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[1st Course]

It's no secret that a lot of Japanese developers had it rough during the last console generation. The transition to HD development along the PS3 unfriendly architecture has led to a big increase in game budgets and longer developments cycles, with many games entering development hell mode. We also saw a lot of games under-performing commercially and critically, which led to publishers opting to find success elsewhere(handhelds, mobile, pachinko etc).

But ever since the release of the PS4 it seems like a lot of Japanese developers have stepped their game when it come to console game development again. A lot of Japanese franchises has seen better reception compared to last gen (Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, Nier, Yakuza etc) with some newer IPs seeing both positive critical and commercial success (Nioh, Splatoon etc). And recently we also had Nintendo making a strong comeback with the release of the Switch.

Meanwhile it seems like a lot of AAA western games have been under performing as of late. The recent entries in the COD, Assassin Creed, Watch Dogs etc franchises has seen a decline in both sales/critic reception compared to their predecessors. Of course there are some exceptions like Witcher 3 and Blizzard output but in general it seems like there is a decline trend within the AAA scene.

In a lot of ways it seems to me like we're seeing a reverse of last gen, or at least that's the way I see it.

 

[Snakeyes]

Japanese gaming is just taking back its place on the throne.

 

[empyrean]

Maybe after a generation of western games people want a change of pace.

 

[fahr]

All developers should always be wary. It's called competition.

 

[Josh5890]

All developers should always be wary. It's called competition.

This. Honestly though I would say most big western IPs are safe for the time being. It would be nice to see some of them take more risks though.

 

[Inuhanyou]

But i've never heard of any of those games, and they barely sell, so who cares?

Spoiler

no but seriously i think everyone should be happy about diversity in the industry especially considering how homogenized and safe western AAA gaming is becoming/has become

 

[Canucked]

I think any company that doesn't grow, change and adapt will always left behind. And it can be a variety of factors. The transition to HD for some Japanese developers. The stagnant repetitive series of some western ones. I'm sure we'll see cyclical trends as more gaming years go on.

 

[1st Course]

All developers should always be wary. It's called competition.

True.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

I still don't see why they should be wary.

 

[shira]

I think too much of their top talent is doing mobile atm.

You have a few bigger studios, but nothing on par with Sony Santa Monica or the big Western studios.

 

[Dynomutt]

Still waiting for my Spriggan open world action rpg. What Gaf know about Yu Ominae?!?!

 

[JordanN]

We seem to get these threads every month now.

My response is still the same in that, Japan actually has a lot to prove.

 

[120v]

bwahaha

i'm glad japanese devs are back on track but c'mon

 

[Mass_Pincup]

With graphics being less impressive as of late gameplay is starting to be the main point.

In that area, Japanese developers are unmatched.

 

[Cow Goes Moo]

probably not commercially

stuff like nier and yakuza, tales are just gonna do marginally better than they would have without the commercial reception

something like ghost recon will probably outsell all of those together in it's opening month

shadow of war probably won't be that well recieved here but it's gonna do exceptionally well sales wise at least

the underperforming debuts of specifically 2016 holiday western games can be attributed to a lot of things, but I don't necessarily think it's entirely reflective of a "WESTERN DECLINE, JAPANESE RISE"

 

[Inuhanyou]

I think too much of their top talent is doing mobile atm.

You have a few bigger studios, but nothing on par with Sony Santa Monica or the big Western studios.

the size of the studio in these cases have little correlation to the quality of the output. infact i think not being AAA in the western sense is what helps these kinds of games more than anything

 

[ViolentP]

There is plenty of room for both.

 

[KarmaCow]

I'm not quite sure why the need to specifically be worried about Japanese games. COD is on what, twelve years of annual releases with Infinite Warfare getting blowback in the face of games like BF1 and it still vastly outsells most Japanese games.

 

[JordanN]

And recently we also had Nintendo making a strong comeback with the release of the Switch.

Wait, hold up.

Nintendo just released Switch, after their previous console drastically underperformed and still had a shorter lifespan than PS3/360. What's their comeback right now? It's going to outsell PS4/Wii?

 

[kitzkozan]

I still don't see why they should be wary.

Yeah, wary of what exactly? I have friends who give zero fuck about Japanese titles, outside of Nintendo. Focusing on the quality of recent releases make sense, but it doesn't matter if someone is not interested in playing it because of perceived cultural tones and what not.

 

[HeisenbergWW62]

Room for both IMO. All these japanese games certainly do make gaming more enjoyable, however

Besides they have different audiences for the most part

 

[OrbitalBeard]

You know, I think they'll be ok.

 

[Chmpocalypse]

Not at all. Most Japanese games are still very niche and lack widespread popular appeal. Western games have nothing to worry about.

At the same time, Japanese games getting stronger is also a good thing. It's a win-win.

 

[Zasa]

Probably not, Japan still has a ways to go. Not to mention in terms of sheer variety in genres, multiplayer, etc.

I'm happy Japan is where it's at right now & the influx of quality games coming out from there, but I think threads like these are a bit premature filled with recency bias. We haven't even hit the Holiday's yet where AAA Western games will mop everything up. Horizon already came out to massive critical acclaim, & Andromeda looks great as well.

 

[highrider]

No, not really. They don't make games that directly compete with the popular genres in the west.

 

[JayEH]

They don't need to be wary until Vanquish 2 comes out.

