Archivio July 2008
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COMIKET 73
di Frankie (12/31/2007 - 17:50)
I just come back to my base after the Comiket marathon.
I meet many old and new friends like Danny Choo, Amano ai, Hobibox staff (my old company), Blasterhead, Sharpnel and many doujin and eroge makers. I should make proper post but right now I'm drinking a big bottle of sake from Aomori so... just click here for a big Comiket posts selection madew by Ponyapepe.
If you are in Tokyo tomorrow let's celebrate new year at Warehosue in Azabu Juban (but of course don't forget the Akiba otaku shops sales before heading to the party)!!!!
Party on!!
Happy new year!!! Akemashite omedetou!!!!
COMIKET: BLASTERHEAD EP
di Frankie (12/29/2007 - 15:42)
Today Comiket 73 has started. I'm hunting for Vocaloid 2 Hatsune Miku official and doujin goods, but on December 31 my only target will be one of the 300 Vinyl EPs produced by Blasterhead. He is a really famous eroge and chip tune musician. He he also really active in the underground Trance Gabber scene in Tokyo. Recently he played at Blip Festival 2007 in NY.
To hear a sample MP3 click here.
STEREORAMA EROMAGA
di Frankie (12/29/2007 - 10:49)
I just found Ahoaho-expo: a Japanese blog with tons of strange Japanese vintage books and magazines (like this Stereoscopic erotic magazine from the 60s!).
I'm sure that (super retro otaku) Patrick Macias will love this blog full of old gems!
SUPER NICOFAMI
di Frankie (12/29/2007 - 09:45)
Yesterday Linx Products has released the Super Nicofami a new hybrid 8Bit/16 Bit console that will let you play Famicom/Nes games and Super Famicom games.
There are already similar consoles on the market, but the Super Nicofami seems to be one of the best with a pretty cool retro design and an interesting price tag (7980 Yen)
Aika Panties
di Frankie (12/28/2007 - 23:21)
(via Hobby Channel) Finally all fan service lovers and panty fetichists like me can (legally) buy the Aika panties!! Nose Bleed Mode ON!
VOCALOID CV01 BOOK
di Frankie (12/26/2007 - 09:44)
Today in March Rabbit (Akiba) I bought Vocaloid cv 01 Hatsune Miku Book from DTM Magazine.
The book (but actually I should call it a mook since it's an hybrid between a magazine and a book) is a 98 pages of "how tos" comes with a poster, mouse pad and a DVD (with both video and rom tracks).
GAME GENERATION X DVD
di Frankie (12/26/2007 - 03:17)
Yesterday, the Japanese satellite TV Mondo 21 has announced Game Generation X : a documentary dedicated to 8 bit videogames that will be releases next February. The DVD, created with support of 8bit legend Shin Masaru, will feature 18 of Xevious perfect play and a brand new nes-like game called Mr Splash.
Looks like Game Center CX finally got a real competitor!
CHRISTMAS 8 BIT CHARITY AUCTION
di Frankie (12/25/2007 - 09:06)
My good friend Madrigal pointed me to his Creativision special Multicard auction for the Gamesniped Christmas charity.
This special cartridge is truly one of a kind that will even show the name of the owner inside the welcome message and a special-expressively made-Xmas demo by Kurt Woloch. Inside the box you will find the greeting card signed by us to wish you a very 8 bit Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
di Frankie (12/24/2007 - 23:21)
Merry Christmas!! Today I went to Roppongi Hills for the Artelligent Christmas to watch the beutiful illuminations on Keyakizaka Street, drink Gluh Wein and buy some new decorations at the Christmas Market. Tomorrow I will head to Akiba to buy some presents!
Oh oh oh!! Merry Christmas!!
HOSTING PROBLEM...
di Frankie (12/22/2007 - 20:50)
I'm still trying to get support from my italian blog provider... I hope the customer care will not be closed till next year... (-_-)x
NEW PSP HENTAI GAME
di Frankie (12/22/2007 - 17:46)
Jin Products has just announced Soleil: a new PSP UMD hentai videogame that will be released on 21 February 2008.
