Square Enix President and CEO Yoichi Wada provided some insight and opinions on the Japanese videogame market in a recent interview with Edge-Online.
Wada, who is also Chairman of Japan’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), a trade organization designed to promote interactive entertainment, was queried on how piracy is affecting Japanese game makers:
Piracy does a lot of damage, but within the Asian region the majority of damage comes from outside of Japan – not including the Nintendo DS. The R4 continues to inflict tremendous damage to our business. So in tandem with Nintendo, we have brought the issue to court. And we have been able to reach a certain degree of success from the court rulings.
When asked why Western games appear to be shunned by Japanese gamers, Wada answered:
Well, actually, I’ve found the person that is prejudiced is actually the retailer and not the actual players. The retailers have a prejudice against overseas titles, and they won’t procure them.
Wada was asked for his take on a comment from Capcom’s Keiji Inafune that Japan’s game industry is finished:
To say something so extreme is surprising. I’m surprised Capcom allowed Inafune to say that at TGS. My message by proxy for the Japanese developers who would have heard such a discouraging message is that if they are willing today, then they definitely have the capability to change and face tomorrow.
Head over to Edge for the full article, which also details what’s next on Wada’s games-to-be-played list and the possibility of using non-Japanese developers on future Square Enix titles.
Comments
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
It is sad how Japanese retailers won't sell Western games, almost as worse as China not allowing any Videogame into their country unless if it was created by their own developers.
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
I'll agree with Wada about the piracy issues. I like to say something about some of his speech.
"When asked why Western games appear to be shunned by Japanese gamers, Wada answered:
I like to say that I was wondering why most of the Western game don't sell so well. so it's not the gamer and people who want to play it, it's those xenophobic retailer that sells the game. They won't give western game a chance in Japan. I can see why Wada point that out. It makes good sense, this is why some people in Japan do import Western game but western game would do better if retailer just sell it. Don't have a grudge against western game. Wada also spoke of Western game face discrimination in this kotaku article I found.
http://kotaku.com/5420421/square-enix-president-calls-western-game-label-terribly-discriminatory
Also I like to congraulate Mr. Wada and Square-Enix for their success on Modern Warfare 2 in Japan. Modern Warfare 2 sold more then 100,000 in Japan on it's first day. No Western game has ever sold this high in Japan. This oughta shut up those "Japan hates FPS" or "Japan don't like Western game" crap.
http://kotaku.com/5424064/how-did-modern-warfare-2-do-on-its-first-day-in-japan
Wada was asked for his take on a comment from Capcom’s Keiji Inafune that Japan’s game industry is finished:
I honestly don't know what to say for this one. Even though I did seem to believe Japan game did decline in 2009.
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
"the possibility of using non-Japanese developers on future Square Enix titles" The last thing we need is someone turning every rpg into a 3rd person shooter.
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
I guess you didn't hear about Ubisoft wanted to do JRPGs.
http://kotaku.com/5432566/ubisoft-want-to-makea-jrpg
I believe some of the X-men game made for PS1,SNES,Saturn were done by Capcom. Also, I think I recalled WWE SmackDown vs. Raw series were done by Yuke's. A Japanese game company.
Also, did you forget Silent Hill: Origin, and Silent Hill: Homecoming were done by American company not Team Silent in Japan.
What's your problem of SE using non-Japanese developer for future SE games?
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
The X-men-Children of the atom,X-men vs street fighter,Marvel Super heroes vs street fighter, and Marvel vs capcom were made by capcom. The last 2 silent hill games have received ALOT of backlash from the fans of the series. You mentioned a wrestling game -_- nothing more needs to be said. My comment was reference to Bioware's latest statement(The guy's name from bioware who actually said it eludes my memory at this moment) saying that RPGs specifically the ones that are made in Japan need to "evolve" which is funny considering their latest game was a throwback in disguise being hailed as the most innovative game in forums all over the net. I don't have a problem with SE using non-japanese developers it was sort of a knee-jerk reaction because I was reminded of the "If your games don't emulate what's popular in the west you're gonna die off" statements that Japan has been recieving in the last couple of months. Tastes have changed in the west(Thank Halo CE for that) and now western developers are making games that appeal to western gamers, it's the same with Japan and I see nothing wrong with that since I enjoy games of all types.
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
FF13 is a throw back to FFX is most design elements, Dragon age is not perfect but sheesh its just under developed(dialog system is not changed much if at all,equipment/items is good enough,skills could use some work,specializations need a over haul,not enough runes to enchant with you can only enchant melle weapons no bows or armor ) to maximize DLC like FO3 has done. The FF series has walked back to boxed linear level design for what? Theres a huge difference in slowly moving in the same direction and but fcking it to move 100 feet back..... its not about what dose well regionally but design basics that make a game better and move things along slowly or otherwise....
Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy! CP/IP laws should not effect the daily life of common people! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.
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http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
How can I get into contact with Mr. Wada?
I would like to request a conference regarding a specific matter. For details, please see my sig.
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"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar
"A Chrono Trigger is anything that unleashes its will or desire to change history!" -Gaspar
Re: Wada on Piracy and “Japan is Over” Quip
*dies luahging* emtpy suits....oh when will you get a clue....
Heres a thought standardize english subtitleing and text in JP games then offer any US retialer free shipping at a 25% mark up of its MSRP then when it its sold slap another 25% on it this way they make up to 50% a title thats drop shiped/specail ordered to the US.....my god people.......get out into the sun light already!!
Uhg...if the media industry was not so obsessed with regional protectionisms.........
Until lobbying is a hanging offense I choose anarchy! CP/IP laws should not effect the daily life of common people! http://zippydsmlee.wordpress.com/
Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Let's renegotiate them.
---
http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/