AUTOMATON WEST

Bizarre browser-based gacha game from Japan turns Wikipedia articles into actual trading cards which you can pull from booster packs - AUTOMATON WEST Solo developer harusugi recently released Wikigacha, a browser trading card gacha game based entirely on Wikipedia articles.

Bizarre browser-based gacha game from Japan turns Wikipedia articles into actual trading cards which you can pull from booster packs

automaton-media.com/en/news/biza...

Domain of anonymous Japanese bulletin board 5channel permanently suspended. Site now active only on alternative domain  - AUTOMATON WEST Jim Watkins, the administrator of Japanese anonymous bulletin board 5channel, reported on March 6 that the site’s domain has been suspended.

Domain of anonymous Japanese bulletin board 5channel (the predecessor of which inspired 4chan) permanently suspended. Site now active only on alternative domain
automaton-media.com/en/news/doma...

Japanese indie dev's upcoming shooter combines "Armored Core's high-speed mech action with Ace Combat's beautiful landscapes"  - AUTOMATON WEST Omega Phenex Commenced Project Six is a fast-paced mecha shooter that draws inspiration from Armored Core and Ace Combat.

Japanese indie dev’s upcoming shooter combines “Armored Core’s high-speed mech action with Ace Combat’s beautiful landscapes”
automaton-media.com/en/news/japa...

Arknights: Endfield’s factory systems will “diversify rather than become more complex,” developers say. If things feel difficult, “there’s no need to rush”  - AUTOMATON WEST Interview with Arknights: Endfield level designer RUA and lead planner Ryan about the game's extensive factory building and automation gameplay.

Arknights: Endfield’s factory systems will “diversify rather than become more complex,” developers say. If things feel difficult, “there’s no need to rush”
automaton-media.com/en/interview...

AI: The Somnium Files and Triangle Strategy dev's new game is a morally grey Akutagawa-inspired noir fantasy in which the players will "hate the choices they make" - AUTOMATON WEST Studio TENDA just released KOKUTOTO, a morally grey visual novel inspired by Ryunosuke Akutagawa's classic short story Rashomon.

AI: The Somnium Files and Triangle Strategy dev’s new game is a morally grey Akutagawa-inspired noir fantasy in which the players will “hate the choices they make”
automaton-media.com/en/news/ai-t...

Anime-style 3D demon-exorcism game Homura Hime launches to “Very Positive” Steam rating
automaton-media.com/en/news/anim...

The closure of two major Final Fantasy 14 news aggregator sites is a “big turning point” for the Japanese FFXIV community. Veteran player explains what made them so influential - AUTOMATON WEST Lucky Bancho, a prominent Japanese FFXIV veteran known for conducting large-scale, unofficial yearly censuses of active players on The Lodestone, weighs in on "matome sites."

The closure of two major Final Fantasy 14 news aggregator sites is a “big turning point” for the Japanese FFXIV community. Veteran player explains what made them so influential
automaton-media.com/en/news/the-...

Steam release of Japanese “psycho fujoshi” horror visual novel cancelled due to “issues that couldn’t be resolved with a few revisions.” Developers say they saw it coming - AUTOMATON WEST Game creator Takiya Ijima recently announced that Apathy: Psycho Fujoshi would not be coming to Steam due to "unresolvable issues."

Steam release of Japanese “psycho fujoshi” horror visual novel cancelled due to “issues that couldn’t be resolved with a few revisions.” Developers say they saw it coming

automaton-media.com/en/news/stea...

SIKI, a 3D bishojo aerial shooter where you play as a humanoid drone girl, to enter Early Access on Steam on March 20
automaton-media.com/en/news/siki...

“Pokémon’s graphics express what they need to, there's no need for more.” Japanese fans discuss criticism of visuals in Pokémon’s recent entries - AUTOMATON WEST Pokémon fans in Japan discuss the shift in visuals in the recent entries of the series, following the announcement of Winds and Waves.

