Japanese game maker Nintendo's profits hurt by chips crunch

A.D. Amorosi Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard, who has curated a new Yoko Ono tribute album, “Ocean Child,” says that his first true introduction to Ono’s work came during a crate-digging session 20 years ago.“I found a copy of “Feeling the Space,” in the ‘O’ section of a dusty record store, thinking it would be what I imaged to have been her more challenging avant-garde stuff,” says Gibbard, talking about Ono’s self-produced 1973 album.

Clams Casino has shared details of a new project made in collaboration with Japanese pianist and producer Ryota Nozaki. The duo, Nozaki is also known as Jazztronik, will release Winter Flower Reimagined on March 11.

Russian Olympics Committee figure skater Kamila Valieva, 15, failed to medal in her free skate on February. 17, with a few disastrous falls, and U.S. Figure Skater Adam Rippon is responding to the mess. “What a s–t show omg,” he wrote on Twitter following the news on Thursday. Adam has openly expressed his chagrin for the Russian skater ever since she was granted approval to continue to compete in the Olympics after testing positive for a banned substance.

MAJOR Scottish motor dealer Macklin Motors has won the Toyota franchise in the west of Scotland from the beginning of April.

Jonathan Cohen Willie Nelson and Family, Japanese Breakfast, Allison Russell, Weyes Blood, Adia Victoria, Delta Spirit, Charlie Crockett and Chuck Prophet & Mission Express lead the lineup for the 10th anniversary edition of Luck Reunion, to be held March 17 on Nelson’s 500-acre ranch about 30 miles north of Austin. With a capacity of 3,500, the Southwest Airlines-sponsored event is already sold out, but a handful of tickets are traditionally made available closer to the date.Luck Reunion takes place in and around structures first built on the property in 1985 as sets for the Nelson-starring movie “Red Headed Stranger,” making it one of the most unique festival experiences in the United States amid a concert industry dominated by large corporations.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorSpotter, a two-year-old startup that acquires rights to the video catalogs of YouTubers, announced $200 million in new funding led by Japan’s SoftBank. Spotter said that gives it a valuation of $1.7 billion — and will let the company invest $1 billion with YouTube creators.The Series D in financing from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 follows the $555 million in funding Spotter raised across three previously undisclosed rounds of financing.

Super Mario RPG has said that if he could, he would like a sequel to be his final game.Speaking to MinnMax, with transcriptions from NintendoLife, Super Mario RPG director Chihiro Fujioka spoke about the development of the Square Enix produced JRPG, and also noted that he would like to make a follow-up to the game. “Yeah, I would absolutely love to make one,” Fujioka responded when asked if he wanted to work on a Mario RPG again.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentLoco Films, the Paris-based world sales and production company, has unveiled the trailer for Yulia Trofimova’s feature debut “The Land of Sasha” which is premiering today at the Berlinale, in the Generation 14plus strand.“The Land of Sahsa” tells the story of an indecisive 18-year-old struggling to pursue his desire to become a painter as his mother urges him to choose a safer career path. The sudden appearance of the boy’s estranged father complicates things further. But when Sasha has an unexpected encounter with an unusual girl called Zhenia, he realizes he has no choice but to finally grow up.“The Land of Sasha” was produced by Katerina Mikhaylova and Konstantin Fam for Moscow-based Vega Film.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentMK2 Films, the banner behind Joachim Trier’s “The Worst Person in the World,” has boarded “Love Life,” the anticipated next film of laureled Japanese director Koji Fukada. Fukada’s credits include the 2016 movie “Harmonium” which won the jury prize at Cannes’ Un Certain Regard, as well as “A Girl Missing” which played at Toronto. His latest film, “The Real Thing” was part of Cannes 2020’s Official Selection.

EXCLUSIVE: Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla cast member Ken Watanabe has joined his upcoming New Regency film True Love in a role originally to have been played by Benedict Wong, following the latter actor’s departure due to scheduling conflicts.

Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car made history this morning, becoming the first Japanese film ever to score an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. What’s more, Hamaguchi is now only the third Japanese filmmaker to be nominated in the Best Director category. With nods in further key categories Best International Feature and Best Adapted Screenplay, Drive My Car has four nominations total, tying Akira Kurosawa’s Ran as the most-nominated film ever from Japan (though the latter was a French co-production).

