Kojima: Japanese Devs "Lack Motivation And Passion"
Hideo KojimaWhen Hideo Kojima speaks, people generally listen. And as a well-known perfectionist, he's just sick and tired of working with game makers who have "no motivation."
While some publishers and developers have been vocal about the declining state of the Japanese gaming industry, Kojima hasn't said much on the subject...until now. He has been talking a lot about the pressing topic at his Twitter account (as summarized at GamerZines), and the Metal Gear Solid creator says these days, the problem is that Japanese devs are "lacking the motivation" to succeed. On the flip side, he believes Western studios have the "focus, ambition and ability" to realize their visions. He was actually inspired to talk about the subject after watching a TV show about foreign exchange students studying Manga at Kyoto Seika University. He refers to one US girl who is clearly into Manga and wants to learn everything about it, apparently in contrast to those around her; this led Kojima to say:
"The Game Industry is very similar. The West is very motivated. The younger generation of Japan is losing. The designers and to-be-designers in the West have the focus, ambition, and ability to make their dream become true. So it is not the Japanese technology or culture that is losing, we are lacking the motivation."
Kojima also notes that fewer Japanese students are seeking to expand their studies abroad, with less and less attending prestigious institutions like Harvard or MIT. "The engineering population in Japan may be in jeopardy," he says. He says that lately, he's come to believe that "highly motivated foreigners" working with "highly motivated individuals is the only way to move forward." And in the end, he's "tired of taking care of people who do not have the passion."
"Time is used differently between people who have and don't have motivation. They are willing to learn and study on their own. Saying you don't have time because of work, using work as an excuse, will not help you grow. Creating abilities, at it's core, is reliant on your love for the creation."
Well, the master has spoken. Now what say you?
Tags: kojima, japanese games, hideo kojima
7/9/2010 10:47:04 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (53 posts)
Akuma07
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:45:07 AM
These same people who were once some of the most skilled warriors in the entire world.
They are doing it again now (LOL) with games of course, they are hiring Western help to make their games better, when they dont realise, they already have the talent to succeed. GOD they have been doing it for decades!!
6 up, 0 down
johnld
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 9:03:16 PM
Why cant they promote someone in the company and hire entry level guys. that way, they can mold that employee the way they want so that they fit into the company.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 9:05:16 PM
0 up, 0 down
manofchao5
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 2:26:58 PM
Last edited by manofchao5 on 7/10/2010 2:29:44 PM
2 up, 0 down
Karosso
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:07:59 AM
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Thank you master Kojima!
7 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:10:52 AM
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This is why he continues to wow gamers across the globe while his counterparts sink like the titanic.
11 up, 0 down
Natalisrubbish
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 10:22:17 AM
Fully agree, one has to wonder what the gaming world would be like without hideo. A sad one for sure, he is one of the gaming voices of reason.
0 up, 0 down
Qubex
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:12:06 AM
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Developers should sit up and take notice...
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 7/9/2010 11:13:01 AM
2 up, 1 down
Akuma07
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:43:14 AM
Reasons are truth.
That is the difference, there are always reasons for things, an action, is always followed by a reaction.
An excuse, is just bullshit, its what you tell yourself and everyone else to make yourself believe it is the reason, but it is not.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 7/9/2010 12:04:00 PM
0 up, 1 down
WolfCrimson
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:12:49 AM
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3 up, 0 down
hellish_devil
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:27:01 AM
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Last edited by hellish_devil on 7/9/2010 11:28:48 AM
4 up, 1 down
Steel
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:33:29 AM
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-Steel
7 up, 0 down
Akuma07
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:41:39 AM
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He is the best Video game creator of all time, he is an inspiration to every gamer and the like around the word.
He is exactly right, and it is brilliant to finally see a Japanese developer that isnt making excuses.
Thats all they do, make excuses for why they arent selling as much, when the truth is, they are trying to be something they are not, Western will always be Western, Japan will always be Japan, stick to what your good at, imrpove it, but do not attempt to change it entirely.
Japanese developers be warned, the future is Hideo.
3 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:46:06 AM
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As Highlander points out, it's also a problem in America.
But I agree on the "passion" statement. If they really want to make an amazing game, they'll make it.
The problem I see is companies like Squeeeenix and Capcom forcing their dev teams to "Westernize their games."
^That would really demotivate me if I were Japanese.
0 up, 0 down
Akuma07
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:50:20 AM
Its the end of the samurai age alllllllllllll over again.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:52:20 AM
Last edited by Highlander on 7/9/2010 11:52:34 AM
2 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 12:06:56 PM
He wants Japanese companies to find their passion again so they can make good Japanese games again.
Contrast Kojima with Wada and the point is that much more clear.
For me anyway.
1 up, 0 down
main_event05
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:58:36 AM
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But seriously, I think this man is going to single handedly save the Japanese gaming industry. How great would it be if he pulled some Big Boss type moves and took over SE? I'd be pretty damn great.
3 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 12:07:45 PM
;)
1 up, 0 down
Vitron
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 12:48:59 AM
Lets support Kojima as Gamers!!