“Pokémon’s graphics express what they need to, there’s no need for more.” Japanese fans discuss criticism of visuals in Pokémon’s recent entries

automaton-media.com/en/news/poke...

Japanese players can finally access Final Fantasy 7 on Steam with recent re-release, but domestic region-locking remains an issue for several titles  - AUTOMATON WEST Much like users had hoped, has Final Fantasy VII finally become purchasable on Steam in Japan following the game's recent update.

Japanese players can finally access Final Fantasy 7 on Steam with recent re-release, but domestic region-locking remains an issue for several titles
automaton-media.com/en/news/japa...

Umamusume: Pretty Derby has an "incredibly powerful format that can generate an infinite range of stories," movie adaptation director says  - AUTOMATON WEST Ken Yamamoto talks about the strengths of the Umamusume: Pretty Derby franchise from the perspective of a seasoned movie adaptation director.

Umamusume: Pretty Derby has an "incredibly powerful format that can generate an infinite range of stories," movie adaptation director says
automaton-media.com/en/news/umam...

The total number of Pokémon has officially surpassed the number of kanji Japanese kids have to learn in elementary school - AUTOMATON WEST With the addition of Generation 10, the total number of Pokémon has officially surpassed the number of kanji taught in elementary schools.

The total number of Pokémon has officially surpassed the number of kanji Japanese kids have to learn in elementary school

automaton-media.com/en/news/the-...

Koei Tecmo partners and invests in AI startup behind new character chatbot-style LLM  - AUTOMATON WEST Koei Tecmo has partnered with SpiralAI, the developer of Japanese character-based conversational AI model Gepetto2.

Koei Tecmo partners and invests in AI startup behind new character chatbot-style LLM "Geppetto2"
automaton-media.com/en/news/koei...

Final Fantasy 11 is closing off yet another major server to new players due to overpopulation  - AUTOMATON WEST Starting March 10, Final Fantasy XI's top three largest servers - Asura, Bahamut and Odin - will be closed off to new players.

Final Fantasy 11 is closing off yet another major server to new players due to overpopulation
automaton-media.com/en/news/fina...

Cult 1999 Japanese PC game Cookie’s Bustle finally “freed from years of copyright abuse,” Video Game History Foundation reports
automaton-media.com/en/news/cult...

From Madness with Love dev drops ‘creepy but soothing’ new game that “even men who have diarrhea for 2 hours straight after seeing horror would want to play” - AUTOMATON WEST Japanese indie horror developer Jamsanpoid discusses the cute but horror worldview of their latest game, Toganeyobi.

From Madness with Love dev drops ‘creepy but soothing’ new game that “even men who have diarrhea for 2 hours straight after seeing horror would want to play”
automaton-media.com/en/news/from...

Japan’s game industry may not be seeing mass layoffs, but reductions are happening “beneath the surface,” devs say  - AUTOMATON WEST Japanese industry professionals talk about the "less visible ways" rising costs have been affecting domestic developers.

Japan’s game industry may not be seeing mass layoffs, but reductions are happening “beneath the surface,” devs say
automaton-media.com/en/news/japa...

Another Final Fantasy 14 news aggregator in Japan announces closure and apologizes to Square Enix staff  - AUTOMATON WEST Just a day after Square Enix announced a settlement with the administrator of Netoge Sokuhō, another Final Fantasy 14 blog is shutting down.

Another Final Fantasy 14 news aggregator in Japan announces closure and apologizes to Square Enix staff
automaton-media.com/en/news/anot...

Danganronpa fans get cruel piece of Mondo Owada merch for 15th anniversary - AUTOMATON WEST Spike Chunsoft's Danganronpa 15th anniversary merch lineup has gone viral after introducing a "Mondo Butter Pouch."

Danganronpa fans get cruel piece of Mondo Owada merch amidst 15th anniversary festivities

Interestingly, it's the only item in the lineup that has a limit of one purchase per person
automaton-media.com/en/news/dang...

