Latest news with #Automaton
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Nintendo Switch hardware modder hit with a fine and 3-year suspended sentence after allegedly modifying and selling consoles that could run pirated games
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A 58-year-old man previously arrested in Japan under suspicion of violating trademark law by modifying and selling Nintendo Switch consoles has been given a fine and a two-year prison sentence, suspended for three years. Reported by Japanese outlet NTV News (and spotted and translated by Automaton), the man was suspected of taking preowned Nintendo Switch consoles and soldering modified parts onto their circuit boards. Allegedly, these modded consoles were able to run pirated games, and Automaton previously reported that the man also offered a bundle of 27 pirated games to go with the devices. The devices themselves were apparently sold for 28,000 yen each (the equivalent of roughly $195), which is cheaper than a new one from Nintendo. For reference, it currently costs 32,978 yen (around $229) to order a standard Switch (with customizable Joy-Con colors) from the Japanese My Nintendo Store, so these modded devices were a comparatively affordable option. It was previously reported that this was the first man to be arrested in Japan over allegedly modding and selling Switch consoles. Now, he's been dealt a three-year suspended sentence, as well as a fine of 500,000 yen (around $3,487). That's a significantly smaller amount of money than we've seen in the past with certain other Nintendo cases. In 2023, a man named Gary Bowser was released from prison after 14 months of a 40-month sentence, after he previously pleaded guilty to piracy charges (specifically, "conspiracy to circumvent technological measures and to traffic in circumvention devices," and "trafficking in circumvention"). In total, he was ordered to pay $14.5 million to Nintendo (thanks, The Guardian). Last year, the developers of the Switch emulator Yuzu reportedly agreed to pay a $2.4 million settlement to Nintendo. Shortly after, the devs released a statement saying that the team had "always been against piracy," but acknowledged that "because our projects can circumvent Nintendo's technological protection measures and allow users to play games outside of authorized hardware, they have led to extensive piracy." Nintendo's IP manager admits "you can't immediately claim that an emulator is illegal in itself," but "it can become illegal depending on how it's used."
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai is surprised the Switch 2 Direct is an hour long, and no, he doesn't know what's coming, even if "people are going to suspect no matter what"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Today's the big day – the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct will air in a few short hours. Ahead of the stream, Nintendo confirmed that we can expect it to be "approximately 60 minutes long," making for a lengthy broadcast that'll be about the same length as the January 2017 Switch 1 presentation, something that even Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai seems pretty shocked about. In a tweet posted a few hours ago (translated by Automaton), Sakurai calls the length of the Switch 2 presentation "a surprise," but quickly clarifies that "I do not know the contents of the announcement (besides, I don't belong to Nintendo)." Despite his disclaimer, he acknowledges that "people are going to suspect no matter what I say," and he knows this from experience. As Automaton points out, it was only last week that the Smash Ultimate director's short, simple response to Nintendo announcing its March Direct prompted fans to speculate whether he was teasing an announcement of his own. Needless to say, he wasn't and remarked that he can't tweet "carelessly." To be fair, fans do have reason to anticipate an announcement from Sakurai at some point. Last October, he confirmed that in July 2021, he "received a request to write a game proposal" and was "given the OK to move forward with production" in October 2021. He apologized that he wasn't able to "share more about this project," but added: "Assuming that we're able to get it made, it should be announced sooner or later." He's remained quiet on this since – we still don't have any idea what the game is or when we can expect it to surface. It's certainly one to look forward to, but it sounds like the developer knows better than to give away any clues on Twitter. In the meantime, we'll just have to get ready for whatever Nintendo has up its sleeve today – Sakurai says he's "looking forward to it," and he's definitely not the only one. You can keep up with all the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct news in our live blog – here's hoping we get some news about upcoming Switch 2 games.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Helldivers 2 is having players return to 'space Vietnam' as the Automatons have returned one year after we liberated Malevelon Creek
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you've been playing Helldivers 2 since launch, you no doubt have memories of trying to liberate Malevelon Creek, which fell to the Automaton menace before the soldiers of Super Earth finally took it back months later. However, just one year on from the day the brave Helldivers liberated what the fanbase has dubbed 'Robot Vietnam' and mere days before 'Malevelon Creek Memorial Day,' those robot villains have invaded once again. Last week, the failure of a Major Order caused the Automatons to seize land in the Severin Sector, leading many to realize a return to Malevelon Creek was inevitable. And now the Helldivers 2 Twitter account has confirmed that the invasion is on. The tweet announced a new Major Order for the soldiers of Super Earth: "The Automatons have launched vigorous assaults on multiple planets. A large-scale offensive appears to be underway, led by the Incineration Corps. Immediate action is demanded." Adding, "All Helldivers are called to defend and hold Malevelon Creek. To unite, and unleash Super Earth's righteous Justice with the fullest permitted fury." Naturally, the representatives of Super Earth are also sickened by the Automaton menace's chosen date to invade, with the tweet saying, "This hallowed ground is the resting place of many, many brave Helldivers whose ultimate sacrifices freed the planet from the Automatons early in the War. Now, the enemy seeks to defile their graves—obviously having calculated that seizing the planet on the upcoming Malevelon Creek Memorial Day would result in the greatest net desecration." With the Helldivers account adding something, we were all thinking, "Super Earth will never tolerate such an outrageous affront to decency." Helldivers 2 director Johan Pilestedt recently spoke about the ongoing troubles the games industry is facing right now, saying that it's "unnecessarily brutal" right now "because we don't diversify enough."
