[shinobi602]

This generation has seen the Japanese gaming industry fall further behind the North American and European gaming industries. This is typified with the likes of Pro Evolution Soccer being beaten annually in terms of sales and quality by FIFA, should Japanese developers start to worry? It doesn’t stop there. Most of the best major RPG’s, once a Japanese developers speciality, are now made either in Europe or North America. Oblivion, Fable, Fallout, Dragon Age and Mass Effect all now take a huge portion of the RPG market. In terms of raw power, again, Japanese developers are losing their grip. Uncharted, Gears of War and Killzone produce the best graphics on console and they are all made by Western developers. Metal Gear Solid 4 and Gran Turismo 5 are really the only games that can compete. The problem is that Japanese developers struggle to make games for the modern Western gamer. Final Fantasy XIII was adapted to appeal to the western audience, but was met by lacklustre reviews. Even the attempt at a Gears of War clone that was Quantum Theory ended up being diabolical. Gran Turismo 5, although sold well, failed to move with the times. Its aged menus and GT mode coupled with a poor executed online mode meant that Forza overtook it before Polyphony realised what hit them. Capcom have even let Ninja Theory make their latest Devil May Cry in an attempt to kick-start the series and appeal more to the west. In an interview with PSM3, Hideo Kojima had this to say when asked about the Japanese gaming industry. “One thing about Japan – and this isn’t just games – is that things that are made in Japan are very much targeted at Japan, whether it’s games, movies or novels. It’s the curse of Japan. My generation is now being exposed to a wide range of influences, that’s why what I want to make is a little bit more in tune with what the people in the west would like”. He went on to say, “I really like the things that are being made in the west. When I come to shows like E3 and see the announcements and go to Comic-Con, I love all the presentations, so really I’ve been thinking maybe I was born in the wrong country!” Recently at GDC, Phil Fish (indie developer, Polytron) openly stated that all Japanese games suck. In another interview with PSM3, Shinji Mikami was asked about this comment. “I hadn’t heard about that! To be told that Japanese games suck is a bit harsh, but personally, 80% of the games I play at the moment are not Japanese. Skyrim, Batman… games like that are more interesting to me right now. Japan need to make more good games to make people think otherwise”. Two people that have played major roles in the Japanese gaming industry acknowledge that Japan needs to adapt. They need to make their games more suited for the West to avoid being overshadowed by Western gaming developers. Next gen is around the corner and probably the best time to start a turn around. http://www.gamingcapacity.com/kojima...ming-industry/

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[CaptainSchwann]

I'm so tired of this whole debate.

[Wario64]

phil fish vindicated, suck it haters

[Izick]

At least they understand that it's a problem, and they know that Japanese gaming isn't as big as it used to be. That being said, things change, and Japan could come back next-gen strong. Will they? Likely not, but time will tell.

[AkimbO_Arcana]

I'm so tired of this whole debate.

This.

But "Roarrrr, no second circle pad!!1!" is the new champion...

[george_us]

I'm so tired of this whole debate.

You have no idea. Just shut up and make cool video games please.

[udivision]

At least they understand that it's a problem, and they know that Japanese gaming isn't as big as it used to be. That being said, things change, and Japan could come back next-gen strong. Will they? Likely not, but time will tell.

They'll come back with NFC Pog games.

[BadWolf]

FFXIII aimed at the west? That's the last game I was describe as that. FFXII maybe but not FFXIII.

[Xater]

I am nor surprised that this would be the case for someone like Mikami.

[Seda]

I'm so tired of this whole debate.

First reply something something.

[Cacophanus]

This is just a PR ruse on their part; they think they're undermining their (Japanese) competition but all they're actually doing is making their whole industry look stupid.

This whole meme that Japan's games industry is "doomed" is entirely artificial too.

[ZenaxPure]

Is this why Japanese sales have been healthier than western ones for the past few months?

[SouthernDragon]

1) FXIII was targeted to the Western market? In what universe?

2) Good to know they are acknowledging there is some issue, though I'm not sure moves like Ninja Theory taking over DMC portend good solutions.

[Karsticles]

I'm so tired of this whole debate.

What's even worse is Japanese developers are siding with the West. Nooo! I can't think of a Western developed game I've liked this generation. That's not to say they're bad, they're just not to my taste.

[I-hate-u]

Japanese hamburger again?

[jorgeton]

FFXIII aimed at the west? That's the last game I was describe as that. FFXII maybe but not FFXIII.

Yeah, it was. They were going for Call of Duty: The RPG. It backfired, but it seemed like a good idea at the time... no it didn't

[outunderthestars]

This. But "Roarrrr, no second circle pad!!1!" is the new champion...

Double THIS.

Lately it seems the boards have become obsessed with the same five topics: Second circle pad, Wii U's future/power, Vita is doomed, whining about DLC, and this topic.

[BadWolf]

Wonder why Kojima didn't give Rising to a Western developer if he digs them so much.

[Wario64]

Double THIS. Lately it seems the boards have become obsessed with the same five topics: Second circle pad, Wii U's future/power, Vita is doomed, whining about DLC, and this topic.

