They should keep showing feelings and detail, areas they excel in. The future of the JRPG is one topic Japanese creators ”have to clear going forward.”
In the latest ’Iwata Asks’ column, Xenoblade director Tetsuya Takahashi and The Last Story director Hironobu Sakaguchi discussed the role of the JRPG today.
Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said that JRPGs are failing because of the ‘excessive use of the same patterns and conventions’. Sakaguchi-san agreed saying that ”because of this, RPGs need a change.” He did praise their ability to show emotions and vivid detail.
”This is one topic we game creators in Japan will have to clear going forward,” the Final Fantasy creator told Satoru Iwata. All three acknowledged that foreign movies do well in Japan proving there’s no cultural barrier to entertainment if it’s done well.
Back in ‘09 BioWare’s co-founder Greg Zeschuk explained why the JRPG is flagging, saying, ”The fall of the JRPG in large part is due to a lack of evolution, a lack of progression. They kept delivering the same thing over and over. They make the dressing better, they look prettier, but it’s still the same experience.” It’s time to evolve, or die.
Hironobu Sakaguchi’s The Last Story is releasing on Nintendo Wii.
