Yoshi-P: "...the future of the Japanese game industry isn't that bright..."

[Lithera]

That will change nothing...

I agree. It is also a pain to implement. Besides having to store double the audio files, they also need to include the lip sync animations. That's disc space better used for more actual content. If it was done it would likely be an optional download.

[Clavaat]

The Shin Megami Tensei series is doing fairly well, despite still being fairly niche. And are we counting Pokemon? Because that is endlessly popular. RE and FF have both realized the demand for back to basics horror/RPG games, and seem to be making changes to it. The Evil Within is looking strong in that regard, same with Bravely Default. In terms of MMO's, I don't know of any other Japanese MMO's. There are about 500 Korean MMO's, and a few Western ones, but I'm not sure what else from Japan.

[tymora]

We are a biased audience. Basically we (a good number of us) are here because we like JP culture in some form or another.

[skaterger]

My interest was piqued and so I went to research a little more about what yoshi actually said and for those interested:

At this year's E3, my feelings about how the future of the Japanese game industry isn't that bright became stronger than ever. Many of the NextGen titles that are coming out are taking rights with new and challenging gaming experiences. Also, there are a good number of new IPs coming out as well. AS far as animation goes, Japanese titles often have impressive visuals, but looking at the titles from North America, the entire arrangement of cutscenes is composed like a movie. Looking only at the motions, it may seem somewhat odd, but how the game experience and cutscenes come together is stunning. FFXIV is an MMO and has to be capable of displaying hundreds of characters simultaneously, so it's not possible to compare directly, but in these titles they concentrate everything on the quality and animation control of the 4- or 5-person multiplayer experience. And it's not only the major studios. Small independent studios are also putting everything they've got into single titles. I feel that we should follow that example and continue to challenge ourselves.

I pretty strongly disagree that the strength of JRPGs come from their visuals, For me they always have been about a good storyline, solid gameplay and a providing a good challenge. FFXIII proves that graphics cannot save a game if the gameplay or story is weak. So many games have focused so much resources and time into graphics at the cost of other aspects. It also worries me that Yoshi seems to want to implement more cutscenes. If i wanted to watch cutscenes, I would go watch a movie instead of playing a game. Old games like Baldur's gate was able to tell a story through dialogue without the use of cutscenes so it seems like excessive cutscenes are a shortcut taken by developers who are unable or unwilling to flesh out a good story. Personally, I can't think of JRPGs without thinking of hard and challenging content. Etrian Odyssey, knights in the nightmare and Devil's Survivor are good examples of these.

[ApolloGenX]

I like the core FF themes, but can take or leave the JP stuff. They are trying to “westernize” their games, but still imposing huge amounts of cultural rigidity.

It doesn’t work. For someone like me that isn’t completely enamored with “all things JP”, I don’t really care if they find certain things taboo or certain fetish type things okay. Legit Western games offer customization and JP games don’t.

That would be okay if the story was incredibly good (like the old FFs, Chrono, Mana etc.)… but part of their version of “westernization” seems to be watered down storylines.

They end up with the worst of both worlds. Grindy games, little story, rigid characters, and overly JP motifs can be a real turn off. It just feels like an angsty teen environment that resents western culture and romanticizes JP culture.

Compelling story and characters allows fusion of different styles that creates a much more immersive world, imo. EQ had lots of different motifs... variety is good.

[Double]

I still play Tactics Advance 2 on the DS.

Japan is literally trying to take the best of the worse situation and make something out of it. If your culture isn't into console games and rather play mobile/arcade then adapt to the times. FF-Type 0 is a handheld title along with bravely default and both did remarkably well. People don't want to sit in their home and stare at a monitor all day in Japan anymore.

They want to be at the park while doing it.

[Billie21]

I still play Tactics Advance 2 on the DS.

Japan is literally trying to take the best of the worse situation and make something out of it. If your culture isn't into console games and rather play mobile/arcade then adapt to the times. FF-Type 0 is a handheld title along with bravely default and both did remarkably well. People don't want to sit in their home and stare at a monitor all day in Japan anymore.

They want to be at the park while doing it.

That is true for the global video games market.
Not that there aren't any big success in console/PC games any more, but small/mobile games are where it's happening nowadays.
Candy Crush and other Facebook-like minigames are the future of the industry. Casual market to the extreme... and it's working. This market is exploding while the classic video games market is having a harder time.

Casual games isn't demoralizing the hardcore/console market.

Most people who are playing Candy Crush and many other tablet/mobile/handhelds are on the go or getting that one game in before getting back on the job or whatever they are doing.

It's not when they could be at home playing in front of a T.V.

Not saying those minigames are stealing customers from the classic video games (I believe that, if anything, it's the opposite).

Where it could have an effect, is for the people who work in the industry. Because ultimately, they need to make money.
It's not that handheld games drive people away from consoles, it's just that it's where the money is, and a relatively bigger market than home games. Which is why I believe it's the future of the industry.

[Deifact]

Yeah I agree. I think Japan could still be the king of RPG games but that's only one genre of game. I'd say western developers/publishers are creating more unique and successful IP's nowadays that cover a wider genre.

[Marxam]

Hes right and wrong. I remember the ps1 and ps2 days where i had to choose qhich jrpg to play just because there was too much and i didnt have time for them all.

During the ps3 i was scrounging around for even half decent ones like white knight chronicles and the atelier series (which has been around since ps1 and is actually really good).

Ps4 im just playing ffxiv atm

[Double]

snip

Casual games isn't demoralizing the hardcore/console market.

Most people who are playing Candy Crush and many other tablet/mobile/handhelds are on the go or getting that one game in before getting back on the job or whatever they are doing.

It's not when they could be at home playing in front of a T.V.