QuickNavigation - FF Odyssey Editorials Japanese games and RPGs no longer in the spotlight (Last updated on 08/08/2011)

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Changing times - Japanese games and RPGs no longer in the spotlight

By: wsim

Japanese games, including RPGs have long dominated and held the gold standard for the gaming industry.  In recent times, things are significantly different.  Japanese games used to sell very well in overseas markets but nowadays, Western titles are by far more popular among the general public.  Even in the realm of RPGs, you will find fewer Japanese RPGs making an impression in North America and Europe.  The quality of Japanese RPGs released overseas has dropped recently and this can be attributed to numerous factors.   Well-established RPG franchises such as Final Fantasy have seen a series of mediocre or subpar releases as well.

The big question is what has happened to Japanese RPGs?  Have they suddenly just lost their once magical touch?  Credit should be given to where it is due, as Western RPG developers have done an outstanding job in the last few years.  The quality is impressive and Western RPGs as of late have taken big strides in terms of design, art style, gameplay and storylines.  Their realistic stance has also resonated well with most gamers.  Some of the most popular RPGs out on the market are mostly Western developed, including Mass Effect 3, Dragon Age II, Dark Souls, etc.  It was only a few years ago when it was all about RPGs from Japan (Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest and many more).  Unfortunately, Japanese RPGs have been declining in terms of quantity and quality over this time period.  There are still some good ones, but few and far between in the PS3 generation.  Of course, while I generally prefer Japanese RPGs in comparison to Western ones, there isn't much new material that has been of great interest nowadays. 

Preferences in Japan have also largely changed over the past couple of years.  The rage is all about handheld consoles (PSP, DS, etc.) and traditional console sales are declining.  Almost every Japanese RPG developer ended up sticking with the PSP and PS2 level hardware.  The economy of Japan is not doing too well either, many companies simply do not have the large financial resources to market and produce game titles overseas on a regular basis.  The American and European game markets have grown considerably, however, Japan remains in a state of decline.  As a result, with smaller budgets, many developers focus on the home market and less inclined to attempt any sizable overseas projects.  The shrinking Japanese game market can be explained directly to the falling demographics of the local population.  The birth rate is in decline and the population is aging rapidly.  There are fewer children  and youth. 

Another factor to consider are differences in the types of games that are popular in the Western markets.  First-person and third-person shooters are some of the most well-known games in these markets.  As FPS and TPS games are not remotely popular in Japan, many local developers have little experience in the development of these games.  Due to the significant growth of the industry in North America and Europe, game companies in those countries can make large investments, resulting in having the ability to employ more talents, advanced technology and bigger projects.

However, Japanese game developers still possess some advantages.  They draw upon a lot of experience in creating and developing games.  In order to compete in the changing dynamics of the gaming industry, Japanese developers need to better utilize their strengths and find ways to revitalize Japanese gaming.  In the current state of the worldwide gaming industry, this will indeed be a major challenge and it remains to be seen whether or not Japanese games can thrive once again or continue their decline.