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AUTOMATON WEST
@automatonwest.bsky.social
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Official AUTOMATON English account. Bringing video game and internet culture-related news from Japan!

Find us at: https://automaton-media.com/en/

Japanese account: @automaton-media.com
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automatonwest.bsky.social
Creator of hit indie game Needy Streamer Overload allegedly got one-sidedly removed from anime adaptation project, with royalties left unpaid

Nyalra had been involved in the anime's scenario and creative supervision since day one
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Creator of hit indie game Needy Streamer Overload allegedly got one-sidedly removed from anime adaptation project, with royalties left unpaid  - AUTOMATON WEST
Nyalra, the creator of indie hit Needy Streamer Overload, has shared details of an alleged dispute with publisher WSS Playground.
automaton-media.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:23 AM
automatonwest.bsky.social
“Otaku-friendly” Twitter clone Pommu suspends services for the time being due to malfunctions and higher than expected traffic. Re-start date TBD

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"Otaku-friendly" Twitter clone Pommu suspends services for the time being due to malfunctions and higher than expected traffic. Re-start date TBD - AUTOMATON WEST
It was recently announced that Pommu would indefinitely suspend services due to numerous malfunctions and higher-than-expected traffic.
automaton-media.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM
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"We’d go bankrupt.” Arika developer explains why adding crossplay support isn’t as simple as players may think
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"We’d go bankrupt.” Arika developer explains why crossplay support isn’t as simple as players may think - AUTOMATON WEST
Arika vice president Mihara Ichiro responds to players' requests for crossplay support in Fighting EX Layer.
automaton-media.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:37 AM
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Kirby Air Riders playtesters are obsessed with Rick the hamster’s uncontrollable speed
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Kirby Air Riders playtesters are obsessed with Rick the hamster’s uncontrollable speed - AUTOMATON WEST
The Kirby Air Riders Global Test Ride demo's online lobbies are flooded with Ricks, not doubt thanks to his vertigo inducing special move.
automaton-media.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:37 AM
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Blue Archive, Honkai: Star Rail and NIKKE merch pulled from major retailer in Japan. Users speculate excessive blind-bag and “gacha”-style products are to blame
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Blue Archive, Honkai: Star Rail and NIKKE merch pulled from major retailer in Japan. Users speculate excessive blind-bag and “gacha”-style products are to blame - AUTOMATON WEST
Major Japanese retailer K-BOOKS bans selling/buying merch of famous franchises like Blue Archive, Honkai and NIKKE at one of their stores.
automaton-media.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:37 AM
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Bandai Namco makes major revision to Mobile Suit Gundam IP's yearly revenue forecast following unprecedented growth

The Gundam GquuuuuuX anime, Gunpla, and Gundam Next Future Pavilion contributed to record-high sales
automaton-media.com/en/news/band...
Bandai Namco makes major revision to Mobile Suit Gundam IP's yearly revenue forecast following unprecedented growth  - AUTOMATON WEST
The Mobile Suit Gundam franchise saw unprecedented revenue in the past six months, blowing past other flagship IPs like Dragon Ball.
automaton-media.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:36 AM
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Nintendo launches website that lets you check compatibility of Switch games on the Switch 2

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Nintendo launches website that lets you check compatibility of Switch games on the Switch 2 - AUTOMATON WEST
Nintendo's new website allows you to check whether your favorite Switch games are compatible with the Switch 2.
automaton-media.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:24 AM
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Kirby Air Riders appears to use Bandai Namco Studio’s new in-house engine, SOL-AVES

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November 10, 2025 at 5:07 AM
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The Exit 8 creator announces new third-person horror game Pale Dots (project previously titled "Strange Shadow")
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The Exit 8 creator announces new third-person horror game Pale Dots  - AUTOMATON WEST
Following The Exit 8 and its sequel Platform 8, solo indie creator Kotake Create is working on a new horror game title Pale Dots.
automaton-media.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:20 AM
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A's “deer infestation” in Ranked season 2 earns it nickname “Nara Park” in Japan
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Pokémon Legends: Z-A's “deer infestation” in Ranked season 2 earns it nickname “Nara Park” in Japan  - AUTOMATON WEST
Season two of Pokémon Legends: Z-A’s Ranked Battles began on November 5, and the deer-like Xerneas are everywhere.
automaton-media.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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One of Japan’s biggest online marketplaces to implement price restrictions on all newly released games in an effort to combat scalping
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One of Japan’s biggest online marketplaces to implement price restrictions on all newly released games in an effort to combat scalping - AUTOMATON WEST
Starting November 13, Yahoo! Japan Flea market will ban selling of new video games above list price in the first month after release.
automaton-media.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune criticizes game industry’s growing reliance on IP fame and trendy genres. “We need developers with a clear message”
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Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune criticizes game industry’s growing reliance on IP fame and trendy genres. “We need developers with a clear message”  - AUTOMATON WEST
Former Capcom and Level-5 veteran Keiji Inafune recently gave a talk on how the maturation of the game industry has made creators "defensive."
automaton-media.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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Japan’s DLsite launches “otaku-friendly” Twitter clone, and it’s already becoming a haven for adult-themed artwork
automaton-media.com/en/news/japa...
Japan’s DLsite launches “otaku-friendly” Twitter clone, and it’s already becoming a haven for adult-themed artwork  - AUTOMATON WEST
After the launch of its own payment alternative, DLsite now has its own social media platform, resembling X with an emphasis on otaku culture.
automaton-media.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:38 AM
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Konami and Cygames reach settlement in patent lawsuit over Umamusume: Pretty Derby

