Yamaoka: Japanese game development 'is in trouble'
by Justin McElroy 
{ Dec 26th 2007 at 12:00PM }
The man who makes Silent Hill sound so creepy, Konami's Akira Yamaoka, has been working with an American team to bring you Silent Hill 5 and as a result, has a pretty unique perspective on how Japanese and U.S. teams compare. His conclusion? The future isn't particularly bright for Japanese houses. "[The U.S teams'] graphical and technical ability is amazing," he says. "There's a huge gap, actually. They're very advanced. I'm Japanese, and I think this is not just with Silent Hill but with the whole of the industry -- I look at what American developers are doing and I think wow ... Japan is in trouble."He elaborates on the problems, citing too much pressure on aging developers and the language barrier slowing some development. We would have guessed that the troubles would stem from trying to work under the constant threat of ninja attack, but it should be noted that we're not big readers.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jerk Face @ Dec 26th 2007 12:13PM
"We would have guessed that the troubles would stem from trying to work under the constant threat of ninja attack, but it should be noted that we're not big readers."
LOL
I love you Justin McElroy.
baby sea tuna @ Dec 26th 2007 1:06PM
Indeed.
Savok @ Dec 26th 2007 12:13PM
I think the main problem is that the Japanese devs want to make games for the Japanese people. Given the choice, the Japanese consumer will go with something like Brain Training or whatever over Super Mario Galaxy (has it even broken a million in Japan yet?).
I mean christ, we have Square making cell phone games, the market has radically changed.
ssuk @ Dec 27th 2007 5:09AM
Oh come now, you can't say that because it's true in all markets and all sorts of media, American game makers make games specifically for the American audience, games such as Madden, Crackdown and other big sandbox games. These games don't translate well into the Japanese market as CAPCOM have found with GTA (They published GTA games in Japan).
American TV makes show for the American audience, although they seem to do well in other countries, like the UK, I doubt many parts of the world would see them as American audiences do...
dizzy @ Dec 26th 2007 12:19PM
nice, hopefully this interview will open up the eyes of a certain friend of mine, who thinks anything and everything Japanese is better than American. Then again, she also loves jrpgs and thinks the Tales series is the greatest thing since sliced bread, so maybe there's no hope afterall =\
Phi Nguyen @ Dec 26th 2007 12:30PM
Man, Tales of Symphonia was the only game in the "Tales" series that I've played and that had the most anti-climatic ending in any game I've played. Fun game but the ending cutscene was a four and a half minute FMV. I know some of you remember that last quote... "This tree's name is..." What?!? What's the name of that freakin' tree?!? Aw, don't cutoff now!!!
Princess Skittles @ Dec 26th 2007 12:42PM
The tree's name is Yggdrasil.
Mightyelf @ Dec 26th 2007 12:43PM
You know many people have the same opinion that your friend.
Because there was this dark time when you play Nintendo or playstation or you was some freak like me who play PC games. Mech Warrior, Diablo, Star Craft, Doom etc..
Later Xbox and Microsoft begin what we can call the reborn of American video games. Because more people play their games beside PC players, no because they were dead.
But if you ever play consoles, it seems american developers are practically new. Where is my diablo?
dizzy @ Dec 26th 2007 12:44PM
the older ones were fun, back when encounters were like 2d fighters and played out like a frantic combo-fest, as opposed to the 3d hack-n-slash button mash in the latest games
FidliousWong @ Dec 26th 2007 12:49PM
Yeah, it's a JRPG. So the tree is always named either Mana, World, or Yggdrasil.
Jerk Face @ Dec 26th 2007 1:38PM
@ Mightyelf
I don't even know what the f*ck you just said.
Mr.ESC @ Dec 26th 2007 1:54PM
Well thank you Mightyelf now I'm down in memory lane. Diablo was awesome, screw WOW Blizzard gimme Diablo 3.
Well the in my opinion American developers seem more likely to improve their titles and innovate their games once in a while and Japanese studios are more likely to innovate and then improve those ideas once in while.
But then again it seems that there is a point where both American and Japanese studios don’t know what to do next so they keep recycling their old titles, for example I.D (When it feels like it) releases FPS after FPS and Square Enix develops Rpg after Rpg.
