Steam Reveals First Half 2027 Sale Schedule with New Witch Festival
The 2027 first-half schedule introduces novel themed festivals, continuing Valve's pattern of expanding event programming beyond the traditional seasonal sales.
Game Spark
Elon Musk Announces Full Open-Sourcing of X Codebase
The promise to open source X's entire codebase with third-party verification is a dramatic escalation from the 2023 algorithm release, but the company's failure to update that earlier code raises questions about execution.
GIGAZINE
Kawakami Reduces Drawing Search to One Minute with Dropbox
The case study offers a concrete example of cloud storage reducing a core manufacturing workflow from hours to minutes, supporting the broader push for digital transformation in traditional industries.
ASCII.jp
Fit Boxing 3 Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Launches with Camera Play, Local Multiplayer
The Switch 2 edition offers a paid upgrade path for existing owners and new features that leverage the hardware, while the Ensemble Stars!! DLC continues the series' cross-promotion strategy.
Denfaminicogamer
STRICT-G Releases Six Gundam Local Pins Exclusive to Individual Stores
The pin set extends STRICT-G's model of region-exclusive Gundam merchandise, with each design sold only at one physical store, reinforcing the brand's local tourism tie-ins.
Dengeki Hobby Web
McDonald's Japan and Pokemon Launch 30th Anniversary Burger on July 22
The collaboration marks the first time McDonald's Japan and Pokemon GO have partnered since 2016, when McDonald's served as the game's launch partner in Japan.
4Gamer.net, KAI-YOU, Dengeki Hobby Web
Haruna Kawaguchi's 'Mama ga Mou Kono Sekai ni Inakute mo' Trailer Drops with Vaundy Theme
The trailer release confirms the film's emotional tone and high-profile music collaboration ahead of its October premiere.
Cinema Today
SKY-HI and BE:FIRST Gain Grammy Voting Rights as Recording Academy Members
The selection gives BMSG-affiliated artists a direct vote in Grammy nominations and winners, a practical step toward the label's stated goal of securing a place for J-POP in the international music industry.
KAI-YOU
ASIA DIVE EXPO Japan 2026 to Feature '2126' Exhibition on Ocean Waste and Future
The exhibition frames ocean waste as a problem of present choices that shape the next century, positioning the crowdfunding as a bid to build a participant community rather than simply raise funds.
ASCII.jp
Antre and I. Fujita International Sign MOU for Japan-US Franchise Expansion
The MOU creates a formal channel for franchise brands to cross the Pacific, addressing a market imbalance where US brands outnumber Japanese brands seven to one.
ASCII.jp
Arkheron Closed Beta Test Begins on Steam, 45-Player Tower Climb Battle Royale
The closed beta test represents the next development milestone for Arkheron, incorporating player feedback from alpha and demo tests while introducing modes designed to ease new players into the game.
Automaton
VAMPIR MMORPG Launches July 22 With Up to 1,100 Summon Tickets
The launch marks Netmarble's aggressive entry into the Japanese MMORPG market with a proven Korean hit, leveraging generous launch rewards and a unique combat system to attract players.
Denfaminicogamer
MG Ex-S Gundam/S Gundam Leads Pre-Ban Gunpla Election Interim Results Again
The repeat lead and instant sellout confirm that demand for the MG Ex-S/S Gundam Task Force α kit remains unmet, making it a strong candidate for another reprint after the election.
Inside
The World Is Dancing's First Three Episodes Impress With Thematic Cohesion
The World Is Dancing stands out as a refined, thematically rich entry in the summer season, grounded in historical biography and artistic introspection.
Anime News Network
Ryuta Amazume's Sefure Manga to Conclude on July 27
Amazume continues to close out his ongoing works, with Sefure becoming the latest of his series to conclude in 2025-2026.
Anime News Network
Valve Reveals Steam Sale Schedule Through First Half of 2027
The schedule gives developers and players a clear roadmap for discount windows and themed events through mid-2027.
Denfaminicogamer
Ultraman 60th Anniversary: S.H.Figuarts A-Type and Shin Hayata
The inclusion of a spoon accessory to recreate a specific comedic moment from episode 34 signals a new level of niche, meme-driven detail in premium collector figures, appealing to deep-cut fans.
Dengeki Hobby Web, Magmix
Nagano Characters Get All-Black Plush Toy Lottery With 100cm Bear Prize
The all-black lottery offers a monochrome variant of Nagano's popular character designs, expanding the merchandise line with a cohesive aesthetic.
Inside
Solo Developer Batuhan Ceyhan Announces 'Muhit,' a Low-Poly Istanbul Underworld Game
The game's 1990s Istanbul setting, developed by a local solo developer, offers a perspective on the underworld rarely seen in adventure games, with a deliberate low-poly aesthetic.
Automaton
Verba Prima Randomly Displays Opening Lines of Famous Novels
The site provides a focused way to engage with classic literature through its most memorable first lines, a format that resonates with online discussions about novel openings.
GIGAZINE
Former NOAA Employees Rebuild Climate.gov as Climate.us After Trump Shutdown
The launch of Climate.us shows how government climate data can be preserved by individuals after political shutdowns, but also raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such efforts without official backing.
GIGAZINE
The Mound: Omen of Cthulhu Launches With Co-Op Lovecraftian Horror and Japanese Support
The release brings a niche Lovecraftian co-op horror with a unique madness mechanic to Japanese audiences with full language support, backed by a wishlist-driven discount campaign that exceeded 800,000 registrations.
Game Spark
Ghost in the Shell's Cyberpunk Vision Still Resonates in 2026
The op-ed uses Ghost in the Shell's cyberbrain concept to frame current Neuralink trials, showing how Shirow's 1989 manga still shapes conversations about brain-computer interfaces.
Anime News Network
NCT's Yuta Appears in Kamen Rider Zetts Film as Mysterious Biker
Yuta's cameo and theme song performance mark a notable crossover between the Kamen Rider franchise and K-pop, expanding the film's reach beyond traditional tokusatsu audiences.
Cinema Today