Japanese Video Game Companies Weathering Aftermath Of Earthquake And Tsunami
There has been a lot of news surrounding the recent spate of disasters in Japan. Following an earthquake of unprecedented power just off the coast of the island nation, a subsequent 7 meter tsunami, and now the threat of a full or partial meltdown at a coastal nuclear power plant, many of our readers may be wondering how Japanese video game manufacturers are coping.
- Contrary to an internet rumour, Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri is still alive. Apparently, the rumour was started on Twitter, and has been corrected by the man himself.
- Nintendo of Japan reports that all of its employees are okay, and none of their buildings were damaged.
- Reports indicate that some of Sony's sites have been temporarily shut down due to the disasters but, thankfully, none of its employees at the affected sites were injured. The products created at those sites include Blu-ray and other optical discs, optical devices, semiconductors, and more.
- As faePuck reported, Square-Enix has suspended its on line services not because of damage to their facilities but because of rolling blackouts that are expected to be imposed be power companies, and by request of the Japanese government that the country do what it can to conserve as much energy as possible.
- Meanwhile, Kotaku reports that some big names, like Hideo Kojima, Masahiro Sakurai, and Goichi Suda, have reported on Twitter that they're fine. The article includes a link where you can donate to Red Cross disaster relief in Japan.
- Various reports indicate that companies are now beginning to announce what games and DLC are having their release dates delayed.
- CVG reports on the first announcements of disaster relief donations from companies such as Sony, Nintendo and Bandai.
- Further, if you play Farmville, Frontierville, Cityville, or any other Zynga game, you can donate to disaster relief by buying sweet potatoes, as it was possible to do last year in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.
More as it develops.
