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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

In recognition of his extensive Masahiro Sakurai on Creating Games YouTube channel, Super Smash Bros. and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai was recently awarded the Art Encouragement Prize from the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs. On March 11, he attended the awards ceremony and gave an exclusive interview to Entax, in which he shared personal views about the future of Japan’s game industry.

When asked what he thinks the domestic game industry should be doing to keep growing (to keep pace with the booming success seen in countries like China), Sakurai comments, “It’s not really my own idea, but as an industry trend, I think Japanese people should keep pursuing the things that Japanese people like.”

He goes on to explain that the success of various Japanese games in the US kicked off a trend of “making Americanized works.” Or, Sakurai notes, “you could say that there was a culture of following de facto standards.” By de facto standards, he is referring to practices that get adopted as widespread norms by the industry as an outcome of market competition.

However, Sakurai feels that people overseas who love Japanese games aren’t looking for this kind of filtered experience, “but rather, I think that they seek the uniqueness and fun of Japanese games” – hence the opinion that there’s no need for Japanese developers to consciously adapt their work for audiences in the US or elsewhere.

He concludes on a general note, commenting, “In other words, I think that the ideal would be to make games the way you like, as those who agree with you will enjoy them.” Sakurai adds that it is vital for people in the industry to “do things freely,” without letting others’ ideas be forced on them. He emphasizes, however, that his opinion is just one way of thinking about the topic.

Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai encourages Japanese developers to pursue the kind of games Japanese people love instead of adapting - AUTOMATON WEST

Masahiro Sakurai talks about what he thinks Japan's game industry should do to keep growing in the future.

automaton-media.com

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Japan used to dominate video games scene. When they used to just focus on making good games.

Wonder what happened.

Imagine anime creators trying to make something that appeals to worldwide audience. Would be a mess.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai encourages Japanese developers to pursue the kind of games Japanese people love instead of adapting - AUTOMATON WEST

Masahiro Sakurai talks about what he thinks Japan's game industry should do to keep growing in the future.

automaton-media.com

 

[StereoVsn]

So… Hentai?

 

[Codes 208]

Japan used to dominate video games scene. When they used to just focus on making good games.

Wonder what happened.

Imagine anime creators trying to make something that appeals to worldwide audience. Would be a mess.

I dont blame japan, i blame the focus shift.

During the ps360 era, games like CoD blew up, and suddenly it became about high budget, high-octane games with a focus on MP dominating the market. Fromsoft, capcom, bandai, Nintendo, sony. These companies still make absolute bangers but its clear that the casual audience doesnt give a rats ass unless the game has gta, call of duty or minecraft in the title.

So… Hentai?

I swear, every time I boot up steam and check new releases theres always at least one hentai game.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

However, Sakurai feels that people overseas who love Japanese games aren’t looking for this kind of filtered experience, “but rather, I think that they seek the uniqueness and fun of Japanese games” – hence the opinion that there’s no need for Japanese developers to consciously adapt their work for audiences in the US or elsewhere.

 

[daclynk]

Super Smash Bros. creator Masahiro Sakurai encourages Japanese developers to pursue the kind of games Japanese people love instead of adapting - AUTOMATON WEST

Masahiro Sakurai talks about what he thinks Japan's game industry should do to keep growing in the future.

automaton-media.com

 

[March Climber]

Japan used to dominate video games scene. When they used to just focus on making good games.

Wonder what happened.

The Xbox 360 happened.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

I dont blame japan, i blame the focus shift.

During the ps360 era, games like CoD blew up, and suddenly it became about high budget, high-octane games with a focus on MP dominating the market. Fromsoft, capcom, bandai, Nintendo, sony. These companies still make absolute bangers but its clear that the casual audience doesnt give a rats ass unless the game has gta, call of duty or minecraft in the title.


I swear, every time I boot up steam and check new releases theres always at least one hentai game.

You shouldn't see any of those games in your new releases queue since by default Steam filters titles with adult/sexual content.

