Koei Tecmo
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Dead or Alive 5's Last Round is on PS4, Xbox One
Street Fighter 4 isn't the only modern fighter getting a multitude of releases: According to a Famitsu report (as translated by Kotaku), Koei Tecmo producer Yosuke Hayashi announced Dead or Alive 5: Last Round after an award ceremony at this weekend's Japan Gamer's Live. Details are scarce beyond a reveal trailer posted after the break, but Last Round will slug it out in Japan on Xbox One and PS4 in spring 2015. Last Round will follow DoA5: Ultimate, 2013's retail-sized update on Xbox 360 and PS3 that added new characters and modes. A free-to-play counterpart called DoA5: Ultimate Core Fighters launched alongside Ultimate and managed to surpass 500,000 downloads within two months.
Report: Capcom aims patent infringment suit at Koei Tecmo
Capcom has filed suit against Koei Tecmo alleging that the Dynasty Warriors publisher infringed on key Capcom patents in recent games, according to a Sankei report translated by Siliconera. The patent in question refers to backwards compatible content being transferred from a game to its predecessor. Imagine the Genesis-era Sonic & Knuckles cartridges. If you connect one to a Sonic 2 cartridge, you can play as Knuckles in the older game, despite his first appearance coming well after Sonic 2 hit store shelves. A more recent, topical example would be Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends, a standalone expansion that could be linked with the original Dynasty Warriors 8 to add additional stages and characters to the older musou brawler. Capcom's suit alleges that 50 Koei Tecmo games are in violation of the patent. The Street Fighter publisher is seeking 980 million yen (about $9.4 million) in restitution as well as a temporary ban on sales of several Koei Tecmo games. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Act out war journals in Samurai Warriors 4's Chronicle Mode
Considering how complex and extensive war timeframes can be, sometimes they just blur together into a mess of endless fighting and capturing territories. Lucky for us, Samurai Warriors 4's officers are an organized bunch: In the incoming hack-n-slasher's new Chronicle mode, players can follow events through the journals of commanding officers, crossing new warriors and unlocking gear throughout their tour. The related press release also noted three new warriors that will join SW4; the strategy-savvy Kojuro Katakura, Li clan leader Naotora and Koshosho, a fighter that bewitches men with her beauty. Pre-existing characters Hanzo, Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, Ina, Masamune, Motochika, Nene, Tadakatsu and Yoshimoto will also return in SW4. If you'd rather start your own legacy in the Warring States era, there's always SW4's updated Create Character mode, which lets you micromanage specifics from armor sets to eye color. For anyone eager to just jump in though, there's bound to be someone within SW4's 55-character roster that works for you. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Fatal Frame haunts Japanese theaters on September 26
Proving once again that Japan gets all the cool stuff, the upcoming Wii U Fatal Frame sequel is to be accompanied by a Fatal Frame feature film, both of which are currently exclusive to the island nation. Though entirely in Japanese, the above trailer does offer hope that the film's creators have managed to capture the game's aesthetics and key themes. Spooky yet commonplace buildings? Check. Overly complex, anachronistic cameras? Check. Dour, possibly spectral Japanese girls? Check and double check. The trailer does take an odd tonal shift at the 1:00 mark thanks to a weirdly upbeat pop song, but that brief moment of levity is quickly silenced by a pile of teenaged corpses. While it's possible that this Fatal Frame film adaptation might come to the West, fans shouldn't get their hopes up. 2008's Fatal Frame 4: Mask of the Lunar Eclipse remained in Japan despite claims from Koei Tecmo that the game would reach both Europe and North America, and the publisher has yet to make any mention of an English-language localization for the upcoming Fatal Frame 5. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Hyrule Warriors' adventure mode has NES Zelda appeal
