AUTOMATON WEST

“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

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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
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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
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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

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Sony’s game division announces record-high starting salary increases in Japan  - AUTOMATON WEST Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) will be significantly raising starting salaries for new hires starting Apil 2026.

Sony’s game division announces record-high starting salary increases in Japan
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Anime’s massive success in US theaters has more to do with the power of fandoms than the medium itself becoming dominant, according to Japanese filmmaker and journalist - AUTOMATON WEST Japanese filmmaker and journalist Mirai Konishi talks about anime's recent boom in popularity across US theaters.

Anime’s massive success in US theaters has more to do with the power of fandoms than the medium itself becoming dominant, according to Japanese filmmaker and journalist
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Suda51 doesn’t know what makes a “Suda51 game” a Suda51 game  - AUTOMATON WEST Goichi Suda recently told Famitsu he has "no idea" what it is that defines a "Suda51 game," but that his dev team is an important part of the magic.

Suda51 doesn’t know what makes a “Suda51 game” a Suda51 game
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Stellar Blade director’s celebratory image of new Yoko Taro Evangelion anime earns dissatisfaction from NieR: Automata modeler over alleged AI use  - AUTOMATON WEST Yoshikaze Matsushita, who worked on several character designs and models in NieR:Automata, expressed dissatisfaction with an image posted by Hyung-tae Kim.

Stellar Blade director’s celebratory image of new Yoko Taro Evangelion anime earns dissatisfaction from NieR: Automata modeler over alleged AI use
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Resident Evil Requiem doubles down on Umbrella Noodles by creating a bizarre official commercial for the fake product - AUTOMATON WEST Capcom publishes a Resident Evil Requiem ad featuring the "controversial" Umbrella Noodles after fictional copyright dispute with Nissin.

Resident Evil Requiem doubles down on Umbrella Noodles by creating a bizarre official commercial for the fake product
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The official February newsletter for Steam's chaotic roguelike Elin has been released, packed with more nyan nyan nyans! - AUTOMATON WEST Elin State of the Game – February 2026, the third edition of Elin's official newsletter.

The official February newsletter for Steam's chaotic roguelike Elin has been released, packed with more nyan nyan nyans!
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Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy’s third entry is progressing “very smoothly.” We ask director Naoki Hamaguchi why the team chose not to switch to Unreal Engine 5  - AUTOMATON WEST Interview with Final Fantasy VII Remake series director Naoki Hamaguchi about the development of the trilogy's third and final instalment.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy’s third entry is progressing “very smoothly.” We ask director Naoki Hamaguchi why the team chose not to switch to Unreal Engine 5
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Japanese indie dev "thrilled and embarrassed" after viral boob POV clip gets their sci-fi gender-bending “sexyroid” FPS to 40k Steam Wishlists - AUTOMATON WEST Developer of indie FPS Misha celebrates 40,000 Steam Wishlists after an in-development clip went viral for its unique "jiggle physics."

Japanese indie dev “thrilled and embarrassed” after viral boob POV clip gets their sci-fi gender-bending “sexyroid” FPS to 40k Steam Wishlists

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10-year-old adult visual novel Senren Banka celebrates over 1 million units sold, witnessing a huge jump in sales over the past two years - AUTOMATON WEST Japanese developer Yuzusoft recently announced that their visual novel Senren Banka sold a whopping million units worldwide.

10-year-old adult visual novel Senren Banka celebrates over 1 million units sold, witnessing a huge jump in sales over the past two years

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Microsoft Japan raided by antitrust watchdog over suspected unfair trade practices  - AUTOMATON WEST On February 25, the Japan Fair Trade Commission conducted an on-site search and seizure of Microsoft’s Japanese subsidiary in Minato, Tokyo.

Microsoft Japan raided by antitrust watchdog over suspected unfair trade practices
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"I'm still angry at the game industry" CyberConnect2 CEO's efforts to shake up Japanese entertainment's stick-in-the-mud approach are driven by his love for Shonen Jump manga - AUTOMATON WEST In a recent interview, CyberConnect2 CEO Hiroshi Matsuyama talks about the "driving force" behind his creativity.

“I’m still angry at the game industry” CyberConnect2 CEO’s efforts to shake up Japanese entertainment’s stick-in-the-mud approach are driven by his love for Shonen Jump manga
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Yoko Taro’s dark retelling of Monster Hunter Rise resurfaces after the announcement of his brand-new Evangelion anime - AUTOMATON WEST Theorizing what a Yoko Taro-penned Evangelion might look like, fans have managed to dig up his old retelling of Monster Hunter Rise's story.

Yoko Taro’s dark retelling of Monster Hunter Rise resurfaces after the announcement of his brand-new Evangelion anime
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Mobile game developer denies gen AI use after AI tool watermark shows up on official promo artwork  - AUTOMATON WEST The developer of Dot Hero (Dot Yuusha) has issued an apology to Japanese players following controversy over alleged generative AI use.

