Imagineer announced today that it will fully absorb Rocket Company on July 1. The Medabots copyright was initially shared between the two sides, but will now be completely held by Imagineer.
The merging decision was made because Imagineer plans to partially reduce its package software business while reconsidering the company’s strategy. They’ve seen growth within the smartphone games market, so they want to make their organization management more efficient and speed up the development of mobile titles.
Of course, Rocket Company published the Medabots games in Japan. We’ll have to see what this means for the series going forward, but hopefully there will still be a presence on Nintendo systems.
A European Monster Hunter Generations event has been hosted today, and it’s given us another look at the New 3DS XL announced for the game yesterday. Check it out below.
CoroCoro has now published its own version of the new Pokemon Sun/Moon trailer from this week. It’s very familiar, though there is one very brief original scene towards the beginning which seems to show some sort of Pokemon (see the shot above).
Here’s the trailer:
Nintendo has added a bunch of additional maintenance to its schedule next week which will impact network services for Wii U and 3DS.
The first period is taking place on:
– 9 PM PT (Sunday) – 1 AM PT (Monday)
– 12 AM ET (Monday) – 4 AM ET (Monday)
– 5 AM in the UK (Monday) – 9 AM in the UK (Monday)
– 6 AM in Europe (Monday) – 10 AM in Europe (Monday)
And the second period:
– 4 PM PT (Monday) – 7 PM PT (Monday)
– 7 PM ET (Monday) – 10 PM ET (Monday)
– 12 AM in the UK (Tuesday) – 3 AM in the UK (Tuesday)
– 1 AM in Europe (Tuesday) – 4 AM in Europe (Tuesday)
Lastly, the final period:
– 4 AM PT (Tuesday) – 8 AM PT (Tuesday)
– 7 AM ET (Tuesday) – 11 AM ET (Tuesday)
– 12 PM in the UK (Tuesday) – 4 PM in the UK (Tuesday)
– 1 PM in Europe (Tuesday) – 5 PM in Europe (Tuesday)
Don’t forget: there will also be Wii U-specific maintenance next week. That’s scheduled for:
– 5:50 PM PT (Tuesday) – 7:30 PM PT (Tuesday)
– 8:50 PM ET (Tuesday) – 10:30 PM ET (Tuesday)
– 1:50 AM in the UK (Wednesday) – 3:30 AM in the UK (Wednesday)
– 2:50 AM in Europe (Wednesday) – 4:30 AM in Europe (Wednesday)
A new novel of the Ace Attorney series is coming to Japan on June 15, which goes by the name Gyakuten Saiban – Gyakuten Idol (Ace Attorney – Turnabout Idol).
Here’s a summary:
“An incident happened during a visit to the shopping mall by defense attorney Phoenix Wright! The idol Sumomo Momogaya (not sure about reading) is arrested as a murder suspect. Phoenix becomes her attorney to prove her innocence in court. Finally a novel of the popular game series!!”
Mie Takase, a veteran writer specializing in light novels, has written the Ace Attorney book. Kikuyaro, who has been involved with various Ace Attorney illustration work, is providing illustrations for this piece as well.
This week’s expanded Japanese software sales are as follows:
01./01. [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot
02./05. [3DS] Yo-Kai Sangokushi
03./03. [PSV] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2016
04./02. [PS4] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2016
05./07. [3DS] Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3
06./04. [PS3] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2016
07./11. [PSV] Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition
08./12. [WIU] Splatoon #
09./10. [WIU] Super Mario Maker #
10./19. [3DS] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
11./18. [3DS] Disney Art Academy
12./08. [PSV] One Piece: Burning Blood #
13./14. [WIU] Star Fox Zero + Star Fox Guard Double Pack
14./06. [PS3] Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness
15./22. [3DS] Animal Crossing: New Leaf [Nintendo Selects]
16./23. [WIU] Pokken Tournament #
17./09. [PS4] One Piece: Burning Blood #
18./15. [PS4] Dark Souls III
19./20. [3DS] Terraria
20./37. [3DS] Mario Kart 7
Update (5/13): These are now available for pre-order on Play-Asia.
Original (5/12): It all comes full circle, as Nintendo will be producing a series of playing cards in Japan, with art based on Splatoon. The cards are set for a July release and will come in three different varieties, which you can check out below.
There’s quite a bit going on with Nintendo Badge Arcade in Europe. All play packs have been discounted by 50 percent and there are two free plays being handed out.
Here’s the news straight from Nintendo:
All play packs are half price In Nintendo Badge Arcade until 20/05 at 01:59 (UTC)! Lots of free plays to be had too! pic.twitter.com/uBA2z2nzRB
— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) May 13, 2016
A few new themes are now available in Europe. The lineup includes Pokemon, Shovel Knight, and Star Fox.
Here’s the full list:
Pokémon Red & Blue – £1.79 / €1,99
Pokémon: Here Comes Ash-Greninja! – £1.79 / €1,99
Plague Knight’s Theme – £1.79 / €1,99
Shovel Knight Campfire Dream – £1.79 / €1,99
Star Fox Zero: Space Battle – £1.79 / €1,99
A pair of new Etrian Odyssey V trailers have been published today. Below you’ll find videos for both the Cestus and Masurao character classes.