Japanese RPG Developers Have Become 'Complacent'

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Greg Zeschuk says...

"I think what happened is they got very complacent for a very long time," Zeschuk told Industry Gamers. "They kept making the same thing, and the same thing, and, in a sense, almost provided an opening for all of us to jump in with our styIe of games. I know first hand that they're looking at our games now; they're kind of looking at our stuff, theFablestuff, andFallout, and all that, and going, 'what are these things?' I think they had gotten used to making the same thing over and over, and it was working."

"I think the other thing, too, is that the Japanese market has gotten quite a bit weaker and weaker. It's just not as strong a market. It used to be a tremendously strong game market, so I think they're kind of looking at it going, 'man, we've got to figure out where else we can sell these,' and I think the traditional, very structured, old-school structure RPG wasn't selling anymore; so now, I think we're going to see some changes."

Ray Muzyka says...

"...everybody's got to be always innovating and always trying to look for new opportunities to build on what they've done before. Any group, not referring to any particular one, [but] any studio or group, or any country that has certain development aesthetics, you know, from past times, that doesn't continue to innovate will get left behind."

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My Thoughts: I agree that most RPGs made in Japan are complacent in terms of design. Namely, next-gen console RPGs. I like the choice of words Greg and Ray used and the outlook they have on Japanese developed RPGs. These are still RPGs, but they're not necessarily moving the genre forward as much as they can. Thats not to say North American and European developers are always innovating. It just seems like noticeable decline in the Japanese industry.

I could agree that they've become complacent. There was a time when JRPG's ruled the roost in terms of consoles, and were very popular. This gen WRPG's have taken over because they've done things to advance the genre.

I hope we start to see some JRPG developers at least try and break out of the mold, and do something a little different.

Oh, BioWare. You and calling out JRPGs. Well, this'll be fun. *grabs popcorn*

I definitely agree with him but Bioware,while best RPG developers,are DEFINITELY to arrogant.

It's true, the japanese need to really move from this grinding type gameplay most of all IMO. However I have to wonder if there was a FF fanboy in bioware who raged when he played 13 lol

Well i don't like JRPGs so iall agree with whatever Bioware says :)

Its the only genre i hate with a passion.

To be honest, I guess I agree. JRPGs used to be the pinnacle of the genre for me, and now it takes a LOT for one to keep me interested, and the last one that did that was Lost Odyssey. Mostly I just feel like I've been there, done that.

It's true, the japanese need to really move from this grinding type gameplay most of all IMO. However I have to wonder if there was a FF fanboy in bioware who raged when he played 13 lol

Espada12

I agree with them 100 percent, even though my favorite JRPG this gen has been Persona 4. I would like to see more stuff based on current day or even slightly futuristic Japan as it is much more compelling to me than the sappy overdone fantasy JRPGs with really terrible names and characters with multicolored hair and nutso wardrobe design.

I'm still interested in JRPGs :)siLVURcross

Sqaure released Chrono Cross (10); Vagrant Story (9.6); Final Fantasy IX (8.6); Parasite Eve (7.3); Final Fantasy VIII (9.5); all within a year from each other :cry:. A feat in which no single company will ever duplicate (maybe) :(.

But i'f rather JRPG developers evolve into some other form instead of just copying WRPG styles. That way they both stay different and fresh.

[QUOTE="Espada12"]

It's true, the japanese need to really move from this grinding type gameplay most of all IMO. However I have to wonder if there was a FF fanboy in bioware who raged when he played 13 lol

TREAL_Since

I'm fine with a little grinding (I play mmos for crying out loud :lol: ) but I do think JRPGS take it to another level, I don't have much experience in the genre so take my opinion with a grain of salt but from the few I played I raged at times.

I love Bioware, but they are starting to become too arrogant towards JRPGs.

Although I do agree JRPG devs should at least put in some effort into playing/understanding WRPGs. When a Square presentation cites Tomb Raider and Hitman as examples of WRPGs you know something is wrong.

