WTF Is This: Twitter
"Do you Tweet?"
For some reason, Twitter has been in the news lately, and as such, I'm sure you've had someone ask you this at some point. You had to at least feel slightly embarrassed because all you could say was "well, not really," or -- even worse -- "why, yes, sir, I am indeed an avid and frequent Twitterer! Let's discuss our Tweets at length and share Tweeting stories!" If you have actually said anything remotely close to the latter answer, even so far as saying "yes, I am on Twitter," please kill yourself. People, don't get excited about Twitter. Nobody likes Twitter. Twitter is stupid. It is also completely and totally worthwhile: here's why.
Re-Blogging: Interview with Yamamoto Yutaka
A Japanese Otaku with his prized posession: the hug pillow.
I just happened to stumble upon this story and thought I'd share. Akira, this particular blog entry's author, has taken a printed interview with ex-Kyoani staff member Yamamoto Yutaka and added a bit of commentary of his own to highlight some of the more significant points Yamamoto makes.
Sengoku BASARA, or “The Western Market That Could Have Been”
This is the Great Nippon Spirit.
Many of you anime fans who like to keep current with Japan's anime seasons have probably heard of -- or have been watching -- Sengoku Basara. The show just recently ended its first season, with a second season announced by Production I.G. Studios themselves. The entire cast of characters has a rabid Japanese fanbase, primarily female -- a strange paradox, given that the anime is very blatantly a shounen battle series. The original video game franchise has grown from the first game, Sengoku Basara, to a straight-up sequel, a Guilty Gear-esque 2D fighter developed by ArcSys and Sammy, a PSP brawler that quickly took first place in software sales on its release; and a third title in the works for 2010. The anime brought with it a number of incredible product placement opportunities, from cellphone straps and character novelties to a Pizza Hut endorsement, a special rice label deal, a half-dozen different character-specific flavors of energy drink, and, oh, a stage play. Outside of Japan, however, Sengoku Basara (known to the rest of the world as Devil Kings) has almost never been heard of. What happened?
Spicy Wolf 2: Now With More Spicy
The first episode of the long-awaited second of anime Spice and Wolf aired in Japan earlier today. Unfortunately, I don't know much Japanese! But here are some pretty pictures while I wait for the subs to arrive.
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger — Video Game Super Slam
BROTHERRRRRR, I LIVE ON THROUGH THESE ROCKIN' ARMS
A friend approached me the other day and said, "I saw [mutual friend] playing BlazBlue or whatever on Xbox Live, hah, what a fag!" I replied to him, "Sir, I believe you saw me playing BlazBlue on Xbox Live, because [mutual friend] doesn't play those games." He almost had time to correct himself and laugh it off before I reached through the internet, punched him in the face and ate his heart. BlazBlue is that awesome.
PSP2? So Soon?
According to Eurogamer Spain, who claims to have gotten a hold of some classified information, Sony's planned successor to the PSP packs quite a punch in the pixels. It's reported to be built around a quad-core the POWERVR SGX543MP graphics chip, allowing it match the capabilities of the original Xbox and, apparently, even run DX10. If true, this would certainly suggest that the new device will be in possession of a high-resolution screen, perhaps even 1280x720.
However, with the PSP Go just around the corner, it seems somewhat unlikely that Sony would be planning the PSP2 with such current tech, rather than a chip in development. There does, of course, remain the possibility that they plan to keep both the PSP and PSP2 on the market simultaneously, as they have done with their home console line. And there are always the persistent rumors that a PSP phone is coming, so who knows if this could be their planned iPhone-killer? It's doubtful we'll get anything out of Sony at this stage, though.
Exclusiva: Características gráficas de la PSP2 [Eurogamer Spain]
New Kid Icarus? Wait!
In a recent Nintendo Power interview, Miyamoto was asked about the possibility of a new Wii or DS Kid Icarus game. His response?
Wait, please. I'm really surprised how popular that is. But you are the first person to ask at this E3!
So I guess we'll wait (though I'm sure that's not the first time he's been asked).
Miyamoto says 'wait' for a new Kid Icarus [GoNintendo]
Ubisoft Opens 4th Canadian Studio
Ubisoft, developer and publisher of many popular game franchises such as Prince of Persia, Assassin's Creed, and Rayman, announced Monday that it plans to open a new studio in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The studio will be its 4th in Canada, accompanied by sister studios in Quebec City, Montreal, and Vancouver. Ubisoft says it expects the Toronto development house to employ 800 staff members by the end of the year, bringing the company's Canadian development force to nearly 3,000 people. The Toronto studio will also play a large role in Ubisoft's endeavor's to more closely blend film and gaming into a joint medium. However, no projects have yet been announced.
Ubisoft opening videogame studio in Toronto [AFP]
Demon’s Souls Gets Release Date, Deluxe Edition
Over the weekend, Atlus took the liberty of announcing October 6th as the release date for the highly-anticipated PS3 action RPG Demon's Souls. They've also revealed a Deluxe Edition of the game, which includes a 150-page strategy guide and an artistic slipcover for the game case for only $10 more. In addition, pre-orders of both the regular and deluxe editions of the game will be rewarded with an artbook.
Already known in Japan for its difficulty, Demon's Souls boasts several interesting online features, including four-player co-op, a hint leaving system, and the ability to enter another's game as a boss, which is not only awesome, but also gives the game a fair amount of competitive replay value, something rare in many RPGs.
Atlus spoils Demon's Souls for PLAYSTATION 3 [Atlus USA Forums]
Hybrids Are Quiet. Too Quiet.
One of the oft-touted features of electric cars is their silent operation, which reduces noise pollution in large cities. But Japan's MLIT has recently suggested that hybrids' lack of noise may pose a threat to blind pedestrians, as well as drivers who can't use a mirror. A ministry panel has suggested that automakers such as Toyota incorporate noise-making devices into their hybrid lines. This is bound to please car companies, who have, doubtless, been looking for a way to negate the efficiency gained from the electric motor. The addition of a noise maker would also present an opportunity for automakers to sell custom sounds for hybrids, such as train and horse effects. One wonders why the option isn't already available, potentially profitable as it is.
Japan Mulls Making Hybrid Cars Louder [New York Times]