No iOS game bashing? I'm appalled. I want people to complain that Angry Birds is all we can play.

[andymcc]

sucks because vanquish is way better than any western game i've played this gen.

[CarbonatedFalcon]

End of console life cycle certainly doesn't help right now with high-end PC games getting more of the limelight (even if there are console ports of those). PC has historically never been a strong market for Japan compared to the West.

[BocoDragon]

I'm a mega-fan of Japanese games.. but let's face it, it was a strange accident in history that Japanese games used to have a monopoly over the console world in the first place. It seems natural that the playing field would equal (keep in mind, "western" games actually include the input of many different countries.. why should Japan lord over them all?)... and considering it in that light, it's amazing how much influence Japan still has.

[Chacranajxy]

Kojima says the problem is that Japanese games are targeted at Japan... but it's not like the West particularly gives a fuck about the east when they develop games either. Granted, Japan's a minor enough market at this point that it doesn't really matter for the West, but still...

Anyway, the obvious solution isn't to make stuff targeted to the West, but to make things that are good, without pandering. Haven't Square and Capcom taught us the former approach doesn't work enough times yet (looking past the inexplicable Resident Evil: ORC sales numbers...)?

[Koroviev]

End of console life cycle certainly doesn't help right now with high-end PC games getting more of the limelight (even if there are console ports of those). PC has historically never been a strong market for Japan compared to the West.

XSEED, save us!

[alstein]

What Japan needs is a healthy indie PC scene that adopts DD.

[Corto]

Forza overtook GT? Hehehe

[~Devil Trigger~]

its true for me too this gen.

Last gen was the opposite.

[djplaeskool]

*Looks at list of games purchased this gen*

So J-heavy.
...My God. I must be a niche within a niche.
I have no place in this argument.

*walks away*

[SolidSnakex]

Wonder why Kojima didn't give Rising to a Western developer if he digs them so much.

I started looking for places that could help improve the game design aspect. At first, I considered several studios abroad. However, I realized that since this was a ninja action game with swords, a Japanese studio would be the best fit. I thought about which action elements we wanted to include in the game. The only studio that I felt could do this was Platinum Games. If anybody could do it, it would be them.

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[Des0lar]

Is this why Japanese sales have been healthier than western ones for the past few months?

Because sales is not the point of the article at all? Did you even read it?

The problem is that more and more Japanese games become irrelevant in the West except for some big studio's games. (Resi, Nintendo,...)
And the other way around it's the same. games that are big in the West like Call of Duty, Halo and Skyrim don't sell all too well in Japan.

This could lead to a scenario where Japanese companies stop bothering translating their games and selling them in the West (maybe DD only), which means that we could lose out on some great games. Or Japanese studios can't make big budget games anymore because the Japan-only sales are too low. So they have to switch to handhelds, mobile gaming.

These are just some scenarios why this should bother people.

[Drencrom]

Their gaming industry needs to step it up big time if they want to stay relevant nextgen, i'm saying this as a big fan of many Japanese studios and game series.

Double THIS. Lately it seems the boards have become obsessed with the same five topics: Second circle pad, Wii U's future/power, Vita is doomed, whining about DLC, and this topic.

Are you implying that we're some sort of unified collective?

[conman]

If this means more games like those Mikami is making these days, then awesome.

[djtiesto]

I feel like I stepped inside a timewarp back to 2008 or something. Anyways I have noticed that a lot of bigger Japanese devs (not only Mikami but also Yuji Horii and Keita Takahashi) play a lot of western games too, but this is nothing new. They've played lots of western (PC) games in the past - how many Japanese RPG devs got their start on Ultima/Wizardry/Phantasie/Telengrad?

Because sales is not the point of the article at all? Did you even read it? The problem is that more and more Japanese games become irrelevant in the West except for some big studio's games. (Resi, Nintendo,...) And the other way around it's the same. games that are big in the West like Call of Duty, Halo and Skyrim don't sell all too well in Japan. This could lead to a scenario where Japanese companies stop bothering translating their games and selling them in the West (maybe DD only), which means that we could lose out on some great games. Or Japanese studios can't make big budget games anymore because the Japan-only sales are too low. So they have to switch to handhelds, mobile gaming. These are just some scenarios why this should bother people.

I do think that advertising is a huge problem for Japanese games. What is the last big Japanese game you've seen advertised on TV? I don't really watch much TV, I'd probably say FFXIII or XIII-2... but even then you aren't getting anywhere near close to Assassin's Creed advertising budgets. And not to mention articles like this one which paints such a negative, bleak perspective for the Japanese gaming industry.

[Dark Octave]

They are on the right track with games like Vanquish and Dragon's Dogma. We still want that Japanese flavor, we just want higher production values added to that. But it's so sad that the genres from Japan that I loved the most (shooters and RPGs) are pretty much dead now.

[Fancy Corndog]

Japan has been behind this generation, but comments like this are evidence that it is only temporary. They're only doomed if they don't adapt. These guys get it, they'll be fine.

