Inafune: Japanese devs have lost desire to win

Japanese game developers have lost their desire to win, according to Comcept boss and former Capcom legend Keiji Inafune. 

Speaking at his Game Developers Conference panel, “The Future of Japanese Games,” Inafune said (via Develop), “There is a conscience and desire to win missing. We, the Japanese, have forgotten all about that. Back in the day we grew used to winning.

“At some point these winners became loosers, and not acknowledging or accepting that has lead to the tragic fate of Japanese games.”

Inafune believes the Japanese games industry is very “closed minded,” and headlined a solution to re-open it.

“There is something you must do to win,” he said towards Japanese developers. “You must acknowledge your loss, and start over again. We are humans, and have our own pride, but we cannot win if we keep that pride up.

“We must believe ‘I will win’.”

Inafune acknowledged the past for what it was – a period of dominance for the Japanese games industry – but lamented they’re now “just great, great memories.”

He argued to succeed, Japanese developers must challenge themselves, be determined, and not simply rely on existing IP, but to push and create new brands.

“If you pour a lot of effort into a game with a brand what happens?,” Inafune asked the audience. “Easy,” he answered. “You will be that much of a success.

“Perhaps the folks who are now running the show in the Japanese games industry are those who simply jumped on a bandwagon. The creations that measured up to global standards were crafted by our predecessors.

Inafune closed his argument with a warning.

“The Japanese video games industry must realise the need to develop our brands, and me must do so now. It will be too late when our brands have no equity left. Time is running out. We should have realised this when I made those statements two years ago.

“What I know for sure is that I will win. I will take on hardships to win.”

Thanks, Develop.