Nintendo offered new details on Hyrule Warriors during a Nintendo Direct livestream last night dedicated to spilling new beans on the game. The Tecmo Koei-developed offering will include an adventure mode that features a NES-style map inspired by the original Legend of Zelda. In it, players hack through levels with unique victory conditions, such as "defeat 300 enemies in 10 minutes," acquiring and using classic items from the Zelda series to find rare goods like heart containers. Additionally, Zelda fans will appreciate the familiar ability to chop away at grass in Hyrule Warriors and attack the chicken-like Cuccos, which will attack players after enough unjust damage has been done to the creatures. The livestream also touched on the game's leveling and skill/equipment crafting system; we've embedded the full Hyrule Warriors Direct stream for your viewing pleasure. Hyrule Warriors will launch September 26 for Wii U, and those that register their copies on Club Nintendo by October 23 will receive two Ganondorf costumes. [Image: Nintendo]
Hyrule Warriors in the club get two legendary Ganondorf outfits
Nintendo introduced Ganondorf as a playable character for Hyrule Warriors during last night's Nintendo Direct livestream dedicated to the game. As it turns out, Club Nintendo members will have access to two special outfits for Ganondorf in the game as well. Those that buy Hyrule Warriors and register the game with Nintendo's loyalty program between September 26 and October 23 will receive a download code for the DLC, which features costumes inspired by Ganondorf's appearances in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. As the primary villain of the Legend of Zelda series, "The Demon King" Ganondorf will annihilate hordes of enemies with dark magic-like moves and his great sword. Hyrule Warriors will launch on September 26 for Wii U and will feature local cooperative multiplayer and some form of online play, though it won't have an online campaign. [Image: Nintendo]
Hyrule Warriors has couch co-op, no online campaign
Nintendo's upcoming Zelda-themed brawler Hyrule Warriors will not support online co-op campaign gameplay, a Japanese-language promotional Twitter account revealed this week. A local team of players can still play through Hyrule Warriors' campaign in an offline co-op multiplayer mode, which assigns one player to the Wii U GamePad's screen while the television displays their partner's character and viewpoint. Hyrule Warriors will feature online play in some capacity, but its core campaign is strictly offline-only. News of Hyrule Warriors' lack of online play comes shortly after publishing partner Koei Tecmo confirmed that the upcoming Samurai Warriors 4 will feature cross-platform online multiplayer gameplay for the PlayStation 4, PS3 and PS Vita. Online play has been a standard feature for Koei Tecmo's Warriors series and its spinoffs since 2011's Dynasty Warriors 7. Hyrule Warriors launches in North America on September 26. [Image: Nintendo / Koei Tecmo]
Hyrule Warriors gets its own Nintendo Direct stream next week
Nintendo is bringing Hyrule Warriors directly to you in another idiosyncratic broadcast on August 4, with an English version confirmed courtesy of Nintendo of America. The game's Nintendo Direct airs on YouTube and the company's site, and the Zelda-themed carnage is set to begin at the not-so-friendly time of 8PM PT/11PM ET. The news follows confirmation Ocarina of Time's Sheik, Darunia, and Princess Ruto join the Wii U game's cast of heroes - you can see all the playable characters unveiled so far in the video up top. However, there's one must-have inclusion we're still waiting on... Hyrule Warriors hits Europe on September 19 and North America on September 26. In the interim, check out our E3 preview to see why Joystiq's Danny Cowan describes the game as the Zelda beat-em-up you never knew you wanted. [Image: Nintendo]
Atelier dev Gust merges with Koei Tecmo on Oct. 1
Come October 1, Atelier Rorona: Alchemist of Arland developer Gust Co. will officially merge with parent company Koei Tecmo. Though far from a household name in the West, Gust has developed a loyal niche following by offering classically-styled roleplaying games that blatantly pander to time-honored anime tropes. What Gust's games lack in Shakespearian dialogue, they more than make up for in moon-eyed magical girls and solid roleplaying game fundamentals. According to Koei Tecmo (via Gematsu translation), Gust will continue to operate as normal, developing new entries in the Atelier and Ar Tonelico series' as well as new properties, only it will do so under a new name: Gust Nagano Development Group. Koei Tecmo believes this new arrangement will allow Gust to operate more efficiently than it has been under the studio's previous publishing agreement. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Samurai Warriors 4 tenth anniversary edition hits PS4 in October
