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Why Japan's games industry is not struggling

April 20, 2011 in Blog comments 3

You'll hear it often when the press talk about the Japanese games industry: It's struggling, it lacks creativity, it fails to make the charts in Western markets. But is it really that bad?

So, while the criticisms that the Japanese market struggles with fostering creativity (a complaint that can be equally levelled at the Western market, mind you, and has been levelled at the Hollywood for years now) are reasonably justified, it's ridiculous to claim the industry itself is going anywhere. With Nintendo dominating the hardware sales, and the likes of Capcom and Square Enix and Namco Bandai making wise investments in social and casual gaming, the businesses themselves are placed just fine.
WaltzIT via digitallydownloaded.net »
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  • 1
    ShadowGuard* Apr 20, 11
    Japan just needs to step-up their game a little bit, they are all focused on pre-existing IPs and too scared to make anything new. Having said that, two of my favorite franchises are mentioned in this thread and still doing pretty well!
    • 0
      WaltzIT Apr 20, 11
      I agree. The lack of creativity is hurting the Japanese games industry to an extent - but the same can be said about the film industry, the music industry and the western games industry.

      There is still plenty of money to be made in the Japanese games industry, and it's going to play a pretty big role in pulling Japan out of the current economic difficulties it faces.

      What it isn't - despite the claims of western 'experts' - is a struggling market. When Dynasty Warriors 7 (6 over there) sells THAT many copies, then the fact no one (exaggeration) in America bought it is completely irrelevent.
  • 1
    ShadowGuard* Apr 20, 11
    Definitely like this article. It does seem that western journalists are self-centered and only care about how American sales are doing. I love jRPGs far more than the storyless wRPGs (exception of Mass Effect). I hate it when Japanese companies try to make things more western and forget what made them popular to being with. I am sure the Japanese market will return eventually, but there is no need to call it a failure. Activision has probably let more people go than all of the Japanese companies combined.

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