Latest news with #Kuro
CNA
5 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Gamers get hold of Nintendo's hotly awaited Switch 2
TOKYO: Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 on Thursday (Jun 5), the console that could score record early sales for the Japanese Super Mario creator. The device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as Animal Crossing. The original Switch has sold 152 million units since its 2017 release, making it the third-best-selling console ever. Nintendo fans, including 24-year-old Lei Wang, a recent graduate from China, queued to collect their devices at a Tokyo electronics store on Thursday morning. He had been "shocked" to win a pre-order lottery because none of his friends had been selected. "It's basically just me who got picked ... so I don't really want to say anything" to them, he laughed. Shinichi Sekiguchi, 31, said he was so excited he forgot to bring his phone, while 33-year-old Kuro said she had taken a day off work to use her new device. "The improved graphics and the ability to play with a larger group - I think that's a big deal," she said. Serkan Toto from Tokyo consultancy Kantan Games said he "would not be surprised to see Switch 2 breaking sales records in the next weeks and months". Nintendo's online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch 2 in Japan - an "insane number the industry has never seen before", Toto told AFP. WORTH THE PRICE? The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. However, Nintendo has its work cut out to match the overall success of the original. Challenges include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs US$449.99 in the United States, more than the original's launch price of US$299.99. Both are hybrid consoles that can connect to a TV or be played on the go. New Switch 2 games such as Donkey Kong Bananza and Mario Kart World - which allows players to go exploring off-grid - are also more expensive than existing titles. "After playing it, I think it's worth the price," Steven Paterno, a 24-year-old aspiring filmmaker, told AFP at a Nintendo launch event in New York City. He had been waiting outside the Rockefeller Center's Nintendo store for a month and a half, part of a group of around 20 die-hard fans desperate to be first in line. "I loved the original Switch, but I had to admit the Switch 2 really tops it," Paterno said. CANCELLED PRE-ORDERS Retailers in the United States, Europe and other major markets are gearing up for a rush of excited fans, with some stores opening at midnight to welcome them. "I'm very excited to pick it up at midnight," 22-year-old graduate Angel Caceres said at the New York launch event. "I'm going to be very tired after that." Supply pressures have forced some retailers to cancel orders, with Britain's Game saying it is "working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible". Nintendo forecasts it will ship 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original console in the same period after its release. The Switch 2 "is priced relatively high" compared with its predecessor, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. So it "will not be easy" to keep initial momentum going, he warned.
News24
5 days ago
- Business
- News24
Gamers get hold of Nintendo's hotly awaited Switch 2
• For more financial news, go to the News24 Business front page. Gamers finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 on Thursday, the console that could score record early sales for the Japanese "Super Mario" creator. The device, which features a bigger screen and more processing power, is an upgrade to the Switch that became a global phenomenon with hit games such as "Animal Crossing". The original Switch has sold 152 million units since its 2017 release, making it the third-best-selling console ever. Nintendo fans, including 24-year-old Lei Wang, a recent graduate from China, queued to collect their devices at a Tokyo electronics store on Thursday morning. He had been "shocked" to win a pre-order lottery because none of his friends had been selected. "It's basically just me who got picked... so I don't really want to say anything" to them, he laughed. Shinichi Sekiguchi, 31, said he was so excited he forgot to bring his phone, while 33-year-old Kuro said she had taken a day off work to use her new device. "The improved graphics and the ability to play with a larger group - I think that's a big deal," she said. Serkan Toto from Tokyo consultancy Kantan Games said he "would not be surprised to see Switch 2 breaking sales records in the next weeks and months". Nintendo's online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch 2 in Japan -=- an "insane number the industry has never seen before", Toto told AFP. Pricey The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. However, Nintendo has its work cut out to match the overall success of the original. Challenges include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs $449.99 (R8 000) in the United States, more than the original's launch price of $299.99. Both are hybrid consoles that can connect to a TV or be played on the go. New Switch 2 games such as "Donkey Kong Bananza" and "Mario Kart World" - which allows players to go exploring off-grid - are also more expensive than existing titles. "After playing it, I think it's worth the price," Steven Paterno, a 