HD DVD & TRANSFORMERS IN AKIBA
di Frankie (12/22/2007 - 16:20)
Today walking in Akiba (near the Yodobashi "Death Star" Camera megastore) I found a really cool HD DVD promotional both focused on the release of the brand new Transformers HD DVD. The HD DVD Promotion Gruop is doing its best to fight against Blu Ray and push customers to buy HD DVD players during this Christmas. I tried the Toshiba Vardia RD-A301 and I'm really impressed by this HD Hardisk recording, HD DVD recorder. People who will buy this the RD-A301 before 31 January 2008 will get a free Transformers HD DVD and limited edition Voyager-class Starscream (Starscream Vardia Red Model) in a a special red and gold paint .
OMNIBOT FANBOOK
di Frankie (12/21/2007 - 10:09)
In the next few day will try to take some photos of the beautiful designed pages of this book.
IPOD SONIC
di Frankie (12/21/2007 - 08:24)
(via Business Wire / Engadget Japan) - A couple of days ago Sega announced that Sonic The Hedgehog is now available for play on the new iPod nano with video, the iPod classic and the fifth generation iPod. Sonic fans can purchase and download the game from the iTunes Store for $4.99 (www.itunes.com). Sonic has been designed specifically for the iPod and is available on the 22 iTunes Stores around the world.
“Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the most beloved video game characters of all time,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO of SEGA of America, “And with the installed base that iPod enjoys Sonic now becomes available to a whole new group of casual and hardcore gamers just in the time for the holidays.”
Similar to music and video content on the iTunes Store, customers simply find the game on iTunes and click the "Gift This Game" button.
JAPAN FETISH DVD OF THE WEEK: AKIHABARA
di Frankie (12/20/2007 - 10:06)
Cocoa Soft has just released a Kigurumi Akiba fetish DVD starred by a kigurumi version of Rei Ayanami.
In this photo you can see the entrance of the retrogame shop Super Potato.
...and then starts the vacumbed cosplayer fetish scene. As reported in this old post Cosplayers vacumbed in a futon plastic bag (vacum bed) is a new fetish spreading among Japanese underground. It's a variation of Rubber fetishism and Total enclosure fetishism (a form of sexual fetishism whereby a person becomes aroused when having entire body enclosed in a certain way).
Murphy's law...
di Frankie (12/19/2007 - 04:24)
Dada.net (our blog hosting) started to have problems the same day I was going back to Japan... I hope these problems will be solved soon!
Update: It's December 21 and still no feedback from dada.net...
CHRISTMAS (PORNO) ANGELS
di Frankie (12/16/2007 - 07:01)
(NSFW) If you liked the Sexy Christmas costumes posted in the past weeks, maybe you would like to see the costumes in "action" before choose the right one for your girlfriend so why don't watch this Christmas Angels - Santa Harem DVD released by Moodyz?
Ryo Mishima, Emiri Sena, Airu Kaede, Miku Takashima and Yuuki Kitada are the 5 lovely AV idols in the Santa Harem and I'm sure they will teach us something new to do during Christmas eve...
PaPETCH XMAS
di Frankie (12/16/2007 - 06:38)
(via Mixi) PaPETCH, the toy series that debuted last week as preregisteration present with he Nights for Wii, is celebrating Christmas with this super cute Santa. I really like these toy series created by Norishirocks (a japanese collective of DJs, designers and musicians (sax, oboe, guitar, synthesizer, percussions and violin) "with phantasmagorical" members who take care of music production, remix and CD jackets design, video production, advertising, etc.).
Some Norishirocks works: "Sergeant KERORO" theme song remix / "GUNDAM SEED DISTNY" theme song remix / HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR jacket art work producing / All Japan Goith art work & remixes hide2 (Tokyo/jp).
The producer / DJ is playing aound the world his funky house... and the Norishiroks live set (with synth, sax and violin) is a regular guest of the LOVE LOVE NIGHT@Yellow (one of the most famous Tokyo clubs). Norishocks is also involved in rhythm videogames development...
COSPA vs VOCALOID 2
di Frankie (12/16/2007 - 00:11)
DEKOCHOCO: Print club Chocolates
di Frankie (12/15/2007 - 12:19)
Japanese girls love Purikula sticker photos and chocolate so Tirol Choco and Macstyle has teamed up to create Dekochoko: a website that let users create their very own chocolate wrapping designed like a purikula.
CHRISTMAS NIGHTS PS2
di Frankie (12/15/2007 - 02:20)
(via Kotaku) Sega of Japan has confirmed that the limited Christmas NiGHTS edition of the original game will be included in the PS2 port as a "Christmas Dream", unlocked by completing the standard edition of the game. Seems that the best PS3 game next year will be a PS2 port of a Sega Saturn classic...
