2013

From Koei Tecmo Wiki

Contains news concerning Koei Tecmo's activities in the year 2013.

January

  • The Valentine's Day live event for Daikoukai Jidai Online 2nd Age has been announced with events and screenshots.
  • CWS Brains and GREE's social game, 100man-nin no Hyper World Soccer!, has been renewed with new player cards and graphics.
  • A limited version of the Power Up Kit expansion of Nobunaga no Yabou Tendou is scheduled for Japan's stores on White Day. It is being released to celebrate the series's 30th year anniversary.
  • The Treasure Box edition of the PlayStation Portable revamp of Portable/ Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Hachiyoushou~ is revealed. It includes items from previous Treasure Box versions and new merchandise for consumers.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Ryujin Ranbu's upcoming updates include a new weapon, another chance to collect the Himiko and Hanbei character parts, and a fireworks event to celebrate the Chinese new year. These changes and more will go live on Japan's servers January 17th.
  • A Power Up Kit expansion for the PC version of Sangokushi 12 is scheduled for Japan's stores in March this year. It includes the new additions found in home console versions and the new ability to make edit characters who were considered a different ethnic group than Han Chinese. Consumers who pre-order the title can obtain an additional disc containing special edit character data for both the game's scenarios and the online modes.
  • The first update for Nobunaga no Yabou Online this year is a harder version of the Nagashino dungeon.
    • A lottery event is being held to celebrate the online game's tenth year anniversary.
  • An official video digest of the media event announcing AKB48 no Yabou is up on the idol group's Youtube channel. Players who preregister for the social game's service can obtain rare character cards for their deck once they start playing.
    • The personages for participating members and other details regarding the game's setting is up for viewing on the renovated official website.
    • Services for the social began in Japan on January 30th.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou SLASH is free to download and play at iTunes App Store and Google Play for smartphone users. Players who play within the first week of the game's release (January 8th) can obtain ten "my Meatbuns", items which can restore the player character's energy. Consumers who purchase Smartphone GameR can obtain super rare items.

February

  • Daikoukai Jidai Online is preparing for its eighth year anniversary of service with an extensive update. Registered players may wish to purchase the celebratory virtual pack, Kaizoku Oh no Sairin for several exclusive items and tidbits for their characters.
  • Koei-Tecmo is celebrating Winning Post's twentieth year anniversary with a present campaign. my GAMECITY users who purchase Winning Post 7 2013 can enter their product code for a chance to win tickets to horse races, autographs of famous Japanese jockeys, and/or horse racing merchandise.
  • This year's Neoromance White Day character messages changes depending on the type of chocolate. Normal chocolates are standard, but a favorable chocolate (honmei choco) offers a unique quote and character visual. Each purchase for the White Day campaign offers four normal messages and one favorable one; only registered my GAMECITY users can receive these messages.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Ryujin Ranbu is having a Guan Yu themed update on its Japanese servers on February 21st. Players can collect a revised version of his weapon and obtain parts of his outfit for their avatars. Other events and campaigns are also mentioned within the press report.
    • Players can submit their characters ideas to the developers in the game's new title contest. The theme is open, so any idea which follows the contest's proper guidelines will be accepted for viewing. The winning ideas will be implemented into the game in the summer.
  • The newest update scheduled for Nobunaga no Yabou Online is Shizugatake, the fourth chapter in the Hideyoshi centric story arc. Various upgrades to the vassal system are also planned.
  • Japan Otome ♥ Festival 3 is collaborating with various Tokyo restaurants for the event. The menu for each restaurant varies, yet each store will provide extra space and seating for cosplayers.
  • Koei-Tecmo's net profits are currently 3.3 times higher than they were last year, an 12.9% increase over than the company's predictions. Four analysts have judged the company's stocks to be moderate and 5.4％ higher than average.

