Castlevania's Koji Igarashi: Microsoft don't get us
by Joystiq Staff 
{ Jun 23rd 2006 at 11:55AM }
Embedded at the end of an interview with Game Informer, Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi hints at just why Microsoft's 360 can't grab that Japanese market they so desperately sought. Apparently, Japanese gamers only like three games, because as Igarashi says, "... if Japanese developers would say they're working on Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest or Metal Gear maybe, then I guess Japanese consumers would take it [Xbox 360] seriously and consider purchasing it."I never understood the fascination by Microsoft to try and conquer Japan. I always believed that they should have just gone by the Field of Dreams mantra: If you build it, they will come.
Back to the real point of the interview, Igarashi said that a co-op Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin for DS Wi-Fi is not out of the realm of possibility. He says, "It's not confirmed yet because I haven't started work on it. That's why I can't confirm. But actually I'm thinking about preparing a special unlockable stage where you can do co-op over Wi-Fi. Technically speaking, I think we are able to do something like co-op, yes."
[via Eurogamer]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
soco @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:02PM
the real point of the article is about the co-op, but the title is about the 360?
i think it's worth pointing out what he really says in the GameInformer interview:
GI: You’ve been working on the Castlevania franchise for quite some time now, do you have any plans for starting a new franchise on next-gen consoles?
Iga: Actually, I’m confused with all of this next-generation news. I don’t know what to do. I was really leaning toward PS3 in the beginning. But then at the Sony conference they announced the price and I was like, “Mmm, maybe it’s too expensive.”
When it comes to Wii, obviously the controller has a unique feature, but I just can’t come up with a good idea that utilizes it. I mean, clearly you can with a lot of time.
GI: Microsoft has talked a lot about wanting to penetrate the Japanese market. They’ve got Square Enix putting out Final Fantasy XI. They have Mistwalker working on some projects. As a Japanese developer, do you think this will work to draw in the Japanese market?
Iga: I’m not really negative over Microsoft, but for some reason they tend to back off a little when it comes to something really foreign. But if Japanese developers would say they’re working on Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest or Metal Gear maybe, then I guess Japanese consumers would take it seriously and consider purchasing it. There has to be some killer titles to move the consumers into the 360 market. What I’m thinking is if Bill Gates uses his personal money and says, “I have a billion dollars. Why don’t you make a game for me?” Then we would love to work on it. (laughs)
Dan @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:08PM
Wow, that's one ugly guy.
Oh, and Castlevania WiFi would rock my socks, and I bet the Joystiq editors' socks too.
dvddesign @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:10PM
And stuff like this makes me reticent to buy an x360.
I know the Japanese support isn't there adequately.
And it sucks because, if I want the quirky fun games that Japan promises, I'm stuck buying a PS3. I'd kill to get the support up on the 360 to where it was worth getting one for me.
I AM getting a Wii, and I can only hope that Sony gets slaughtered enough to get enough developers to switch to Wii so we don't have this vacuum of great games to play, but no one will because the PS3 is so freakin' expensive.
I mean, I'm no fanboy, but I would've missed out on stuff like REZ, Katamari Damacy, Ico, Shadows of the Colossus, FFX, FFXII if the PS2 had launched at $600.
And at this rate, I'm having to weigh whether or not I REALLY want to play FFXIII. I'd love to get an Xbox 360, but they'll never have the Japanese developer support like the natives will.
crono141 @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:15PM
I'll get FF13 and all that other "good" stuff when the PS3 costs 200 at the end of its life cycle, just like I got FFVII and all the good PS1 games at the end of ITS life cycle.
I should have done the same thing for PS2, but I didn't. I have less that 5 games for it, I never play it, its a waste of space in my entertainment center.
Except for KH1 and 2, the PS2 is never used.
Viva la Revolution (Wii)
Derbeste @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:23PM
With all the vampire hunters and characters that have been introduced to the Castlevania series, it's a wonder they have not included ANY multiplayer features for the game......ever........let alone co-op.
