Japanese Gaming Companies Struggling

[Kenryoku_Maxis]

crumas2 said:

alekth said:
There are way too many games around as it is... I don't see many Japanese developers gaining much by catering towards western taste, not enough to compensate for the loss of the Japanese audience.

Personally, in the case of JRPGs, some new minor elements will be fine, but I seriously don't want them to turn into WRPGs or even just have Western character designs.

Good or bad, companies need to cater to consumers.  It really does sound to me like Japanese tastes are changing.  If Japanese gamers start to buy more western-produced games, then the Japanse-targeted game sales will suffer... there are only so many Yen to go around.

I know this is anethema to people who have fallen in love with Anime, but it is what it is. :-/

You need to go back and look at what all the different markets are doing.  What are the best selling games in Japan?  Games with Anime styles or influence.  DQIX, Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, MGS, Pokemon, Mario, Tales of etc.  Where in this list are 'Western Games' taking over or even showing an influence?  Japan has shown overwhelmingly they dislike the 360, only buying games on the system that cater to Japanese tastes (Lost Odessey, Blue Dragon, Tales of Vesperia, Idolmaster).  They skip over ALL FPS, even Japanese developed ones.  They don't like WRPGs.  They don't like Western made action games.  The only western based games they seem to like are those based on Western movies or series.

I have no idea what basis you're getting this theory from at all.