24-year-old aspiring filmmaker, told AFP at a Nintendo launch event in New York City. He had been waiting outside the Rockefeller Center's Nintendo store for a month and a half, part of a group of around 20 die-hard fans desperate to be first in line. "I loved the original Switch, but I had to admit the Switch 2 really tops it," Paterno said. Cancelled pre-orders Retailers in the United States, Europe and other major markets are gearing up for a rush of excited fans, with some stores opening at midnight to welcome them. "I'm very excited to pick it up at midnight," 22-year-old graduate Angel Caceres said at the New York launch event. "I'm going to be very tired after that." Supply pressures have forced some retailers to cancel orders, with Britain's Game saying it is "working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible". Nintendo forecasts it will ship 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original console in the same period after its release. The Switch 2 "is priced relatively high" compared with its predecessor, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. So it "will not be easy" to keep initial momentum going, he warned. While Nintendo is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 percent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Switch 2 finally lands: ‘Shocked' fans score coveted console as Nintendo braces for record sales despite high price tag
TOKYO, June 5 — Gamers today finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, which could score record early sales for the Japanese 'Super Mario' creator. Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the device is an upgrade to the Switch, which became a global phenomenon with hit games such as 'Animal Crossing'. The original Switch has sold 152 million units since its 2017 release, making it the third best-selling console ever. At a Tokyo electronics store on Thursday morning, Nintendo fans — including 24-year-old Lei Wang, a recent graduate from China — queued to collect their devices. He had been 'shocked' to win a pre-order lottery, as none of his friends had been selected. 'It's basically just me who got picked... so I don't really want to say anything' to them, he laughed. Shinichi Sekiguchi, 31, said he was so excited he forgot to bring his phone, while 33-year-old Kuro said she had taken a day off work to play with her new device. 'The improved graphics and the ability to play with a larger group — I think that's a big deal,' she said. Serkan Toto from Tokyo consultancy Kantan Games said he 'would not be surprised to see Switch 2 breaking sales records in the next weeks and months'. In Japan, Nintendo's online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch 2 — an 'insane number the industry has never seen before', Toto told AFP. Boxes containing Nintendo Switch 2 consoles are stacked up at an electronics retailer in Tokyo on June 5, 2025. — AFP pic Worth the price? The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch, and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. Nintendo has its work cut out to match the overall success of the original, however. Challenges include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs $449.99 in the United States, more than the original's launch price of $299.99. Both are hybrid consoles which can connect to a TV or be played on the go. New Switch 2 games such as 'Donkey Kong Bananza' and 'Mario Kart World' — which allow players to go exploring off-grid — are also more expensive than existing titles. 'After playing it, I think it's worth the price,' 24-year-old aspiring filmmaker Steven Paterno told AFP at a Nintendo launch event in New York City. 'I loved the original Switch, but I had to admit the Switch 2 really tops it.' A customers purchases Nintendo Switch 2 at an electronics retailer in Tokyo on June 5, 2025. — AFP pic Cancelled pre-orders Retailers in the United States, Europe and other major markets are gearing up for a rush of excited fans, with some stores opening at midnight to welcome them. 'I'm very excited to pick it up at midnight,' 22-year-old graduate Angel Caceres said at the New York launch event. 'I'm going to be very tired after that.' Supply pressures have forced some retailers to cancel orders, with Britain's Game saying it is 'working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible'. Nintendo forecasts it will ship 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original console in the same period after its release. The Switch 2 'is priced relatively high' compared to its predecessor, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. So it 'will not be easy' to keep initial momentum going, he warned. While Nintendo is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 percent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say. — AFP
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Gamers get hold of Nintendo's hotly awaited Switch 2
