The lights are on
The world may still look forward to the annual Tokyo Game Show, but Capcom's Keiji Inafune sees it more as a funeral than a celebration. Echoing thoughts he had last year after the show ended, and even before TGS 2010 even started, Inafune believes the future of video games likes to the West.
In an interview with the New York Times, Inafune says, "I look around Tokyo Game Show, and everyone's making awful games; Japan is at least five years behind. Capcom is barely keeping up."
To Inafune, part of the problem seems to be that Japanese developers are too insular. "I want to study how Westerners live, and make games that appeal to them." If that's the case, apparently the Dead Rising producer thinks we're all extreme sports fanatics like DR 2's Chuck Greene, and we have a zombie problem.
Seriously, however, Capcom, with Inafune serving as the company's head of research & development and global production, is trying to do something about the situation. Apart from the wide appeal of games like the Dead Rising series, Capcom has previously stated it wants to branch out its outlook by utilizing Western development houses and embracing the online space.
Interestingly, Capcom's presence at this year's show was rather traditional, with the big news from the company having a very Japanese flavor: Super Street Fighter IV for Japanese arcades, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Steel Battalion (albeit for Kinect), Mega Man Universe, and more.
An example of Capcom's blended approach is the new Devil May Cry, which is being developed by the U.K.'s Ninja Theory (Enslaved). Perhaps its ability to cater to the West and its success or lack thereof will foretell Capcom's future.
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I *wish* we had a zombie problem.
I always thought Capcom has made good games that being said this branching out could be good.
I would personally love to see different takes on some of their established series and some fresh new IPs couldn't hurt either.
The fact that Mr. Inafune is able to identify the problem and think of some ways to solve it gives me hope that gaming in Japan is not so doomed after all.
I remember when Japanese games were cool. Now all they have are weird dating sims and fighting games.
I agree, but they're light years beyond us in the cosplay skills.
Take that japan!
Well, I want Japanese developers to appeal to all gamers and not just try to emulate what Westerner developers are doing. I think hybrid games like the new DMC are the way to go. Japanese developers shouldn't completely abandon tradition.
really, i used to love you Kenji...but as of late, i could do without! Using the same game engine and art style for SFIV, Marvel v Capcom, SF x Tekken, kinda looks like DMC will use it, and your other announced game (the one with the giant Buddha in the stars), and we are gonna say Japan is behind!? I wonder where to start with this... All i know is, i feel like using the same style for all your games is causing them all to become not so unique and stale. Pot, say hello to the Kettle! in fact, i bet RE6 will use that engine as well...and i wont really be surpised if thats true.
yep they might just nail it with the twilight fans, cause that new Dante is looking a lot like the guys in those gay movies
TGS was a huge dissapointment this year. There was like five or six big stories and that was it. Seriously, where were the hands-on, trailers, announcements, etc. Even Gamescom was better and that is saying something considering most of what was on display were E3 demoes.
i think it would be awesome if some one made a tv show with virtual zombies fighting echother.
It really is too bad. I loved all the old jRPGs but they just don't make 'em like they used to.
a zombie problem would be fun. i want to get zombie kill of the week!
Instead of trying to cater to western gamers, Japan should really just stick to trying to make great games... Great games have a way of getting played on both sides of the pond...
It won't take much, they just need to step out of the past, and bring their expertise to the current generation of gamers.
But..But...PERSONA!!!!
Japan just wants the sales of western games. MW2 made an insane amount of money for a game that was just a FPS. Black Ops will do the same as will Medal of Honor and Gears of War 3. America is obsessed with guns and killing people we don't like! Going with this logic, Japan should be making some type of game where you beat the crap out of Godzilla!