A sad case is Epic which used to develop crazy fun games like lost Vikings or one of my old favorites Xargon but now it seems they are more into whoring the U3 engine, yes Gears of war and U3T are awesome and a perfect example of how shooters can be fun again and not repetitive but I would like to see a Lost Vikings game once of these days and I would totally hate see them just developing 3rdps after 3rdps.
Another example is Nintendo, how many wonderful titles those magnificent bastards created and now it seems all they do is exploiting the same franchises over and over, has why I was pissed when I heard Project Hammer was canceled; a new Ip from Nintendo and it had to be cancelled why? , yes titles like Super Paper Mario or Super Mario Galaxy are exciting and new but it seems Nintendo don’t want to explore new ideas for new franchises.
FidliousWong @ Dec 26th 2007 2:05PM
Mr. Esc,
Lost Vikings was Blizzard. Epic has always beena small company known for their FPS games.
Mr.ESC @ Dec 26th 2007 2:10PM
Oh yeah sorry I was still down the memory lane.
But I clearly remember that Epic did xargon and hell I want to play that game again and maybe after this assload of work I might do so.
Seriously I want a new Xargon game.
samfish @ Dec 26th 2007 5:29PM
"nice, hopefully this interview will open up the eyes of a certain friend of mine, who thinks anything and everything Japanese is better than American."
I like Japanese games better than American games, too (generally speaking, of course).
You're never going to "open my eyes" and make me magically say, "OMG! OMGOMGOMG! I LOVE AMERICAN GAMES! GIMME ALL THE FPS and SCI-FI RPG GAMES OUT THERE!"
Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.
"Well the in my opinion American developers seem more likely to improve their titles and innovate their games once in a while and Japanese studios are more likely to innovate and then improve those ideas once in while."
I agree with this statement.
dizzy @ Dec 26th 2007 6:16PM
@Samfish - I'm not trying to make her love American games or get her to love them more than Japanese produced games. She just has a deep rooted prejiduce against anything American.
I just want to let her see that some people in the culture she adores thinks that some things in the US of A is okay in their book. I linked the interview to her and she ignored it though =(
hvnlysoldr @ Dec 27th 2007 12:46AM
In FFV the tree was named X-Death (actually Exodus)
colin @ Dec 27th 2007 2:26AM
@ samfish
i actually laughed out loud @ "i agree with this statement"
lothar @ Dec 26th 2007 12:20PM
Meh, the American developed games are not huge sellers in Japan. So whats the big deal?
Jerk Face @ Dec 26th 2007 1:41PM
I think what makes it important for Japanese developers is that the American and European markets are HUGE. So if games made by non-Japanese developers sell better in these regions, the Japanese market share shrinks considerably. Japanese developers will all probably have to look to trends in American games to better appeal to a larger piece of the pie.
Zertoss @ Dec 26th 2007 12:22PM
"We would have guessed that the troubles would stem from trying to work under the constant threat of ninja attack"
"He elaborates on the problems, citing too much pressure on aging developers"
Coincidence?
jsn @ Dec 26th 2007 12:23PM
Japan was on top of gaming because games, at the time, were a larger part of their culture than it was anywhere else. So naturally you had more game devs there which brings more ideas. Now gaming is huge everywhere, especially in the US, so the balance of power has shifted. Japan used to account for a huge majority of world-wide game sales, but they've now taken a backseat to both Europe and the US.
With that said, I think Japanese devs got to focused on "their style" and just haven't branched out too much. They're sticking to that formula and its obviously taken a toll on creativity. Granted a Japanese dev can still churn out that style and be successful over there, but if they want a bigger slice of the pie they're going to have to change their style to suit a larger audience.
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 26th 2007 12:27PM
I don't trust in guys with silver pants and yed hair.
=)
Pureshooter @ Dec 26th 2007 12:34PM
Sounds like you've been burned before. I'm sure you'll keep a closer eye on your drink at your next rave.
pwnetheus @ Dec 26th 2007 12:42PM
Thanks for the LoLz, Pureshooter.
Fernando Rocker @ Dec 26th 2007 12:50PM
=(
Mightyelf @ Dec 26th 2007 12:33PM
Well I love Silent Hill, Fatal Frame and Resident evil.