March

April

  • Inside-Games has posted their in-depth March interview with Nobuhisa Hiroshige, the producer of AKB48 no Yabou. He explains how this crossover spin-off of the Yabou series came into being with a different perspective than Kou Shibusawa.
  • Daikoukai Jidai Online 2nd Age is initiating its third crossover with Samurai Cats. Players of the MMORPG can participate in a limited time event to help stranded kitty soldiers. The social game reward for completing the quest is a Treasure card of the Tenshō embassy as cats; MMORPG players can earn Date Masiamune as their in-game pet. The miniature quiz on the official page determines the taker's similarities to a kitty general; completing it rewards a serial code for a begging cat statue in Daikoukai Jidai Online.
  • Newgin's website for Sengoku Pachislot Nobunaga no Yabou ~Tenka Sousei~ has updated to include specs, a free to download app, and additional movies for viewing.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Ryujin Ranbu will have a Pang Tong themed update on April 11th. Players can use a revised version of his weapon moveset and participate in events for avatar parts of his costume. Other items and events planned for the update can be seen in the press report at 4Gamer.
  • Koei-Tecmo is sponsoring Sanada Sandai Sengoku Rekishi Keitei, a special written exam which focuses on the historical exploits of figures found within the famous generations of the Sanada clan: Yukitaka, Masayuki, Nobuyuki, and Nobushige "Yukimura". This is the second test the company has backed, the first one being a Nobunaga themed one. People who sign up and arrive at the site can receive serial codes for 100man-nin no Nobunaga no Yabou, Nobunaga no Yabou Online, and Samurai Cats.
  • Net Entertainment Festa 2013 continues to bring the latest information and future updates straight from the mouths of developers for Koei's three active MMORPGs: Nobunaga no Yabou Online, Uncharted Waters Online, and Dynasty Warriors Online. It is scheduled to take place April 21st, 14:00 ~ 17:15 (JST). Niconico Douga users can watch these presentations live through the official website link.
    • Viewers and attendees who watched the program can enter "clark" (クラーク) within the event's mail address to win randomized merchandise from the three MMORPGs. Three watchers can win a single copy of the current expansions autographed by the two MCs for the program, Masaya Onosaka and Eiji Takemoto.
    • Kazuhiro Watanabe, the producer of Nobunaga no Yabou Online, presented the prizes and winners for the my GAMECITY manor contest held back in February through mid March after an in-game presentation of the mansion. Tenka Mugen no Shou, the newest expansion which will be live July 10th for PC and PlayStation 3 servers, is based within a fantasy world in which Nobunaga lives past Honnōji. The director briefly summarized several changes planned for this update: a real time co-op option for battles, a new player ability to summon ancient gods and spirits, a higher level cap at 77, an entirely revised world map, an option to form groups regardless of the players' respective servers, and a "warriors' dojo" for easier community gatherings. Azuchi Castle will become a key location for players to meet.
    • Tomokazu Takeda, the current producer of Uncharted Waters Online, and Takemoto logged into the game to showcase the general game. Players within the vicinity immediately recognized Takemoto's "Porto Takemoto" avatar and joined him for a live event at sea. Second Age will have a Chapter 4 update which includes the Swedish Empire, the Thirty Years' War, and the option for players to host their own personal bazaar into the game. These events and other changes are planned to be live in July.
    • Kazuhiro Echigoya, the current producer of Dynasty Warriors Online, instructed Takemoto and Onosaka how to play in a beginners' battle royal with twenty-two other players. The newest expansion pack is simply Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z (Zetto); it will finally update the game with Dynasty Warriors 7 characters, visuals, and graphics. Player characters can wield two weapons and can further alter their moveset with personal skills. A cellphone log-in ala Uncharted Waters Online is also in the works for this MMORPG. Z will be active on Japan's servers on July 18th.
  • A merchandise and desserts fair for the Kiniro no Corda series is being held within MaruOne. Shoppers who received store credits from the previous Harukanaru Toki no Naka de themed event can transfer their points for this event. Merchandise from the Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors series will additionally be presented. Collaboration desserts made by Patisserie Swallowtail continue to be offered for eating.
  • Winning Post 7 2013 has been announced for the PS Vita. Its analog or downloadable version can be purchased on June 20th.
  • Koei-Tecmo's fiscal report has been revised since last month. Their traditional full-year operating income, 7 billion yen, has dropped to 5.8 billion yen. Turnover was 39 billion yen and was lowered to 34 billion, a 4.3% drop. The public reason for the changes has been stated due to home console games failing to reach predicted sale numbers. This has caused a revision and postponement for the company's unnamed social game projects. The company's budget is expected to improve thanks to their non-profit efforts and financial revisions regarding its income.