MIKU GOES TO POLAND!
di Frankie (12/14/2007 - 10:40)
(via Yi-Fan) Our Vocaloid 2 Hatsune Miku has just been featured by the Gazeta Ogorkowa: a supplement of the polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza (the Editor-in-Chief of "Gazeta Ogorkowa" will be renowned satirical journalist Michal Ogorek) that has been hit by the Levan Polka meme!
Geek Note: it's interesting to note that the blogsphere has really changed the memesphere since digital culture giants like Wired has not yet get hit by the Miku/Vocaloid 2 meme when a Polish newspaper has already run a full page about it...
SNK FATAL FURY PACHISLOT
di Frankie (12/14/2007 - 00:03)
(via Pachinko Vista) SNK Playmore has just presented a brand new Fatal Fury Special Pachislot. Even Virtual Fighter recently received the Pachislot treatment. I hate both Pachinko and Pachi Slot (a portmanteau of "pachinko" and "slot machine") but I hope Playmore will make enough money to produce a new real 2D arcade... yes, I'm a dreamer...
NEW MOE FOOD
di Frankie (12/13/2007 - 18:35)
This week three new special "Moe Pickels" will be released in Japanese otaku shops (actually, as always, March Rabbit in Akiba will have these products in exclusive for few days). Each package is illustrated by MM Works and contains a special card. There are three Ousozai Tans: Aki Kirishima, Eric Watanuki and Renko Kariya. I'm still don't know which heroine is my favourite, but "otaku sensor" tells me that all these moe pickels are going to be really popular in Akiba!
If you are an hikikomori like me you can even buy this moe pickels (at 630 Yen) on Kappo100.com
WASABI SOFT DRINK!
di Frankie (12/13/2007 - 10:50)
Kimura has just released two brand new ramune (Japanese soft drink): one with Wasabi flavour and one for curry maniacs. I'm sure that these drinks will be pretty popular in Akiba in the next few weeks! I will definitely try the Wasabi ramune with my next sushi in Akiba!
Update: Seems that these Wasabi Ramune has been out since this summer. Instead the novelty is the Curry Chanmery (a carbonated non-alcoholic drink that has range of various tastes).
XNA GAME STUDIO 2.0
di Frankie (12/13/2007 - 09:21)
Today Micro$oft released XNA Game Studio 2.0. Select whether you’re new to XNA Game Studio or an existing XNA Game Studio Express user, and follow the instructions to download the right install package and start to code your multiplayer videogame!
PRESS RELEASE: New XNA Game Studio 2.0 From Microsoft Enables Creation of Online Multiplayer Games Using LIVE
Microsoft Corp. today marked the next step in its initiative to democratize game development and unleash the creativity of the community with the release of the XNA Game Studio 2.0, the next generation of the popular game development platform for Xbox 360 and Windows. The new version builds upon XNA Game Studio Express, released one year ago, and includes the ability to create online, cross-platform multiplayer games for Xbox 360 and Windows using Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows -- LIVE, respectively. XNA Game Studio 2.0 adds more than 15 new features and is available for download from http://creators.xna.com.
"When building XNA Game Studio 2.0, we wanted to offer everyone the opportunity to utilize the rich gaming environment of LIVE used by AAA developers for titles such as 'Halo 3' and 'Gears of War,'" said Chris Satchell, general manager of the XNA organization at Microsoft. "We accomplished our goal with this new toolset, and, best of all, it remains highly accessible to students, hobbyists and pros alike."
Many of LIVE's best features are supported by XNA Game Studio 2.0 with minimal to no coding necessary to activate them -- features like matchmaking, which uses LIVE to find the best games for you to play based on your location and internet connection. Additionally, XNA Game Studio 2.0 fully supports game development with all versions of the Microsoft Visual Studio product line.
XNA Creators Club Academic Trial Memberships Now Free to Qualified Students and Faculty
Since its release last December, XNA Game Studio has been an incredible success, with 750,000 downloads, adoption by more than 300 universities worldwide and at least nine textbooks on the tools in development. In subjects from computer science to fine arts, introductory courses to graduate and research projects -- XNA Game Studio is helping faculty members and students explore the boundaries of applied gaming technology in education. Along with XNA Game Studio 2.0, Microsoft will also provide a free academic trial membership in the XNA Creators Club beginning in January, allowing faculty members and students to use XNA Game Studio 2.0 and Xbox 360 for instructional purposes.
