Tag: Coronavirus - Page 2
News Capcom Employee Contracts Coronavirus, Says It Will Prioritise Preventing Further Infection
Located at the company's headquarters
In a press release issued today, Capcom President and CEO Haruhiro Tsujimoto has confirmed that an employee at the company has contracted coronavirus (COVID-19). The release notes that one employee working at Capcom's headquarters in Chuo-ku, Osaka has tested positive for the virus. Capcom promises to work with...
"We are working in unprecedented times"
UK video game retailer GAME has furloughed its staff on full pay until the end of April due to the coronavirus outbreak but cannot say for sure if they will have jobs beyond that point. GAME was forced to close every one of its 247 stores on March 24th when the UK government issued a call to shut all retail...
News Pokémon GO To Throw Out The Rule Book By Offering Stay-At-Home Raid Battles
Pokémon GO Fest to be re-imagined
The latest in a string of new updates for Pokémon GO will see a hugely significant change to the game's signature Raid Battles, as developer Niantic does its bit to help players stay safe at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a
Random Rare Uses Banjo-Kazooie To Remind People To Stay At Home
You can't argue with the bird and bear
For the safety of everyone, and particularly society's most vulnerable, a very clear message is being spread around the world at the moment: stay home. The coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a huge impact on all aspects of life, but game developer Rare is doing its bit to help get that all-important message...
News World Health Organisation Recommends Playing 'Active' Video Games To Stay Healthy At Home
For 30 mins per day
In ongoing efforts to provide support and advice to everyone dealing with the impacts of the coronavirus, The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed 'active' video games as one way to stay healthy. WHO has taken to social media to share a list of physical activities that can be performed at home, helping you to remain active...
News Nintendo Donates Thousands Of Respirator Masks To Fire And Rescue Teams In The United States
Amidst the COVID-19 crisis
A lot of major companies around the world at the moment are doing their part to help combat the spread of the coronavirus outbreak and now Nintendo has joined the fight. As N95 Respirator masks are among some of the most requested items for first responders and health care providers, Nintendo's North Bend production...
News Nintendo Of America Shuts Its Repair Centers To Prevent The Spread Of COVID-19
"We apologize for the inconvenience"
After the closure of Nintendo of America's headquarters and the Nintendo store in New York, the company's repair centers have now had to shut up shop due to preventive measures put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. Here's the full statement: Due to preventive measures put in place for the...
News Updates For Animal Crossing: New Horizons May Be Postponed
"we have to be flexible"
Coronavirus has already delayed certain video game releases and updates, and as much as Nintendo is pushing onwards with its own projects, there's a real chance some of its future releases and planned content may be postponed. Speaking to The Washington Post recently (thanks for the heads up, GoNintendo),
News GameStop Is Temporarily Closing All Of Its Storefronts
Will continue to process orders digitally
The struggling video game retailer GameStop has tried everything possible to remain open during the COVID-19 outbreak, but as of 22nd March will be closing all access to physical stores across the US. An official PR explains how for all locations not already closed in accordance with state and local orders,...
News The Sonic Movie Gets An Early Digital Release At The End Of This Month
Racing out of cinemas
If you weren't able to catch the Sonic The Hedgehog movie in cinemas before the COVID-19 outbreak, there's no need to worry as Paramount Pictures has decided to bring forward the film's digital release. It'll now be made available at the end of this month on 31st March, which is pretty crazy considering its theatrical release...
News Animal Crossing Producer Hopes Fans Will Use New Horizons To "Escape" Reality Right Now
And "enjoy themselves during this difficult time"
It's hard to avoid news about a certain global pandemic right now, and while the Animal Crossing: New Horizons development team isn't exactly thrilled about this, the producer Hisashi Nogami suggests players make the most of it. Speaking to The Verge, Nogami took a moment to talk about all the...
"It's becoming very tiring and frustrating for a lot of us"
This weekend, countless UK Switch owners will flock to their local GAME store to pick up a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, despite the fact that the rest of the country – not to mention much of the world – is currently in the grip of a coronavirus outbreak which is forcing people...
And it didn't go unpunished
Pokémon GO can be a wonderful way to pass the time, but there's definitely a time and a place. Italy is currently in lockdown following a large number of coronavirus cases being reported in the country, and has been since 9th March. At present, people have been told to stay in their homes unless they're running...
News GameStop To Stay Open During COVID-19 Outbreak Because It Is 'Essential Retail'
"Due to the products we carry"
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, stores across the country deemed non-essential are temporarily shutting up shop. According to IGN, struggling video game retailer GameStop has decided not to comply with these ordinances. Leaked internal memos, sent from GameStop corporate, inform stores to...
