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[laserghost]

I hope he starts hanging out here.

I'd love to see a post by Inafune.

OMG you guys any1 play Cavestory yet?!!1  Indie Gams rule! I'm designing this game it's going to be like mega man meets dead rising but I need an artist and a coder who can work for free. help plz!

 

[Ben_Hurr]

More like

Anyone want to help me make Adventures of Tron Bonne II?  I need coders and pixel artists 

Then watch as the entire forum creams in their pants. 

[Rm88~]

Don't get me wrong, though. I think that the western game market has similar, maybe even more severe, problems - albeit they have even larger budgets to make up for some of the shortcomings. But ultimately it's probably a road to nowhere and the grass seems always greener on the other side..

And this is what people like to ignore, because Western games have been mainstream for relatively brief amount of time, and as you say, they have larger budgets which make people believe the natural evolution of gaming is becoming more movie-like, leaving Japanese games "in the past".

[Ben_Hurr]

Don't get me wrong, though. I think that the western game market has similar, maybe even more severe, problems - albeit they have even larger budgets to make up for some of the shortcomings. But ultimately it's probably a road to nowhere and the grass seems always greener on the other side..

And this is what people like to ignore, because Western games have been mainstream for relatively brief amount of time, and as you say, they have larger budgets which make people believe the natural evolution of gaming is becoming more movie-like, leaving Japanese games "in the past".

At least until 100 million dollar budgets for AAA games start to become unfeasible.
I'm not sure what will happen when that happens. :X

[Rm88~]

Really huge Inafune interview translated by a NeoGAF user. It's a very good read, I can understand him a bit more but I still don't agree with a lot of his points and sweeping generalizations.

4G: One can recognize the appeal of external developers, but why western? There must be a reason besides cost.

KI: Because of their superiority.

4G: Technically?

KI: Yes. They're also far and away more passionate.

4G: What you're saying, though, might be interpreted as western game supremacism.

KI: At the very least, western games are more fun.

Ugh. He also mentions how no Japanese developer but Nintendo manages to sell great overseas. Guess what, Inafune, they didn't achieve that by westernizing Mario.

[JoGribbs]

Because Mario isn't particularly 'japanese' in the first place?

4G: This interview has taken a sudden turn. Why did you decide to quit? Your statements have been provocative, but you've always spoken as someone from Capcom, wanting to change the company.

KI: Yeah, I want to work at Capcom. But, how should I say... Circumstances are such that I can't work there anymore.

4G: I can easily imagine that there might've been issues with your statements or projects, but were there really such big problems?

KI: What should I say... I'd probably say that Capcom's path as a company has changed. Though my leaving just comes as a result. It might get pretty long, but do you mind if I explain?

4G: A bit ago, you said, "I tried the same thing from within Capcom." Were you able to effect change within Capcom?

KI: If I had, we wouldn't be talking about this today. (laughs)

Certainly sounds like he was ousted.

EDIT: from reading more it seems like a combination of studio pressure and his own desire to leave.

[Rm88~]

Because Mario isn't particularly 'japanese' in the first place?

As opposed to Mega Man or Dante? I've always perceived Mario as a really Japanese gaming concept; little to no emphasis on story, colorful, simple, the complete opposite of what's considered mainstream by today's ~hardcore gamers~.

And yes, I think it was a combination of both factors. It's kind of surprising that he wasn't told to reconsider his decision at the very least.

[The Monster King]

the way he talks about it in 4G interview he wasnt exactly liked by management, only by developpers

[kummerspeck]

i do like how inafune has acknowledged the numerous problems in japan's game industry and he makes a number of good points. but he seems more interested in success in business-terms, than creativity that he lets on. i guess that's fine and all, he's in a business.