More Japanese Publishers Delay Releases, Aid Relief Efforts In Earthquake's Wake

Multiple Japanese game publishers are delaying releases and setting up programs to donate to disaster relief organizations in the wake of the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the associated tsunami that hit the country Friday. Nintendo has pushed back heavily promoted 3DS game Steel Diver from a planned Thursday release in Japan, according to a post on the game's official Japanese web site. No new release date for the title was announced, though the game is still expected to be a launch title for the 3DS' American launch later this month. Konami-published Nintendo DS title Powerful Golf, meanwhile, has also been pushed back from a planned Thursday release, according to a Japanese retailer report cited by Japan-focused site Andriasang. Andriasang also reports that Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood DLC expected for the Japanese PS3 today has been delayed, though the Xbox 360 version will still be released as planned. Capcom has similarly delayed today's planned release of two new downloadable characters for recently released fighter Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Andriasang reports. Japanese companies are also digging into their profits to help aid those affected by the disaster. Andriasang reports companies including Tecmo Koei, Sega Sammy, Nintendo, Namco Bandai, Sony and Konami are donating anywhere from 10 million to 300 million yen (roughly $124,000 to $3.7 million) to disaster relief efforts. Capcom will also be donating proceeds from this week's worldwide sales of the iOS version of Street Fighter IV to relief efforts. The game has been discounted to 99 cents (or 115 yen) on the App Store to encourage the promotion. The new delays follow on Irem's recent cancellation of Disaster Report 4 and the delay of planned releases in the Yakuza and Motrostorm series.