Joystiq

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg

David Hinkle — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:59:00 EST

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z stars Yaiba Kamikaze, a ninja killed by primary series star Ryu Hayabusa during a duel. We're not sure how Yaiba came back from the dead, but at least we can see how he died.

Continue reading Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z trailers won't cost you an arm and a leg originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Putting the 'Yaiba' in Ninja Gaiden Z

David Hinkle — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST

Yaiba means "the blade of a sword," Keiji Inafune explains in this developer diary for Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z. It is, somehow, the subtler component of the protagonist's full name: Yaiba Kamikaze.

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z is being developed primarily by Spark Unlimited, the Los Angeles-based studio also responsible for Lost Planet 3. In the video, Inafune says the studio is "exactly what we wanted" because they were able to bring a unique perspective to the ninja, unifying Western and Eastern visions on the classic archetype. "To appeal to both, it made sense for us to work together."

Inafune then goes into an astute metaphor about how game development is like building a house - at least, we think it's astute. We've never built a house before.

Putting the 'Yaiba' in Ninja Gaiden Z originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice gets more free DLC next week, includes ... this thing

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:45:00 EST

One round of free DLC just isn't enough for Soul Sacrifice, it seems. Come June 11 (the first day of E3!), fresh DLC will add eight new quests and two new bosses, including an ogre and the thing seen above. It's labeled "dwarf," as you can see, but that can't be right.

Just like last time, the DLC will be free, requiring you to sacrifice nothing but your spare time.

Soul Sacrifice gets more free DLC next week, includes ... this thing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jun 2013 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice review: Escapism encapsulated

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:00:00 EST

Soul Sacrifice is a steady ascent to superiority over your captor, a mad sorcerer named Magusar. You can provoke and challenge him from within your fetid cage at any time, but ultimate victory requires toil, repetition and mastery of the same magic that imprisons you. You'll have to play the game to get out, which makes you wonder what the real trap is.

Freedom through power is your goal in the game's fiction and function, with progression framed in a living, speaking journal covered by a contorted face. The cheeky diary, named Librom, recalls the inner turmoil and exploits of Magusar's former partner, from whom you acquire magic and memories packaged as short, perfect-for-portable quests. Discovering the author's identity and exploits is an intriguing, incremental accompaniment to your own gestation as a powerful conjurer.

Soul Sacrifice is a game you play more for the beach than for the sand. Like other sagas that spin around the aggressive acquisition of beastie bits, there is less reward in the act of fighting than the result - and in the case of bigger battles, "epicness" is often conflated with "duration." Soul Sacrifice has no pretense of exploration or towns, just a distilled drip-feed of enclosed arenas and creature extermination that enables new spells, augmented magical prowess or a greater life expectancy for the next challenge.

Gallery: Soul Sacrifice

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Soul Sacrifice review: Escapism encapsulated originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 May 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice sequel already pitched to Sony, says Inafune

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST

Talks of a Soul Sacrifice sequel are already "ongoing" between Sony and Comcept's Keiji Inafune, just a month after the action-RPG hit Japan. In an interview with IGN, Inafune said he'd love to make the follow-up and "drive Vita sales even more."

"Soul Sacrifice is something I specifically designed for Vita using [the] hardware's specific features," Inafune told IGN. "To drive Vita sales even more, I have an idea for a Soul Sacrifice sequel. I'm actually approaching [Sony Computer Entertainment] regarding this project."

"Let's say the talks are ongoing and I'd love to make it happen," he added.

The likelihood of a sequel can only be boosted by SCE Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida retweeting IGN's story earlier this morning.

According to IGN, Soul Sacrifice shifted 150,000 units at retail since being released in Japan on March 7 - that figure excludes digital sales. Of course, Japan is always a bit fond of a monster hunt, so it'll be interesting to see how the Vita game does in the west - and we should find out soon enough. Soul Sacrifice comes out next week in North America and Europe, on April 30 and May 3 respectively.

Soul Sacrifice sequel already pitched to Sony, says Inafune originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice offers trailer with puny humans fighting not-so-puny beasts

Sinan Kubba — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:15:00 EST

Keiji Inafune's Vita action-RPG, Soul Sacrifice, brings a mix of picturesque vistas, giant monsters, and epic combat with said monsters which rips those vistas into shreds. It arrives in North America on April 30, and in Europe on May 1.

