Keiji Inafune talks about Japanese Games: how it relates to XIV

[Denmo]

I found this Q&A very interesting.

Right now, Japan believes that other Asian games, and American games, aren’t as good as theirs. But across the world, American games are the best-selling and considered the most fun. But Japan’s gamers and game creators still won’t accept this. This is why Japan can’t win.

Wired: It’s heartbreaking to hear things like this, because I like Japanese games and don’t want them to go away.

Inafune: Chris, you say that you like Japanese games, but you don’t like them now, right? You like the old ones. You like the new ones sometimes, but you always liked the old ones, right? Say there’s a movie director you really like. You don’t like his new movies but you’ll go to see them anyway. It’s the same thing. Sometimes it’s a hit. But back in the day it was nothing but hits. Since you’re a fan you’ll watch them, but non-fans won’t see them.

You’re being too nice to Japanese games. You should be harsh when you feel the standards aren’t living up to what we had in the past. You should tell the truth about Japanese games not being what they used to be. Unless they get that criticism, Japanese game creators are just sitting on the glories of the past. They won’t get the message that the Western audience is turning its back on us.

Japanese people haven’t admitted that American games are more fun right now.
There was a Canadian guy who appeared in a documentary film and did a Q&A afterwards. And a Japanese person asked what he thought of Japanese games, and he said he thought they sucked. That’s what’s necessary.

It’s very severe, but very honest. Unless Japanese people feel embarrassed from the experience of getting harsh comments, saying [new games] could have been better is not an opinion they would take seriously. When they’re embarrassed and they feel obliged to change, it would make a difference.

Thinking back to how this game got a 4.0, I think that's what happened. Harsh criticism, and we're seeing a rebound. And what's more:

Wired: What does Japan do well?

Inafune: They’re very diligent. They work hard hours. They probably will work much more than Americans would. The problem is they’re not led in the right direction. When they’re not shown a direction, they just waste their energy on unnecessary things. There’s definitely a lack of leadership. If they’re led in the right direction, they will come up with really good work.

From what I've seen, Yoshi-P has the right idea on where this game should go. I think they're on the right track, and to hear the above quote from not just a Japanese, but Keiji Inafune, gives me a great deal of hope for 2.0.

But I also see it this way: We shouldn't shy away from being critical about something we feel strongly for (so long as it's constructive). That's what these forums are for. It can't all be hugs and kisses here.

[yukikaze_yanagi]

Surely it can't, but..seriusly..there's a limit to everything. Do you remember the goobbue thread ? Or the thread meter ?

[Denmo]

Surely it can't, but..seriusly..there's a limit to everything. Do you remember the goobbue thread ? Or the thread meter ?

(so long as it's constructive)

/10characters

[yukikaze_yanagi]

that' the entire problem

[Andrien]

Many of the PS1 classics that arrive on the PlayStation Network are popular. Everyone enjoys the fact that Legend of Dragoon is heading to the PSN very soon, and how long was Final Fantasy VII, and VIII stayed on top of the most popular top 10 download list? Many of them titles have a style of gameplay that is dying and yet, with the myth that all westerners only want to play other stuff, those classics often outsell new digital content constantly.

Maybe that's a small message. That adventures with deep storyline, and color still have a place in this world.

[Denmo]

that' the entire problem

*sigh* I do recall the Jumping thread.

[Firon]

Many of the PS1 classics that arrive on the PlayStation Network are popular. Everyone enjoys the fact that Legend of Dragoon is heading to the PSN very soon, and how long was Final Fantasy VII, and VIII stayed on top of the most popular top 10 download list? Many of them titles have a style of gameplay that is dying and yet, with the myth that all westerners only want to play other stuff, those classics often outsell new digital content constantly.

Maybe that's a small message. That adventures with deep storyline, and color still have a place in this world.

I agree with this. I don't like many western games that other ppl consider fun like Skyrim i think its boring, cause of the shitty game play. I do find a lot games fun from both sides tho.

[Denmo]

I agree with this. I don't like many western games they other ppl consider fun like Skyrim i think its boring, cause of the shitty game play.

I'm going to take Keiji's advice and disagree with ya there. If I could get Skyrim's level of depth in a Final Fantasy setting I'd be in uber gaming heaven.

[Jinko]

He has some good points, but then if you look at what he did to Resident Evil you may think differently.

Granted Resident Evil 5 sold a lot and many thought it was a good game, but it turned what was once a survival horror into just another shooter.

So I do agree that Japanese dev's need to get their acts together, I do feel bad for JP developers though, because they were stuck on the PS2 for a long time, when it came time to move to this gen they had very little understanding of openGL and DirectX, I still think they are playing catch up and the horrendous programming, UI and optimisation of this game prove that.

We can only hope that Yoshida has a good team behind him now.

[Nuinn]

I'm going to take Keiji's advice and disagree with ya there. If I could get Skyrim's level of depth in a Final Fantasy setting I'd be in uber gaming heaven.

Agreed! If only. . . . /sigh
Bethesda is however developing a TES MMO but damn it, wish it was a FF one!