If they are considering this, I welcome it whole heartedly.
btw.....On one slightly negative note....
Does anyone else think it's outright STUPID for a game developer to admit his lack of imagination?
martin @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:24PM
Use analog stick to move character. Flick Wiimote to use whip. How hard was that to come up with an awesome Castlevania for the Wii. Done.
32_Footsteps @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:26PM
On the bright side, I'm taking this as meaning that he wouldn't make gamers redo the seal system on the Wii.
The thing that I worry gets lost, as I can see with comments like this, is that developers get too caught up on the new features on the controller. Let's put it this way - if they decided to make a 2D Castlevania for the Wii, make it like Symphony of the Night/the GBA Castlevania games, and just make it incredibly large (or with fun unlockables - imagine if SOTN was unlockable in this), and kept the same controls as they have for a while, that game would sell like crazy. It would get tons of positive reviews. It could also probably be ready in time for the Wii's launch.
I'm not saying that the new functions can't be good, or that they should be ignored. But Igarashi already has a solid and fun formula. Why not work with that?
SymetriX @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:49PM
I agree with #7, not every game uses the DS touch screen for core gameplay (including the new Mario).
But, to #3, I wouldn't say it's a lock that all the original Japanese titles will come out for the PS3; he's basicaly stating that nobody is quite sure what to do now that the PS3 is priced so far out of most people's budgets.
With the 360 lagging in support in Japan, it looks like the Wii may win over some of these titles by default, which I think is what a lot of people have been suggesting, although comments like these may confirm that line of thinking.
SuicideNinja @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:51PM
"But if Japanese developers would say they’re working on Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest or Metal Gear maybe, then I guess Japanese consumers would take it seriously and consider purchasing it."
Um...those three games is what they limit themselves to? That's pretty sad.
What's even more interesting is that Kojima said that Japanese developers have been "defeated" by Western developers (European and American -- in the latest GI mag).
J.Goodwin @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:55PM
It's kind of disappointing to hear that the Japanese developers all want Microsoft to write them big checks. Especially considering just how far back Microsoft and Konami go.
If it wasn't for Kazuhiko Nishi and Microsoft, most of these companies would not exist as they do today. The 3rd party software vendor would likely have been an endangered species in Japan by 1990. God knows Nintendo and SEGA had little interest in dealing with 3rd parties except those who had already established brands on the MSX.
elmer @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:55PM
Heck yeah. Saying everything has to go motion controlling on Wii or everything has to go normal and haemoglobin mapped, sub-surface scattered, procedurally generated on PS3 and 360 is akin to saying everything has to have gone 3D on PS1. Clearly there's still a great space left for classic game designs, be they in premise, graphics technologies, level design or controls. Personally I think a 2D Castlevania game for Wii using standard button controls would be great - furthermore, I doubt Wii is at any technical detriment compared to PS3 or 360 when it comes to giant 2D sprite graphics. However, I also think in this experimental stage of such an experimental system, it would be great to have some kind of motion control (whatever it may be) as an optional control method. Perhaps a new control scheme could even be distributed over Wiiconnect24 as developers come to grips with what works and what doesn't.
As for comments on Japan; holding the market in all three territories is obviously a great boon, not just because it means more sales overall, but also because developers can make 1 game for 1 system and have it sell all over the world. This is especially important with sky-rocketing development costs. Fragmenting the market (as Microsoft is attempting) will force developers to pick and choose consoles and markets, potentially reaching less people even though the games cost more to make. Thanks to the DS, the Japanese market is also exhibiting growth vs the US which is now in decline.