It’s early days at the XXIV Olympic Winter Games, but NBC must already be praying for some Gold medal glory or the Super Bowl to give them a boost. Right now, coming off record low viewership in the first night of primetime coverage, the billions the Comcast-owned network fork out to broadcast the Games until 2032 isn’t looking like money well spent.

Nintendo reportedly hints at making its next console backwards compatible with the Nintendo Switch.Following the announcement that the Nintendo Switch has sold 103.54million units since it was launched in March 2017, the company reportedly spoke on the future of its consoles in a new Q&A with investors (thanks, VGC).According to Japan-based analyst and investment adviser David Gibson, who summarised the answers on Twitter, the company is ready to make its next console backwards compatible.Responding to a question regarding the Switch’s 98million annual players and how they will factor into the next console, Nintendo said: “Into 6th year of Switch and we are maintaining momentum, we are looking at how to expand and grow this 100m users, leading into next-gen device.”Q) How think about the 98m versus next console?A) Into 6th year of Switch and we are maintaining momentum, we are looking at how to expand and grow this 100m users, leading into next gen device (sounds like next device will be backward compatible!) 7/— David Gibson (@gibbogame) February 3, 2022Gibson also added his theory to the Tweet, saying, “sounds like next device will be backward compatible,” although Nintendo didn’t elaborate.The company was also asked how new console users are buying their games. Nintendo said that around 60 per cent of game purchases were from the console’s catalogue in the last fiscal year.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than to treat yourself to some whimsical, romance-inspired nail art? Whether you’re in a relationship or championing “self-love” this year, we’ve spotted some amazing designs to give you all the inspo you need for your next trip to the salon. From subtle feminine shades to fun and flirty patterns, there really is something for everyone to fall in love with.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Mario Cantone returned to the 'And Just Like That. . .

TOKYO -- Sony’s profit for the quarter through December edged up 11% on healthy sales from its film division, including the new Spider-Man movie, the Japanese electronics and entertainment company said Wednesday.Tokyo-based Sony Corp. recorded a 346 billion yen ($3 billion) profit for the fiscal third quarter, up from 310.7 billion yen the previous year.Quarterly sales edged up to 3 trillion yen ($26 billion) from 2.7 trillion yen.Sony said strong offerings in its music division, like the album “30" from Adele; movies like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and licensing income from the “Seinfeld” series lifted earnings.Its imaging and sensor unit also posted solid results.In video games, sales fell short of expectations as a parts supply crunch, especially of semiconductors, dented sales of its PlayStation 5 machine, Sony said.The company's chief financial officer, Hiroki Totoki, said Sony's acquisition of Bungie Inc., known for its Halo and Destiny games, for $3.6 billion highlighted its commitment to the gaming business.The purchase includes payments to the shareholder creators at the independent studio to ensure their retention, he said.Analysts say the addition complements Sony’s strength in shooting games and will further solidify its position.But competition is heating up in the video game industry.Microsoft Corp.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefSony’s pictures division achieved net profits of $1.3 billion in the three months to December 2021, boosted by a return to theatrical releasing and the blockbuster performance of “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” The $1.31 billion figure compares with profits of $194 million in the equivalent quarter of 2020, and with profits of $288 million in the preceding three months to end of September 2021.Parent company, Sony Group’s net profits grew by 20% in the three months to December 2021 hitting JPY461 billion. Sales were up by 13% to JPY3.03 trillion.The bumper results, unusually, made the pictures division the largest contributor to Sony’s consolidated net profits.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCountry artist Mickey Guyton will sing the National Anthem, R&B singer Jhene Aiko will perform “America the Beautiful,” and gospel act Mary Mary will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” accompanied by the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, as part of the pre-game ceremonies for the Super Bowl on Feb. 13, the NFL announced on Tuesday.Also, actress Sandra Mae Frank will perform the National Anthem and “America the Beautiful in American sign language on behalf of the National Association of the Deaf, and veteran DJ-producer Zedd will act as the official pregame DJ during player warmups.The choices speak to the NFL’s recent moves toward greater diversity, announced when it first teamed up with Roc Nation as an entertainment consultant in 2019.

Mark Schilling Japan CorrespondentIshihara Shintaro, the former Tokyo governor who first became known as the chronicler of the “Sun Tribe,” privileged kids living lives of leisure and license amidst the poverty of postwar Japan, has died aged 89. The cause of death was not announced.Ishihara’s 1955 award-winning novel “Season of the Sun” was the basis for the 1956 Nakahira Ko film “Crazed Fruit” that launched the “Sun Tribe” boom.