May

  • Nobunaga no Yabou Online Tenka Mugen no Shou's website has updated with an opening movie and visuals for the expansion's pre-order bonuses.
  • A voice actor event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Kiniro no Corda series will be held at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center in July 27th to 28th. Ticket sales are available from May 24th to June 3rd. Traveling plans to the event are also offered until May 22nd.
  • The fourteenth Nobunaga's Ambition title, Nobunaga no Yabou Souzou, has finally been teased with information and visuals. Kenichi Ogasawara from Omega Force is the producer. The key sales points are "reality", "dynamic", and "dramatic".
    • The media event to reveal the title additionally mentioned a cohesive boxset which includes previous titles, soundtracks, and artworks of the series for Windows users; it is scheduled for purchase on September 20th this year. Collaboration projects to celebrate the series's 30th year anniversary during the summer have been revealed as well.
    • my GAMECITY users can answer a survey to state their favorite title in the series. One user may receive a book autographed by Kou Shibusawa. Every participant can receive a specific ticket for drawing Nobunaga's Ambition cards in Card Collection.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Ryujin Ranbu will include Da Ji's weapon for players' usage on May 16th. A new set of clothes and other miniature events for items can be seen within the press report.
  • Daikoukai Jidai Online 2nd Age is planning a new historical spectator event with the Ottoman Empire and Mehmed the Conqueror as its focus.
    • A spectator historical event showing the beginnings of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange is planned for Japanese servers in June.
  • Koei-Tecmo has publicly released their financial report for March 2013. Profits are overall higher than they were last year –despite the report from last month stating that the company failed to reach predictions they made earlier in the year– and are expected to keep rising for the fourth quarter. Although the file is not specific about the changes to project funding mentioned last month, a statement encourages consumers to continue expecting "quality and satisfaction" in their products. This roughly echoes Kou Shibusawa's words in his interview with Nikkei Trendy.

June

  • Koei-Tecmo is offering a special discount for their latest and upcoming games to shareholders as thanks for their support.
  • September 19th marks the tenth anniversary of Kiniro no Corda. Another stage event called 10th Birthday has been announced to celebrate it. It's one of the many projects announced this month for the anniversary, aside from Kiniro no Corda 3 Full Voice Special and four character duet CDs.
  • Daikoukai Jidai Online 2nd Age will have its Chapter 4 update, Northern Lion, live on servers July 2nd. The update features Gustav II Adolf as the historical star and focus. Other events and changes for the update are available for viewing on its new informational site.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Ryujin Ranbu will be featuring a Sun Shangxiang themed update on June 20th. Players will be able to use a revised version of her weapon moveset and participate in special events for avatar parts based on her costume. Other items and events planned for the update can be seen in the press report at Gpara.
  • Winning Post 7 2013 will be available for purchase on June 20th for the PS Vita. Sample gameplay footage can be seen at Youtube.
    • This year marks the 20th year anniversary for the Winning Post series. Koei-Tecmo is holding another collaboration with Tokyo City Keiba to celebrate. The event will have the latest Winning Post game present and serial codes for its social game adaptation.
    • Photos of the race and booth can be seen in Famitsu's report.
  • Aside from TAKERU's live performance of Toukiden's main theme, LivestRow Basiscape Band will perform a musical tribute to Opoona at JAPAN Game Music Festival.
  • A few of the summer collaborations to celebrate Nobunaga's Ambition's thirtieth year anniversary have been revealed and updated on its official website. Midway results of the questionnaire for fans' favorite title in the series have been posted.
  • Nobunaga no Yabou Online is celebrating its ten years of service with a battle royal across its servers. For this massive PVP event, players can join factions which represent every major story arc or special event created in the MMORPG. NPCs from previous expansions return for the one-time campaign. The event lasts until the end of June in order to prepare for Tenka Mugen no Shou's service.
    • Details regarding Tenka Mugen no Shou's features will gradually be updated on its official website throughout this month to prepare players for the update on July 10th. The first update roughly outlined Honnouji, the first major scenario of the expansion, and revealed Mitsuhide's revised appearance. The second update bullet points the new "summoning" feature and mentions a higher level cap.

