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[Danny Dudekisser]

Japanese studio run by... potentially the whitest name ever?

Fraud.

 

[Monty Mole]

I hope so. Last time I checked, A guy named "Gavin Moore" announced a game he has been working on all that time called "Puppeteer". It's a "Japan" studio game, IIRC.

My first impression of Puppeteer was that it didn't look very Japanese, at all. The artwork had a very French vibe, also with the look of the LBP engine. Still looks great, but much darker than what I was expecting out of Sony Japan Studio.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

I'd say it looks more like a stylish hybrid between western and eastern art styles.

I guess it's kind of hard to pin down, but I'd say that about most indie-looking/"art" games.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Does anyone know what happened to the Ape Escape studio? I really love the original Ape Escape a bit too much...

The creator left and co-founded Q-Games.

 

[Riposte]

I guess it's kind of hard to pin down, but I'd say that about most indie-looking/"art" games.

Yes, a lot of indie games look like a bastardized versions of classic Japanese sprite-based games. That is, when they don't look like flash games.

 

[LiquidSolid]

I hope so. Last time I checked, A guy named "Gavin Moore" announced a game he has been working on all that time called "Puppeteer". It's a "Japan" studio game, IIRC.

Shocking news: White people live in Japan.

Anyway, so I guess this means Japan Studio will just work on console games and outsource Vita games?

 

[SniperHunter]

The creator left and co-founded Q-Games.

Damn that sucks I haven't even heard of Q games before....

 

[Derrick01]

Call me when Dark Cloud 3 is announced, otherwise I don't care. I'm desperate enough where I'll even take it for Vita at this point.

 

[SolidSnakex]

Damn that sucks I haven't even heard of Q games before....

They make the Pixel Junk games.

 

[AgentChris]

Damn that sucks I haven't even heard of Q games before....

They make the PixelJunk games, which are quite awesome.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

Call me when Dark Cloud 3 is announced, otherwise I don't care. I'm desperate enough where I'll even take it for Vita at this point.

That's Level 5's territory, not SCEJ's. I guess the latter could technically develop it since they own the rights, but I'm not sure I would trust them on a game like that.

 

[TheBaronOfNA]

Okay, so that's two. I think you'll need a few dozen more white guys to better represent your silly concern here.

Specially when this "white devil" actually worked with the Studio for ten years already

 

[xptoxyz]

jaffe's tweet <- full text

Very proud this week of Allan Becker, my former Sony boss and the man who started Sony Santa Monica.*

(...)

A few years back, Allan left Sony Santa Monica to take over Sony's Japan Studio after a very, very successful run as the SM studio head. When he was at Santa Monica he spearheaded a lot of amazing games, including bringing Gran Turismo PS2 to America (along with sir Taku, of course), TM:BLACK, WAR OF THE MONSTERS, FLOW, FLOWER, JOURNEY, KINETICA, and the GOD OF WAR franchise. He also was the guy who funded and supported LA NOIR for a long time before that game left Sony and went to RockStar, along with SIX DAYS IN FALLUJAH and bunch of other very imaginative, cool games that never came out but clearly carried the banner for 'games as art/games-being-more-conceptually-meaningful-than-games-as-action-movies'.** He also made lots of earlier Sony hits as well (from Equinox to Skyblazer to Twisted Metal to Jet Moto).


Point is: I'm real proud of the guy cause the first two games out his revamped Sony Japan Studio just hit the press and it's very exciting to see that the Allan Becker touch is still very much alive and well:

(...)

 

[Lime]

You gotta be kidding me. Source?

Shit I can't find it. It was in a thread some years back before MGS4 in which Kojima said that some on his team had tried playing Gears of War and they weren't aware that it was something they were supposed to play, but rather watch.

 

[Toppot]

The new stuff is great (Rain in particulliar), but Vita is getting a new Patapon and LocoRoco right? Right?

 

[Gravijah]

not particularly interested in these new games.

where did you go, SCEJ?

 

[Corto]

Damn that sucks I haven't even heard of Q games before....