Japanese games all, but Silent Hill 4 (seriously what was that!) Was like a Corage the cowardly dog episode.
I play Slent Hill 0 made by an American team this time and it feels goods, like a return to silent hill 1 and 2, I have the same impression whit 5 is like American developers keep the main substance and only add better graphics. Its feel like some of the last Japanese designers do to many unnecessary changes like Fatal Frame 3, the repetition is annoying nothing like the great Fatal Frame 2.
And we can say the same about FF 10 repetitive, not 7 any way. FF12 looks like some one want to copy gild wars, the main story is so ambiguous they should let you name and design your own character.
Jerk Face @ Dec 26th 2007 1:43PM
*sigh*
Okay, this is the second time I am going to call you out on it in one post; but I just have to.
English better be your second language. If so, you're fine.
But if it isn't? You should stop talking forever.
Jerk Face @ Dec 26th 2007 3:38PM
Okay, so after looking at some of your other posts, it looks like English probably IS your second language.
So I rescind my scathing comments! I am, in fact, a big Jerk Face. My bad!
Cyro @ Dec 26th 2007 12:32PM
That guy looks Gay as Hell man!
DemonGSides @ Dec 26th 2007 1:35PM
Thank you for this all important comment.
Jerk Face @ Dec 26th 2007 2:02PM
Those pants are full of win. Pure rock star.
driven2sin @ Dec 26th 2007 2:34PM
isnt your avatar from some lesbo game?
Cyro @ Dec 26th 2007 2:43PM
Uh... No. You can experience lesbo action if you want to. But not everyone chooses to be a woman in the game. Not that there is a problem with lesbian action.:) Its Gay males that are the problem :P
Sora267 @ Dec 26th 2007 3:42PM
More gay males = more single girls = More for me!
Thomas @ Dec 27th 2007 1:21PM
Japanese have different standards for gayness and manliness, generally the reverse of what we Americans have. Basically, if a man spoke with a heavy lisp, wore long, dyed hair, lipstick, glitter eye shadow, blush, a halter-top, a pair of Daisy Dukes and breat implants, he'd be the Japanese version of John Wayne.
FidliousWong @ Dec 26th 2007 12:35PM
I once died my hair yed once. Then when I got my hair cut, the stylist was all like "What color be this, anyway?"
FidliousWong @ Dec 26th 2007 12:46PM
I hate to be on this rant but I also hate to see these rants come about.
American Development is currently under the concept that things HAVE to make sense. I mean, example? UT3. They actually explain the tactical purpose of FLaGS. Meanwhile, Japanese developers don't tend to have that limitation. Example? Patapon or Okami.
Western deved games rarely had a place in my heart. I mean, my favorite two FPS series remains Tribes and UT3. Both games make NO logical sense. Even when they try to explain it, it's often comical. Meanwhile, most games try to create a logical world and they never try to jump beyond logic. That's why Portal was so groundbreaking for me because they never attempted to explain it, they just let you enjoy it.
Meanwhile, Japanese developers create an FPS where you hack a new virtual world (Coded Arms), You play as a god who uses a paint brush to cast spells (Okami), and even back in the day, you played as a virtual Kabuki avatar to shut down an evil computer virus (Kabuki Quantum Fighter). A lot of the Japanese games constantly break the fourth wall and are games because they WANT to be games. I honestly can't remember the last time a US deved game broke the fourth wall.
HOWEVER, US developers do have a very focused path on game development whereas Japanese developers do not.
Raikage (ROFLBERRY PWNCAKES Defence Force) @ Dec 26th 2007 1:29PM
The two regions innovate in different ways.
I love Shadow Of The Colossus, and I also love Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory.
Both of them were innovative, just in different ways (yes I know Pandora Tomorrow started the Mulitplayer.)
Does that mean one is better than the other? No!
I love having fun with those Japanese games that know they are games, but I also like being so "into" a game like Splinter Cell that when I'm spotted, I yell and run away/stab him in the face. Or when your inches away from the guard tucked in the corner an your heart's racing because your not sure if he is gonna turn around or not.
Well that's my 6 cents...
(BTW I'm gettin' a memory card so I can actually save on SoTC, memory cards are sooo last gen.)
Jerk Face @ Dec 26th 2007 1:44PM
Well said, Raikage.
