For
years, Japanese video games have been consistently
successful, defining entire generations of consoles and gamers. For Shuhei
Yoshida , former head of PlayStation Studios and an influential figure in
the industry, this phenomenon is not a coincidence, but the result of a clear
decision: to focus on what makes Japanese culture unique .
In a recent
interview with PlayStation Inside , Yoshida explained that the
resurgence of the Japanese industry is due to the fact that these titles can
only be developed in Japan, by Japanese people, and with a deep
understanding of their cultural context . According to him, this
approach has proven to be not only artistically but also commercially
successful.
An
identity crisis during the PlayStation 3 era
Yoshida
recalled how, during the PlayStation 3 era , Japanese developers tried to
follow Western trends, losing their creative identity in the process. This
period, marked by confusion and the search for "universality," led to
a weakening of originality .
However,
the executive noted that this crisis was necessary for studios to reflect and,
eventually, return to their roots. The clearest example of this recovery
is NieR: Automata , the successful RPG directed by Yoko
Taro , which firmly embraced Japanese narrative and aesthetics.
NieR:
Automata paved the way for redemption
Launched as
a game that broke with foreign formulas, NieR: Automata became
a turning point. Its story, steeped in deeply Japanese philosophical
and emotional themes, demonstrated that titles with strong cultural
roots were not only viable in the global market, but also desirable.
Since then,
studios like FromSoftware , Atlus , Capcom ,
and Nintendo have cemented their success by staying true to
their core. For Yoshida, cultural authenticity is a competitive
advantage in an industry saturated with generic offerings.
“Authenticity
is what wins over the player”
The former
executive concluded his reflection by pointing out that no company
succeeds by copying other people's formulas . In his words:
" The right path is to enrich the industry with unique cultures ,"
appealing to the global public who appreciates what's genuine.
In a world
where many titles seem like replicas of one another, video games that
reflect their own identity manage to stand out and connect emotionally
with audiences. Japan, with its vast cultural heritage, has capitalized on this
and once again led the global digital entertainment market.
Expedition
33 and Danganronpa: a mutual admiration between creators
Respect
between developers has also been in the news recently, following the exchange
of praise between Guillaume Broche , director of Clair Obscur:
Expedition 33 , and Kazutaka Kodaka , creator
of Danganronpa . The two publicly acknowledged each other's
artistic vision and quality, generating excitement among fans of the turn-based
RPG .
This type
of cross-recognition reflects an industry that's more connected and open to new
voices, but without losing sight of the fact that faithfulness to a
creator's original vision remains the most valued by gamers around the
world.
