Inafune: Japanese developers need to take “more global approach”
Simon Williams September 19, 2012 - 3:43 pmNews: “The Japanese game industry used to pull the entire business forward,” says ex-Capcom man Keiji Inafune, who believes the games industry as a whole in Japan needs to shake up its approach to development if it is to compete on global terms.
Keiji Inafune quit Capcom last year to embrace new approaches to working within the games industry, forming three new companies, one of whom – Comcept – have announced their first title, Soul Sacrifice for the PlayStation Vita. He believes that more changes need to happen to the Japanese model of games development for it to return to its former health.
“I think there needs to be more energy among developers before the Japanese game industry will improve, and if we want to complete globally, they need to take a more global approach to development,” Inafune says.
“So I’m trying to make a company where the developers feel more of a reward for making great products. I’d like to succeed at that, and I hope that inspires other outfits to see if they can duplicate that success.”
He remains a firm believer that the talent exists in Japan to do so, but that it may not be being utilised properly: “There are a lot of very talented creators in Japan, but often they aren’t in a position to use that talent, or the developer they’re working for hasn’t noticed that talent,” He told Gamasutra. “So I think there needs to be a system that allows them to be more creative in their work; that would help them a lot. I think we’re seeing that in my work with Marvelous; I’m digging up a lot of talent working for them.”
“The Japanese game industry used to pull the entire business forward, something a lot of people aren’t even aware of anymore, and I think the experience I’ve gained through those years can help pull people who aren’t familiar with those times out of the woodwork.”
Comments (1)
Yes, Japanese companies “used to pull the entire business forward” after the video game industry in the United States crashed, but they also kept it alive so that American companies could recover with others getting involved as it became clear that video games weren’t just a fad.
Sure, Japanese developers and publishers probably should look at having more stuff that is actually enjoyable outside of Japan, but I think the whole Eastern vs. Western thing needs to be buried. There’s great stuff from all over and to compete on a geographic level makes no sense. Yes, some games are more likely to be more easily accepted in Japan, some in the U.S., some in Europe, and so on, but there’s no reason you have to keep making games just with a certain area in mind. Don’t stick to making Japanese games for Japan. Make good games that everyone can enjoy.
It’s been done before.