http://www.computerandvideogames.com/363659/assassins-creed-3-director-games-journalists-are-too-soft-on-japanese-devs/

Alexander Hutchinson told CVG that certain elements of Japan-made games, particularly their narrative, are often flawed but routinely forgiven.

"I think there's a subtle racism in the business, especially on the journalists' side, where Japanese developers are forgiven for doing what they do," he said.

It is likely that the meaning behind this claim is that Hutchinson feels there is a positive discrimination towards Japanese developers, as opposed to a "subtle racism".

In a comprehensive and candid interview with CVG, Hutchinson said that the alleged preferential treatment that Japanese developers receive is "condescending" to their sector, as all developers should be held to the same standard.

He explained: "Just think about how many Japanese games are released where their stories are literally gibberish. Literally gibberish. There's no way [a western developer] could write it with a straight face, and the journalists say 'oh it is brilliant'.

"Then Gears of War comes out and apparently it's the worst written narrative in a game ever. I'll take Gears of War over Bayonetta any time.

"I just think the simple question should be; is the story any good?"

Elsewhere in the Assassin's Creed 3 interview, Hutchinson shared praise for Japanese developers.

"Nintendo has been great at reinvigorating their franchises, as have other Japanese companies," he said.

But his claims regarding positive discrimination add to a long-running debate on the health and stature of the Japanese games development industry. Former Capcom development executive Keiji Inafune triggered the discussion in 2009 when he infamously declared Japan's games industry as "finished".

In March the debate flared up again after Phil Fish, the co-founder of Fez developer Polytron, told a Japanese games developer live on stage that "your games just suck".

Too soft? This guy is stuck in last gen.

Yeah, if anything it goes the other way, where the Japanese are scrutinized for stuff that Westerners are let off for (and some Western companies get all sorts of leeway for releasing glitched/broken/incomplete games).

i think he sounds very racist to say they are very racist^^

maybe japanese magazines are too soft with japanese games i would not even try to deny that but western journalists? i did never have the feeling they aren't as harsh to japanese games as they are to western games. maybe they are even harder to them if it's something many in the western just don't like but it's still good because people in asia love it.

This right here is one of the biggest problems with the industry this gen. They worry so much about telling a cinematic story that gameplay becomes an afterthought. This is gaming, not cinema. That's why Bayonetta is great; because of it's kickarse gameplay, not it's story. That's why Mario Galaxy 1 & 2 are among the best games ever made despite having barely any story.

Frankly, he's not in much of a position to judge; Fez was a crappy game, just like 90% of so-called "great" indie games. That's where the real bias is; indie games get a free pass for being one decent idea stretched thin over a whole game while occasionally throwing in some pretentious wank of a story to please artsy fartsy critics.

Who gives a shit about stories in video games?

Bayonetta's story is really good for this kind of game. Over the top, tongue-in-cheek and everything else it needs to be.

A witch from a past time waking up centuries later to finish a battle, kicking angels in the ass in the process.

Bayonetta is personal favorite on any level. This guy is full of sh*t.

too soft? Japanese games have been the most scrutinized games this gen!!! where has he been all this time!?!?

Isn't Assassin's Creed developed in Europe? Like France or something? Or maybe its Canada...

This reminds me of my thread I posted earlier today.

Don't worry, it's cool. :P