Inafune’s ‘Japan is dead’ comment was “discouraging,” says Wada

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

Speaking in an interview with Edge, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has that Keiji Inafune’s comments on the state of the Japanese market at Tokyo Game Show last September were “discouraging”.

Back then, Inafune said that the Japanese games industry “is done”. But Wada, who is also the head of CESA in Japan, said the comments from the Capcom developer “surprised” him.

He did also admit that the industry in the country is facing challenges, but insists Inafune’s statement was out of line.

“My message by proxy for the Japanese developers who would have heard such a discouraging message is that if they are willing today, then they definitely have the capability to change and face tomorrow,” he said.

“I’ll say that it’s a challenge. But it’s very strange to have such an extremely pessimistic view.”

In the same interview, Wada hinted that the company may start to lean on Final Fantasy less, and start looking at western games development internally more.

Source: VG247

 

[Linnaete]

Speaking in an interview with Edge, Square Enix president Yoichi Wada has that Keiji Inafune’s comments on the state of the Japanese market at Tokyo Game Show last September were “discouraging”

Well yes, Wada has a point there that Japanese developers wouldn't like to hear Japan's market is "dead" after contributing to it with great effort. But Inafune is free to say what he wants, particularly as it has some (exaggerated) element of truth in it.

He did also admit that the industry in the country is facing challenges, but insists Inafune’s statement was out of line.

It's his matter of opinion. If Inafune claims it's dead, it's purely his own perception after gazing around all the games on show in TGS. It's not taboo or intended for anything malevolent.

“I’ll say that it’s a challenge. But it’s very strange to have such an extremely pessimistic view.”

Not really. People are different and think different things. It happens a lot in the west with some gamers wishing death to JRPGs.

In the same interview, Wada hinted that the company may start to lean on Final Fantasy less, and start looking at western games development internally more.

Just as long as they don't suddenly decide to put the franchise down that is. I have mixed views towards the prospect of western games development by SE. If they can master it, they may be able to produce games as excellently received as in the west- but at a cost of the SE games we're familiar with at the moment.

 

[10th Doctor]

This totally means they should write a song on how wonderful Japan is! Just like when this one guy insulted alabama, and then the song 'Sweet Home Alambama' came out just to spite him, and turned into a hit. Except they should call it 'Sweet Games From Japan'

 

[caucasian-eagle]

this is bull**** square enix would never go down!

 

[Abstract Debauchery]

Well, if Wada keeps screwing things up... We have a funny feeling that SE will fall.

 

[caucasian-eagle]

damn why did he do it!!! =[ but does it mean tht Nomura would loose his job??? O__O plz someone PM me to let me know

 

[Linnaete]

damn why did he do it!!! =[ but does it mean tht Nomura would loose his job??? O__O plz someone PM me to let me know

I'll answer it for you here

Basically Inafune is saying that Japan's game industry is very lacking, sticking to very traditionalist ideas and not evolving enough to compete with the west well enough.

It's not necessary about Wada screwing the company up (even though he is). Even he knows that SE has to do some evolving in their games in the future for the company to stay anywhere near the top.

Nomura won't necessary lose his job at all if he continues to bring good input into his games (which he hopefully should be).

 

[caucasian-eagle]

ow riight! ok im happy now ^.^ thanx for telling me!