Japanese Broadcasters More Supportive, According to Hideki Kamiya
Hideki Kamiya, creator of iconic series such as Bayonetta and Devil May Cry, made striking remarks about the differences between the eastern and western wings of the gaming industry. Speaking to VGC, the renowned game designer stated that Japanese publishers are more understanding of creative processes, while Western companies prefer to stick to safe and proven formats.
Hideki Kamiya Praises Japanese Publishers
According to Kamiya, Japanese publishers view developers’ efforts to create new mechanics as “invention.” Citing examples like Witch Time in Bayonetta and the Celestial Brush system in Okami, the designer emphasized the importance of patience in the process of developing such ideas. He believes Japanese companies are more tolerant of innovations that take time to develop and stand by creators.
Kamiya, however, stated that Western publishers prefer to “stay on the safe side,” expressing skepticism towards projects that lack a clear structure. Using the popularity of FPS games as an example, the designer explained that replicating popular formats in the West is seen as a “trust factor.”
Kamiya cited the canceled Scalebound project as an example of this difference. The project, a collaboration with Microsoft, aimed to allow players to control both a human character and a dragon simultaneously. However, he stated that because there was no clear reference for such a game, the project was met with skepticism from Western publishers. He believed that the process could have proceeded more constructively if a Japanese publisher had been involved.
In his speech, Kamiya also discussed his goals for preserving his studio, acknowledging that layoffs are inevitable in the industry. However, he emphasized his commitment to supporting his team under all circumstances. “We want to protect our employees. We are here because of them, and we will not choose this path,” he said, emphasizing the studio’s commitment to maintaining trust.
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