Massive earthquake smashes Japan, Sony and other developers offer updates

Posted March 12th, 2011 at 20:53 EDT by Eric Blattberg

A monstrous 8.9-magnitude smashed Japan on Friday, which in turn triggered a massive tsunami, leaving hundreds dead and thousands homeless. 

The confirmed death toll has reached 700 and could rise to above 1,000, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. Japan has deployed thousands of rescue workers to search for survivors in desperate need of aid.

The northeastern coast was hit hardest, causing an explosion at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Japanese officials flooded the plant with seawater in an attempt to prevent a major nuclear meltdown.

Sony and other Japanese developers have offered updates via Twitter on their current statuses. 

"I just got confirmation that SCEJ and SCEI are fine," wrote Cade Peterson of Sony Computer Entertainment. "WHEW!"

"I was able to return to my house at long last," said Yoshinori Ono, a producer at Capcom who worked on the original Street Fighter games. "Now charging iPhone and C.Phone. I confirmed safety of SF's Staff."

Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture (Credit: European Pressphoto Agency)

"I'm alright," tweeted Konami's Hideo Kojima. "We have to do our best. The situation is different from the Hanshin earthquake. We are connected to each other via twitter and facebook."

"All members at Grasshopper Manufacture are fine," wrote Suda 51. "Thank you for all your concerns and your support."

"We are safe here at our Osaka and Tokyo offices, but more importantly, our hearts go out to everyone effected by the earthquake in Japan." tweeted Platinum Games.

"The earthquake. We are OK," said Square Enix. "Thanks for your messages!"

Please consider donating money to help those affected by this devastating natural disaster. CNN has cobbled together a list of how you can help. One simple way is to text "redcross" to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the organization.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy.

http://www.psu.com/Massive-earthquake-smashes-Japan,-Sony-and-other-developers-offer-updates--a010968-p0.php

that picture is so depressing and heart breaking

Good to know they're all okay.  Hope the casualties weren't very big... :(

I'm thinking that a news piece on the subject on gamrfeed wouldn't hurt, myself.

I've also created a thread organizing all the ways you can donate, some of them covered by CNN's list, some not - here: http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=125820&page=1&str=1080589517# .

A note to donators - Japan, as of this moment, has NOT requested foreign help with the incident - who knows whether they even will. HOWEVER, any money you donate through a credible source goes to places that need it anyway, so no matter how strong/capable you think Japan is, the money you can donate isn't going to waste by any means!

The whole country could have been leveled and Kojima would still be alright

So damn sad, thanks for the thread

Natural disasters is everywhere, not long ago Queensland Australia had an inland tusnami that wiped out many towns and destoryed alot of brisbane (major city). New Zealand our neighbours, in Christchurch had an earthquake while only magitude 6 but was only 15km underground so levels many buildings killing 200. But this in Japan is on an scale like no other. And for an country of 100 million and only for 700 dead its amazing that the death toll isn't higher than that number. But sadly that number will most likely grow and i wish japan can recover and many are alright. 

Sad times :(