and The Conduit are aimed towards core gamers. And…they’re not selling so hot. Why the heck not? Tons of people own Nintendo Wii consoles. According to Nintendo’s Denise Kaigler, “You know, I don’t know. It’s hard to say. It could be titles have the same type of sales curve…

By Brian Ashcraft Published July 30, 2009

PaRappa Creator Exploring Platform Options

The DS has been a juggernaut in Japan, racking up amazing sales. But nothing lasts forever, not even strong platform sales. PaRappa The Rapper creator Masaya Matsuura is looking for a new option for platform development. “I think many developers and publishers are just focusing on DS but everybody understands [DS’ significance in the market]…