Phantom Breaker: Extra opening movie

5pb. has released the opening movie and debut video for Phantom Breaker: Extra, its newly announced PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 update to the 2011 Xbox 360-exclusive Phantom Breaker.

The updated fighting game will feature rebalanced gameplay, new characters, new techniques, a new “Extra” fighting style, new stages, renewed background effects, and an online spectator mode. It’s due out in Japan on September 19.

via Phantom Breaker: Extra opening movie – Gematsu.

Phantom Breaker: Extra opening movie

Persona 5 Domain Registered By Atlus Parent Company

Atlus parent company Index Corporation has registered the domain persona5.jp, fueling fans’ excitement for the next entry in the calendar-flipping, high school murder mystery simulation series.

Last August, Team Persona series producer Katsura Hashino revealed that the studio was working hard on "the next numbered Persona game," so it’s safe to say that we’ll be hearing about Persona 5 at some point in the near future. Perhaps Tokyo Game Show is a safe bet.

via Persona 5 Domain Registered By Atlus Parent Company.

Persona 5 Domain Registered By Atlus Parent Company

Tales of Xillia 2 getting PS3 release in 2014

Namco Bandai has announced a Western release date for RPG sequel Tales of Xillia 2.

The PS3-exclusive RPG will be released in Europe and Australia in 2014. Which – obviously – means it arrives after the launch of PS4 at the end of the year.

Tales of Xillia 2 is the 14th main release in the Tales series and was released in Japan late last year. It continues the events depicted in the first Xillia game.

Furthermore, those with a save file for the first game on their system will receive some additional free in-game goodies when starting the sequel.

via Tales of Xillia 2 getting PS3 release in 2014 | Games industry news | MCV.

Tales of Xillia 2 getting PS3 release in 2014

Former Valve employee on developer's "weird paranoia"

In a video interview, Valve’s former head of hardware, Jeri Ellsworth describes and critiques the Seattle-based developer’s working environment, calling it “a lot like High School.”

“There are popular kids that have acquired power,” she adds, “then there’s the trouble makers, and then everyone in between. Everyone in between is ok, but the trouble makers are the ones trying to make a difference.”

In her role Ellsworth was tasked with building a team focused on hardware and in the video chat she expounds on the frustrations of the job. “I was struggling trying to build this hardware team and move the company forward. We were having a difficult time recruiting folks – because we would be interviewing a lot of talented folks but the old timers would reject them for not fitting into the culture.”

“I shouldn’t say the numbers, but there were very few of us in the hardware department,” she says. “We were understaffed by about a factor of 100.”

via Former Valve employee on developer's "weird paranoia" | News | Edge Online.

Former Valve employee on developer's "weird paranoia"

Dark Souls 2 to offer more freedom, can start halfway if "brave" enough

"Freedom of exploration is something we want to prioritize for Dark Souls 2, even more so than Dark Souls 1," he told Digital Spy.

"In Dark Souls 1, you were able to travel to several areas, but hopefully for Dark Souls 2, there you have more freedom to explore throughout the game."

He continued: "We realize in Dark Souls 1 there were some certain orders, like ringing the bells or going to Anor Londo, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

"In Dark Souls 2, we’re hoping we can provide more freedom so things don’t have to necessarily be done in a certain order.

via Dark Souls 2 to offer more freedom, can start halfway if "brave" enough – Gaming News – Digital Spy.

Dark Souls 2 to offer more freedom, can start halfway if "brave" enough

Iwata: Layoffs are not the answer to weakening Nintendo financials

Reducing the staff count may lower overheads but it also comes at a cost, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has claimed.“If we reduce the number of employees for better short-term financial results employee morale will decrease and I sincerely doubt employees who fear that they may be laid off will be able to develop software titles that could impress people around the world,” the charismatic exec told investors.“I believe we can become profitable with the current business structure in consideration of exchange rate trends and popularisation of our platforms in the future.“We should of course cut unnecessary costs and pursue efficient business operations. I also know that some employers publicize their restructuring plan to improve their financial performance by letting a number of their employees go, but at Nintendo, employees make valuable contributions in their respective fields, so I believe that laying off a group of employees will not help to strengthen Nintendo’s business in the long run.

via Iwata: Layoffs are not the answer to weakening Nintendo financials | Games industry news | MCV.

Iwata: Layoffs are not the answer to weakening Nintendo financials

Update on Atlus Mother Company Index Corporation's Rehabilitation

Last week, we reported that Index Corporation, owner of the video game brand Atlus, will be going through a streamlined version of bankruptcy called “Rehabilitation.” Today, we’ve received a number of new updates as Index continues to move forward.

First and foremost, Index’s application for Rehabilitation has been accepted by the Tokyo district court. The court has given the holdings company four months to carry out the proceedings, which will include searching for a sponsor for business transfers. Investment firm GCA Savvian has been appointed as the financial adviser for the search.

So far, a number of names have been thrown out as potential sponsors. Engadget Japan believes that it could come down to publishers Sega, Marvelous AQL, and GungHo, as well as social gaming companies GREE and DeNA. Remember, nothing has been confirmed; this is just speculation.

via (Japan) Update on Index Corporation's Rehabilitation – oprainfall.

Update on Atlas Mother Company Index Corporation's Rehabilitation