Soul Sacrifice offers trailer with puny humans fighting not-so-puny beasts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice being given up to NA April 30, EU May 1

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:30:00 EST

Keiji Inafune's Comcept is relinquishing Vita action-RPG Soul Sacrifice to North America on April 30, and to Europe the day after on May 1. It'll be in both stores and on PSN on its day of release. The game received its Japanese release date of March 7 last month.

Both regions get the same pre-order bonuses, such as the two character costumes and three magical aids for battle. Those aids are the Spirits' Flamepike, which spears a fiery five-hit combo attack, the Spirits' Blightstone, which stirs up a poisonous explosion, and Spirits' Fulgurwood, which can both track enemies and cast a thunder spell.

The most curious bonus is that of Japanese voice-overs. It's always great to have the option, but tying it to pre-orders is certainly unusual. If you're not gonna sacrifice your dosh for the pre-order, take note that the voice-over pack will be sold separately.

Gallery: Soul Sacrifice

Soul Sacrifice being given up to NA April 30, EU May 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z will slice its way to Xbox and PS3

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST

Previously announced only for "consoles," it appears that Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z will be heading specifically to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The news comes via a batch of job listings for developer Spark Unlimited (which is also handling Lost Planet 3), which identify Yaiba as "a bold new take on 3rd Person slasher with Horror elements for the PS3 and Xbox 360."

So there you have it, any fears (hopes?) that Yaiba would debut only on the next generation of consoles have been cut down like a cybernetic zombie ninja.

Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z will slice its way to Xbox and PS3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Dec 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice dev reveals co-op Ghost Mode, Leviathan monster

Sinan Kubba — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:30:00 EST

Vita action-RPG Soul Sacrifice has a ghostly co-op feature which lets you play on with your friends even after you're dead. Keiji Inafune, founder of developer Comcept, detailed this week how 'Ghost Mode' lets you help your party post-mortem, albeit as a phantom.

In ghost form you have both your allies and enemies' status info to hand, and are able to strengthen party members and weaken enemies via the Vita's touchscreen. You're a bit like your party's guiding spirit, except presumably covered in a white blanket with eye holes cut out. Either way, it sounds like an intriguing way to keep players involved after death.

Inafune also went into the lore of a Soul Sacrifice monster called Leviathan, the beastie pictured above. Apparently Leviathan's origins relate to a tormented prince, and his wish to claim the throne by having his twin brother killed by a tortured pet crocodile. This is just one of the reasons we advise caution in choosing a crocodile for a pet.

Soul Sacrifice hits Japan on March 7, 2013. North American and European releases are confirmed, but publisher Sony Computer Entertainment hasn't disclosed their timeframes.

Soul Sacrifice dev reveals co-op Ghost Mode, Leviathan monster originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice out in Japan Mar. 7, 2013, offered in Vita bundle

Sinan Kubba — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST

Keiji Inafune's Comcept surrenders Soul Sacrifice to Japanese gamers on March 7, 2013. The dark fantasy action-RPG also gets a Premium handheld bundle in Japan, featuring a snappy 'Cosmic Red' Vita. Also included are matching earphones, a 4GB memory card, and a title-sporting pouch, strap, and cloth. The bundle's priced at ¥29,980 ($365).

Inafune originally hoped to release Soul Sacrifice this year, but at September's Tokyo Games Show the Mega Man creator ceded that plan. Inafune said Comcept wanted to tweak the game based on feedback gathered from the exhibition.

Soul Sacrifice is confirmed as coming to North America and Europe, although publisher Sony Computer Entertainment has yet to relinquish release windows for either region.

Soul Sacrifice out in Japan Mar. 7, 2013, offered in Vita bundle originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Summoning monsters as a plant-based wizard in Soul Sacrifice

Jordan Mallory — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST

I'm still not clear what the actual name of the character I selected during my demo of Kenji Inafune's upcoming Vita game Soul Sacrifice was, nor was I able to grasp the more delicate workings of some of its deeper mechanics because the Tokyo Game Show demo I experienced was (surprise!) completely in Japanese. But I worked around it.

