Iconic Game Maker Says Japanese Devs Should Stop Trying to Appeal to Westerners

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During the PS3 era, it appears that some Japanese game developers shifted focus towards catering more to Western preferences rather than maintaining their traditional style.

Recently, it’s been quite rare to witness other types of franchises taking the spotlight, with series such as Like a Dragon, Monster Hunter, and Persona gaining significant worldwide popularity instead.

Masahiro Sakurai, renowned for his work on Nintendo’s popular crossover game Super Smash Bros, suggests that it is beneficial, as he stated in an interview with Entax (as reported by Automaton), that Japanese creators should continue to focus on the things that resonate with the Japanese people.

He stated that he thinks it’s the “one-of-a-kind charm and enjoyment of Japanese video games” that attract Western players, and we partially concur. The upcoming Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, despite boasting Hollywood talent, carries an air of distinctiveness that could only originate from the extraordinary imagination of the unparalleled Hideo Kojima.

In our perspective, it’s essential for every game developer to create the games that truly inspire them. Although we understand and acknowledge the importance of commercial considerations, we strongly believe that games achieve their peak potential when they stem from dedicated teams who are deeply invested in bringing their creative visions to life.

In essence, it seems Sakurai was emphasizing a key idea – “the best approach is for creators to make games according to their preferences, since those who share your perspective will find enjoyment in them.

It’s our belief that when a Japanese game is altered to cater to foreign player preferences, it may lose favor among its home audience. Moreover, such changes might not even resonate with international players.

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2025-03-19 08:06