Time to Dream-Build-Play Again
From more than 4,500 entrants from around the world, four community games were awarded Xbox LIVE Arcade publishing contracts in this year's Dream-Build-Play game development competition. Microsoft will once again challenge aspiring game developers to create their dream games for a chance to win more coveted publishing contracts. This week Microsoft kicks off registration for Dream-Build-Play 2008 with the Silicon Minds Warm-Up Challenge. Registration begins on Dec. 14 and winners will be announced at the Game Developers Conference where details of the main challenge will be announced. Run in partnership with Microsoft Research's Machine Learning Group in Cambridge, England; Rare Ltd.; and Lionhead Studios, prizes for the Warm-Up Challenge will include the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview for an internship with one of those organizations.
"Artificial intelligence is so important to the games we make at Lionhead Studios, and we are very excited to see what the community can come up with in this Warm-Up Challenge to Dream-Build-Play 2008," said Peter Molyneux, managing director at Lionhead Studios. "We are always on the lookout for the best talent and believe that XNA Game Studio 2.0 will be a great platform for contestants to showcase their skills on." More information about Dream-Build-Play 2008 is available at http://www.dreambuildplay.com.
Microsoft Corp. today marked the next step in its initiative to democratize game development and unleash the creativity of the community with the release of the XNA Game Studio 2.0, the next generation of the popular game development platform for Xbox 360 and Windows. The new version builds upon XNA Game Studio Express, released one year ago, and includes the ability to create online, cross-platform multiplayer games for Xbox 360 and Windows using Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows -- LIVE, respectively. XNA Game Studio 2.0 adds more than 15 new features and is available for download from http://creators.xna.com.
"When building XNA Game Studio 2.0, we wanted to offer everyone the opportunity to utilize the rich gaming environment of LIVE used by AAA developers for titles such as 'Halo 3' and 'Gears of War,'" said Chris Satchell, general manager of the XNA organization at Microsoft. "We accomplished our goal with this new toolset, and, best of all, it remains highly accessible to students, hobbyists and pros alike."
Many of LIVE's best features are supported by XNA Game Studio 2.0 with minimal to no coding necessary to activate them -- features like matchmaking, which uses LIVE to find the best games for you to play based on your location and internet connection. Additionally, XNA Game Studio 2.0 fully supports game development with all versions of the Microsoft Visual Studio product line.
XNA Creators Club Academic Trial Memberships Now Free to Qualified Students and Faculty
Since its release last December, XNA Game Studio has been an incredible success, with 750,000 downloads, adoption by more than 300 universities worldwide and at least nine textbooks on the tools in development. In subjects from computer science to fine arts, introductory courses to graduate and research projects -- XNA Game Studio is helping faculty members and students explore the boundaries of applied gaming technology in education. Along with XNA Game Studio 2.0, Microsoft will also provide a free academic trial membership in the XNA Creators Club beginning in January, allowing faculty members and students to use XNA Game Studio 2.0 and Xbox 360 for instructional purposes.
Time to Dream-Build-Play Again
From more than 4,500 entrants from around the world, four community games were awarded Xbox LIVE Arcade publishing contracts in this year's Dream-Build-Play game development competition. Microsoft will once again challenge aspiring game developers to create their dream games for a chance to win more coveted publishing contracts. This week Microsoft kicks off registration for Dream-Build-Play 2008 with the Silicon Minds Warm-Up Challenge. Registration begins on Dec. 14 and winners will be announced at the Game Developers Conference where details of the main challenge will be announced. Run in partnership with Microsoft Research's Machine Learning Group in Cambridge, England; Rare Ltd.; and Lionhead Studios, prizes for the Warm-Up Challenge will include the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interview for an internship with one of those organizations.
"Artificial intelligence is so important to the games we make at Lionhead Studios, and we are very excited to see what the community can come up with in this Warm-Up Challenge to Dream-Build-Play 2008," said Peter Molyneux, managing director at Lionhead Studios. "We are always on the lookout for the best talent and believe that XNA Game Studio 2.0 will be a great platform for contestants to showcase their skills on." More information about Dream-Build-Play 2008 is available at http://www.dreambuildplay.com.