I recommend checking and changing your mature content preferences.

https://store.steampowered.com/account/preferences/

 

[Fbh]

F2P Mobile gacha games with underage looking anime waifus?

 

[Kacho]

However, Sakurai feels that people overseas who love Japanese games aren’t looking for this kind of filtered experience, “but rather, I think that they seek the uniqueness and fun of Japanese games”

He knows what's up. Square Enix, take notes.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Japan used to dominate video games scene. When they used to just focus on making good games.

Wonder what happened.

Imagine anime creators trying to make something that appeals to worldwide audience. Would be a mess.

Nothing. They still dominate.

Also super-smash-bros-creator-masahiro-sakurai is correct. 110% Don't trend chase, make what you know well. Japan is so based.

 

[yogaflame]

Good man. No to western influence dei and twisted gender ideology crap.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Japan used to dominate video games scene. When they used to just focus on making good games.

Wonder what happened.

Imagine anime creators trying to make something that appeals to worldwide audience. Would be a mess.

INAFUNE and Western game journos psyoped everyone into believing Japanese games were shit and behind the times during the PS3/360 era. It's okay though, Inafune is long gone as is Phil Fish and we're back with great Japanese games.

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

What Japan really wants? More obscure Fire Emblem characters in Smash.

 

[FalsettoVibe]

Time for SE to make an awesome AA turn-based FF.

 

[TheChadOfGaming]

based and true

 

[Magic Carpet]

Dozens of Isekai games.
Reborn as a fill in the blank in an old western looking kingdom.
OP skill.
Harem consists of buying a least one beastgirl slave.
No real story just shenanigans with the locals.

Don't wash, rinse but do repeat.
repeat often
I repeat, repeat often

 

[daxgame]

We could start by having more faithful translations instead of thinking games don't sell if there's sushi instead of hamburgers

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Hilarious the people gobbling this up but saying that Druckmann should adapt to fans...

 

[Unknown Soldier]

We could start by having more faithful translations instead of thinking games don't sell if there's sushi instead of hamburgers

Bro Phoenix Wright was literally 24 years ago now

Localization has changed and improved a lot since then

 

[Banjo64]

Hilarious the people gobbling this up but saying that Druckmann should adapt to fans...

Can you explain the parallel please?

Pretty much everyone wants Sakurai and other Japanese developers to keep making beloved games.

A massive swathe of people think Cuckmann is a massive fraud making GCSE level faux-artisan rubbish that’s a pale imitation of previous ND works.

And to remove any element of doubt I don’t want Cuckmann to ‘do’ anything apart from stop making video games. I just won’t buy his games.

 

[MiguelItUp]

I love this.

Honestly, we just need to get back to the point where developers are passionate and confident about their game and their vision and they see it all the way through. You can't say something is considered an art only to change that art to make it appeal to other people, demographics, or make it work for other reasons.

So many games (especially in the AAA realm) feel so cookie cutter-y these days. Like they have to fit within the boundaries of various things and going outside of those boundaries wouldn't be acceptable. As a result so many things feel recycled and reused. I understand the concerns studios have of taking risks, failing, and shuttering. But something has to change. There's several reasons why some of the most monumental games stand out so much, in most cases it's because before it there was nothing else like it. Or they took something and they practically perfected it when no one else did.

 

[a'la mode]

Good man. No to western influence dei and twisted gender ideology crap.

Actually, Japan has historically had people going every which way and with everyone. It was only due to Western influence in the early 1900s that they adopted more puritan views on sexuality.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

Hilarious the people gobbling this up but saying that Druckmann should adapt to fans...

Druckmann's favourite game is Ico.

Sit down bro.

 

[Ceadeus]

we need Kid Ikarus uprising remaster so bad, including the online mode.

Then the second game.

 

[NanaMiku]

Ah yes, the dark age of PS360

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Druckmann's favourite game is Ico.

Sit down bro.

Is that supposed to mean something?