As for what Japanese people like: the franchises are important for sure, but the previous market stagnation and subsequent rejuvenation via DS showed that this was not all they're after. If MS had TRIED to be a little more inventive with games, rather than spend millions on a dynasty warriors clone, they might be doing better.
mandarin @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:57PM
If you build a stable online infrastructure, eventually these guys would start producing titles will use that infrastructure. An example: Monster Hunter. It's online system sucks. It's a fun game but still it really needs online support. It also sells very well in Japan. If Capcom just makes an Xbox version and use Xbox Live, a lot of japanese guys would start taking Xbox360 seriously.
J.Goodwin @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:58PM
As an addendum:
Even though it's disappointing, it's understandable, given that nearly all of the high profile franchises that the Japanese developers have depended on for their solvency over the last 10 years are now selling less and less copies with each iteration.
Christopher7xii @ Jun 23rd 2006 12:58PM
Robert Summa,
"I never understood the fascination by Microsoft to try and conquer Japan. I always believed that they should have just gone by the Field of Dreams mantra: If you build it, they will come."
If you have root in Japan, you get PHAT moneys. Look at how huge the gaming culuture is over there. You lock that in(like Nintendo and Sony), and look how well you can stay afloat. Not to mention you get the consumers to BUY the 360, then the Jap devs make games on the 360, then the americans go apeshit for the games(Smash Brothers Melee, Castlevania, Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, etc). I mean, how many people have said "I'll totally buy a PS3 if X or Y comes out for it!", inserting titles from that previous list I mentioned. So in the end, more game/hardware sales, so more money. That's why MS wants to conquer the Land of the Rising Sun.
Enzo @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:02PM
REZ is on a PS2 original.
LongshotX @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:03PM
A billion dollars for Castlevania? That is an insult to Microsoft. Castlevania isn't worth a quarter of a billion dollars. This guy needs to get off the shrooms and come back to reality.
idioteraser @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:11PM
I believe he was throwing three of the major game series in Japan as an example of the type of games.
FPS, Sports for the most part aren't big sellers. Truthfully i can see why FPS genre is pretty stale, sports just a roster updatae. I agree what Iwata said about the issues with sports games in the Nintendo Managment Press conferance. Sports games costs tons of money to make for the likeness of athelets and using the team names. Most of the fun sports games of the past had made up names and made up teams. Nongamers aren't attracked to Madden since it is too complex. A realistic Tiger Woods also turns them off since it reminds of how boring golf is on the tv.
But a cute fancical golf game with the wii controller could easily lure them into buying the game. It will also not cost a whole lot of money to make since you don't have to pay all the licensing fees.
As for lack of imagination well guess what game developers have been pigenholed for some long they have a hard time getting out. Game development costs are a large part of that reason. They don't want to take risks because if the project tanks the company could go out of business so they make the same game over and over again.
Andy S. @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:27PM
J.Goodwin,
"It's kind of disappointing to hear that the Japanese developers all want Microsoft to write them big checks."
Ha. Disappointing why? Do you think that western developers are any different? Do you *honestly* believe that no western developers ever take "cash incentives" to give certain consoles exclusive titles, even if only temporarily?
Wake up, man.
ill trooper @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:43PM
"I always believed that they should have just gone by the Field of Dreams mantra: If you build it, they will come."
I think they DID build it; problem is, not too many people are coming.
l0tus @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:49PM
i lost any respect i had for japan's taste in games long ago. who cares if they don't buy a 360? let them have their sony piece-of-shit 3, and while they sit around wondering why they just blew 1/2 their savings on a mediocre video game console, i'll be playing too human, gears of war, and phantasy star III.
