The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has reviewed Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. According to the regulator, the $68.7 billion deal won’t reduce competition in the market.

Cygames has launched a special scholarship program for Japanese students aspiring to become game developers. This includes monetary payments and internships.

COLOPL, best known for its mobile free-to-play RPG White Cat Project, has decided to help its employees cope with global price hikes. The company will start providing a monthly allowance throughout the year.

Death Stranding developer Kojima Production has announced a new charitable action to support Ukrainian refugees. The company will donate all proceeds from selling special peace sign necklaces.

Tokyo-based Success Corporation has established a special hamster department. This means more games about cute hamsters are coming in the future.

There is a special esports center in Japan made exclusively for older people. The goal is to connect them through video games and help them avoid feeling isolated, especially amid the pandemic.

SocialPeta has published a report of market features and preferred game types in different regional markets in Asia. Here are the key takeaways from the study.

CD Projekt Red has launched its first Kickstarter campaign. The publisher is raising money to release a hard copy collector’s edition manga set in an ancient-Japanese-inspired world where monster slayer Geralt trails the mythical Lady of Snow Yuki Onna.

Sony might be building a brand new studio in Japan to work on new AAA titles that can be successful in Japan as well as in the West.

NetEase is in the late stages of talks to poach Toshihiro Nagoshi from Sega. Nagoshi is best known as the creator of the Yakuza series, and if he does join NetEase, it would strengthen China’s giant in Japan.

Nintendo had a successful financial year, thanks to strong performance of Nintendo Switch and games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Of course, the company’s three directors got huge bonuses, which are still quite small compared to the ones received by Western top managers.

GameRefinery released its quarterly snapshot report for Q1 2021. The report looks at the iOS market in the US, China, and Japan as a whole, including genre and publisher market share, player motivations, and shifts in market trends.

Square Enix is not up for sale despite Bloomberg Japan having reported that there was interest from several buyers to acquire the company.

Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama joined forces with game designer Junya Okura (Gravity Rush, Siren) and game designer / producer Kazunobu Sato (The Last Guardian, Siren). The trio announced a new studio called Bokeh Game Studio.

On December 1, 2020, Square Enix will kick off a permanent work-from-home program to all executive officers and employees.

A federal jury in Marshall, Texas, ruled that Supercell’s titles like Clash of Clans, Clash Royale and Brawl Stars infringe four patents held in the US by Japanese studio Gree. Supercell will now have to pay $8.5 million in royalties to Gree.

Bandai Namco announced the acquisition of Montreal-based Reflector Entertainment, co-founded by ex-Creative Director at Ubisoft. The studio is now making its first game Unknown 9: Awakening.

Nintendo is yet to reveal the next Switch model, but insiders have already shared some information on the hardware.

Apple has come under fire in Japan. Dozens of local developers have criticized the App Store’s policies. Now the tech giant will be investigated by Japan’s antitrust regulator. Surprisingly, it’s not about Apple’s 30% commission.