0 up, 0 down
DeathOfChaos
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 12:22:01 PM
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3 up, 0 down
main_event05
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 12:59:57 PM
whose would be better?
1 up, 0 down
johnld
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 9:06:07 PM
1 up, 0 down
DjEezzy
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 1:40:36 PM
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I do think he's absolutely right about this situation though. It's good that he can call it like he sees it.
0 up, 9 down
Swavey
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 7:59:50 PM
2 up, 0 down
Vitron
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 12:54:20 AM
Did failures stop hip from achieving that? No, because he respects his principles, his passion and also us gamers.
Because thats a man who follows his dreams...
Last edited by Vitron on 7/10/2010 12:59:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 2:31:33 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Ultimate_Balla
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 2:51:43 PM
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airwedge1
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 3:30:27 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 4:15:04 PM
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What I propose for them to do, is to take all of them, and put them to work on some grand shooter title, while transferring some Western devs to Japan. Once those games are done, transfer them back and maybe just maybe we'll get something relatively fresh. As long as it isn't tainted by the shooter experience. Maybe I'm talking out of my ass as usual...
Either way, my cast iron excuse: "It seemed like a good idea at the time." It works.
Peace.
1 up, 1 down
Steel
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 5:20:52 PM
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0 up, 0 down
fstop
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 5:21:36 PM
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That is all.
Last edited by fstop on 7/9/2010 5:21:53 PM
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 5:30:03 PM
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1 up, 0 down
Scarecrow
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 7:15:07 PM
That's what I'm saying
Japanese companies are AFRAID that we don't like their Japanese games anymore.
So now they're hiring every European game dev they can.
Case in point Namco-Bandai hiring Ninja Theory (Europe)
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Douchebaguette
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 6:20:15 PM
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kraygen
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 8:13:19 PM
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1 up, 0 down
DjEezzy
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 8:43:52 PM
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Snatchers CD-ROMantic, Policenauts, ZOE in my opinion are far from great(at least the ones after the first one), Stock Trading Trainer,LOL and lets not forget all the dating sims he did. Most of the Gameboy Advanced games. I can't remember their names though. "B" something. I'm not saying he's not great. In fact,as of lately everything he's come out with is an absolute must play. I'm just saying that he's not the greatest and some people need to get off his N***. No offense. But it seems as if he's got a Steve Jobs thing going on. Like everyone worships anything he touches and the ground that he walks on.
Another thing that's kind of stupid is people are automatically dismissing Metal Gear Rising because Kojima-san didn't direct it. I call bulls***. These guys are his protege's. He's their mentor. He's not the only talented developer on earth! It's probably going to be awesome execept in a different way.
Last edited by DjEezzy on 7/9/2010 9:01:33 PM
0 up, 2 down
BigBoss4ever
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 9:57:16 PM
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Squeeeex is the typical example of what he described, and their games lately has no passion whatsoever, and their head has nothing in him but greed, global greed.
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:22:41 PM
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0 up, 0 down
___________
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 1:55:29 AM
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$E changed FFXIII into a more action oriented game because they wanted it to sell more, and in doing so they effectively told their fans to f*ck off!
capcom are doing the same thing, look at bionic commando how did that turn out?
there shifting there well known IPs to western developers and keeping only new IPs internal.
well thats fine capcom and $E if that is how you say thank you for buying our games and constantly supporting us than im not buying anymore of your games.
it takes 2 to tango baby!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by ___________ on 7/10/2010 1:55:50 AM
0 up, 0 down
RebelExtrm02
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 4:45:59 PM
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0 up, 0 down
THE NTMIDTR
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 5:05:16 PM
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THE NTMIDTR
Saturday, July 10, 2010 @ 5:41:50 PM
(pulled from Thursday, May 20, 2010 @ 11:02:43 PM Capcom story)
I'm calling BS on this guy...
1st: Nintendo still based in Japan?
2nd: Perhaps Capcom doesn't understand that a lot of great games the "West" has come to love were MIJ.
3rd: 2 words... TEAM ICO
Maybe this moron doesn't know how he and his company will make the future games from Japan for any audience... but I seriously doubt the rest of the Japanese devs share his anxiety... is Kojima up at night worrying? Doesn't Street Fighter sell a ton of games?
RE5 was a flop compared to the brilliance of RE4... the customer is becoming more educated and discerning... games are not as cheap as they once were so shovelware BEWARE! He sounds as though he wants a "bailout" instead of buckling down and making a good game! If he doesn't have the desire or drive that Naughty Dog had for UC1&2 then he should be looking for a new career. Boo effin' hoo! Shut up and get to work... get an idea, hire the talent to bring it to life... problem solved. What a chump! Who put a microphone in his hand?
<steps down off of soapbox>
It needed to be said... I apologize If I offended anyone.
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Highlander
Reply
Friday, July 09, 2010 @ 11:04:54 AM
I think that some of the demotivation in the Japanese industry is self inflicted. comments by some Japanese companies have left me thinking that they really have no confidence in themselves, and that can not be motivational at all.
I think I can understand his point of view, hopefully they are going through a cycle of renewal where renewed interest is born of the current apathy?