[Koroviev]

*Looks at list of games purchased this gen* So J-heavy. ...My God. I must be a niche within a niche. I have no place in this argument. *walks away*

You and me both :(

What Japan needs is a healthy indie PC scene that adopts DD.

HNGGGGGGGG

[CaptainSchwann]

This whole "Japanese games suck now" garbage needs to stop. Every time a Japanese developer tries to "westernize" a game, it ends in disaster. They need to just stick true to their roots and stop trying to be something their not. Just because shooters are really popular right now doesn't mean games about giant fucking robots or spiky haired kids with giant swords can't be!

CHRIST

P.S. This is from a devout Gears/CoD player who also happens to LOVE SMT/Tales/etc.

[2San]

I think Kojima has a point, with the whole Japanese entertainment industry being focused on Japanese only. With the Japanese youth only really focusing on Japanese products. Can't help but feel that Japanese entertainment used to have a broad appeal including the stuff completely aimed at the Japanese market.

That said I have enjoyed my fair share of Japanese games and they definitely still provide the best in terms of quality for specific genre's.

[apana]

So what do these people propose as a solution? I don't think Japanese games need to copy western games, they just need to focus on making their own games appealing regardless of culture. Nintendo has always had major success in the West because of this reason, their games feel like they are for everyone. I also think the Western dominance over Japan is a bit exaggerated, both sides are in trouble. From a practical perspective though, Japan will have a hard time reaching the traditional young male demographic in the West because they can't produce these big open world games and shooters. The open world games will be a big issue for them in this next generation.

[cw_sasuke]

More developing, less talk.

[Sgt.Pepper]

What's even worse is Japanese developers are siding with the West. Nooo! I can't think of a Western developed game I've liked this generation. That's not to say they're bad, they're just not to my taste.

Damn man. There are so many western developed games, that I find extremely hard to believe you couldn't find one you didn't like.


Unless you think "AAA" is the only thing the west has.

What Japan needs is a healthy indie PC scene that adopts DD.

This. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD LISTEN TO THIS MAN

[2San]

More developing, less talk.

Both these guys have pretty good productivity. They can talk all they want.

[Zefah]

Kojima says the problem is that Japanese games are targeted at Japan... but it's not like the West particularly gives a fuck about the east when they develop games either. Granted, Japan's a minor enough market at this point that it doesn't really matter for the West, but still... Anyway, the obvious solution isn't to make stuff targeted to the West, but to make things that are good, without pandering. Haven't Square and Capcom taught us the former approach doesn't work enough times yet (looking past the inexplicable Resident Evil: ORC sales numbers...)?

It's more that the things "Japan likes" have changed. Japanese pop culture/anime, etc. has become increasingly creepier, and more alienating to non-creepers over the last decade or so. What sells in Japan today is quite different than what sold in the early 2000s, the 90s, and even earlier.

[Shiggy]

And 90% of the games I play are Japanese, but neither from Mikami nor Kojima. So what?

[SolidSnakex]

They are on the right track with games like Vanquish and Dragon's Dogma. We still want that Japanese flavor, we just want higher production values added to that.

It's way too risky. Just look at the number of studios that have shutdown this gen. Hell, Dragon's Dogma would've sunk a studio if it wasn't from a company as big as Capcom. In no way has that sold like it needed to. When you're going that big you're basically looking for massive sales right out the gate. Japanese games might not be selling like they once did, but their budgets aren't so insane that it causes them to need those sales. They can get by on what would sink a studio making those high production value titles.

[Derrick01]

I'll agree that they do need broader appeal and some of them are learning pretty fast. Dragon's Dogma was so close to being a great game. They're learning by trial and error and I wouldn't be surprised if in another few years they'll start really catching up to the west again as the west focuses on dumbing their games down more and more.

[Drencrom]

This whole "Japanese games suck now" garbage needs to stop. Every time a Japanese developer tries to "westernize" a game, it ends in disaster. They need to just stick true to their roots and stop trying to be something their not. Just because shooters are really popular right now doesn't mean games about giant fucking robots or spiky haired kids with giant swords can't be!

Yes i know it was a commercial failure but it was great.

[CaptainSchwann]

Yes i know it was a commercial failure but it was great.

While I'll say Vanquish was a fun game, that alone won't keep a studio open :/

[CadetMahoney]

I liked Dragon's Dogma and Vanquish.

[I Stalk Alone]

They are on the right track with games like Vanquish and Dragon's Dogma. We still want that Japanese flavor, we just want higher production values added to that. But it's so sad that the genres from Japan that I loved the most (shooters and RPGs) are pretty much dead now.

Higher production values means high production costs. Lets mitigate this disaster and come up with higher procuction values with costs not ramping up to economically unviable amounts that will end up shutting down studios the likes of what we are seeing this generation. Cheap and quality middleware is one good direction another will be streamlined and standardised project management tied directly to middlewerr and production trees so that manpower is more economically and efficiently used. We do not want middleclasd developers going extinct because of this rise in production values that people fell for this generation rather than pure gameplay.