Itagaki To Japanese Devs: Suck It Up And Be Confident
See Full ImageTomonobu Itagaki has never been afraid to speak his mind.
And now, the former Team Ninja boss and current Valhalla head man has accused the younger Japanese developers of being far too passive.
There's no denying that the Japanese game industry has declined in comparison to the rise of Western development, but Itagaki believes you can't blame other developers for doing a better job. Basically, he's sick of the Japanese whining.
"It's terrible that there is no younger generation of prominent Japanese developers coming through. The young people of today should be confident. Even if that confidence comes from nowhere, you should act like it comes from somewhere.
They shouldn't be afraid of a slap in the face. No...I have never slapped a developer in the face. But many, many times I tell them, 'you shouldn't be afraid of getting a slap in the face'."
We really wouldn't be surprised if Itagaki had actually slapped some under-achiever upside the head. The outspoken designer also says the Japanese shouldn't be so worried about pleasing the entire world. As he said, you "can never please everybody" and "even the masters, like Picasso," just can't make the impossible possible. There will always be someone out there who doesn't like what you create. But so what? Suck it up!
The message seems clear from Itagaki: make what you want to make, target a specific audience, and create the best game you can. The rest should just fall into place. While we don't always agree with everything this guy says, we have to admit...he makes a strong point.
Tags: itagaki, games industry, japanese games, game development
9/16/2011 8:35:02 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (15 posts)
Lawless SXE
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:21:14 PM
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But he's right on there not really being any up and coming young developers, and that's not only in Japan. People still hold the likes of Nomura, Kojima, Blezinski, Molyneux and the Houser Brothers in high regard. Sure, they still make great games, but it seems that, for many of them, their time in the sun has passed. There shuold be younger developers coming up to make a name for themselves as being legendary, but that isn't really happening. Jenova Chen springs to mind as paving the way to future, and Amy Hennig is deserving and I think Tameem Antonaides and Ken Levine are too, but there are so few recognisable, fresh names that spring to mind when one thinks of gaming... maybe that will change as the indie devs rise.
1 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:35:43 PM
I like what he says about confidence too, fake it till ya make it. There's nothing that separates the confident from the unconfident except people will be willing to follow the former over the latter.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 9/16/2011 10:36:02 PM
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shadowpal2
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 10:28:15 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 10:33:45 PM
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Games are they to bring fantastic worlds to life, so do it and do it well and you will be rewarded sufficiently. (Unless you are Tim Schafer)
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main_event05
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 12:53:19 AM
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Stabs88
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 8:54:00 AM
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main_event05
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 11:24:02 AM
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Snaaaake
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 2:31:34 AM
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Kevin555
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 3:36:04 AM
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I disagree on his hatred for Tekken & Devil May Cry though but still reckon his a top bloke. I love the fact that he speaks his mind & at the same times ruffles a few feathers while doing so.
I look forward to his next game & pray to god that Ninja Gaiden 3 & Dead or Alive 5 will be just as awesome without him at the helm.
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___________
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 7:04:47 AM
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a f*cking men!
this is why every game he makes is so popular, he just makes what he wants to which makes it really enjoyable because of all the heart and soul put into it.
only if we had more developers creating what they want, and not where they think the big bucks are!
the big bucks are everywhere, grow some balls and try do something different!
you will be surprised how much people will appreciate it.
cough LA noire, cough heavy rain.
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Zorigo
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 8:20:11 AM
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Highlander
Saturday, September 17, 2011 @ 8:40:36 PM
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Beamboom
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 7:04:59 AM
Last edited by Beamboom on 9/19/2011 7:09:21 AM
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Underdog15
Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 1:22:26 PM
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BikerSaint
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Friday, September 16, 2011 @ 9:57:19 PM
We certainly need all the new ideas for new IP's we can get.
Yes by all means necessary, keep broadening our gaming horizons!!!