Nippon Ichi Software (NIS), famed for strategy RPGs such as Disgaea and Ar tonelico,recently released its company earnings for the first quarter. The company revealed they had suffered a 40% drop in sales compared to last year’s first quarter reports, or about a 15 million yen loss in profit. NIS made 32 million yen profit over the first quarter, yet it still wasn't enough to save some of its up-and-coming games. They will be canceling development on three titles as a result. However, they have not announced which titles would be cancelled. While this may be sad news for many NIS fans, there will still be plenty of games coming from the popular studio, including the upcoming Criminal Girls. The popular Disgaea series will most likely be safe as well. Chin up, guys!
[Source: andriasang.com]
Upcoming PSP spinoff of Sega’s popular series Yakuza just had three new voice actors announced and their respective characters’ personalities posted. The three new characters are Yurika, voiced by Chiaki Takahashi and the irresistible, number one hostess in Kamuro, Chiaki, voiced by Asami Imai and a reporter investigating Kamuro’s hostess clubs, and Sai’s Florist, an informer about the “Sai Riverbed” who sends information via flower bouquets and is voiced by Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Pictures and details within.
The new game will included five different scenarios and will offer 90 different quests based on those scenarios. If players run out of quests, they can easily go online and download some more. Similar to Little Big Planet and ModNation Racers, players can create their own quest which can be later uploaded to a server and shared around the world.
Yuusha 30 Second will be released in Japan November 4. There have been no release dates announced outside of Japan.
UPDATE: The teaser site for Yuusha 30 Second just opened up here. It leads to a Famitsu preview with screenshots.
[Source: Siliconera]
Sega is taking its Shining series to the PSP with its new installment Shining Hearts. According to Japanese video game magazine Famitsu, the game will be released this winter for about $60.
According to Famitsu, the game will stray away from the action RPG style seen in previous titles like Shining Tears. Shining Hearts will be a traditional Japanese RPG where gameplay centers around the theme of love and bonds between each character. Players must collect "hearts" throughout the game, which will change the state of the players' home island, Wyndaria Island, and allow players to open up new areas to the world and progress the story further.
Just days after announcing their new puzzle game, Zack and Ombra: The Phantom Amusement Park, the official website has launched and features basic game, character, and cast information. Despite being called Zack and Ombra, perhaps fans of moe out there will focus on Polly, Zack’s assistant, instead? More details and screenshots after the break.
Azell, who was in the PC version of Twinkle Crusaders, is set to appear in the PSP port, Twinkle Crusaders GoGo!, as well. Dengeki just posted her profile details for fans to hype people for the upcoming games. These remain largely unchanged, but do confirm that the voice actress will once again be Rumi Abe and that she will also be selectable in Twinkle Crusaders GoGo! Starlit Brave!!. Profile and pictures included within.
JC Entertainment is developing a new online FPS, called GATE, which will make use of the same mechanics as portal where players can warp from one point to another. On the other hand, instead of being puzzle intensive, this game will actually have action and be more of a shooter. Not much else is known about the title as of yet, but props to the company for the original name! More information on the game in the future as it comes in. Pictures available after the jump.
[Source: 4Gamer.net]