Evil Inside @ Jun 23rd 2006 1:55PM
I find it odd that Japanese gamers care so little for western-style games while some westerners can't get enough of the Japanese games.
elmer @ Jun 23rd 2006 2:00PM
I don't think it's disapointing at all. If those developers that made Xbox1 games hadn't recieved mega Microsoft bucks, many of them would have gone under (in fact, I believe some of them did). The situation is only worse now. They need to pay the devs for the risk involved. Make no mistake, Japanese developers making quirky Japanese games for 360 will lose money in Japanese markets. It's hardly even a risk if losing the money is almost a sure thing. Yet it's that diversity in games (that fairly or not is percieved to be lacking in the West) that Microsoft really needs. If Microsoft wasn't going to get Dynasty Warriors and Dragonquest THEMSELVES (which they would need to make an impact in Japan), then there's no point in making clones (Ninety Nine Nights and Blue Dragon), as the quirkier titles have more chance in the west as well. I think there was nothing sadder than asking Q Entertainment to make something as generic as N3. And for what? Worse still, if Microsoft didn't pay for it, N3 would have killed Q Entertainment.
bladestar @ Jun 23rd 2006 2:16PM
Is Japan important? Yes of course. Is it as important as 5 years ago? No. Let me remind you that the only place on earth the Xbox is not selling is Japan. Also, that even though there is no Japanese developer support there will be more than 160 games available by the end of the year (Game Informer). Japan or not games are being made. With the last XBox Microsoft managed to take 25% of the game market with a lot less help from Japan than today and many game publishers. Even if Microsoft does 2 times better than last time they would own 50% of the game market. With so many mistakes being made by Sony and Nintendo being a (different) type of console I see this happening. Japanese developers will eventually be more open minded and realize that the game industry is no longer Japan driven but that it is a global market. Japan limited game market is not enough for Japanese developers to make a buck. They will eventually be forced to work on the 360 if it is more profitable.
elmer @ Jun 23rd 2006 2:19PM
@I0tus:
Did you really just quote Too Human as a game you're really looking forward to? Isn't Phantasy Star III a Japanese made game? Are you really impressed with western audiences consistently making re-rostered Maddens and innane replicant GTA 'Sandbox' game number 4s the top of the charts? Are you dissatisfied with the way Japanese gamers became dissolusioned with the same old same old and bought fewer games until Nintendo reinvented what being a 'gamer' meant? Are you pleased that despite endless admonishing from gaming press that PSP has a lack of interesting games while DS has a plentitude, that PSP continues to outsell DS in America? Are you impressed that the Godfather actually did make it to number 1 in Europe, thanks to EA's unbeatable marketing budget? There are a lot of travesties in taste in this industry, and the West is just as guilty as the East.
Finally I'd like to add that for a while after the 360 launch, a number of people were sitting around wondering why they just blew 1/2 their savings on a mediocre video game console. Until it broke.
elmer @ Jun 23rd 2006 2:30PM
Bladestar: I counter your argument with this one: Eventually Western Developers will find it more profitable to make games that actually DO sell in Japan. I swear, until now I don't think they've been trying. Much less so than Japanese Developers having been trying (and succeeding) at selling games in the West. If Western developers weren't into their own hardcore gaming butts, they'd take account of the reasons thier games don't sell there (such as not being able to see your character in FPSes), address them, and try it again. Western developers (from both sides of the Atlantic) don't even make a real effort to appease European gaming markets, let alone Japanese. It's one thing to say the Japanese market doesn't matter. It's quite another to say the American market is the only one that does.
BTW. 23 million systems out of approximately 145 million is around 15%. And they had hella support last time. I'll never forgive Sega for Jet Set Radio Future for not coming out on Gamecube
idioteraser @ Jun 23rd 2006 2:51PM
Elmer the PSP doesn't outsell the DS in America. DS games continously outsell PSP games by a huge margin. DS hardware sales have gone through the roof these past two weeks. It's looking like the DS will outsell the psp by a seven to one margin and maybe even more in the US in a year.
Revolution @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:00PM
@ Elmer (#23 comment)
EXACTLY! Brilliant.
TDub301 @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:10PM
Hey Elmer, can you back up your statement?
"Are you pleased that despite endless admonishing from gaming press that PSP has a lack of interesting games while DS has a plentitude, that PSP continues to outsell DS in America?" I understand you're trying to make a point with multiple arguments, but I think this one is incorrect. Also, I've read up on Too Human and it's looking like it'll be a great game, the developers have been working on it for 10 years. The other 2 points, however, are very valid.