COMIKET TERRORIST!!
di Frankie (12/12/2007 - 09:12)
Seems that monotheist criminals are targeting Comiket as a perversion power spot...
BASARA 2 OFFICIAL DRINK
di Frankie (12/11/2007 - 14:04)
On 19 December Aplis will release a series of coffee cans dedicated to Sengoku Heroes - Basara 2 from Capcom.
DIVINEO OWNER ARRESTED?!
di Frankie (12/11/2007 - 00:49)
According to Brakken (Tehskeen) Max Louran, the owner of the videogame hacking Empire composed by Divineo, Supreme Factory and MaxConsole "has been arrested due to his sale of modification devices in France. Since then all of the Flash Carts from both retail sites have been removed. While we haven't been able to obtain any press material regarding the arrest, various customers, friends, associates and enemies of Max from around the Globe are stating he has indeed been arrested."
If confirmed, this would a pretty big news (If you are in the scene you know that Brakken and Max are not really good friends so this should still be considered a rumor).
INTEL IN AKIBA 2007
di Frankie (12/11/2007 - 00:12)
(via MikuMiku) Intel will held a special event on December 22, 23 and 24 for "Core 2 Extreme Processor". Special guest will be the super kawaii voice actress Saki Fujita the voice of Vocaloid 2 Hatsune Miku). It would be cool to see events like this in USA or Europe!
COMIKET MOE TAXI
di Frankie (12/10/2007 - 11:49)
If you are going to Winter Comiket, that's going to be held at the end of the month, my osusume is this brand new Moe Taxi service from RakuRaku Taxi.
WII CARTON BOX ROBOT
di Frankie (12/10/2007 - 01:44)
A Japanese toy otaku has created a customized version of Kaiyodo Danboard figure thanks to Miracle Deka and gashapon Wii Console, Wiimote and games from "Wii real figure Collection". I'm sure that if he would sell the printed custom decals for the original Kaiyodo's figure he could make a lot of Yen! When I see works like this I think that if Andy Warhol were alive he would be an otaku artist with a studio in akiba doing things like this customized toy...
Meme Linking Update (12 dec): Today this news popped up in several Japanese blogs and news aggregators like NewAkiba and Revoltech Express. The only Japanese site that gave us credit is News Walker Net that actually linked us a couple of days. ago. Arigatou gozaimashita News Walker!!
TECHNICS SL-1200 MK6
di Frankie (12/09/2007 - 13:20)
(via Panasonic) Ops, I'almost missed that the legendary turntables from Technics this year celebrates it's 35th anniversary (with over 3,5 million units sold Worldwide) and Panasonic has just announce the SL-1200 MK6 series to celebrate this incredibie achievement! These new models will be released in February in Japan but, on 1st December, Panasonic released a "limited edition" with a gold celebration disc and a special booklet (there are only 1000 units produced) .
Dj wiki published a complete article about these technical masterpieces. Is still got my couple of 1200 MK2 (of course silver) bought 20 years ago after saving money for nearly one year and while I'm writing this I'm hearing an old techno record from Max Polo on ACV Records! If you got a couple of 1200 and you like modding this page is for you (what's better than a fresh mod to celebrate this anniversary?).
KONAMI USB MOUSE
di Frankie (12/09/2007 - 01:09)
Konami has finally revealed the definitive details of Pop'n Music be-Mouse. This PC game packaged with a USB Mouse will be released in Japan on 27 march and gamers who will reserve it on Konamistyle shop will receive an orginal mouse pad. I'm not really into rhythm games but I think this optical mouse is pretty cool (even tough it got a resolution of just 800 dpi) and if the 9 buttons will be mappable this could be even more interesting!
MANGA MUSIC SOFTWARE BOOM!
di Frankie (12/08/2007 - 15:36)
After the huge success of Vocaloid 2 "Hatsune Miku" (more than 25.000 units sold in 3 months) that stormed the Japanese music software industry, this week two new "manga" music products has been announced:
Audio Control 1 "Producer Pack" and Music Maker "Jam Band". The first one features an official collaboration with Crypton (Vocaloid 2 producer) and will be sold with an official Miku mousepad. Audio Control 1 an a high-end audio interface, with assignable buttons and a controller knob combined with advanced MIDI key commands, gives for full control of software applications (and of course can be integrated with Vocaloid 2).
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