The "graphical and technical" abilities of western developers have surpassed that of Japanese developers according to Silent Hill 5 producer and composer, Akira Yamaoka, who says "Japan is in trouble."
Yamaoka, who is currently working on SH5 with US-based developer, The Collective, is impressed by western development techniques. "They're very advanced," he said of his team.
"There are of course advantages and disadvantages, but overall, I'm really impressed with the American staff and their technology," he told Game Developer magazine (via QJ.net).
"Their graphical and technical ability is amazing. There's a huge leap, actually," he said, adding rather sinisterly: "I look at what American developers are doing and I think wow... Japan is in trouble." Why? Is Godzilla coming?
We take one look at Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and think there's nothing wrong with Japanese technology.
He is right, i take one look at gt5 and think RUBBISH! Both Forza and PGR4 look far more advanced than Gran Turismo 5. Especially Forza2 as it's the same "simulation" type of game that gt is.
I say there's more wrong with Japanese consumers for giving out the wrong messege to companies. Making them think they can keep rehashing crap, and it selling well no matter what.
Funny I took one look at games like MGS4, FFXIII, RE5, Lost Odyssey and saw nothing wrong, all of which rip apart SH5 visually, if that's being in trouble then I'll love to be their when they are flourishing.
Its what happens when you focus on mini game crap rather than proper games.
By proper games do you mean the endless barrage of FPS shooter games coming out the states? Cause aside from them, and sport and driving games, the US dont make much else.
At least in Japan they make games to suit everyone. Perhaps if american developers werent scared of trying something new, we would see some original titles appear.
Rather have countless FPS & driving games than endless Training games
Umm, right. From what I've seen over the years, it's the Japanese who have always got the best out of the console they're working on. Just look at how many amazing looking Japanese PS2 games there are, and show me a western equivalent? MGS3, GT3/4, FFXII, Okami, Tekken5/Soul Calibur3, Shadow of Colossus, Genji, Resident Evil (including resi remake and the 4th on the gamecube, tis japanese!).
Only Western game that springs to mind that comes close in terms of looks is God of War. Yes, I know I'm only using PS2 as an example. But still!
Er... the west constitutes several countries such as the US, Canada, France and the UK with a population of 400m+, so if your talking about Japan vs West then Japan is always going to be 'in trouble' because the west has a much bigger pool of resources and more games studios. It's like 1 against 4 and this isn't even taking into account developers from other western nations
Don't really get what he's on about tho because Japan punches waay above her weight. I mean c'mon Japan has 2 of thr 3 hardware manufacturers and produces GT, FF, MGS and loads more so how exactly is she struggling???
Technology aside, there is yet a game to come from America that has made me feel the same way as the Silent Hills (1-3), Resident Evils, and Final Fantasy VII.
Some have come close but none seem to have that certain flavour (a trite term, I know, but I'm struggling to describe what I mean: that wierd uncanniness that these games seem to contain) But maybe that is just an intrinsically Japanese thing anyway.
I agree. Just look at what was at the Tokyo Gameshow this year. A games TVshow in the Netherlands showed a bunch of games that where at the gameshow and absolutly never ever will appear in the West. I've got no idea what kind of games it were, except it definetly weren't training games.
Funny I took one look at games like MGS4, FFXIII, RE5, Lost Odyssey and saw nothing wrong, all of which rip apart SH5 visually, if that's being in trouble then I'll love to be their when they are flourishing.
How about you start naming games that have been released...
i think he has only said this because a lot of silent hill fans have been complaing that SH5 looks more action orientated...more like condemned when the fans want the creepiness of the past SH games
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