On another note, I think that Igarashi is forgetting that just because it's a Wii game, doesn't mean that it has to use the Wiimote's full potential. Developers can still make games with traditional controls. I support the idea of taking it back to 2D and making it a huge quest. I think that would be a great game. Just because 2D is old-school doesn't mean it can't still be fun, just look at Viewtiful Joe and some others, too. It could work and with the new hardware (which yes, will be more powerful than the Gamecube, contrary to popular belief) they could make it a huge game worthy of it's legendary original on NES.
elmer @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:15PM
The numbers don't lie. NPD reports that until this month, PSP has outsold DS almost consistently by marginal amounts in the US. Going forward it's likely to change, what with the DS lite and all. Of course you're right, DS software dominates PSP software. My point was why does PSP outsell DS despite apparently having fewer games consumers actually want? I suppose the answer is media playback, and people 'looking cool', but it's still a disheartoning travesty. We'll see if 7 to 1 pans out. The other sad fact is there's much more 3rd party dev support for PSP (both Western and Eastern) despite the games being more expensive to develop, being boring to develop, and generally selling worse.
LaylaLore @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:15PM
Could it be that the Japanese market is simply waiting for all 3 consoles to come out so that they can accurately choose between them? I mean..unlike a lot of the ppl posting here, most of Japan only buys a single console (and probably another portable one). So, assuming they're not going Wii60 or WiiS3 (i can't really fathom people going PS360..but it could happen), it simply makes more sense for them to wait and see and not just grab the 360 simply because its out already.
Once they can compare all three side by side, they'll probably be able to decide whether or not they wanna save 200 bucks and go with the 360 instead of the PS3 or get neither. Remember, most of Japan does not have HDTV and it may simply make more sense for them to get Nintendo or stick with the PS2. (I'm trying to be objective, I love my 360 but if i didn't have an HDTV, I would have gone with the Wii.)
As someone who's waiting for FFXIII, I understand when ppl say thet FF, Dragonquest, and MGS will move the consoles. The thing is, while I'm convinced that those games can easily move 150$ PS2s, I'm not so sure that they'll move 600$ PS3s. Oblivion and my new TV convinced me to get the 360 (my TV's 720p so the PS3 wouldn't have improved things)..but I got it almost a full year after launch and at 400$. As much as I will look mournefully at shelves once FFXIII comes out, I don't think this one game is gonna convince me to pay 600$ for it.
apoc06 @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:15PM
idioteraser: from the numbers, the PSP has been outselling the DS in the US. http://www.videogamecharts.com/page3.html
due to the shortages of DS's earlier in the year, and the people who have been holding off buying a DS waiting for the DS lite's release, its not hard to believe.
Fox @ Jun 23rd 2006 3:58PM
Is it a disheartening tragegy because Americans like something different than Japanese? I usually don't try to get into the middle of this American/Japanese debate but c'mon. You're sitting there insulting Americans' taste in games because you don't like the games we make over here. You say all we make are shooters and sports games? What about Oblivion? It was the highest rated Xbox 360 game out at the moment. And it's a damn good game. But then again, it's not Japanese so it must suck. Get over yourself already.
Americans like our type of games and the Japanese like their type of games. There's some crossover between both cultures but we don't need people saying American tastes are a "travesty" simply because you prefer your DS over the PSP.
Etheo @ Jun 23rd 2006 4:10PM
I might have just wet myself a little. Wifi Co-op with Castlevania?! Incredible that they're finally MAYBE implementing it. What's better is if they can do this with Single-card and without wifi as well. That way this game is a sure must buy for me (if not already).
I doubt the single card thing will happen though. The wifi thing is still plenty to excite about.
Oh and it's a shame for microsoft to not get Castlevania. Maybe if PS3 turns out to be a dud they'll actually have a chance.
