Sony to pump $1bn more into Fortnite developer Epic Games

Apr 12, 2022 | News On Japan

Japanese conglomerate looks to expand metaverse footprint

Apr 12, 2022 (Nikkei) - Sony Group has decided to invest an additional $1 billion in Epic Games, the U.S. developer of the blockbuster Fortnite, in hopes of staking a bigger claim in the metaverse.

Epic is raising $2 billion from Sony and Kirkbi, the Danish parent of toymaker Lego, under plans announced Monday. Each is chipping in $1 billion. Sony's investment is the biggest ever by the group as a minority shareholder.

With the latest financing, Sony will have poured $1.45 billion into Epic over three occasions, bringing its stake to roughly 4.9%. The Japanese electronics and media conglomerate started out with a $250 million investment announced in July 2020, then followed up on this with a $200 million investment in April 2021.

Sony sees its relationship with Epic as a path toward upgrading online entertainment operations that integrate gaming, music and films. ...continue reading

Typhoon No. 15 Disrupts Obon Travel as ANA Cancels 58 Flights

Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) began causing significant disruption to Japan's Obon holiday travel on August 11, with ANA canceling 58 flights serving Haneda and Narita airports, JAL canceling four flights, and JR East suspending some services on the Joban Line as the storm approached eastern Japan.

Typhoon No. 15 Set to Make Landfall in Kanto

Typhoon No. 15 (Chan-hom) was closing in on the Kanto region on the evening of August 11 and is expected to soon make landfall in or around Ibaraki Prefecture before crossing Honshu from east to west, an unusual path that could bring heavy rain, powerful winds and high waves across a wide stretch of Japan through August 12.

H3 Rocket No. 9 Successfully Launches Japan GPS Satellite

Japan's H3 Rocket No. 9 successfully placed the Michibiki No. 7 navigation satellite into its planned orbit after lifting off from the Tanegashima Space Center in Kagoshima Prefecture at 4:23 a.m. on August 11, marking the country's second consecutive successful H3 launch.

Tokaido Shinkansen Runs First Overnight Service

The Tokaido Shinkansen operated its first overnight service ahead of the Obon holiday period, offering travelers a 15,000 yen trip from the Tokyo area to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka while allowing them to save on hotel costs and arrive earlier than the first regular morning trains.

Typhoon No. 15 to Disrupt Travel on August 11

Typhoon No. 15 is expected to approach and likely make landfall somewhere in the Kanto region on August 11, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that could disrupt conventional rail services, expressways and flights while also affecting a wider area extending into Tohoku.

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