Bioware is still butthurt about FFXIII destroying ME2 in sales? lol

duhh they have been using the same gameplay since the NES era, just with shiny graphics now.

Bioware is still butthurt about FFXIII destroying ME2 in sales? lol

Bigboi500

they're aware they made a higher quality product. that'll be confirmed when their game is awarded many more industry awards.

they sold enough for a sequel, why would they care

Kinda funny seeing as how DA: O is the epitome of unoriginal. :P Ibacai

DA maybe unoriginal and a throw back to old school PC RPGs, but that still makes it better than any JRPG. :)

The insult is more that Baldur's Gate 2 is better than DA and its 10 years old. I don't think Bioware can ever do better than BG2 nor can any other dev.

What's with the attitude lately, bioware??? And, come on, what's innovative about ME2 in terms of role-playing? You're just turning it into a shooter...

BTW, I take Bethesda over Bioware anytime anyday...

You can't say the Japanese don't innovate in respect towards JRPGs...I mean, FFXIII is wwwwaaayy different than any FF before. The Tales of... series has perfected a battle system over a decade. Dragon quest has for the most part stayed the same. But Japan innovates VERY slowly. They keep the basics the same and in the next installment, they tweek something. It can be something moderately important to the core gameplay (holy ****, Symphony of the Night is like Metroid, etc.) or it can be small (oh boy ten new/old characters in SSFIV). Luckily, if you've played one jrpg, you haven't played them all (unless its in the same series)

Just look at companies like Atlus, or the old squaresoft, or tri-Ace, and maybe even capcom.

If anything, Japan is capable of adapting.

It's true, the japanese need to really move from this grinding type gameplay most of all IMO. However I have to wonder if there was a FF fanboy in bioware who raged when he played 13 lol

Kinda funny seeing as how DA: O is the epitome of unoriginal. :P But I still love the game and I don't see anything wrong with that. Nor do I see anything wrong with Japanese development.Ibacai

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

Bioware is still butthurt about FFXIII destroying ME2 in sales? lol

HavocV3

they're aware they made a higher quality product. that'll be confirmed when their game is awarded many more industry awards.

they sold enough for a sequel, why would they care

And so the pot called the kettle black.

I definitely agree with him but Bioware,while best RPG developers,are DEFINITELY to arrogant.

Bus-A-Bus

seriously if square did announce ff7 at E3 bioware would be kickin there own arse

First of all I do not see why people get so angry over this. If someone asks them about the state of rpgs these days, why shouldnt they express their opinions whatever they may be? Devs are politicians they shouldnt have to censor theyre beliefes. That being said I do somewhat agree. The problem with jrpgs I think is best illustrated by the Dragon Quest games or even Pokemon, some might say the FF series but even though it is slight the games did change over time. Anyway Dragon Quest is an amazingly popular series in japan. Its a series that like Pokemon has not evolved at all since the begining. I do enjoy DQ games but when someone asks what its like I just say its like the previous one...becouse it is. Its practically the same, there is no innovation in the series becouse people dont want it sticking to this slogan of it being old school...that is bs, games should always evolve. Of course Bioware also is guilty of sticking to closely to what they know.

seriously if square did announce ff7 at E3 bioware would be kickin there own arse

Whiteknight19

A remake of the most overrated FF game?I don't think they will be that worried.

[QUOTE="Ibacai"]Kinda funny seeing as how DA: O is the epitome of unoriginal. :P But I still love the game and I don't see anything wrong with that. Nor do I see anything wrong with Japanese development.blue_hazy_basic

TC your link is wrong (it's just the reveal of GI's Infamous 2 cover).

Anyway, I don't see the problem with those comments; I thought the Docs came across as disappointed fans, rather than trying to take a cheap-shot at Square Enix (because lets face it, when you say "JRPG developers" you're talking about Square Enix).

I agree with them but i would take a random jrpg over any game they ever made . Even though I dislike pretty much all wrpg at least they are different and feel more new then a traditional jrpg

Meh, I still prefer JRPGs over WRPGs.

