Japanese Archives

TrendTechie

February 22, 2025

5 отличных игр, в которые вы не сможете сыграть. Почему они исчезли даже с торрентов

1. **Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game** was removed from digital storefronts in 2014 due to copyright issues and remained inaccessible until a re-release was announced by Ubisoft in 2020. 2. **P.T.**, an interactive teaser for Silent Hill, was removed from the PlayStation Network after its cancellation by Konami, making it unplayable for those who had downloaded it, with access only for those who had not deleted it. 3. **Tekken Revolution**, a free-to-play game released in 2013, had its servers shut down in 2016, rendering it unplayable. 4. **Battlefield Heroes** was closed down after becoming inundated with pay-to-win elements, despite attempts by fans to create private servers. 5. **Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII**, released in 2004 for Japanese mobile phones, was shut down in 2018, and Square Enix stated that the original code has been lost, making it a complete loss.

Winsage

February 21, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (Beta Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.4950 (KB5052078) has been released to the Beta Channel for Insiders not upgrading to version 24H2. This update includes new features such as a drag tray for easier file sharing, and two new views (grid and category) in the Start menu. Improvements include enhanced text scaling support in File Explorer, fixes for taskbar app window previews, and corrections for Japanese name formatting in Settings. Known issues involve delays in app icon appearances in the Start menu and slow closing of File Explorer for some users. Insiders can enable a toggle for immediate updates via Settings > Windows Update. Features may change or not be released based on testing and feedback.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

Amazon App Store to close on Android

The Android Amazon App Store will close on August 20th, ending the submission of new applications and access to the store on Android devices. The Coins program will also be discontinued on the same date, with refunds for remaining coins. Developers can still submit updates for existing applications until the closure. In-app purchases on Android will be halted for Japanese users but will remain available through other marketplaces. The Amazon App Store will continue to operate on Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Why was Windows 95’s setup text-based? After 29 years, a veteran Microsoft Engineer admits “MS-DOS could do graphics,” but the company opted for a lackluster UI — as Windows 3.1 runtime already checked the missing boxes

On August 24, 2025, Windows 95 will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Microsoft Engineer Raymond Chen explained that the setup process for Windows 95 was primarily text-based due to the challenges of implementing graphics in MS-DOS, despite its technical capabilities. The graphical setup would have required intricate programming and optimization, as MS-DOS graphics were primitive and relied on slow BIOS calls to plot pixels. Windows 95 had a minimum VGA video card requirement, which simplified installation, but managing planar modes for effective graphics rendering was complex. The setup program needed dialog boxes, a window manager, and keyboard support, with additional challenges posed by accommodating non-alphabetic languages. Including animations would have required a scheduler for event management, and the limited storage capacity of 640KB further complicated the process. Although Windows 3.1 had the components for a graphical setup, the justification for creating a new installation process for Windows 95 remains questionable.

BetaBeacon

February 19, 2025

Top 8 mobile games like Stardew Valley

- Harvest Moon: Seeds of Memories is a game where players move to Chestnut Town to transform a ruined farm and create new memories with the people in the town. - Graveyard Keeper is a less wholesome alternative to Stardew Valley where players manage a graveyard and help the people of the town. - Harvest Town is a game similar to Stardew Valley where players reconstruct a family farm and produce goods to sell to the town. - Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a wholesome game where players can customize a campsite, befriend cute animals, and participate in events similar to Stardew Valley. - The Island Castaway is a game where players must survive on an island by growing food, fishing, and providing for the people of the town, similar to Stardew Valley. - Kingdom: Two Crowns is a strategy game inspired by Japanese culture with features similar to Stardew Valley. - New World: Castaway Paradise allows players to create their own tropical island, grow crops, catch fish, and complete quests similar to Stardew Valley. - Spiritfarer is a game where players build a boat, explore a magnificent world, build relationships with characters, and engage in various activities like cooking and fishing, similar to Stardew Valley.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

The Windows 95 setup was text-based for a good reason, Microsoft employee reveals

When installing Windows 95, users encountered a text-based environment rather than a graphical interface. The Windows development team integrated three distinct operating system environments to streamline the installation process. MS-DOS had limited graphical capabilities, requiring the setup team to potentially develop a graphics library from scratch. The minimum requirements for Windows 95 included a VGA video card, and the setup program needed to support ideogram-based languages and simple animations. The final setup utilized the Windows 3.1 runtime, which managed graphics under MS-DOS. This practice of code recycling continues in contemporary Windows versions, which require a "miniature" operating system known as the Windows Preinstallation Environment for setup and repair purposes.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Stories from Sol: The Gun-Dog captures the spirit, as well as the sprites, of the past

Gun-Dog is a sci-fi adventure game inspired by the PC-98 era, featuring pixel art and nostalgic design elements such as chunky save points and CRT-style monitors. The gameplay includes basic verb commands and a limited inventory, reminiscent of classic gaming experiences. The narrative follows a rookie security officer on a chaotic mission aboard a ship with diverse characters, where player choices influence the story. The game combines retro aesthetics with modern gameplay, offering an engaging experience that honors the depth and quality of past adventures while remaining accessible to new players.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Monster Hunter lead producer agrees PC gaming is key for Japanese games: “There are more players than ever playing on PC, including in Japan”

Japanese developers, particularly Capcom, are increasingly recognizing the potential of the PC platform, as evidenced by their commitment to simultaneous PC releases for the Monster Hunter series, specifically with the upcoming launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. Producer Ryozo Tsujimoto noted the growing significance of PC gaming, highlighting the opportunity to attract new players. The beta for Monster Hunter Wilds achieved a peak of 463,798 players, surpassing the numbers of Helldivers 2 and exceeding the launch peak of Monster Hunter World at 334,684 players. Capcom has made adjustments for PC gamers, including lowering system requirements and introducing a benchmarking tool. The director of Monster Hunter Wilds participated in beta testing anonymously, engaging with players without revealing his identity.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Ubisoft Releases Assassin’s Creed Shadows PC & New-Gen Features Trailer

Ubisoft has announced that Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, set in 16th-century feudal Japan. The game features two protagonists: Yasuke, a historical African samurai, and Naoe, a skilled shinobi. It will not be available on older consoles like PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Key features include uncapped frame rates on PC, multiple performance modes on consoles, ray tracing, AI-driven upscaling techniques, and spatial audio technology. The game is powered by the new Anvil engine, designed exclusively for current-generation hardware, and will run at 60 FPS on consoles. Minimum and recommended system requirements for PC have been specified, and the game requires a constant internet connection for activation and online features. Pre-orders are open with multiple editions available.

AppWizard

February 11, 2025

The PC-98 RPG ‘Appare-den: Fukuryū no Shō’ Is Now Playable In English

A fresh English translation patch has been released for the PC-98 RPG Appare-den: Fukuryū no Shō, enhancing accessibility for Western gamers. The game, originally launched in 1995, is a top-down adventure developed by Technical Group Laboratory, focusing on Gento, a general store owner in a reimagined Edo period Japan, who embarks on a quest with a cat-like companion, Benimaru, to deliver a secret scroll and thwart a world domination conspiracy. The game features engaging battle sequences, intricate character animations, and a diverse cast inspired by historical figures and Japanese folklore. The translation patch was developed by 46Okumen, known for their work on other titles, and is currently available for download in version 0.9.9. The team also plans to create a scanlation of the Japanese manual and artbook.