July

  • Koei-Tecmo is having its second Real Escape Game collaboration with SCRAP. This event is called Aru Keibajou kara no Dasshu, a Winning Post themed puzzle game. Serial codes for the series's social game will be available for participants.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z will be live on Japan's servers on July 18th. A report about the initial changes, events, and an interview with the producer (Kazuhiro Echigoya) can be seen at Online Gamer.
    • A Niconico Live broadcast is scheduled for June 17th, 22:00 (JST). Special guests join Junichi Yanagisawa (a developer for Online') for a live showcase of the new expansion's features.
    • In-depth details for the expansion's latest events and weapons are finally up for viewing online.
  • Koei-Tecmo posted several job openings at Indeed.com.
    • The company plans to make a comeback in the Japanese arcade market. It'll be a collaboration project with Sega to place machines into 800 shops and game centers by the end of the year. The likely candidate for this plan is Tecmo's DEAD OR ALIVE series, which was in arcades years before but ceased before the company merger.
  • The chapter 4 update, Northern Lion, in Daikoukai Jidai Online 2nd Age is now live on Japan's servers.
    • A screenshot contest is being held with "summer" or "innovations of the new age" as the main themes. Players who have their screenshot chosen win special items exclusive to the contest.
    • Developers have laid out their road map for the next two months.
  • More details for Nobunaga's Ambition summer celebration for its 30th year anniversary are up for viewing on its official website. This update features bonuses seen within the series's online MMORPG and social games which will occur later this month.
    • Email Koei-Tecmo the name Nobunaga no Yabou Souzou for a chance to win various prizes.
    • The series's thirtieth anniversary is one of the topics covered in the book, 2013 CESA Games White Paper.
    • A Premium box for both the 3DS Nobunaga's Ambition and Romance of the Three Kingdoms has been revealed. Both games will be available for purchase in Japan on September 19th.
      • New features for the aforementioned 3DS ports can be seen at Gamer.
    • Three collaborations with the live action film adaptation of Time Scoop Hunter have been announced and revealed. Registered players can obtain rare items which reference the film or its protagonist. The main protagonist's glasses will be in a limited time event in Tenka Mugen no Shou.
    • Nobunaga no Yabou Online held a special Niconico Live broadcast for its ten year anniversary on July 7th, 14:00 (JST). The producer (Tomohiro Watanabe) and director (Yutaka Kawamata) were present to introduce the latest information for the MMORPG's newest expansion, which the producer says has been improved greatly due to input from beta testers.
      • Special guests for the event were Kagekiyo (long time beta tester from MMORPG's initial service) and Mikako (history idol). Kenji Kawai has been confirmed to return for music in Tenka Mugen no Shou; this time, he says he wants to have a rock fusion theme in the game's music. The second major update is scheduled to take place in November. After introducing the rough schedule of the expansion's updates and reminiscing about the first company document with the online adaptation's prototype name, the majority of the program was spent on Q & A. Watanabe (and occasionally Kawamata) were drilled from either Kagekiyo, Mikako, or Niconico users with concerns about the game's servers, battles, classes, and other gameplay features. Additional coverage for the event can be read and seen at GAMEWATCH and 4Gamer.