If Japanese developers said the same thing about Western RPG developers, I can imagine most users will become very defensive and say stupid/ignorant things about the Japanese and their gaming industry.

DA maybe unoriginal and a throw back to old school PC RPGs, but that still makes it better than any JRPG. :)

The insult is more that Baldur's Gate 2 is better than DA and its 10 years old. I don't think Bioware can ever do better than BG2 nor can any other dev.

Snagal123

TC your link is wrong (it's just the reveal of GI's Infamous 2 cover).

Anyway, I don't see the problem with those comments; I thought the Docs came across as disappointed fans, rather than trying to take a cheap-shot at Square Enix (because lets face it, when you say "JRPG developers" you're talking about Square Enix).

PBSnipes

[QUOTE="Whiteknight19"]

seriously if square did announce ff7 at E3 bioware would be kickin there own arse

Snagal123

A remake of the most overrated FF game?I don't think they will be that worried.

[QUOTE="Snagal123"]

DA maybe unoriginal and a throw back to old school PC RPGs, but that still makes it better than any JRPG. :)

The insult is more that Baldur's Gate 2 is better than DA and its 10 years old. I don't think Bioware can ever do better than BG2 nor can any other dev.

TREAL_Since

I should have added imo, because in my world my opinion is FACT! :)

If any JRPG did interest me it would most likely be Demon Souls, but without a PC version i won't ever know.

[QUOTE="TREAL_Since"][QUOTE="Snagal123"]

DA maybe unoriginal and a throw back to old school PC RPGs, but that still makes it better than any JRPG. :)

The insult is more that Baldur's Gate 2 is better than DA and its 10 years old. I don't think Bioware can ever do better than BG2 nor can any other dev.

Snagal123

I should have added imo, because in my world my opinion is FACT! :)

If any JRPG did interest me it would most likely be Demon Souls, but without a PC version i won't ever know.

[QUOTE="Ibacai"]Kinda funny seeing as how DA: O is the epitome of unoriginal. :P Snagal123

DA maybe unoriginal and a throw back to old school PC RPGs, but that still makes it better than any JRPG. :)

The insult is more that Baldur's Gate 2 is better than DA and its 10 years old. I don't think Bioware can ever do better than BG2 nor can any other dev.

[QUOTE="Snagal123"]

[QUOTE="Whiteknight19"]

seriously if square did announce ff7 at E3 bioware would be kickin there own arse

AzatiS

A remake of the most overrated FF game?I don't think they will be that worried.

If you mean revolutionary as in turning it cyber punk and giving everyone stupid hair styles and making all the men look like girls, then sure.

I admit i'm biased, i can't stand FF, but from those i know who do, and have played them all, they all cite 4, 6 and 10 as being better than 7. 7 is just the one most people played, that doesn't make it the best or in anyway of need of a remake. If anything Square should focus on something new.

I have to agree with Bioware, some the recent RPGs from known and new coming series alike have been sameys in terms of everything, the combat system in SO4 for instance is awesome, not too different from previous formula set by so3 however improved a lot, but they still come with a problem, an awesome combat system can only keep one entertained for so long until the terrible, poorly written, corny and ridiculously cliché story turns you off from playing.

FROM SOFTWARE Is the new boss in terms of Japanese RPGs, Demon's Souls is all but the traditional turn based or strategy kind of JRPGs people are used to, and more entertating imo 8)

Meh, I still prefer JRPGs over WRPGs.

ChaltierX

[QUOTE="AzatiS"][QUOTE="Snagal123"]

A remake of the most overrated FF game?I don't think they will be that worried.

Snagal123

If you mean revolutionary as in turning it cyber punk and giving everyone stupid hair styles and making all the men look like girls, then sure.

I admit i'm biased, i can't stand FF, but from those i know who do, and have played them all, they all cite 4, 6 and 10 as being better than 7. 7 is just the one most people played, that doesn't make it the best or in anyway of need of a remake. If anything Square should focus on something new.