Let's Talk About Japan And Sickness Masks
First time visitors notice them right away: Sickness masks. People in Japan wear them for numerous reasons, including…
Frequently Asked Questions about Visiting Japan
So, you’re going to Japan, huh? Fantastic. You might have some questions. Hopefully, I’ll have some answers.
How Halloween Became a Thing in Japan
When I first came to Japan in 2001, Halloween was not a thing. At all. Well, it was if you were foreigner, but Japanese…
All You Know About Ninja Is Probably "Wrong"
Those black suits. Those weapons. Martial arts. The image of the ninja is rooted more in fiction than fact. Everything…
The Unreal Engine, Used To Create Better Dick Physics
We’ve seen video games nail cloth physics, hair physics, and even water physics. Penis physics, though? That’s mostly a…
VR Could Change the Way You Watch Fighting Games
Don’t think of how VR headsets could change the way esport games are played, but rather, imagine how they could change…
What Some of Japan's Biggest Game Creators Hope To Do in 2016
It’s a new year. Can you believe it? Sure you can. While you ponder how you’ll spend it, here is what some of Japan’s…
This Week in the Business: Bum Raps and Harsh Tokes
QUOTE | “If you want to talk about who is getting bum raps I think Nintendo got some pretty harsh tokes.” - Capy Games…
One Piece's and Dragon Ball's Creators Talk About Not Sleeping
Making manga is not easy. Something has to give and that something is usually sleep!
Claiming Censorship and Discrimination, Artist Stands Up to... LEGO
Famed artist Ai Weiwei is working on a series of portraits using LEGO. But the Danish toy company wants nothing to do…
This Week in the Business: Everybody’s Drinking The Kool-Aid
QUOTE | “Ultimately, everybody to some degree is sipping from the Kool-Aid because you don’t want to be the one that…
Online Game Bug Leads to Death Threats and an Arrest
Sometimes video games have glitches. They might make you upset. They allegedly caused one player in Japan to make scary…
This Week In The Business: No Designers, No Dancing Unicorns, No Problem
QUOTE | “I think one of the things that we won’t be looking to do very soon is World of Dancing Unicorns.” -…
What Was Your Best Experience At A Video Game Store?
We’ve heard from the other side—and my god have we heard some things—but now it’s time for the bright and shiny stories.
This Week In The Business: Predictable Problems
QUOTE | “I think some of that was predictable and preventable. If I’m just honest I would say that.” - Former Xbox exec…
What Was Your Worst Experience At A Video Game Store?
Have you ever experienced a particularly pre-order-pushy sales associate at GameStop, a seriously unknowledgeable Best…
This Week In The Business: Illegal Trade Offerings
QUOTE | “I wouldn’t even say the gap has closed... We’ve got a lot more exclusive games than any other platform.” -…
Teenage Girls Are Playing Video Games. You Just Might Not Hear Them.
A solitary, silent majority of teenage girls plays video games: often alone, rarely online. When teenage girls do…
This Week In The Business: The Hacker, The Designer and The Huckster
QUOTE | “You need the hacker, the designer and the huckster to start your game company. Somebody’s got to be the…
Sources: When You Work At Konami, Big Brother Is Always Watching
Konami, the company behind Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill, does not appear to be a fun place to work.…