Nintendo vs Sony

Pikmin Bloom Hits Record $36M in Fifth Year

Scopely's walking game Pikmin Bloom celebrated its fifth anniversary with nearly $100 million in net player spending since launch. In its fifth year, the game generated $36.1 million, its most lucrative year yet, driven by a surge in Taiwan where spending grew 900% in H1 2026. Taiwan became the game's top market in year five, surpassing Japan. The game also benefited from Scopely's ownership following the $3.5 billion acquisition of Niantic's games business in 2025. New features like Secret Caves and a Premium Event Pass were unveiled during Nintendo's first Pikmin Day presentation.

• Pikmin Bloom generated $97.1 million in lifetime net revenue from Google Play and the App Store since launch in October 2021.
• In year five, Pikmin Bloom earned $36.1 million, its most lucrative year, accounting for 37% of lifetime earnings.
• Taiwan saw a 900% increase in player spending in H1 2026 and contributed $13.7 million in year five, surpassing Japan's $10.2 million.

Nintendo Switch 2 Jailbreak Achieved with OpenAI Codex

A developer known as 'pepsipu' has released the first jailbreak for the Nintendo Switch 2, leveraging OpenAI's AI coding agent Codex. The developer built a physical AI harness using Jet-KVMs to send controller inputs and analyze HDMI output, and a remote light switch to reboot the console after crashes. The software exploit took two weeks and targeted a vulnerability in the Smile Basic 4 software available on the Switch 2 eShop, allowing code execution on the console. The jailbreak enables game mods, such as adding characters like Peter Griffin and an Angry Bird to Mario Kart World. However, it is a 'tethered' jailbreak, meaning the hack is lost on every reboot. The developer aims to make it permanent, but Nintendo has already removed Smile Basic 4 from its eShop in response, potentially leading to legal action.

• Developer 'pepsipu' released the first jailbreak for Nintendo Switch 2, developed with OpenAI Codex.
• The exploit uses a vulnerability in the Smile Basic 4 software to execute code on the console.
• The jailbreak is tethered, meaning it is lost on every console reboot.

Sega Cautious on Generative AI in Creative Work

Sega's senior executive officer Tsuyoshi Saito stated that the company is 'very cautious' about implementing generative AI in game development, emphasizing it won't entrust creative aspects to AI. Instead, Sega uses AI to improve efficiency in publishing and corporate departments. The company has established a Generative AI Committee and an AI Task Force to develop in-house AI tools and collaborate with PR departments on disclosure requests. This follows controversy over AI use in background assets for Crazy Taxi: World Tour. Crystal Dynamics also uses generative AI for early prototyping but ensures final content is human-created. The article also includes a separate market report on US game sales, unrelated to AI.

• Sega uses AI to improve efficiency in publishing and corporate departments, but not for creative game development.
• Sega established a 'Generative AI Committee' and an 'AI Task Force' to develop in-house AI tools.
• Crazy Taxi: World Tour used generative AI for background assets, sparking controversy.

Supporting New Forms of Creation with Sony's Continually Evolving Sound Separation Technology

Sony has published a new blog post about its sound separation technology, highlighting new forms of creation.

Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum: Exploring the Future of Anime Together

Sony's corporate blog features a new article about the Crunchyroll Anime Future Forum, discussing the future of anime.

Advancing New Entertainment Experiences through Onchain Technology

Sony launches a global incubation program for startups and creators using onchain technology.