Sakurai Wants Japanese Games to Maintain Their Own Identity
Legendary game producer Masahiro Sakurai said that Japanese game developers should develop games while preserving their own cultural identity. After accepting the Arts Promotion Award from the Japanese government’s Agency for Cultural Affairs, Sakurai addressed the developers by saying, “We should continue to pursue things that are unique to Japan.” Sakurai emphasized that he is against the “Americanization” of Japanese-made games along with the globalization of the gaming industry.
The Authenticity of Japanese Games
According to Sakurai, the most important reason why Japanese-made games are loved around the world is that these games maintain their unique identity. The famous producer said, “Fans abroad are looking for the uniqueness and fun of Japanese games. They don’t want an experience that is filtered or tried to appeal to others.”
Known for games like Super Smash Bros., Sakurai emphasized the importance of game developers freely reflecting their own style and preferences. According to him, games should reflect the personal vision of the creators and should be developed without giving in to external pressures.
Masahiro Sakurai admits that pressure from publishers and investors has increased due to the high costs of game development. However, he thinks that this situation damages the originality of the games. Sakurai emphasized the importance of originality by saying, “The ideal is to make games the way you like them and know that those who agree with you will love them.”
The Japanese game industry has faced competition from China and other countries in recent years. However, according to Sakurai, the best way for Japanese developers to overcome this competition is for them to focus on their own culture. His statements once again reveal why Japanese games are so successful in global markets.
Masahiro Sakurai’s contributions and vision to the world of games continue to be admired not only in Japan but also around the world. This message to developers once again reminds us of the importance of creative freedom in the gaming industry.
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