 

[Ray Down]

This thread can't be real...

 

[UpUpDownDown]

Maybe after a generation of western games people want a change of pace.

This.

It's the ebb and flow of life.

 

[John Harker]

You guys over estimate the size of Japanese publishers in the West, aside from 1st party.

I've mentioned this before, but the top 3 3rd party pubs in 2016 in the US market combined is like 8% of the business.

Maybe they creeps up a 1 or 2 this year but doubtful considering the 2017 holiday line up

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

Maybe after a generation of western games people want a change of pace.

I'm pretty sure a large number of people to play games don't know whether it's from the West or Japan unless it's anime as fuck.

 

[Crossing Eden]

That has to translate to sales for western games dropping dramatically while Japanese games thrive. 2017 has a ton of titles in the mid-high eighties, not just Japanese games.

 

[True Fire]

The resurgence of Japan is a symptom of a greater problem for Western devs: the fatigue of Western AAA.

Look at where Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed are today. Watch Dogs 2 and Titanfall 2 failed to make a splash. Arkham/Far Cry/Just Cause have to recover from "meh" games. Toys to life is dead. Guitar Hero and Rock Band were a huge part of last gen, and they're deader than dead this gen.

In this environment, games like Nioh and NieR are a breath of fresh air.

 

[Astral Dog]

Lol 😂

 

[Josh7289]

How about like everyone's making good games now finally? That's a good thing you know.

 

[Bony Manifesto]

I think if you're expecting this to be the beginning of a trend, you're going to be disappointed. This period has been an aberration (a pleasant one, I hasten to add), with these huge Japanese games all releasing at practically the same time. I don't think that's going to happen again any time soon.

 

[The Salt Life]

Nah, there is enough consumers to go around for everyone and believe it or not, some people are just not into Japanese developed games. The more diversity the better though.

 

[JordanN]

I'm pretty sure a large number of people to play games don't know whether it's from the West or Japan unless it's anime as fuck.

You know, it's funny how the West gets lumped together but Japan is unique.

For example, I wouldn't say France is the same as the U.S development wise. Look at Rayman or Valiant Hearts as being different from Call of Duty.

 

[Artdayne]

I mean sure, if you ignore all the things Western developers do on the PC.

Did we forget that Horizon Zero Dawn just came out btw? Mass Effect is also just around the corner.

 

[Negrodamus]

Lol no, Western developers have no reason to be wary or fearful, but it is nice that Japanese devs are making a strong comeback this time around. Variety in games is only a good thing

 

[The Greek Freak]

No, outside of releasing the same week of a HUGE HUGE game, I've yet to see any example of a good game making another good game sell poorly.

More good Japanese games = more hardware sales = more potential customers for all.

 

[iRAWRasaurus]

Nah they are meant for different audiences. Personally Out of all my gaming friends none of them have bought any of these Japanese games. Some have thought about Nioh but didn't buy it in the end.

 

[Air Zombie Meat]

Been out of the loop lately. Are you basing this on critical acclaim or sales?

 

[Ray Down]

Lol no, Western developers have no reason to be wary or fearful, but it is nice that Japanese devs are making a strong comeback this time around. Variety in games is only a good thing

That come back won't continue because there no way Japan can continue its recent stride it's just due to many projects completed and releasing around the same time.

 

[True Fire]

I think if you're expecting this to be the beginning of a trend, you're going to be disappointed. This period has been an aberration (a pleasant one, I hasten to add), with these huge Japanese games all releasing at practically the same time. I don't think that's going to happen again any time soon.

Japan hasn't even gotten started tbh. For starters, every game console is now HD. That means Japanese 3DS devs will now be making modern looking games. In 2-3 years, when Western devs are saving their big titles for next gen, Japanese devs will be flooding the market with Switch games

 

[1st Course]

Been out of the loop lately. Are you basing this on critical acclaim or sales?

Both honestly.

FFXV is the fastest selling entry in the series. Nioh and Yakuza 0 also have been selling well.

 

[Ray Down]

Both honestly.

FFXV is the fastest selling entry in the series. Nioh and Yakuza 0 also have been selling well.

Both Nioh and Yakuza sales pale in comparison to other games sales though.

 

[Kintaro]

Why would they be worried? The fall belongs to the West. Call of Duty will be the highest selling game again. Red Dead, Battlefront 2, Assassin's Creed (maybe?), Sony US 1st Party game, Crackdown 3, etc etc etc.

JP got the early start. West will win the spotlight and sales and it won't even be close.

 

[True Fire]

Both Nioh and Yakuza sales pale in comparison to other games sales though.

I won a million in the lottery, but it doesn't matter because Bill Gates is a billionaire

 

[Mik317]

I think the next batch of Japanese releases will be the ones to see if they are "back" or not.

A lot of this recent "resurgence" is due to oft delayed or seemingly cancelled games actually coming out and not being ass. The follow up is key.

But ideally both "sides" take notes on why these games are so highly praised and learn from that. The gameplay is so on point for these releases that shortcomings like FPS and meh graphics can be overlooked. That is also why many of the "flops" of the previous year didn't do as hot. Focusing on making sure the game is actually fun to play is good for all.

 

[Ray Down]

I won a million in the lottery, but it doesn't matter because Bill Gates is a billionaire

It doesn't work if you trying to make a point that Bill Gates should be scared/wary of you...