August

  • Niconico users can tune into a live broadcast celebrating Kiniro no Corda's ten year anniversary on September 2nd (JST). Regular Neoromance MC, Hajime Kuon, hosts with Kentarō Itō (Tsuchiura and Yagisawa) and Yuuya Uchida (Kira and Daichi) as guests.
  • Kou Shibusawa is one of the guests scheduled to be a part of the Manatsu no Time Scoop Hunter no Matsuri, a Niconico Live broadcast to hype the TV show's first upcoming film adaptation which opens in Japan's theaters on August 30th, Azuchi-jo Saigo no Ichinichi. His appearance is a part of Koei-Tecmo's long running collaboration with the film. The film's plot has the time-traveling journalists of the show trying to learn the "true history" of Azuchi Castle by following the normal people who lived near in 1576 and during the castle's fall.
  • Koei-Tecmo has licensed an online adaptation of Sangokushi Sousouden tentatively titled, Sangokushi Sousouden Online. It will be published by NEXON and is currently revealed to be a Free-To-Play game with monetary fees for certain items. Players residing in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau can expect to play it sometime in the future. The game is roughly described as a war simulation in which players can raise and strengthen their armies during one of the game's scenarios.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z has announced its planned events and campaigns for the rest of August. Details and screenshots can be seen within the press report.
  • Details for Aru Keibajou kara no Dasshu, a Real Escape Game version of 100man-nin no Winning Post, are up for viewing on the official website. The serial code bonuses for participants now have visuals.
  • Nintendo Direct featured gameplay footage and the new additions for the upcoming Nobunaga no Yabou 3DS port. Satoru Iwata was dressed in a short traditional Japanese vest lent to him by Koei-Tecmo and waved a war baton at the end of his presentation for the game.
    • The home console versions of Sangokushi 12 with PK now has details regarding their exclusive scenario and strategist only feature available for viewing on the official website.
    • The Nintendo 3DS adaptations of Nobunaga no Yabou and Sangokushi have updated their websites with more details and screenshots for each game's additions.
    • Promotional videos for Nobunaga no Yabou and the home console edition of Sangokushi 12 with Power Up Kit are up for viewing on the official Youtube channel.
    • Nobunaga no Yabou Souzou is scheduled to be out in Japan's stores on November 14th. More details about the game's layout and battle sequences are now up for viewing at Famitsu.
  • Daikoukai Jidai Online 2nd Age is celebrating summer with its annual fireworks festival, a new set of mission challenges, and a special campaign for new characters.
  • Nobunaga no Yabou Souzou has updated its official website with a general outline of the game's 3D layout and system.
  • Nobunaga no Yabou Online Tenka Mugen no Shou's first update of the month is a new dungeon. Players can work together with local deities to exterminate various monstrosities. New divine generals can be used by players starting with this update.
    • Details for the MMORPG's annual fireworks festival is up for viewing. Japanese players can enjoy the spectacle in the game which they can't currently enjoy in real life.