I'm really not exaggerating when I say that that saddened me...

 

[Totobeni]

That's Level 5's territory, not SCEJ's. I guess the latter could technically develop it since they own the rights, but I'm not sure I would trust them on a game like that.

and you will trust a horrible studio like Awful-5? Dark Could 2 was an anomaly for that studio they didn't make anything good since that game.

Sony better hire someone else who is actually good like Imageepoch or Shift for the DC sequel (if they want one).

 

[Boss Man]

I'm very glad to hear that stuff like Puppeteer may become a trend from Sony Japan instead of just, "Well they released their game for this gen?"

 

[cosmicblizzard]

and you will trust a horrible studio like Awful-5? Dark Could 2 was an anomaly for that studio they didn't make anything good since that game.

Sony better hire someone and actually good else like Imageepoch or Shift for the DC sequel (if they want one).

Can't agree there. I've been happy with their output since then. Loved their DQ games and what I've played of Ninokuni was great.

 

[mujun]

Hyuga singlehandedly leading the "Sony is back" charge!

 

[thuway]

I really hope Sony opens up one or two more Japanese studios. We need at least two RPG franchises coming from SCEJ. We need RPG's that rival Final Fantasy. If Sony can cross that bridge, I think every genre will be covered.

 

[spwolf]

jaffe's tweet <- full text

easy to see the change...

 

[Derrick01]

That's Level 5's territory, not SCEJ's. I guess the latter could technically develop it since they own the rights, but I'm not sure I would trust them on a game like that.

They may as well at this point. Level 5 isn't all that special anymore either.

 

[Misguided]

Allan Becker is Japan Studio's Last Guardian.

 

[Combichristoffersen]

Shit I can't find it. It was in a thread some years back before MGS4 in which Kojima said that some on his team had tried playing Gears of War and they weren't aware that it was something they were supposed to play, but rather watch.

If KojiPro thought games were meant to be watched rather than played, that explains MGS4.

Spoiler

I like MGS4, BTW.

 

[Jonnyram]

INSULTING

Clearly you've never seen a Japanese super hero movie!

 

[DCharlie]

I hope so. Last time I checked, A guy named "Gavin Moore" announced a game he has been working on all that time called "Puppeteer". It's a "Japan" studio game, IIRC.

that's a missprint

his name is actually Gabinu Moe , it's a japanese guy. ALL NORMAL SERVICE RESUMED!

anyways, not sure why a "Japan studio game" needs to be staffed front to back with Japanese to be "Japanese"

 

[GhaleonQ]

Apart from the obvious Team Ico flaw, I think quality and creativity are top-notch there. I don't get the tone of the article.

The new stuff matches the peculiarity of the old stuff, so, good.

I'm very glad to hear that stuff like Puppeteer may become a trend from Sony Japan instead of just, "Well they released their game for this gen?"

and you will trust a horrible studio like Awful-5? Dark Could 2 was an anomaly for that studio they didn't make anything good since that game.

Sony better hire someone else who is actually good like Imageepoch or Shift for the DC sequel (if they want one).

I don't understand this topic at all.

 

[Kenshin001]

I hope this Becker guy gives Kazunori Yamauchi a big kick in the backside. That guy has been given way too much leeway and is lucky to have landed the directorship of Sony's flagship racing game. The truth is though Polyphony are behind the curve and their last game was nowhere near the quality a flagship racing game should be.

 

[cyborg009]

I really hope Sony opens up one or two more Japanese studios. We need at least two RPG franchises coming from SCEJ. We need RPG's that rival Final Fantasy. If Sony can cross that bridge, I think every genre will be covered.

They have a crap ton of successful RPG that they just forgotten. I heard that a new over my dead body game is getting made.

 

[Endo Punk]

I am guessing he knows Japanese fluently ? I have to say I am very thankful, Japan studio was really underperforming this gen but this year with Gravity Daze, Tokyo Jungle and now Rain and Puppeteer have given me a glimmer of hope.

