'No signs of remorse'—Sonic creator faces prison sentence and over $1 million fine in ongoing tria
Published: January 01, 0001
Prosecutors in the Tokyo District Court are pushing winner55 for a heavy punishment for Sonic and Balan Wonderworld creator Yuji Naka, Abema Times (via VGC) reports. They want to hit Naka with a 2.5 year sentence and a ¥2.5 million fine (around $18,000/£14,000), as well as a "supplementary penalty" of ¥170 million (around $1.2 million/£975,000). Prosecutors have lambasted the game designer for showing "no signs of remorse" over his actions.
The push by the prosecution comes only three months after Naka admitted guilt of insider trading on his first day in court in March this year. Naka was accused of using inside knowledge from his position at Square Enix to buy shares in ATeam and Aiming Inc before their partnerships with the publisher (on Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier and Dragon Quest Tact, respectively) were publicly announced. When the collaboration went public, Naka's shares are alleged to have shot up in value, netting the creator a reported profit of around $146,000.
Naka later tried to pin some of the blame on an administrative error, claiming that he only gained access to the info that enabled the insider trading—which he wasn't meant ww winner55 to see—because he was sent it by mistake.
That's not much of a defence, since Naka didn't deny buying shares based on that information, but his legal team likely hoped that the insider trading being a product of circumstance rather than deep premeditation on Naka's part would garner a more lenient sentence.
We'll find out if that worked when the court hands down its final sentence on July 7. In the meantime, Naka's defence is still refusing to give up the fight. The designer's lawyers are asking that the prosecution's desired prison time be turned into a suspended sentence—meaning Naka wouldn't actually have to go to prison unless he violated terms set down by the court—and that the eye-watering fines be reduced.
Recommended Reading
Who knew that chatting up 13-year olds via Xbox Live then asking them for naked photos would be so frowned upon? What’s that you [[link]] say? Anyone with a shred of common sense? One man who learned that less...
Oh, hey. The new Team Fortress 2 Spy update [[link]] is here, revealing the pun-laden list of Steam Achievements for the stealthiest of classes and giving us our very first look at the “Meet The Spy” short. Or...
Watchmen (the movie) comes out today. Seen it yet? Going to see it? If you find yourself nodding “yes”, then you’re just the kind of person [[link]] Watchmen (the game) is targeted at. But are you the type of ...
Comments (3)
Sometimes I wish there were more ways to earn rewards through loyalty programs or frequent player bonuses. Adding seasonal events or special challenges could enhance the excitement even further. I love the overall aesthetic of the platform. The animations, visual effects, and sound design make the gaming experience more dynamic and immersive. It's one of the reasons I keep coming back.
I really enjoy playing the slot games here. The variety is amazing, from classic reels to modern video slots with interactive bonus rounds. Every spin feels like an adventure, and the graphics and sound effects are top-notch, making the experience immersive and exciting. Customer support has been outstanding whenever I had any issues. They respond quickly and professionally, ensuring that any concerns with deposits, withdrawals, or gameplay are addressed immediately, which makes me trust the platform more.
The payout process is generally smooth and reliable, though occasionally it takes longer than expected. Overall, I feel confident that my winnings are safe and will be credited properly. I really enjoy playing the slot games here. The variety is amazing, from classic reels to modern video slots with interactive bonus rounds. Every spin feels like an adventure, and the graphics and sound effects are top-notch, making the experience immersive and exciting. The variety of games is excellent, including table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, in addition to slots. This keeps the platform interesting and allows me to switch games depending on my mood.