Noshino @ Dec 26th 2007 1:45PM
Add to your list Shadow of Colossus, LocoRoco, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil, Viewtiful Joe....shall we go on?
Actually, I think the opposite way this guy does, I see at US developers and then see what the japanese devs have put out, and then I go "wow, US devs haven't gone that far" hell, the best game from a technical standpoint of view from the US that I have seen (or has been show for that matter) is UT3...Gears was awesome, but if im not wrong took more than 2 years to be made, we already have ingame footage of FFXIII and MGS4...and it is a la par, if not (IMHO) better...
Also that, the US market still greatly focused on FPSs...
Raikage (ROFLBERRY PWNCAKES Defence Force) @ Dec 26th 2007 1:59PM
Well Noshino, what about Oblivion, Mass Effect, Bioshock, Half Life, PORTAL!!!, Zac and Wiki (I think...), and Madden*
Those games are just as good and innovative as the ones you listed, and OMG THEY"RE NOT ALL FPSs!!!
Raikage (ROFLBERRY PWNCAKES Defence Force) @ Dec 26th 2007 2:00PM
*JOKING!!!
ThornedVenom @ Dec 26th 2007 2:04PM
I fully agree with your statement and I think that (only generally speaking due to mandatory exceptions) it's due to a fundamental design philosophy where they constantly attempt to converge movies with videogames. Perhaps it's too hard to imagine that electronic entertainment can also become an artform as a simple toy.
FidliousWong @ Dec 26th 2007 2:16PM
I do want to say this. A game concept like Ouendon would have NEVER been made in the US. Period. The concept may have been dinked with to the level of a flash game, but never expanded to a full game. Western dev studios simply are not structure to think outside the box. They can make the box bigger, certainly. But never escape it. I mean, hell, evidence? Bioware still hasn't gone beyond the morality system of Baldur's Gate. In many ways, they've gone backwards.
cogline87 @ Dec 26th 2007 2:31PM
I would like to point out that that's bullshit.
If you like Japanese games more, that's fine. They do have a style that is there own that some people prefer. I enjoy a lot of Japanese games myself.
But don't claim Western game devs don't think outside the box. There are plenty of crazy, off-the-wall Western games. I only feel the need to point out Tim Schafer, really: Psychonauts, Escape from Monkey Island, his upcoming Brutal Legend. These games do exist, but, since they're American, they don't count?
Raikage (ROFLBERRY PWNCAKES Defence Force) @ Dec 26th 2007 2:31PM
I don't like to do this, but o well, so just because the Mona Lisa wasn't a bunch of swirls means it's nothing compared to a 3 year old finger-painting?
Seriously, I can design a Japanese game right now... A cartoonish monkey riding an alligator through space, collecting stars to bring music back to the world only being controlled by the shoulder buttons. Also including hours of pre-rendered cut scenes and a cute theme song.
BIG WUP.
I'm not saying all Japanese games are like that of course...
BTW I'd totally buy my game...
driven2sin @ Dec 26th 2007 2:39PM
jerkface are you the moderator of this thread? or of everyone's thoughts? wishes? desires or complaints?
can the joystig podcast revoke your shoutout?
FidliousWong @ Dec 26th 2007 2:40PM
cogline
You bring up Schafer. Which is funny to me since I'm a big fan but I have to do this. Just because you brought him up.
Tell me, what is Psychonauts beyond a platformer? The game is funny, brilliant, and imaginative, but it's Mario 64 Schafer style.
Escape from Monkey Island is an adventure game. Same as it always was. Beyond the writing and setting, what sets Monkey Island beyond Zork and King's Quest?
Brutal Legend.. well, nothing gameplay has been shown. Can't judge the gameplay. But when I saw the game, I had a hard time not saying "Hey, look... Tenacious D's Jack Black is starring in a Metalocalypse inspired Heavy Metal Magazine video game."
Meanwhile, Schafer hasn't done anything new to the gameplay aspect itself.
Raikage (ROFLBERRY PWNCAKES Defence Force) @ Dec 26th 2007 2:44PM
driven2sin
Well this site needs a spelling moderator for you.
All he did was agree with my post, what's it to ya?
Go bother someone else, your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!
... only stupid people are breeding ...