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ghost of Tsushima Real-Life Shrine Bans Tourists After Vandalism
A real-life shrine from Ghost of Tsushima announced it is issuing a ban on tourists. Specifically, the Watazumi Shrine located on Japan's Tsushima Island will only allow access to those using the Shinto shrine for worship. As reported by Automaton, the Watazumi Shrine's reasoning for the ban on all tourists is due to 'a grave and unforgivable act of disrespect committed by foreigner(s).' The nature of what that act entails is unknown. However, the shrine's officials state they've discussed the matter with law enforcement on more than one occasion. Some of these problematic acts that were reported include vandalism and physical and verbal abuse against the shrine's staff. This ban affects both domestic and international tourists, but the shrine's decision is specifically due to the actions of foreign tourists. The shrine's officials stated, 'Inbound tourism's destruction of places, things, and people cherished by the Japanese is nothing less than the destruction of Japanese culture.' Players of Ghost of Tsushima may recognize the Watazumi Shrine as it is claimed that it inspired the Scarlet Rock Shrine from the game. Back in 2020, fans of the game had made donations to the shrine to help repair damages made by a typhoon. The shrine was able to raise 27 million yen, significantly surpassing the funds originally needed. This comes just days before Japanese politicians voiced their concerns with Assassin's Creed Shadows and the influence it may have on foreign tourists. Although not specifically stated, Ubisoft launched an update when the game launched that made tables and racks indestructible and minimized blood splatter at shrines. When Ghost of Tsushima launched in 2020, it was met with exceptional reviews. In our review, we gave the game a 10 out of 10 saying it 'ends the current generation of consoles on a high note.' The post Ghost of Tsushima Real-Life Shrine Bans Tourists After Vandalism appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Silent Hill f may be the scariest game in the 26-year-old series, or at least the first one rated 18+ in Japan
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Silent Hill f, the latest mainline game in the series, is the first in the franchise's history to be rated 18+ in Japan, which is especially wild because they've often been adult-only in the UK and US. As reported by Automaton, Silent Hill f has been rated CERO:Z, Japan's equivalent of an 18+ rating. All of the other mainline games have been rated CERO:C in Japan, or 15+. I'm quite surprised, because I've always known the games to be absolutely terrifying so I assumed they'd also be rated for adults in Japan. Horror movies and games from Japan are very popular all over the world, from games like Silent Hill and Resident Evil to movies like Ring and The Grudge, so maybe Japan's ratings board just has a higher tolerance for scares. Or maybe they aren't gory enough to warrant the adults-only rating. It could be that Silent Hill f is just more violent, not necessarily scarier. That being said, Silent Hill f looks especially scary to me. I'm terrified of human-like monsters that move in contorted ways, and that's the first kind of creature that shows up in the game's trailer. Original series monster designer Masahiro Ito, the man who created Pyramid Head, didn't work on this game at all though. He says, "I don't know anything abt Silent Hill f because I didn't work on it." Silent hill f is also unique in its setting. It takes place in the '60s and even comes with a warning. "This game is set in Japan in the 1960s and contains depictions based on the customs and culture of that time," Konami's disclaimer reads. "These depictions do not reflect the opinions or values of the developers or any individuals involved." It also warns of "depictions of gender discrimination, child abuse, bullying, drug-induced hallucinations, torture, and graphic violence." That 18+ rating doesn't seem so surprising anymore. Silent Hill f writer Ryukishi07 said, "I don't think I would mind if it was the last thing I ever wrote," so this really is shaping up to be a messed-up game. It's important to note that games can and do have their ratings changed before realease, and even after – it happened with Balatro. So, there's a chance this rating drops if Konami appeals the decision or makes some changes to make it more suitable for a younger audience. If that doesn't sound scary enough for you, check out our list of the best horror games you can get spooky with right now.