Though the context of the upcoming universe alluded me, the combat in Soul Sacrifice broke down language barriers ... because it spoke the universal language of kick ass.

Gallery: Soul Sacrifice

Continue reading Summoning monsters as a plant-based wizard in Soul Sacrifice

Summoning monsters as a plant-based wizard in Soul Sacrifice originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune's favorite game is Zelda: A Link to the Past

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST

During the Tokyo Game Show this year, we asked some of Japan's biggest game industry figures what they felt is the most important game to them (outside of games they've actually created). For Keiji Inafune, creator of the Mega Man series and the brainnnnnz behind the upcoming zombie action game, Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z, that fundamental game is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for the Super Nintendo. As important games go, we'd agree that Link to the Past is definitely on the list (and handily available on Virtual Console).

Meanwhile, Hiroshi Kawano, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, picked Crash Bandicoot, which was conveniently (perhaps too conveniently) just released as a PSOne Classic for the PlayStation Vita. While it may not be the game many would have picked, it certainly has a memorable spot in PlayStation history, especially considering its developer, Naughty Dog, went on to create the phenomenal Uncharted series.

Keiji Inafune's favorite game is Zelda: A Link to the Past originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Sep 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Talking Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z with Keiji Inafune and Yosuke Hayashi

Richard Mitchell — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST

Walking around the Tokyo Game Show floor, we just happened to run into Keiji Inafune, famed (and infamous) Japanese developer and creator of notable franchises like Mega Man and Dead Rising, not to mention the upcoming Soul Sacrifice and Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z. We snagged a few minutes of his time to discuss the latter two, specifically how it's been working with Team Ninja on Yaiba, and whether he'd like to continue working with the studio going forward. An Inafune fighting game? It could happen.

After the break, find part two of our interview with Team Ninja head Yosuke Hayashi, during which we discuss Yaiba and the studio's partnership with Inafune.

Continue reading Talking Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z with Keiji Inafune and Yosuke Hayashi

Talking Yaiba: Ninja Gaiden Z with Keiji Inafune and Yosuke Hayashi originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 22 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Soul Sacrifice sacrificing souls Spring 2013

Jordan Mallory — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:30:00 EST

Soul Sacrifice will launch itself -- and presumably a blade forged from the spine of a ruthless warrior -- into Japanese homes sometime in the spring of 2013, creator Keiji Inafune announced during Sony's pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference earlier today. No information was give regarding a North American release window.

"It's not that development has been delayed," Inafune said during his presentation, but rather that Comcept wants to implement user feedback gained from this week's Tokyo Game Show, as well as an upcoming demo. Sony Computer Entertainment has been gracious with development scheduling, says Inafune.

It makes sense when you stop and think about it, considering that spring is the time for love, and what love comes without sacrifice? Well, that may not be the best comparison since our relationships usually don't involve trading body parts and loved ones for unimaginable power. Usually.

Soul Sacrifice sacrificing souls Spring 2013 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inafune's Yaiba combines zombies with ninjas and mechs

JC Fletcher — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST

Comcept officially announced Keiji Inafune's zombie game Yaiba today, though it declined to offer much in the way of detail, as we still have no idea of platforms, release window, or even how the game actually works.

According to creator Keiji Inafune, it's inspired in part by fan feedback. "There are so many zombie games out there, yet people ask me for a new Inafune zombie game. I am grateful for people's respect for me as the 'zombie game creator' and to fulfill that I must answer their expectations with YAIBA."

Those expectations are being fulfilled with a concept of "zombies with action, ninjas and mechs." Get an idea of Comcept's concept in this stylish (but bloody) teaser video.

Continue reading Inafune's Yaiba combines zombies with ninjas and mechs

Inafune's Yaiba combines zombies with ninjas and mechs originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inafune's new zombie game 'Yaiba,' his Soul Sacrifice surprises for TGS

Jordan Mallory — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST

Mega Man creator and Dead Rising producer Keiji Inafune is working on a new zombie game called Yaiba, Siliconera reports. Platforms and other details are scarce at the moment.

