Last years, Keiji Inafune turned heads at the Tokyo Game Show 2009 when he let the world know that Japan is done within the industry and that the country can no longer develop games properly. Of course, everyone took this as a joke and just though Inafune had gone a little nuts. However, now that the Tokyo Game Show’s 2010 edition is all wrapped up, Inafune spoke with the New York Times to let people know that the feeling is still the same.
“I look around Tokyo Games Show, and everyone’s making awful games. Japan is at least five years behind. Capcom is barely keeping up. I want to study how westerners live, and make games that appeal to them.”
I’m never sure whether to just chuckle or feel bad for Inafune when he makes comments like these. It’s as though he doesn’t understand that Japan has turned out great titles over the last year like Demon’s Souls or Final Fantasy XIII (I’m kidding). Considering how anticipated Dead Rising 2 has been as of late, you’d think Inafune would be jumping on board, but I guess the zombie lifestyle just doesn’t appeal to his sophisticated Westernized senses anymore.
Remember, Inafune has previously stated that Devil May Cry 5 will have a Western touch and that looks to be true with Ninja Theory giving the franchise a reboot much to the displeasure of its hardcore fans.
Do you guys agree with Inafune in that Japan is starting to become more and more irrelevant in the industry or do you think this guy has just fallen off the edge and is in a downward spiral?
He’s right, but for the wrong reasons. Japan makes good games when they don’t try to imitate western games. Thing is they’re pretty much all doing the exact opposite.
there has been a handful of japanese games to come out this year and years before that weren’t awful. he probably has that information messed up. last time i checked capcom games were awful. dark void, bionic commando, lost planet, and the resident evil chronicles series all sucked. and now they just shit all over the DMC fans with that stupid dmc trailer. if anyone is irrelevant its capcom. fuck inafune little punk ass way to kill dmc asshole.
I agree with Jinkinator. I usually prefer Japanese games over western ones, mainly because I prefer JRPGs and the Japanese devs are masters when it comes to RPGs.
Not to mention fresh action adventure games such as Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom and The Last Guardian. The Japanese devs seem to take risks and try out new stuff more often and it turns out great when they avoid westernizing stuff.
some of the most popular games, and game franchises are made by japanese dewelopers
like metal gear solid, resident evil, street fighter, devil may cry, ninja gaiden, super mario, legend of zelda, grand turismo, jakuza, final fantasy, etc
i think this guy has just fallen off the edge and is in a realy big downward spiral
“I look around Tokyo Games Show, and everyone’s making awful games.”
Yeah, just look at that terrible DmC game. What a mess.
Final Fantasy XIII is not terrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I somwhat agree, but look at when Japanese developers try to bring ingenuity to gaming. We get great games like Valkyria Chronicles. I guess all of the failed attempts are Japanese developers trying to be something they’re not (Western developers), although I liked Final Fantasy XIII a lot.
What? Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, Yakuza, Metal Gear, Monster Hunter, Gran Turismo, etc. are all AWESOME. THIS GUY makes awful games like Mega Man and Dark Void, but he made Onimusha which was pretty cool.
japan always seem to make crappy fantisy games with girlish looking men. The games that are made for western people like MGS4 dont count because they are not full of gay japanise crap
He’s fallen off the edge. Valkyria Chronicles is brilliant, as is Eternal Sonata, and Demon’s Souls was the most original game to come to this gen is years. And that’s just talking about this-gen! Look at Sony’s 3D capabilities, Gran Turismo 5 and Monster Hunter. Look at Nintendo and their Wii, and their 3DS, their constantly changing and pioneering technology.
He’s speaking with his damn pockets. “I want to study how westerners live, and make games that appeal to them.” So you’re going to try your hand at making an FPS, then? Be my guest. Even if you make a much better game than Halo or Call of Duty, you will sell but a tiny fraction of their titles.
God, why don’t you just try and direct a film, while you’re at it? Oh…
@Doominator99, that was the most ignorant comment I’ve seen in a while. JRPGs are beastly, besides you’re just afraid of gays.