Gamers on Thursday finally got their hands on Nintendo's new Switch 2 console, which could score record early sales for the Japanese "Super Mario" creator. Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the device is an upgrade to the Switch, which became a global phenomenon with hit games such as "Animal Crossing". The original Switch has sold 152 million units since its 2017 release, making it the third best-selling console ever. At a Tokyo electronics store on Thursday morning, Nintendo fans -- including 24-year-old Lei Wang, a recent graduate from China -- queued to collect their devices. He had been "shocked" to win a pre-order lottery, as none of his friends had been selected. "It's basically just me who got picked... so I don't really want to say anything" to them, he laughed. Shinichi Sekiguchi, 31, said he was so excited he forgot to bring his phone, while 33-year-old Kuro said she had taken a day off work to play with her new device. "The improved graphics and the ability to play with a larger group -- I think that's a big deal," she said. Serkan Toto from Tokyo consultancy Kantan Games said he "would not be surprised to see Switch 2 breaking sales records in the next weeks and months". In Japan, Nintendo's online store had 2.2 million pre-order applications for the Switch 2 -- an "insane number the industry has never seen before", Toto told AFP. - Worth the price? - The Switch 2 has eight times the memory of the first Switch, and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw for young audiences used to watching game streamers. Nintendo has its work cut out to match the overall success of the original, however. Challenges include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether it can convince enough people to pay the high price for its new device. The Switch 2 costs $449.99 in the United States, more than the original's launch price of $299.99. Both are hybrid consoles which can connect to a TV or be played on the go. New Switch 2 games such as "Donkey Kong Bananza" and "Mario Kart World" -- which allow players to go exploring off-grid -- are also more expensive than existing titles. "After playing it, I think it's worth the price," 24-year-old aspiring filmmaker Steven Paterno told AFP at a Nintendo launch event in New York City. "I loved the original Switch, but I had to admit the Switch 2 really tops it." - Cancelled pre-orders - Retailers in the United States, Europe and other major markets are gearing up for a rush of excited fans, with some stores opening at midnight to welcome them. "I'm very excited to pick it up at midnight," 22-year-old graduate Angel Caceres said at the New York launch event. "I'm going to be very tired after that." Supply pressures have forced some retailers to cancel orders, with Britain's Game saying it is "working hard to reinstate as many affected pre-orders as possible". Nintendo forecasts it will ship 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original console in the same period after its release. The Switch 2 "is priced relatively high" compared to its predecessor, the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. So it "will not be easy" to keep initial momentum going, he warned. While Nintendo is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 percent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say.
Al Bawaba
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Former Blizzard employee slams Overwatch's new Pride Month video
ALBAWABA - In reference to the 2021 sexual harassment lawsuit and the toxic work environment allegations, Activision Blizzard is once again the talk of social media after a former employee criticized Overwatch's recently shared "Happy Pride Month" video. Blizzard's former game developer, who goes by the name "Kuro" on X (formerly known as Twitter), took to their account and accused the popular corporation of trying to "save face," despite facing a lawsuit from several former employees. Kuro wrote, "You guys enabled people to sexually assault me and other LGBT people at the company then tried to ruin our lives by running to HR claiming we were responsible for getting assaulted then hijacked the initiatives we created so you could try and save face while we were suing you." An X user took to the Overwatch team's defense, stating that they had nothing to do with the allegations mentioned above and wrote, "The Overwatch dev team had nothing to do with any of that stuff tho." Moreover, several others claimed that most sexual assault and toxic environment allegations were aimed at developers from the World of Warcraft team. you guys enabled people to sexually assault me and other LGBT people at the company then tried to ruin our lives by running to HR claiming we were responsible for getting assaulted then hijacked the initiatives we created so you could try and save face while we were suing you — kuro (@ashlykuro) June 1, 2025 This all comes in after the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a lawsuit against Blizzard in 2021, alleging that the company cultivated a hostile and toxic working environment, including the sexual harassment of female workers. Additionally, LGBTQ employees also reported suffering from a toxic environment during their time there, further claiming that they were targeted with stereotypical jokes about queer culture, as reported by Inverse. A former LGBTQ employee stated, "I never really felt like it was a safe place, to begin with." Three years ago, several employees who were nursing mothers reported that their breast milk had allegedly been stolen from fridges located in Blizzard's dedicated lactation facilities. Moreover, they also accused other employees of placing beer inside the fridges in question, sparking further outrage on social media, as reported by CNN.