If you'll be joining us in Japan next week and have an affinity for things both horrifying and portable, then you may be interested to learn that Inafune will be showing off his upcoming Vita title Soul Sacrifice during the Tokyo Game Show. This will be the first time the game has been playable, by members of the press or otherwise.

Inafune also teased that a surprise announcement of some kind, unrelated to Soul Sacrifice, could be made during the show, according to Andriasang's translation of his blog post. Whether that surprise has anything to do with Inafune's recently released Android title JJ Rockets or Yaiba itself is anyone's guess, but we're keeping our fingers crossed for a rhythm 3DS game set in an unspeakable hell dimension. In three dee!

Inafune's new zombie game 'Yaiba,' his Soul Sacrifice surprises for TGS originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Sep 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enjoy Keiji Inafune's adorable GDC 2012 slide cartoons right here

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:45:00 EST

Keiji Inafune often adds a sketch of his creations (like Mega Man) when giving autographs to fans. Inafune took to his GDC 2012 presentation slides with the same flair, offering illustrations to accompany his various points throughout a speech that focused on Japanese game development.

Continue reading Enjoy Keiji Inafune's adorable GDC 2012 slide cartoons right here

Enjoy Keiji Inafune's adorable GDC 2012 slide cartoons right here originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune on why you shouldn't tease unannounced projects

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST

"I don't think I mentioned anything about PlayStation Vita," Keiji Inafune told me in an interview this morning. His answer -- an outright lie -- elicited laughs from myself and his translator, both of us having attended his state of the Japanese game industry panel yesterday at GDC 2012 -- where he teased a PlayStation Vita project.

"I can say that I got in trouble from Sony," he said. Uh oh! Unsurprisingly, Inafune wouldn't budge on any more details, only adding that, "You should be able to hear something more in detail soon." That's right, folks -- even important devs like Keiji Inafune can't just walk around saying whatever they want about unannounced projects all willy nilly.

But don't fret, fans, as Inafune plans on launching his already announced Nintendo 3DS project, King of Pirates, worldwide. "For all my titles, I'm looking to do worldwide publishing. I can't say who is publishing because it could be Marvelous directly or maybe they're going to find another publisher in the US," he said. "But the plan is to do it worldwide."

Keiji Inafune on why you shouldn't tease unannounced projects originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Resident Evil 2 helped Keiji Inafune become the indie dev he is today

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST

Back in the mid-90s, now acclaimed Japanese developer Shinji Mikami was passionately toiling away on the first game in a soon-to-be hit franchise: Resident Evil. It was to be published by Capcom, but the company had reservations about the new intellectual property -- so much so that it nearly canned the project outright. Ex-Capcom global head of production Keiji Inafune recalled his side of the story during an impassioned GDC 2012 speech yesterday.

Inafune claims he watched from the outside as Capcom's support for Resident Evil faded, and while he worked on other titles within the same company. Mikami fought for the fledgling game, eventually getting it published for Sony's PlayStation. The rest, of course, is zombie-ridden history.

When Capcom began work on a sequel, Inafune says he got himself involved in a production role. "While Mikami focused on the game, as the producer, it was my mission to sell this title to as many people around the world," he said to a room full of attendees. But with the massive success of the first RE title, Inafune's role as salesman was relegated to a cake walk. "With my previous title Mega Man Legends, it was pretty challenging to even book a round of press appointments. No one was interested in hearing about a new Mega Man title," Inafune said. "However, the scenario was completely different with RE2. Once we announced the project, the requests poured in."

Continue reading How Resident Evil 2 helped Keiji Inafune become the indie dev he is today

How Resident Evil 2 helped Keiji Inafune become the indie dev he is today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune working on Vita

JC Fletcher — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:12:00 EST

Keiji Inafune somewhat unintentionally let slip that he's working on a PlayStation Vita game during his "The Future of Japanese Games" talk. After speaking of work on his upcoming 3DS title, King of Pirates, as well as his company's work in social gaming, he mentioned that he's challenging himself once more with the Vita.

That's the direct approach to discussing the future of Japanese games, right? Just tell people about a Japanese game that's coming out in the future.

Inafune didn't offer specifics on the game, nor did he say which of his two companies (Intercept or Comcept) is responsible for the project. In fact, shortly after noting the existence of the project, he asked everyone to forget that he said it, alongside a big smile (not dissimilar from his visage above).