News GDC Organisers Reveal New Three Day Summer Event For August
The show must go on
At the end of February, this year's Games Developers Conference – scheduled to take place this month, in March – was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. A statement on the GDC website said the plan was to host the annual event later on in summer. Everything has now been sorted and in place of the original conference...
News EVO 2020 Will "Move Forward" With Its Plans, As It Continues To Monitor COVID-19
Fighting fit
Despite a number of high profile video games event such as E3 cancelling plans for this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it appears this year's EVO Championship series in North America is still "moving forward" with its plans. The official Twitter account for EVO 2020 explained how it would continue to actively monitor updates...
One meetup already "postponed indefinitely"
Earlier this week, Masahiro Sakurai's regular column in the Japanese magazine Famitsu leaked online early. While early translations indicated the development of the upcoming DLC fighters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate could potentially be impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, we've now got a full...
News PC Engine Mini Production And Shipment Delayed Indefinitely By Coronavirus
Update: Japanese version now available to order
Update [Wed 18th Mar, 2020]: Well, that was unexpected. The adorable Japanese white PC Engine Mini is now available to order from Play Asia. We're not sure how much stock the online retailer has, so you'd better act fast! <products id="10326"> Update [Fri 6th Mar, 2020 12:05 GMT]: Konami has...
"effective immediately"
Last weekend, Nintendo's New York store released a message via its social media channels, explaining how it would be reducing store hours to combat the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) and protect its employees and guests. Now, in light of recent developments and the advice of health experts, it's made the "difficult...
News Gamescom Is Still Going Ahead For Now, Coronavirus Threat Being Evaluated "Daily"
Official statement provided
With the likes of E3 2020, GDC, and more major gaming events all being postponed or cancelled by the threat of the coronavirus outbreak, the first half of the year is looking a little bare. Naturally, then, all eyes now fall to gamescom which is currently planned for August. The event organisers have issued an official...
Random Real Football Teams Are Using FIFA To Play Matches Postponed By Coronavirus
And Football Manager, too
While the threat of the new coronavirus continues to impact major events across the globe, video games remain just as safe and fun as ever, and real sports team are using this to their advantage in rather wonderful ways. With all major English football leagues enforcing a temporary ceasefire until 3rd April, teams up and...
News Nintendo's New York Store Is Reducing Its Opening Hours To Combat COVID-19
"we are working hard to protect you, and our employees"
Nintendo's New York store will be taking new steps to combat the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, officially known as COVID-19. As of Sunday, 15th March, and continuing for the foreseeable future, the store will reduce its opening hours. From Monday to Friday, it will be open from 11:00 am...
News Coronavirus Isolation Is Causing A Spike In Online Gaming Traffic In Italy
Bored kids flock to games like Fortnite
We're all more than aware of the havoc being caused by the coronavirus outbreak - E3 is the latest major gaming event to be cancelled as a result - but the spread is naturally causing unique situations depending on your location. Italy is one of a number of countries which has decided to close its schools in...
News Nintendo Of America Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
All staff allowed to work from home
After delaying game releases and shutting down this year's E3, the coronavirus outbreak has now hit Nintendo of America's headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The Seattle Times is reporting
News Niantic Updates Pokémon GO To Protect Players From The Coronavirus
Will continue until "further notice"
The COVID-19 pandemic – commonly known as the coronavirus outbreak – has already had a huge impact on the games industry. Certain games have been delayed, Switch stock is in short supply in some locations around the world, and most recently it's resulted in the
Talking Point Has Coronavirus Finally Put E3 Out Of Its Misery?
Game over?
Update: And it's official - E3 2020 has been cancelled. News that E3 2020 is on the verge of being cancelled makes us think of years gone by. There was a time when the mere mention of the Electronic Entertainment Expo gave gamers the world over a spurt of the old dopamine. E3 may have been a comparatively small industry-only event but it...
News Amazon Japan Is Doing Its Part To Defeat Coronavirus By Offering Free Pokémon Anime
Binge while you self-isolate
Like other countries worldwide, Japan is entering a period of lockdown at the moment to combat the spread of the coronavirus – and Amazon Japan is doing its part to help this effort. Lots of Japanese residents are currently undergoing a period of self-isolation to prevent the virus from spreading, and that means...
News Nintendo Joins Microsoft And Bungie With 'Work From Home' Policy In Face Of Coronavirus
"We are continuing to closely monitor COVID-19 developments"
Nintendo and joined the likes of Microsoft and Bungie by bringing in a 'work from home' policy for its staff in the face of the growing threat of the global coronavirus outbreak. Echoing statements released by Microsoft and Destiny studio Bungie, Nintendo told Kotaku: Nintendo of...
