Kojima: "Japan's curse is its focus on Japan"

[Blacksite]

Metal Gear creator reveals ambition is to westernise his games

Metal Gear series director Hideo Kojima believes that Japan's biggest issue is that its content, which encapsulates games, movies, novels and more, is too fixated on the Japan market.

In an exclusive interview with CVG the head of Konami's Kojima Productions was asked what he think of the Japanese market compared to the European and North American industry.

"One thing about Japan, and this isn't just games, is that things made in Japan are very much targeted at Japan, whether it's games, movies or novels," he responded.

"The curse in Japan is that a lot of media is made in Japan just for Japan - you go to the cinema and it's all Japanese movies."

Kojima said he was making it his mission to draw influence from western media when creating his games.

"My generation is now being exposed to a wide range of influences, that's why what I want to make is a little bit more in tune with what people in the West will like. I really like all the things that are being made in the West.

"When I come to shows like E3 and see the announcements and go to Comic-Con, I love all of the presentations, so really I've been thinking maybe I was born in the wrong country!"

In the same interview Kojima revealed his Fox Engine is built for Xbox 360, PS3, PC and can be used to develop on multiple platforms at once.

Source

I would be careful with taking too much influence from western media. Ironically, it's because these games are developed with Japanese influences in mind that the West takes such an interest in playing them.

[DreDayDetox]

Here's the funny thing: There's a lot of people in Japan who won't be as interested in their own content, but more from the West..just like how we get big eyed when we see a foreign movie or a videogame. We wanna play it. Lollipop Chainsaw is a great example of a Japanese style game that everyone in the West wants to play because of the zombie killing and most importantly, the sexual appeal and all the nights we'll spend masturbating to that character. In Japan, a game like is completely normal. Those guys are so open about sex (even though they censor out genetalia, but they're a-ok with tentacle porn lol) and that's what I love about Japan. They don't view sexuality as taboo as we do here. They're more progressive than us because of that. And if I had the money, I would move to Japan. Hell, I wish I was born Japanese.

[Thorzilla]

You heard it here first: MGS5 will feature Zombi mode and Snake will have grown each of his muscles 5 more inches.

[AaronSOLDIER]

I would be careful with taking too much influence from western media. Ironically, it's because these games are developed with Japanese influences in mind that the West takes such an interest in playing them.

Yeah I completely agree, as soon as Japanese devs lose this focus, I'll be truly done with their games. So I disagree with Kojima here.

[Blacksite]

Here's the funny thing: There's a lot of people in Japan who won't be as interested in their own content, but more from the West..just like how we get big eyed when we see a foreign movie or a videogame. We wanna play it. Lollipop Chainsaw is a great example of a Japanese style game that everyone in the West wants to play because of the zombie killing and most importantly, the sexual appeal and all the nights we'll spend masturbating to that character. In Japan, a game like is completely normal. Those guys are so open about sex (even though they censor out genetalia, but they're a-ok with tentacle porn lol) and that's what I love about Japan. They don't view sexuality as taboo as we do here. They're more progressive than us because of that. And if I had the money, I would move to Japan. Hell, I wish I was born Japanese.

I wouldn't go that far.

Some of their games (specifically JRPGs and survival horror) are fun to play, but I didn't mean the wacky, over-the-top titles like Lollipop Chainsaw. And I'm not that interested in their culture that I would want to move or have lived there.

[Bio]

"maybe I was born in the wrong country"?

It would seem like, culturally speaking, that would be quite a mouthful.

[Kauldron]

I would be careful with taking too much influence from western media. Ironically, it's because these games are developed with Japanese influences in mind that the West takes such an interest in playing them.

That's true. I don't think everyone producing the same types of games for the industry is good for it. Innovation is always needed.

[Epyon_1]

I think that Japan's dominance and innovation influenced the western heavily and the western used that to better what they do. Japan shouldn't try to westernize their games. They should just do what they did best and come up with new ideas or just further expand on what is already there(try somethings that can better the experiences)

[Silver_Knight]

psh i enjoyed Catherine and Dark souls the most this generation. I'd rather have something fresh and different instead of shooters. I know for a game it has to be about sales but i wish it was about creating something different instead of treading in your own comfort zone. Anyways i disagree with Kojima here, which is rare for me.

[iplayonlysony]

I think that Japan's dominance and innovation influenced the western heavily and the western used that to better what they do. Japan shouldn't try to westernize their games. They should just do what they did best and come up with new ideas or just further expand on what is already there(try somethings that can better the experiences)

This is what Kojima is talking about though. Most of the biggest games to come out of Japan this gen were the ones that tried to appeal to a wider audience than Japan (MGS4, FF13, RE5). I think they should be trying to push their limits, and not be content making the same simple games.

[Kuro]

They should find a way to balance it out. But I do disagree with Kojima it's not always the case.

[coolguy]

some of there games are good but the rest of the worlds game makers have caught up and even passed japans game makers.

[Funeralfog]

i can't take a character serious if he's wearing some stupid outfit and everything has to be slo-mo and overstylized. now for a game like mystical ninja starring Goemon. brilliant, it was goofy and colorful and it was a blast to play. it also doesn't help when they don't release some great games to the west