Koei Tecmo celebrates a decade of historical brawling with an upcoming anniversary collector's edition of Samurai Warriors 4 arriving for the PlayStation 4 in October. Samurai Warriors 4: Special Anime Pack includes a Blu-ray copy of the Samurai Warriors: Legend of the Sanada anime, an official soundtrack CD, and a retail PS4 copy of Samurai Warriors 4. The set also offers a bundle of character customization DLC, adding extra costumes and armor sets for several featured fighters. Samurai Warriors 4 launches in North America on October 24. The Special Anime Pack retails for $74.99. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War charging back onto screens
Flanking us from left field, Koei Tecmo announced Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War & Nightmare is currently in development. Going by Siliconera and Gematsu's translations, it's an enhanced remake of the 2007 real-time tactics PS3 and Xbox 360 game. As returning producer Akihiro Suzuki said in Famitsu, Koei's "looking to expand upon the foundation of the original game, but we also intend to introduce a load of new elements into the game." It's one of those "...wha?" announcements that means Koei Tecmo can get away with holding back platforms and release details for now. So even if a Western release is on the cards, we probably won't hear about it for a while.
Zelda conducts an orchestra of pain in Hyrule Warriors
Proving once again that the most powerful force in Hyrule is a lilting melody, Princess Zelda dispatches hordes of Hyrule Warriors foes using only pent up rage and a conductor's baton. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Fi cuts through hundreds in latest Hyrule Warriors trailer
First introduced in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Fi is the latest character torn from Nintendo's verdant fields to appear in Koei Tecmo's musou beat' em up, Hyrule Warriors. Though Fi is technically not a person - Fi is actually the living embodiment of the Goddess Sword - she has no trouble dispatching enemies en masse. Most of the time, Fi floats through battle, using attacks that are largely magical, though the trailer also includes moments where the character drops the bipedal act in favor of being the aforementioned sword and cutting a Rupee-spattered swath through her foes. Far from the only Legend of Zelda character in Hyrule Warriors, Fi joins perennial protagonist Link, Midna, Impa, Agitha and Lana, among others. Hyrule Warriors is currently scheduled to make its North American Wii U debut on September 26. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Ar nosurge gets limited edition, GameStop pre-order incentives
Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star will bring its musical take on turn-based battles to the PS3 on September 23 for $49.99, but enthusiasts now have the option of paying a little more to snag its limited edition. The NIS America Online Store is offering the above bundle for $64.99, which includes a hardcover art book, a 16 x 23" poster, a physical soundtrack, a collector's box and the JRPG itself. If you've got enough memorabilia taking up shelf space, you can still get exclusive content by picking up the adventure from GameStop. The retailer is offering a "DLC set with two Misogi Expansion Packs (Nay and Kanon), a dynamic custom theme based on the Felion Console." There's plenty going on in Ar nosurge's futuristic fantasy world, and you can start getting acquainted with an introductory trailer after the break. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Samurai Warriors 4 conquers PlayStation platforms Oct. 24
Omega Force's Sengoku-era beat-'em-up Samurai Warriors 4 will premiere for the PlayStation 4, PS3, and PS Vita on October 24, publisher Koei Tecmo announced via a newly launched website. Featuring 55 playable historical figures, Samurai Warriors 4 includes the new Chronicle mode, allowing players and their co-op partners to take on quests using custom characters. The upcoming release heralds the franchise's return to PlayStation platforms following the Wii-exclusive Samurai Warriors 3, and marks the first time the series has appeared on the PlayStation 4. [Image: Koei Tecmo]
