S.T.A.G.E. said:
Hes right, the Japanese need to break free of their ignorance to western knowledge of how to maximize output of games and then put their own cultural spin on it. |
Indeed, S.T.A.G.E. I just want to add that the goal is not to merely have Japanese people making American games. If any of you understand the potential of creativity of Japanese people, then you'd agree that their gaming industry sucks pretty bad compared to other media industries, e.g. music and film.
For example, I grew up listening to Japanese music, especially underground or experimental bands. Their music scene is so vast and diverse, and they are great innovators. They can grab a genre originating from the west and yet make it so Japanese (cultural spin, as you put it). And the results are amazing. They have really poppish stuff, yet at times you'd be surprised to find some real alternative stuff high up on their charts too. The people of Japan have inspired tastes and their passion push forth excellence and creativity in many of their productions.
Films too. While they don't have Hollywood-type budgets, they have many auteurs specialising in highly unique expressions. And with elements like quirkiness or poetic depth, they reach places no westerner has ever gone.
So I think Inafune is right, especially about the attitude of developers. Nowadays the medium of gaming is maturing, and many studios are exploring deeper ways to communicate, to narrate their vision. Japanese developers have got to get on board, to get really serious about the art of the medium, instead of just messing about with long-dead tropes or immature fetishism. Yeah, they truly need some visionaries to lead the way.
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