Square Enix hates the term ‘Western games’

To us, the terms “Japanese” and “Western” when applied to videogames tend to be nothing more than quick indicators of a game’s style. However, Square Enix boss Yoichi Wada has noted that the terms carry a very different meaning in Japan, with the term “Youge” being used to describe so-called Western games with derision and discrimination. 

“Even now, there have been people in Japan using the label youge- (Western games) with a terribly discriminatory meaning,” says Wada.  “I’d like them to try it once. If they play it once, they’d realize how incorrect that label is.”

As the Japanese game market suffers from a lack of creativity and falling sales, it’s amusing to see a sector of Japanese gamers employ age-old xenophobia against a booming and successful market that has been leading the industry for many years now. Still, if they want to deny themselves some awesome Western games out of little more than infantile prejudice, that’s totally up to them. 

Got to give Square Enix props for trying to broaden its audience’s perspective, though.