Silent Hill 2,3 producer says America ahead of Japan in terms of game dev

[Torillian]

NP Rocketpig, I can understand where you got that idea, I probably wouldn't have thought anything wrong with the argument if I hadn't wasted far too much of my life playing FFXI. Once MGS4 comes out maybe I'll play that and Splinter Cell, to see if I can notice the similarities you are.
On the note of sequels being mostly what Japanese Devs do, I think that's a cultural difference, looking at some sales it seems like new series might have a harder time in Japan than other regions. That's certainly not an excuse, but it might be a factor in the decision.