Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's US patent for a 'sub-character summoning and battle system' has been rejected by the USPTO after a rare director-ordered reexamination. All 26 claims were denied based on prior art from Konami and Bandai Namco. Analysis of implications for the Palworld lawsuit and the gaming industry.
Ampere Analysis reports third-party game revenue on Nintendo platforms hit $2.3 billion, a 76%% year-over-year jump, despite a 2.5%% drop in unit sales. The driver is an 81%% increase in average selling prices as AAA titles arrive on Switch 2. Here's what it means for the gaming industry.
The Persona series turned 30 in 2026 with over 30 million copies sold. From niche cult RPG to global phenomenon, we trace Atlus's survival strategy, the Persona 3 turning point, Persona 5's worldwide breakout and Metaphor: ReFantazio's success, then look at the 30th anniversary campaign and the Persona 6 reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase.
Japanese esports powerhouse REJECT has signed an MOU with RTS Management, operator of the world's largest fighting game tournament EVO. The partnership targets event co-creation, player development, and content collaboration. Plus: CAG OSAKA's SFL withdrawal, EVO Japan 2026, and more.
Stellar Blade and NIKKE developer SHIFT UP has fully acquired UNBOUND, the new studio led by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. With both studios developing original AAA games for global audiences, we explore Mikami's career journey, the strategic partnership with Hyung-Tae Kim, and what this mega-deal means for the future of gaming.
FF7 Remake Part 3 director Naoki Hamaguchi explains in detail why launching on PS5, PC, Xbox, and Switch 2 simultaneously won't compromise visual quality — with PC as the lead development platform and a top-down optimization approach for each console.
The legendary 'Kemonomichi' FT10 exhibition between Daigo 'The Beast' Umehara and Dominican champion MenaRD is set for April 29, 2026. The undefeated FT10 god faces a three-time Evo champion in a historic clash of generations.
The Game Preservation Society, a Japanese NPO dedicated to archiving retro games, marks its 15th year with an in-depth interview with President Joseph Redon. From battling mold on 1980s floppy disks to navigating legal gray zones around preserving mobile phone games, the organization races against time to digitize 18,000 titles before they're lost forever. With over 60% of supporters now from overseas, Japan's gaming heritage is gaining global recognition—but funding and manpower remain critical challenges.
JESU's 'Japan Esports White Paper 2025' reveals the domestic market reached an estimated $105M in 2024, projected to surpass $130M by 2026. With back-to-back Japanese winners at Capcom Cup and a fighting game-centric ecosystem, Japan's esports scene charts its own course.
Hands-on report from the Pokémon Champions preview event, held ahead of its April 8 launch. The removal of IVs, PP adjustments, Mega Dragonite's Multiscale, Mega Froslass's Snow Warning, and producer Hoshino's plan to preserve Pokémon battles forever.
Hong Kong hedge fund Oasis Management has raised its KADOKAWA stake to 10%, matching Sony as a top shareholder. With Oasis also targeting Nidec over accounting fraud and ValueAct boosting its MoneyForward stake to 14.39%, activist investing in Japan is surging. We analyze the forces driving this wave and what it means for investors.