Many game developers, both Eastern and Western, have commented on the state of the Japanese games industry, and most of them lack favorable words. Iconic director Hideo Kojima has added his two cents to the pile with his own idea on where Japan is going wrong. According to the Metal Gear Solid creator, it’s a problem of motivation.
“The West is very motivated. The younger generation of Japan is losing,” states Kojima. “The designers and to-be-designers in the West have the focus, ambition, and ability to make their dream become true. So it is not the Japanese technology or culture that is losing, we are lacking the motivation.
“Lately I have come to conclusion that, with highly motivated foreigners … it doesn’t matter where they are from, working with highly motivated individuals is the only way to move forward. I am tired of taking care of people who do not have the passion.”
Not being Japanese, I can’t speak either way on what Kojima says, but it’s sad if true. I guess there’s nothing anybody can do about it other than kick rocks and hope some new blood gets a fire lit under its arse. I wouldn’t be able to live without my Dynasty Warriors, after all.
“Young Japan is losing,” says Kojima [Eurogamer]