Turn-based RPG Ar Nosurge will weave songs in its combat
Some people insist there's an element of magic in music, but that's meant literally in developer Gust's Ar Nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star, which Koei Tecmo will price at $49.99 when it reaches North American PS3s on September 23. The turn-based RPG's battle system will feature pairs of characters, with a melee-savvy offensive type protecting their teammate as they compose damage-dealing songs. Again, that damage is related to magic, so you hopefully won't be penning painful ballads featuring Yoko Ono. Although that does sound like a good way to limit break ... Ar Nosurge's tale of a civilization looking for a new home features two leading pairs. Delta and Casty, who have the low-priority objectives of protecting humanity and saving the world from a life form known as the Sharl, which has suddenly appeared and begun the wholesome activity of abduction. Ar Nosurge's second party, Ion and Earthes, wants to find a way for Ion to return to Earth, but Ar Nosurge's official site also states that they "fight under the belief" that the Sharl should be able to co-exist with humanity. Sounds like our duos may have some logistical disagreements, should they ever cross paths. Gameplay switches between each pair, with a "unique character development system" boosting strengths depending on how well a pair's friendships are managed. Players will switch between each duo as they work toward solving an overarching mystery, which might have something to do with the Sharl just up and kidnapping people. While it's never expanded on, the press release also describes Ar Nosurge as a "7-dimension" RPG, which sounds ... important. [Image: Koei Tecmo USA]
Tecmo Koei now Koei Tecmo in West, Marvelous Inc. drops AQL
2014 is the year of corporate name reversals, it seems. After Namco Bandai became Bandai Namco, Tecmo Koei and MarvelousAQL have decided to get in on the act. Or, as we should say now, Koei Tecmo and Marvelous Inc. It might seem odd, but there is some sense to the moves. When Tecmo and Koei merged in 2009 the resultant company was called Koei Tecmo in Japan, while Western Branches were named Tecmo Koei. Tecmo was the bigger name in the West with the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series among others, so putting the Tecmo name first was a smart move. Five years on, the company wants to move forward under a common name globally, and now we have Koei Tecmo Europe and Koei Tecmo America.
Dead or Alive 5 Plus tags Europe and Australia on March 22
The official Dead or Alive 5 website has outed the European and Australian release date for the upcoming Vita version, Dead or Alive 5 Plus. The portable fighter will arrive on March 22 in these regions, except for lucky France, which apparently gets it a day earlier. The US version of the Dead or Alive 5 site, however, has no release date listed.
Tecmo Koei reports increased revenue in fiscal 2012, Ninja Gaiden 3 ships 630K
Tecmo Koei's revenues for the fiscal year, ended March 31, were 35.5 billion yen ($443.8 million), up 10.7 percent year over year. The company reported strong sales of its games from the last year, including Samurai Warriors 3 Empires, Winning Post 7 2012, and games it co-developed for other publishers, including One Piece Pirate Musou and Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition.Specifically, Tecmo said it shipped 630,000 copies of Ninja Gaiden 3 worldwide. In addition, Tecmo reported that it completed acquisition of Gust in December, a developer that should expand its mobile and online business. The company also plans to grow its revenues in this fiscal year by releasing launch games for unspecified hardware (likely the Wii U if it's something launching this year).
The insatiable need to dominate in Pokemon Conquest
I was more than a little excited when I was tasked with tackling a preview for Tecmo Koei and Nintendo's crossover DS title Pokemon Conquest last week.Conquest crosses the worlds of cute indentured monster servants from Pokemon with Nobunaga's Ambition, a series of Koei strategy games revolving around the bloody unification of feudal Japan by Oda Nobunaga. But Pokemon Conquest, which released in Japan last month as Pokemon + Nobunaga's Ambition, takes itself so seriously as a strategy role-playing game that it isn't the irreverent experience I made it out to be in my mind.%Gallery-154519%