September

  • Koei-Tecmo has announced a new social game called Mogitate Bishoujo Yakyu! Pretty Nine, an idol baseball game. Nico Nico users can watch the media event revealing details and producer credits live on October 1st, 14:20 (JST) at Nico Nico Live.
  • Sangokushi 12 Taisenban, a free to play cross network version of the online versus mode from Sangokushi 12, has finished its beta stages and is scheduled for public download on the PlayStation Network on September 26th. Various video game magazines were invited to a mass media play test and tournament hosted by the game's producer, Ken Kitami.
  • Koei-Tecmo is starting autumn with a special giveaway for Nobunaga's Ambition fans in October. A classical concert for the series has been moved to winter on December 19th. Select players of the series's social games can receive serial codes if they attend the performance. Oda Nobunyaga is additionally scheduled to appear at Gifu Nobunaga Matsuri as a part of a collaboration project.
  • The official website for the Kiniro no Corda 3 Another Sky titles has updated to include rough story outlines and character introductions. Players can view the romanceable characters and which characters from the original game will appear in each individual port.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z will feature a weapon update for the Spiral Lance, Deng Ai's EX weapon, on September 19th. Other updates include a new outfit for player avatar, a chance to collect Xingcai's outfit parts, and a limited time garden event.
  • During SCEJA Press Conference 2013, a short teaser confirmed that Sengoku Musou 4 –a title which was teased over a year ago on the producer's Twitter to be out in 2014– will be on the PlayStation Vita. This was the only new detail which was revealed for the title.
  • The developer's road map for Nobunaga no Yabou Online has updated with events and changes planned for this month. Players can participate in the Nobunaga side of an original Nobunaga vs. Ieyasu conflict. Army formations are being altered with a higher level cap and more special abilities.
    • Details and images for this year's moon viewing festival are up online. Players can take part on September 11th.
  • New screenshots and details for the battle system, historical events, and scenarios in the upcoming Nobunaga no Yabou Souzou are up for viewing at Famitsu.
    • Snippets of Souzou's cinematics and gameplay footage were shown in a collage video for the PlayStation 3 lineup in SCEJA Press Conference 2013.
    • Serial code tie-ins with other Nobunaga no Yabou IPs have been revealed on the official website.
  • Details for this year's Harvest Moon event in Daikoukai Jidai Online 2nd Age are up for viewing. Other updates planned for this month include a Shangri-la themed treasure hunt and Hawaiian pirates. my GAMECITY users can enter a contest to decide a new profession in the MMORPG by joining its official community and submitting their entry.
    • The October "Autumn Festivals" update has been revealed. Screenshots and a few notes for this year's Beer Festival and Halloween events are up. October signals another change in the World Clock, which is explained to players by the MMORPG's two mascot apprentices Meme and Lisa.
    • The sixth expansion pack, Gran Atlas, has been announced to be in service by December this year.

October

November

  • Koei-Tecmo's official website for this year's Jump Festa is up for viewing.
  • Daikoukai Jidai Online ~Gran Atlas~, the latest expansion pack for the MMORPG, will be live on Japan's servers on December 3rd. Early play impressions and screenshots for the expansion's features can be seen on various Japanese newsites such as Gamer and 4Gamer.
  • Shin Sangoku Musou Online Z is preparing to celebrate six years of consecutive service with various presents available for players who simply log-in to their accounts. It ties into the first major update planned for the expansion, Rising 1.
  • The latest entry for the Winning Post series is going to be Winning Post 8 scheduled to be on the PlayStation 3 and PSVita. It will be available for purchase in Japan next year on March 27th. The PC version will be out on February 28th. The game now begins with their player's character birth to detail their lives as horse raisers; players can then raise their children or grandchildren in a heavily revised, all 3D horse raising system.
    • 100man-nin no Winning Post is holding a collaboration event with renowned Japanese horse breeder Takao Tsuda. Players can raise their horses for his avatar's personal judgment during the limited time event.
  • On November 29th (JST), Neoromance fans could watch a special NicoNico Live broadcast before the 20th anniversary stage event. Show Hayami and Ryotaro Okiayu will be present with Kuon serving as the MC.
  • Hideki Sakamoto and Kenji Nakajo will be performing Toukiden and Samurai Warriors tunes live at Okinawa Game Takt.
  • The celebration of 30 years of Nobunaga's Ambition continues with a collaboration with the Kiku Masamune Brewery. Alcohol enthusiasts can purchase two bottles of a Nobunaga's Ambition blend for the brewery's December lineup. One is dedicated to the series, while the either is made in the fourteenth title's honor.
    • Nobunaga no Yabou Souzou has finished its development and is celebrating with a media event. This is being broadcast live to NicoNico Live on November 12th, 14:00 (JST).
    • Another live broadcast held with the game's producer, Kenichi Ogasawara, and other figures will be held on NicoNico Live on December 1st, (JST). Eiji Takemoto will be serving as the main host.
  • Zakzak's article on Mogitate Bijo Yakyu! Pretty Nine informs readers that it was created with the intents of increasing interest in baseball. Kou Shibusawa nervously comments that he was surprised by the initial pitch; he approved it in spite of his initial impressions because the developers were gung-ho for its creation.

December

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