Japan Studio
Japan Studio business and news from across the web.
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Ratatan review for Nintendo Switch 2
Ratatan, a spiritual successor to the Patapon series from former producer Hiroyuki Kotani and developer Ratata Arts, attempts to blend rhythm-action gameplay with roguelike elements on the Nintendo Switch. While it captures the charm of its predecessor with vibrant visuals and unique music, the roguelike structure leads to repetitive gameplay and a lack of innovation, ultimately hindering the overall experience. The game's visual presentation can also become overwhelming, making it difficult to discern on-screen action.
Sony is reportedly plotting to revive classic PlayStation games, starting with a new Ape Escape from the developers behind Sonic Mania
Sony is reportedly planning to revive dormant PlayStation classics, with a new Ape Escape game from Evening Star, the developers behind Sonic Mania, being the first in line. This initiative involves external studios handling legacy intellectual property, similar to how Bandai Namco developed Everybody's Golf: Hot Shots.
PlayStation Bringing Back Adventure Games Not Seen Since PS3 – Report
Sony is reportedly planning to revive the dormant Ape Escape franchise, which has not seen a new entry since PlayStation 3. While the game is rumored to be in development elsewhere and not by Team Asobi, the specific developer remains unconfirmed, though Bandai Namco Entertainment is not believed to be involved. Classic Ape Escape titles are currently available on PlayStation Plus Premium.
Ape Escape return teased by insider as hopes raised for new Astro Bot game
A reliable insider suggests that Sony Interactive Entertainment is planning a return for the Ape Escape franchise. While the original developer Japan Studio is unlikely to be involved, and Bandai Namco has also been ruled out, the project is reportedly in development. This news comes as anticipation grows for a potential new Astro Bot game from Team Asobi.
The 12 most exciting video game releases of October 2026
October 2026 is set to feature a diverse lineup of video game releases, including Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and Gears Of War: E-Day. Other notable titles include Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and Final Fantasy Resonance, which marks a return to turn-based combat. Microsoft is also releasing an Xbox and PC exclusive, while Nintendo is launching Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.
PS5 fans troll Sony over whether its new headsets are digital or not
Sony announced new PlayStation Pulse and Pulse Edge wireless headsets for the PlayStation 5, but the announcement was met with widespread criticism online. Fans are complaining about Sony's recent business decisions, including abandoning physical games and the perceived poor quality of previous headsets, overshadowing the new product details.
Physint goes from PlayStation to Xbox as Sony "unexpectedly" drops Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid…
Xbox has announced it will publish Hideo Kojima's upcoming action-espionage game, Physint, after PlayStation unexpectedly canceled the project. Kojima stated that PlayStation Studios informed him of the cancellation in mid-June, prompting a three-month search for a new partner, which led to the collaboration with Xbox. The article also touches on Sony's recent strategic decisions and Xbox's own challenges.
The Duskbloods is a Switch 2 exclusive because Nintendo was the "right partner" and "very receptive" to FromSoftware's weird idea, says Hidetaka Miyazaki
Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed that FromSoftware's upcoming game, The Duskbloods, is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive because Nintendo was receptive to the studio's unique ideas. He highlighted Nintendo's strengths in player onboarding and feedback as crucial for the game's complex systems. This marks FromSoftware's first day-one release on a Nintendo console since Lost Kingdoms 2 in 2003.
Newly discovered Demon's Souls prototype footage reveals a scrapped first-person mode
Newly discovered footage from a 2007 developer presentation reveals that Demon's Souls originally had a selectable first-person mode. Dataminer Lance McDonald found the prototype gameplay, which also showed differences in the third-person camera controls and cut content like snake-headed enemies.
Rare Demon's Souls prototype shows off first-person perspective, unused enemies that could have rewritten Dark Souls history: "Like watching the mona lisa being painted"
A rare 2007 prototype presentation for Demon's Souls, developed by Japan Studio and FromSoftware, has revealed early concepts including a first-person perspective and unused enemies. The prototype showcased the game's potential for photorealistic graphics and highlighted the importance of online connectivity, drawing parallels to FromSoftware's later titles like Dark Souls and Elden Ring.
Former PlayStation head says the rise of AAA games shut down Japan Studio because Sony "wanted to drive hardware…
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida explained that Sony Interactive Entertainment closed Japan Studio in 2021 because its games did not drive console sales, unlike larger AAA titles. He encouraged support for former Japan Studio developers by playing their new games, Slitterhead and Ratatan. Yoshida also noted that while Japan Studio produced creative titles, their smaller scale made them less suitable for the shift towards AAA development on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
What the heck are you playing at, games industry?
The article criticizes the recent surge in video game studio closures and layoffs, highlighting numerous studios shut down by major publishers like Ubisoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Microsoft. It questions the business strategies of these publishers, particularly Microsoft's handling of Ninja Theory and the high development cost of Xbox exclusives like Gears of War E-Day, while also pointing to the industry's pursuit of live services and infinite growth over sustainable development.
Vampire Survivors has a free content expansion, plus a Legacy of the Bloodmoon DLC in Summer 2026
Developer poncle has released a free content update for Vampire Survivors, version 1.15, which includes major quality-of-life improvements, new content like stages and characters, and various tweaks. Additionally, the 'Legacy of the Bloodmoon' DLC was announced for Summer 2026, serving as an expansion to 'Legacy of the Moonspell'. poncle also revealed plans for a new studio in Japan headed by Sawaki Takeyasu and a lineup of 'Survivaton' games.
Gravity Rush 2 Fans Find a Way to Play Sony's Neglected PS4 Classic at 4K, 60fps
A talented coder has created a modification for the ShadPS4 emulator, enabling Gravity Rush 2 to run on PC at 4K resolution and 60fps. This fan-made enhancement requires an original copy of the game and offers improved performance on platforms like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. The community is keeping the legacy of the neglected PlayStation 4 classic alive, as creator Keiichiro Toyama has left Sony.
Is Fortnite Toxic? An Honest Answer Backed by Data (2026) | TAG
Data suggests Fortnite's reputation for toxicity is more nuanced than commonly perceived, with lower rates of identity-based harassment compared to other competitive shooters. While age-driven trash talk and skill-gap frustration are prevalent, especially in modes like Ranked, Epic Games has implemented moderation tools and default communication settings to mitigate harm, particularly for younger players.
PlayStation Studios: All Sony First-Party Developers and What They're Working On
Sony's first-party development teams, known collectively as PlayStation Studios, are working on a variety of new games across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5 and PC. The article details each studio's history, location, and current known projects, ranging from racing simulations and 3D platformers to narrative horror and large-scale multiplayer titles.
