Koji Aizawa's Recent Blog Entries

• Recession Breakers

  Famitsu’s Koji Aizawa looks over the titles that fly in the face of tough times.

  
  
  In better days, big companies like Sony and Toyota would symbolise Japan’s economic strength. Now they’re posting losses, jobs are being lost and people’s quality of life is being directly affected – usually negatively.
  
  Japan isn’t immune to the global recession and financial downturn that is hitting the world over. But a belief still persists that the videogame industry somehow is. Surely this is just wishful thinking? Weirdly, no.
  
  March 2, 2009
• The Year Ahead for Japan
  What were Japan’s biggest games in 2008, and how will that differ over the next twelve months?

  I think it’s probably safe to embark on a round-up of the past year’s events without worrying that the remaining days hold too many surprises for the Japanese industry.
  
  It’s been a quiet year on the corporate side, and with the Christmas releases already on the shelves it’s hard to foresee any massive upset. Certainly not in terms of software, where it would take a miracle to top Capcom’s success with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd Generation.
  
  January 14, 2009
• Can Nintendo Up "Gamer" Appeal?

  Famitsu's Koji Aizawa is excited about the prospect.

  You might have noticed that Nintendo held a conference at the beginning of October. It was filled with announcements and for once felt like a real show, which was enough to get most of us a little excited.
  

  November 5, 2008