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Konami and Cygames reach settlement in patent lawsuit over Umamusume: Pretty Derby - AUTOMATON WEST
CyberAgent announced on November 7that it has reached an amicable settlement with Konami regarding a patent lawsuit filed against Cygames.
automaton-media.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:52 AM
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Bakery management dungeon crawler RPG Aeruta fully launches on Steam, with new pet farming update

Aeruta will be 20% off until November 12
automaton-media.com/en/news/bake...
November 7, 2025 at 3:16 AM
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Japanese VTuber company files for bankruptcy after CEO squanders company funds for personal use

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Japanese VTuber company files for bankruptcy after CEO squanders company funds for personal use  - AUTOMATON WEST
LinkUp, the company running VTuber agency Vivid V, has filed for bankruptcy following its former CEO's misappropriation of funds.
automaton-media.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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Nintendo titles finally return to Japan’s biggest speedrunning event after being excluded due to “unauthorized use” warning from the company

automaton-media.com/en/news/nint...
Nintendo titles finally return to Japan's biggest speedrunning event after being excluded due to “unauthorized use” warning from the company - AUTOMATON WEST
After being removed due to "unauthorized use," Nintendo titles are finally coming back to this winter's RIJ.
automaton-media.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:29 AM
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Rune Factory and Story of Seasons publisher Marvelous sees revenue soar thanks to success of new entries, but still faces losses due to high dev costs

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Rune Factory and Story of Seasons publisher sees revenue soar thanks to new entries, but still faces losses due to high dev costs  - AUTOMATON WEST
Marvelous saw sales surge by over 98% year-on-year in the first half of FY 2025, but its core game business still ended up in the red.
automaton-media.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:29 AM
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Colopl, developer behind Kazuma Kaneko AI game, to downsize by 70 employees amid struggling mobile game business

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Colopl, developer behind Kazuma Kaneko AI game, to downsize by 70 employees amid struggling mobile game business  - AUTOMATON WEST
Amidst worsening conditions in Japan's mobile game industry, Colopl is asking 70 full-time employees to apply for voluntary resignations.
automaton-media.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
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Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake devs drastically improved the auto-battle system to the point where it can complete most of the game’s tedious battles

automaton-media.com/en/news/drag...
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake devs drastically improved the auto-battle system to the point where it can complete most of the game’s tedious battles - AUTOMATON WEST
Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D remake devs talk about the implementation of auto-battle and tactics feature in their new games.
automaton-media.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:27 AM
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Re-shrink-wrapped Pokémon TCG boxes are now a thing in Japan

A local reseller came by 100 special boxes that were supposedly unopened, but had their exclusive promo cards missing

automaton-media.com/en/news/re-s...
Re-shrink-wrapped Pokémon TCG boxes are now a thing in Japan  - AUTOMATON WEST
A Japanese Pokemon TCG reseller came across 100 special boxes that had been opened and resealed, with their exclusive promo cards missing.
automaton-media.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:27 AM
automatonwest.bsky.social
Bandai overtakes Sony as top patent holder in Japan’s game and entertainment industry in 2025
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Bandai overtakes Sony as top patent holder in Japan’s game and entertainment industry in 2025  - AUTOMATON WEST
Patent analysis agency ranks Japanese game and entertainment companies based on the quantity and relevance of their patents in FY 2025.
automaton-media.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:31 AM
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Disgaea developer’s new 3D hack-and-slash RPG is set in the same universe, director confirms
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Disgaea developer’s new 3D hack-and-slash RPG is set in the same universe, director confirms - AUTOMATON WEST
Nippon Ichi Software's new 3D action RPG will be set in the same universe as Disgaea, director Minowa confirmed in an interview.
automaton-media.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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Anime studio bankruptcies and closures continue to rise for third consecutive year in Japan
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Anime studio bankruptcies and closures continue to rise for third consecutive year in Japan  - AUTOMATON WEST
According to a new study, 2025 has seen anime studios shut down or go bankrupt at an even higher pace than previous years.
automaton-media.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:30 AM
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Capcom publishes fan content guidelines, including rules against offensive fanart and commercial use (explained using Mega Man illustrations)
automaton-media.com/en/news/capc...
November 5, 2025 at 8:35 AM