J.Goodwin @ Jun 23rd 2006 4:23PM
Andy S. -
I don't doubt that there are a lot of publishers with their hands out in the US as well.
However, with pretty rare exceptions (I guess GTA? I still haven't seen any real confirmation of that), Microsoft seems to be done handing out gobs of money to developers without taking a pretty substantial share of their equity. N3, Blue Dragon, and Lost Odyssey are all examples of Microsoft essentially out-sourcing design and in-sourcing development (or arranging for development to be handled by a Microsoft-trusted 3rd party with assistance from the Advanced Technical Group). These projects are all MS all down the line.
I'll give you three guesses who is getting the money from that $50 title published by Microsoft, and who is only getting a fixed fee for their design services. The first two don't count.
I think that there's just a growing mountain of evidence that every time Microsoft bends over backwards for Japanese developers without taking a piece of the action, they get the shaft. I think they're tired of that, and they're not going to be writing million dollar checks to Konami to get a questionable port of a 3rd rate game anymore.
Christopher7xii @ Jun 23rd 2006 4:32PM
Layla,
"The thing is, while I'm convinced that those games can easily move 150$ PS2s, I'm not so sure that they'll move 600$ PS3s."
I bought a PS2 for $300 to get FFX. Yes, it's not $600, but it's twice as much as $150. For FFXIII, MGS4, and Tony Hawk Project 8(yes I know it's 360)... My PS3 will be well justified I think.
Lord knows how many hours I'll put into THP8 alone...
idioteraser @ Jun 23rd 2006 6:07PM
NPD isn't as accurate as the Japanese gaming charts. Several retailers including online are not counted in the NPD stats.
You said marginally outselling. Yeah bigwhoop.
Jay-Man @ Jun 23rd 2006 10:17PM
I love Krystal.
Castlevania sucks!
Anders @ Jun 24th 2006 1:10AM
Not sure if he was translated correctly, but if he was, that means the japanese aren't interested in the Castlevania franchise either, since it's not among the 3 games hementioned...
Gareth Jones @ Jun 24th 2006 6:18AM
Actually, Rez was available on Dreamcast before PS2.
Brad Lee @ Jun 24th 2006 8:07PM
I'm really surprised MS has thrown such big money into games like N3. I really think they are missing a huge opportunity here. Instead of focusing on big name games for 360, it would make more sense to contact as many developers as possible and get them to make XBLA games. I mean, thats the one thing Japanese gamers are actually buying on 360. It would cost less money, they could probably get more support for the money they spend, and the games could easily be made available for other territories as well, they wouldn't have to worry about whether or not to bring the games over to other territories because it would cost diddly by comparison. And Japanese gamers love quick-paced, addictive games like some of the XBLA titles. I mean, look at how popular the WarioWare games are over there.
But I digress...
Castlevania co-op would be pretty awesome, just so long as it is REAL co-op, and not just some secret mini-level to unlock or something. If it was 2 player, simulateous co-op throughout the whole game, that would be awesome. But, I just have a bad feeling he might do something halfassed like with Dawn of Sorrow (the multiplayer in that sucked eggs).
And by the way, I thought Igarashi was supposed to be retiring or something. At least thats what I read in Nintendo Power a few months back. Hopefully he doesn't, and I'd be happy with continued DS support, he doesn't need to go Wii (man that doesn't sound right).
Tukka @ Jun 25th 2006 10:52AM
I remember reading a blog article a while back where some Konami guy said that he didn't see much use for the Wiimote's motion sensing capabilities for the Wii, which seemed to me an indication of a certain lack of imagination, but at least it means (perhaps) that they won't throw it in a Castlevania Wii title just because they can.
And I agree with Brad. The way Igrashi seems to describe the kind of wifi functionality he is contemplating for Portrait of Ruin, it will not be any kind of incentive to buy the game (not that I will probably need any extra incentive to purchase it).