Keiji Inafune working on Vita originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inafune's 'The Island of Dr. Momo' launches via GREE

JC Fletcher — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST

The first game from Keiji Inafune's 'Comcept' studio -- the first Inafune game since Capcom, in other words -- is now available in Japan, and it's pretty dang cute. 'The Island of Dr. Momo' is a social game for smartphones, published by gigantic mobile game company GREE. It was released on Android yesterday with an iOS version incoming.

In this (we'll warn you again: it's cute) game, you collect eggs from different creatures, and "fuse" them in an attempt to create the cutest "Kawaiimon" animal in the world. You can trade the results with friends to increase your menagerie, or get new Kawaiimon out of a capsule machine.

Inafune's other game is also pretty adorable: Intercept's Kaio: King of Pirates will be out on 3DS sometime next year.

Inafune's 'The Island of Dr. Momo' launches via GREE originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inafune's next game was ready to show at TGS, but he wasn't

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:40:00 EST

Ex-Capcom head of production Keiji Inafune has announced a couple of social titles in development at his company Comcept, and some form of involvement in a female dating sim for PSP, but he's yet to speak about anything in the console realm from his other company, Intercept.

He had plans to show off his first console title since leaving Capcom in late 2010 at this year's Tokyo Game Show. So, what happened? "We decided not to," he told me this past weekend. "As for titles which aren't social games," he noted, it would be "very, very soon." He specifically pointed out that his company already had work ready to show, but due to the crowded space, he decided against it.

"By the time you guys get back to North America, we might have something releasing," he said. When I told him we'd be flying back the following Monday, September 19, he just laughed and added, "That's a bit too soon, it's going to be a little longer."

Inafune's next game was ready to show at TGS, but he wasn't originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inafune envisions a future where portable gaming consoles and Smartphones coexist

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST

When Nintendo president Satoru Iwata delivered the keynote back in March at this year's Game Developer's Conference in San Francisco, he spoke of the "commoditization" of gaming, and the resultant devaluing of games. But given his position as head of a company leading the charge in the dedicated gaming portable market, it was difficult to see past his highly vested interests in this stance. To put it more bluntly, Iwata is a man who relies on people buying his portable console's games for $30 to $40, and thusly his ideas on the subject are tainted by his own vested interests.

But when Mega Man co-creator and ex-Capcom head of production Keiji Inafune feels similarly, we can't help but take note. I asked him during an interview this week at the Tokyo Game Show how he felt about Mr. Iwata's keynote, and if the Nintendo 3DS -- as well as the PlayStation Vita -- stand a chance against the rise of the Smartphone.

"I think it's very similar between cell phone cameras and professional digital cameras [DSLRs]. You don't use a Smartphone camera for an interview, and you don't use a really professional camera to take some small pictures when you're going to work," he told me, drawing a comparison between the DSLR my colleague was holding and the iPhone 4 I was recording the interview with. "I think that's the same thing that happens with game consoles as well," he continued. "If you want to play a good game, you get a PS3 or Xbox or that kind of thing. You don't stay on your iPhone or on a Smartphone game for three or five hours, nobody would do that. So I think the needs difference is happening here."

Continue reading Inafune envisions a future where portable gaming consoles and Smartphones coexist

Inafune envisions a future where portable gaming consoles and Smartphones coexist originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune unveils Comcept's first game: The Island of Dr. Momo

JC Fletcher — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:40:00 EST

While Capcom is canceling every Keiji Inafune-originated project that isn't about Frank West, Inafune is working on new games of his own. The first game out of Inafune's company Comcept is The Island of Dr. Momo, an iOS/Android game for Japan's GREE social gaming service, to be released this fall. It will be free to play, with the option to buy in-game items.

If that title reminds you of a certain other work, it's no accident. In Dr. Momo, you play a mad scientist who combines animals in order to make the cutest possible creatures. Finally, Keiji Inafune is here to give vivisection some positive spin!