 

[Fake]

 

[Saber]

Japan is incredibly based. No wonder people spit on their culture, the envy and disdain for japanese culture/people is off the charts.

 

[Generic]

Can you explain the parallel please?

Pretty much everyone wants Sakurai and other Japanese developers to keep making beloved games.

A massive swathe of people think Cuckmann is a massive fraud making GCSE level faux-artisan rubbish that’s a pale imitation of previous ND works.

And to remove any element of doubt I don’t want Cuckmann to ‘do’ anything apart from stop making video games. I just won’t buy his games.

Japanese devs will never make a TPS as good as TLoU Part 2.

 

[a'la mode]

Japan is incredibly based. No wonder people spit on their culture, the envy and disdain for japanese culture/people is off the charts.

Where are all the people *checks notes* spitting on Japanese culture? Are they in the room with us right now?

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

Japanese devs will never make a TPS as good as TLoU Part 2.

what? They made Vanquish, the best tps of all time.

 

[Saber]

Where are all the people

All over the internet. If you didn't notice is either because you only read this forum or is incredibly naive(or maybe just being a smartass feign ignorance).

 

[a'la mode]

All over the internet. If you didn't notice is either because you only read this forum or is incredibly naive(or maybe just being a smatass feign ignorance).

Uh huh. And how old were you when you first started seeing these people?

 

[Saber]

Uh huh.

Are you done kid?

 

[a'la mode]

Are you done kid?

I have not taken you seriously, and will not take you seriously, because saying things like "Japan is incredibly based" and idolizing it with puppy dog eyes just paints you as a fairly simple individual, whose exposure to Japan is most likely limited to entertainment products such as video games, anime, or manga. Hmm, I'd reckon a twenty-something from a developing country like Brazil or some such.

Japan is most definitely not incredibly based, and that is not even a slight on the people or the culture, if you understand anything at all about Japan.

 

[Saber]

I have not taken you seriously

Don't care, move on kid(not gonna answer your quotes anymore).

 

[a'la mode]

Don't care, move on kid(not gonna answer your quotes anymore).

I can understand that it hurts when your childlike enthusiasm for an idealized utopia meets reality dattebayo~

 

[EverydayBeast]

Smash bros is great, the characters and it’s just about fighting.

 

[struggler_guts]

He hates us after having to adapt smash bros for decades lol

 

[GHound]

Appreciate the message, but kind of too late with all the schizos that run content moderation and the payment processors being outright antagonistic.
Oh well, at least it's got the westoid glazers foaming at the mouth.

 

[Saber]

Smash bros is great, the characters and it’s just about fighting.

Its funny to see that WB stolen their idea thinking it would work with their characters while making it waaay worse in about every aspect.

 

[Thabass]

So… Hentai?

Based Japan.

 

[Puscifer]

I dont blame japan, i blame the focus shift.

During the ps360 era, games like CoD blew up, and suddenly it became about high budget, high-octane games with a focus on MP dominating the market. Fromsoft, capcom, bandai, Nintendo, sony. These companies still make absolute bangers but its clear that the casual audience doesnt give a rats ass unless the game has gta, call of duty or minecraft in the title.


I swear, every time I boot up steam and check new releases theres always at least one hentai game.

Seriously, I thought Japan was never going to recover after the era. The return last gen was VERY welcome

 

[Generic]

what? They made Vanquish, the best tps of all time.

A 5 hours game with no multiplayer.

 

[bender]

Japan used to dominate video games scene.

They still do and always have.

 

[Grizzled Ghost]

A 5 hours game with no multiplayer.

The candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long.

 

[K' Dash]

Is that supposed to mean something?

I would expect the point to fly way over your head if you have to ask that question.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

There's a reason why the Japanese consoles were so dominant in the West, it's because they were interesting and different. We have plenty of variety everywhere, no need to go chasing the average person when there is plenty of room in the market. You just can't go full AAA with those games, and that's just fine. Give me more AA titles that do something unique and interesting, that you won't find a clone of elsewhere.