Mobile game developer denies gen AI use after AI tool watermark shows up on official promo artwork
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Japanese university develops robot Buddhist priest amidst national priest shortage  - AUTOMATON WEST Called a Buddharoid, the robotic priest has been trained on classic Buddhist scriptures.

Japanese university develops robot Buddhist priest amidst national priest shortage
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Guilty Gear Strive’s overseas publishing rights to be transferred from Bandai Namco Entertainment to developer Arc System Works  - AUTOMATON WEST As of February 26, publishing rights for Guilty Gear Strive in EMEA and Asian regions will be officially transferred to Arc System Works.

Guilty Gear Strive’s overseas publishing rights to be transferred from Bandai Namco Entertainment to developer Arc System Works
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Resident Evil's Umbrella Corporation files fictional copyright infringement lawsuit against ramen maker Nissin - AUTOMATON WEST As Resident Evil Requiem's release approaches, Capcom is ramping up online shenanigans through a fictional lawsuit by Umbrella Corp.

Resident Evil’s Umbrella Corporation files fictional copyright infringement lawsuit against ramen maker Nissin
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New Sakura Wars announcement coming in Spring 2026, according to series composer, but it’s not a game  - AUTOMATON WEST Kohei Tanaka, who’s written music for both the Sakura Wars game and anime series since 1996, recently provided a hint about an upcoming announcement.

New Sakura Wars announcement coming in Spring 2026, according to series composer, but it’s not a game
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“MADE IN JAPAN COLLECTION" Sale Featuring Japanese Games Now Live on Steam [AD]

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Steam's Made in Japan Collection showcases some great Japanese games, ranging from indie hidden gems to triple-As - AUTOMATON WEST Here are 10 hidden gems currently on sale via Steam and JETRO's "Made in Japan Collection."

Steam's Made in Japan Collection showcases some great Japanese games, ranging from indie hidden gems to triple-As. Here are 10 recommendations [AD]
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Japanese manga artist says live-action adaptation altered his story despite him investing in production to stay creatively involved - AUTOMATON WEST Prolific manga artist Rensuke Oshikiri recently opened up about his qualms with the live-action adaptation of Sayuri.

Japanese manga artist says live-action adaptation altered his story despite him investing in production to stay creatively involved

Although Oshikiri eventually came to terms with the movie, he says he "complained like crazy" during production
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“I’d play if it weren’t for the jump scares.” Paranormasight devs consciously toned down the horror in new sequel in response to feedback from the first game  - AUTOMATON WEST The Paranormasight series creators say a surprising number of people complained about the first game's horror aspects.

“I’d play if it weren’t for the jump scares.” Paranormasight devs consciously toned down the horror in new sequel in response to feedback from the first game
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Atelier developer Gust is shifting from a top-down hierarchy back to the team-led development style of its early days, and the results have been positive, producer says - AUTOMATON WEST AUTOMATON interviewed Atelier series producer Junzo Hosoi about the recent changes in Studio Gust's organizational structure.

Atelier developer Gust is shifting from a top-down hierarchy back to the team-led development style of its early days, and the results have been positive, producer says
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BlazBlue series creator assures fans his new game studio is still alive and well following official site's malfunction  - AUTOMATON WEST Studio Flare, the NetEase Games-funded company headed by BlazBlue creator Toshimichi Mori, is still in business.

BlazBlue series creator assures fans his new game studio is still alive and well following official site’s malfunction

Originally funded by NetEase Games, Toshimichi Mori's company Studio Flare "continues to operate as usual"
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Part of Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja to be transferred to Atelier studio Gust in upcoming internal reshuffling  - AUTOMATON WEST Koei Tecmo has announced several organizational changes among its development studios Team Ninja and Gust, effective April 1.

Part of Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja to be transferred to Atelier studio Gust in upcoming internal reshuffling
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We ask Final Fantasy VII Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi about the Switch 2 version’s “hair problem.” Why does it happen, and can it be avoided?  - AUTOMATON WEST FInal Fantasy VII Remake series director Naoki Hamaguchi gives detailed explanation of why Cloud's hair sometimes looks jagged on Switch 2.

We ask Final Fantasy VII Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi about the Switch 2 version’s “hair problem.” Why does it happen, and can it be avoided?
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Death Stranding gameplay tips by Hideo Kojima himself? A paralell universe where Final Fantasy 7 Remake's Tifa has long hair? Looking back on what we were doing on "Twitter" in 2021 - AUTOMATON WEST AUTOMATON WEST's Weekly Throwback.

Death Stranding gameplay tips by Hideo Kojima himself? A paralell universe where Final Fantasy 7 Remake’s Tifa has long hair? Looking back on what we were doing on “Twitter” in 2021
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