 

[Kenshin001]

I am guessing he knows Japanese fluently ? I have to say I am very thankful, Japan studio was really underperforming this gen but this year with Gravity Daze, Tokyo Jungle and now Rain and Puppeteer have given me a glimmer of hope.

I don't think it's necessary. The president of Nissan doesn't speak Japanese fluently.

 

[Endo Punk]

They have a crap ton of successful RPG that they just forgotten. I heard that a new over my dead body game is getting made.

My soul for Dragoon 2.

 

[JPKellams]

The amount of respect Allan Becker has earned from developers is really a testament to how awesome he is at his job. I've literally never heard a bad word about him, and I know that people here at PG are big fans.

The people in this thread, on the other hand, taking a swipe at him for being non-Japanese... smh.

 

[SolidSnakex]

I hope this Becker guy gives Kazunori Yamauchi a big kick in the backside. That guy has been given way too much leeway and is lucky to have landed the directorship of Sony's flagship racing game.

He created the series. Sony didn't even want to make it at first because it was a sim racer in a market completely dominated by over the top arcade racers. So it's not like they just randomly gave him the keys to a major series.

 

[Endo Punk]

I don't think it's necessary. The president of Nissan doesn't speak Japanese fluently.

Then how is he able to exert so much influence with a language barrier?

 

[Kenshin001]

He created the series. Sony didn't even want to make it at first because it was a sim racer in a market completely dominated by over the top arcade racers. So it's not like they just randomly gave him the keys to a major series.

If he hadn't done it, someone else would have though so the point remains. It's not like there isn't a single other person at Sony who can produce a racing game. It's made him untouchable and beyond reproach. There hasn't been any challenge to his directorship and based on sales of the game I don't think anyone wants to rock the boat. The boat needs some rocking though, the series has lost its shine and has fallen behind. Kaz needs a wake up call.

 

[Kenshin001]

Then how is he able to exert so much influence with a language barrier?

You use interpreters.

 

[I-hate-u]

Clearly you've never seen a Japanese super hero movie!

http://kotaku.com/5934885/the-avengers-tagline-stirs-up-controversy-in-japan

 

[cosmicblizzard]

I really hope Sony opens up one or two more Japanese studios. We need at least two RPG franchises coming from SCEJ. We need RPG's that rival Final Fantasy. If Sony can cross that bridge, I think every genre will be covered.

A new Legend of Dragoon with more refined mechanics and stuff would be nice.

 

[jett]

I never understood the creation of the "JAPAN STUDIO" moniker. Other sony devteams around the world have their own name and identity. These poor bastards have nothing but broken memories.

 

[Takamura-San]

The amount of respect Allan Becker has earned from developers is really a testament to how awesome he is at his job. I've literally never heard a bad word about him, and I know that people here at PG are big fans.

The people in this thread, on the other hand, taking a swipe at him for being non-Japanese... smh.

Thank you for bringing sanity.

 

[cosmicblizzard]

The amount of respect Allan Becker has earned from developers is really a testament to how awesome he is at his job. I've literally never heard a bad word about him, and I know that people here at PG are big fans.

The people in this thread, on the other hand, taking a swipe at him for being non-Japanese... smh.

Got no problem with him being non-Japanese. If anything, I wish more Japanese studios were more multicultural, even in lead roles.

I was just making an observation about Puppeteer looking more western than Japanese before I even knew who was in charge, and thought it was interesting my suspicions were at least partially right.

 

[Ingueferroque]

On "Puppeteer":

Siren people should be working on Siren!!!! _please_

 

[Zee-Row]

Can i please get a next gen Arc the lad or Wild Arms? Put it on the Vita at least.

 

[Yuterald]

Can i please get a next gen Arc the lad or Wild Arms? Put it on the Vita at least.

Isn't the original Wild ARMs creator making cell phone games now? Witch craft studio or some shit? I'd kill for a new Arc the Lad or Wild ARMs game too, but I doubt we are ever going to see it. Is Media Vision even around anymore? Last game I played from them was Wizard of Oz on DS (which was fucking awesome btw).