News 2020 Pokémon Europe International Championships Are The Latest Coronavirus Victim
Safety is "top priority"
We've already seen several gaming events cancelled, postponed, or otherwise affected by the coronavirus outbreak, and today sees a familiar fate for the 2020 Pokémon Europe International Championships. In a statement issued today
News E3 2020 Concerns Grow As Los Angeles Declares State Of Emergency Over Coronavirus
ESA issues a revised statement
This year's upcoming E3 conference is under threat as its host city, Los Angeles, has today declared a state of emergency over the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Governor Gavin Newsom made the call after a California man sadly lost his life to the virus while onboard a cruise ship. The action has caused E3 event...
News Plague Inc Banned In China As Coronavirus Outbreak Spreads, Switch Version Unaffected
Switch version will still be supported
Strategy simulation game Plague Inc. has been suddenly pulled from the app store in China. The ban has been enforced by the Chinese government following a recent surge in popularity for the title. While the expanded version of the game available on Nintendo Switch and other platforms worldwide naturally...
News E3 2020 "Moving Ahead Full Speed" Despite Coronavirus Concerns
"We will continue to be vigilant"
After seeing a number of publishers pull out of PAX East last week due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak, as well as the postponement of GDC, thoughts naturally fall to another major gaming event coming up in the near future: E3. The 2020 show is set to take place this summer from 9th - 11th June,...
News GDC 2020 Postponed Due To The Coronavirus Outbreak
"we fully intend to host a GDC event later in the summer"
After close consultation with partners and the game development industry and community, this year's Game Developers Conference – scheduled to take place in March – has now been postponed. A statement on the GDC website said the plan was to host the annual event later on in summer and...
News The Pokémon Company Cancels Multiple Store Events In Japan As Coronavirus Cases Rise
Confirmed cases in Japan now number more than 200
As news emerges that Japanese schools are to close until April due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, The Pokémon Company has stated that it will be cancelling a series of live events at its Pokémon Stores across the country. As of February 29th, 2020, the following events have been called off...
Japanese Charts Persona 5 Scramble Dominates As The Coronavirus Sinks Switch Sales
OG Switch only sells 10,000 units
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 17th - 23rd February, revealing that the Switch is still being heavily impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. New release Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers has managed to take both first and second place in the charts this week following its launch on both...
News Ring Fit Adventure Sales Rapidly Increase In China Due To The Coronavirus Outbreak
But there are now global shortages
The coronavirus outbreak – officially known as COVID-19 – has already impacted the production of the Nintendo Switch in China and forced certain game companies operating within the country to
Japanese Charts Switch Lite Sales Soar As Coronavirus Impacts Original Model Production
Hatsune Miku debuts at number one
Famitsu's Japanese chart figures are now in for 10th - 16th February, revealing that the original Nintendo Switch model has been significantly impacted by the coronavirus, as warned by Nintendo. Before we get into hardware sales, let's take our usual look at the software chart. Hatsune Miku: Project Diva MegaMix...
News Production Of The Animal Crossing Switch Bundle Has Been Affected By The Coronavirus
Update: New Japanese pre-order date confirmed
Update (Tue 18th Feb, 2020 11:00 GMT): Following on from the news that the coronavirus outbreak had impacted the production and pre-order dates for the Animal Crossing-themed Switch console in Japan, Nintendo has now confirmed a new reservation date for those looking to get their hands on one...
News New Report Claims Coronavirus Will Cause Switch Shortages In The US And Europe
Despite Nintendo's reassurances
Europe and the US could see Nintendo Switch stock shortages as soon as April due to the coronavirus outbreak, a new report claims. According to Bloomberg, which cites "people with knowledge of [Nintendo's] supply chain" as its source, the company is "likely" to struggle to keep up with Switch stock demands in western...
News Switch Production Not Currently Affected By The Coronavirus In Europe And North America
As Japanese market sees delays
Over the past few days, we've heard several stories of the new coronavirus impacting the production of games and consoles, including the newly-announced Animal Crossing Switch bundle. Pre-orders for the upcoming console have been delayed in Japan following the outbreak, causing Nintendo to apologise to fans. Now,...
News The Outer Worlds Switch Release Gets Delayed Due To The Coronavirus Outbreak
Physical version on cartridge also confirmed
After already failing to release alongside other versions of the game in October last year, The Outer Worlds for Switch has now been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Private Division, the publisher who is handling the release, explained on Twitter how Virtuos – the talented team working on the...
News Switch Production Has Been Impacted By The Coronavirus Outbreak, Admits Nintendo
Outbreak has claimed 170 lives so far
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has revealed that production of the Switch in China has been impacted by the recent coronavirus outbreak. The admission came during a news briefing following the publication of Nintendo's financial results, according to Reuters. The co