Kadokawa and Aniplex establish new joint anime film distribution company Animec - AUTOMATON WEST Established by Kadokawa and Aniplex, the company will specialize in distribution sales and promotion of animated films.

Kadokawa and Aniplex establish new joint anime film distribution company Animec

automaton-media.com/en/news/kado...

Square Enix takes action against admin of Final Fantasy 14 news blog over harassment of development staff  - AUTOMATON WEST Square Enix announced on March 2 that it has taken action against the administrator of the Japanese aggregator news blog  Netoge Sokuhō (formerly “FF14 Sokuhō”) for publishing article(s) that harmed t...

Square Enix takes action against admin of Final Fantasy 14 news blog over harassment of development staff
automaton-media.com/en/news/squa...

Stellar Blade developer Shift Up looking to strengthen its self-publishing capabilities  - AUTOMATON WEST Stellar Blade studio Shift Up is expanding its capabilities as a global, multiplatform publisher amidst recent growth.

Stellar Blade developer Shift Up looking to strengthen its self-publishing capabilities
automaton-media.com/en/news/stel...

“Overwhelmingly Positive” indie visual novel Magical Girl Witch Trials surpasses 500,000 units sold and 25,000 reviews less than a year after launch - AUTOMATON WEST Magical Girl Witch Trials developer Acacia recently announced that the game had surpassed 500,000 units sold on Steam worldwide.

“Overwhelmingly Positive” indie visual novel Magical Girl Witch Trials surpasses 500,000 units sold and 25,000 reviews less than a year after launch

automaton-media.com/en/news/over...

From ASMR tea brewing to tingly ear cleaning: 5 relaxing Japanese indie games  - AUTOMATON WEST Weekly indie showcase, this time introducing five relaxing Japanese indie games, from ASMR cafes to atmospheric visual novels.

From ASMR tea brewing to tingly ear cleaning: 5 relaxing Japanese indie games
automaton-media.com/en/indie-gam...

Pokémon cards are finally becoming accessible to kids again as Japan’s speculative bubble collapses  - AUTOMATON WEST Prices of Pokemon TCG cards are rapidly dropping in Japan, making them more accessible to children, according to a Tokyo retailer.

Pokémon cards are finally becoming accessible to kids again as Japan’s speculative bubble collapses
automaton-media.com/en/news/poke...

“I can fix her.” Bunny Garden developer announces new game in which you have to clean your gorgeous girlfriend’s filthy, cluttered apartment - AUTOMATON WEST Qureate recently announced 5 new titles slated for a 2026/27 release, one of which is the mysterious "Filthy Room Girlfriend project."

“I can fix her.” Bunny Garden developer announces new game in which you have to clean your gorgeous girlfriend’s filthy, cluttered apartment

automaton-media.com/en/news/i-ca...

Hololive’s indie publishing label to temporarily halt all new game submissions and reorganize its review system amidst rising interest - AUTOMATON WEST Hololive's indie publishing label holo indie announced a major revision of their game review system, temporarily halting all new submissions.

Hololive’s indie publishing label to temporarily halt all new game submissions and reorganize its review system amidst rising interest
automaton-media.com/en/news/hoil...

Dead or Alive Xtreme: Venus Vacation’s newest character is Nozomi, a strait-laced new owner of the Venus Islands  - AUTOMATON WEST Dead or Alive Xtreme: Venus Vacation is getting the new Venus Nozomi, voiced by Niina Hanamiya.

Dead or Alive Xtreme: Venus Vacation’s newest character is Nozomi, a strait-laced new owner of the Venus Islands
automaton-media.com/en/news/dead...

Black Lagoon director’s anime studio Contrail to be absorbed by MAPPA amidst financial losses - AUTOMATON WEST Japanese animation studio Contrail, led by director Sunao Katabuchi, has announced its merger with MAPPA following financial losses.

Black Lagoon director’s anime studio Contrail to be absorbed by MAPPA amidst financial losses

automaton-media.com/en/news/blac...