I don't get the "western" look from this game at all. To be perfectly honest, when I first saw the trailer I immediately thought of Folklore. I know Game Republic developed that game, but Japan Studio had some sort of involvement in that game too, right? I mean, they are credited at the start and end of the game. It was probably just wishful thinking though because I literally beat Folklore for my first time days before this was announced.

Anyway, even if I didn't even see the Japan Studio logo at the start of the trailer I could smell that Japanese "craft" almost immediately (I guess it hit me when I saw some boss battles and the scissor bat patterns scene). What surprised me was how there are Siren dev members working on this game. I was not expecting that at all. I never heard of this Allan guy until now either. I had no idea what his involvement with Sony was this entire time. Sounds like a pretty important dude from what everyone is saying now. I guess he's just humble about it?

 

[JPKellams]

Got no problem with him being non-Japanese. If anything, I wish more Japanese studios were more multicultural, even in lead roles.

I was just making an observation about Puppeteer looking more western than Japanese before I even knew who was in charge, and thought it was interesting my suspicions were at least partially right.

Most of the people (not saying you, just making a generalization) who complain most about things like this, or Japanese developers displaying admiration for Western games, are the kind of people who would sell kidneys on the Chinese black market to work in the Japanese game industry. Then you get a guy like Gavin Moore, who has navigated the industry to the point where he can lead a first-party team (see: making it), getting the piss taken out of him because he has done what many people would love to do.

Honestly, who cares if the games look Western/Eastern/Southern/Northern/Stark/Lannister/Woody Woodpecker/Simba/Indie/Blindie/Yakko/Wacko or Dot or whatever other tag you want to stick on it. If the game is good than the game is good. If it has a white guy directing it, and he has the confidence of his team working towards making an awesome product, who cares?

Honestly, I have all the admiration in the world for people who work and succeed outside of their comfort zones.

 

[Zee-Row]

Isn't the original Wild ARMs creator making cell phone games now? Witch craft studio or some shit? I'd kill for a new Arc the Lad or Wild ARMs game too, but I doubt we are ever going to see it. Is Media Vision even around anymore? Last game I played from them was Wizard of Oz on DS (which was fucking awesome btw).

I don't get the "western" look from this game at all. To be perfectly honest, when I first saw the trailer I immediately thought of Folklore. I know Game Republic developed that game, but Japan Studio had some sort of involvement in that game too, right? I mean, they are credited at the start and end of the game. It was probably just wishful thinking though because I literally beat Folklore for my first time days before this was announced.

Anyway, even if I didn't even see the Japan Studio logo at the start of the trailer I could smell that Japanese "craft" almost immediately (I guess it hit me when I saw some boss battles and the scissor bat patterns scene). What surprised me was how there are Siren dev members working on this game. I was not expecting that at all. I never heard of this Allan guy until now either. I had no idea what his involvement with Sony was this entire time. Sounds like a pretty important dude from what everyone is saying now. I guess he's just humble about it?

Media Vision developed Final Fantasy 3 on DS i think and they made the Chaos Rings games.

 

[LiquidSolid]

Most of the people (not saying you, just making a generalization) who complain most about things like this, or Japanese developers displaying admiration for Western games, are the kind of people who would sell kidneys on the Chinese black market to work in the Japanese game industry. Then you get a guy like Gavin Moore, who has navigated the industry to the point where he can lead a first-party team (see: making it), getting the piss taken out of him because he has done what many people would love to do.

Honestly, who cares if the games look Western/Eastern/Southern/Northern/Stark/Lannister/Woody Woodpecker/Simba/Indie/Blindie/Yakko/Wacko or Dot or whatever other tag you want to stick on it. If the game is good than the game is good. If it has a white guy directing it, and he has the confidence of his team working towards making an awesome product, who cares?

Honestly, I have all the admiration in the world for people who work and succeed outside of their comfort zones.

To be fair, that was one guy and he's been mocked quite a bit. Anyone with half a brain can quickly check MobyGames and find out that he's been working at SCEJ for years.