Keiji Inafune unveils Comcept's first game: The Island of Dr. Momo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune's sights are on China, still down on Japanese game industry

Christopher Grant — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST

At the tail end of a 1400-word diatribe detailing the myriad failures of the Japanese game industry, former Capcom all-star Keiji Inafune (who else?) gave us the first big hint about what he's going to be working on next. We know about his two new companies -- the multi-faceted Comcept and the game development house Intercept -- but what has been less clear is what kind of games he's going to make. As the creator of games like Mega Man and Dead Rising, Inafune is clearly able to appeal to Western tastes, so it's a bit surprising that he's not necessarily courting Western audiences.

We suppose it makes sense; for all this praise of Western game development, Inafune feels like competing there would be too difficult with a new company. "It may be too late - or too hard - to tackle the US market at this point," he writes. So instead of tackling the top spot, Inafune is looking towards the future. What's next? "The next big market is China. There I see many opportunities. My sights are on Asia," he concludes, wrapping up his essay.

Maybe this is selfish of us, but you've got to look out for number one, right? Here's the thing: We don't live in China, so we don't see any way to read this without acknowledging that Inafune won't be making games for us anymore. Is this because we said mean things about Lost Planet 2?

Keiji Inafune's sights are on China, still down on Japanese game industry originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Purported new Inafune RPG is just Neptunia

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 30 May 2011 12:45:00 EST

Last week, a report from business journal Bloomberg featured an interview with Mega Man creator/ex-Capcom creative lead Keiji Inafune, covering a variety of topics. As has become par for the course since Inafune left the Japanese publishing giant, he spoke to the divide between creative and management in game development, and how he believes it can be amended. He also spoke to the challenges he faced at his old employer, echoing sentiments from earlier this month.

And while all of that is certainly interesting, one particular line in the piece stood out to our news-hungry eyes: "Inafune said he plans to release a social game title for Japanese market as early as this month, and a role-playing title for Sony Corp.'s PlayStation 3 in August." We knew about the social game, but a role-playing game for PS3, you say?

As it turns out, the game in question isn't one that Inafune's studio, Comcept, is developing, but rather a game that Inafune himself is starring in. You guessed it: Hyperdimension Neptunia mk-II. You know, the game where Inafune's a weapon? That game.

We reached out to the folks at Bloomberg, who clarified that, yes, the game in question isn't an unannounced PlayStation 3 RPG, as much as it is an already announced, Compile Heart-developed Japan-only RPG with Inafune as a laser-vomiting special weapon. On the one hand, we're a bit disappointed that Inafune's not crafting a secret PS3 RPG, but on the other hand we got to use that amazing header image again. You win some, you lose some.

PSA: Purported new Inafune RPG is just Neptunia originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 May 2011 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Keiji Inafune starts two game companies

JC Fletcher — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST

Looks like Keiji Inafune has a plan to give the Japanese game industry a boost -- and it involves rebuilding the whole thing himself. The former Capcom exec, known as the creator of Mega Man and Clockland Rescue, has started two new companies, Comcept and Intercept, in two separate offices.

Comcept, a name that has come up in relation to Inafune before, is focused on creating and distributing a variety of entertainment media, including consumer, online and mobile games, tie-in goods, books, movies, and even events. Intercept, on the other hand, is all about game development, following three key tenets (as translated by Andriasang): "Originality -- Cannot be copied by others"; "Gravity -- Has the power to pull people in"; and "Beyond the Age -- Things that cross era." The companies have so far raised 10 million yen ($119,490) in capital each.

Keiji Inafune starts two game companies originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Keiji Inafune's new company named 'Comcept'

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST

In a chance encounter with ex-Capcom creative director Keiji Inafune, alleged Japanese securities analyst Koji Ichi reportedly received a business card from Inafune denoting his new company, "Comcept" (likely not that Comcept). The analyst claims he bumped into Inafune "for the first time in two and a half years" in the Akasaka-Mitsuke neighborhood of Tokyo, where the two supposedly exchanged cards and Inafune apparently revealed Comcept is "a company that he's starting." Ichi provided no further details as to the nature of Inafune's purported new venture.

Meanwhile, Inafune has kept mum about his new endeavors on his personal blog, instead choosing to reflect on back pain, among many, many other things. But not his future business plans, unfortunately.

Rumor: Keiji Inafune's new company named 'Comcept' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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