Mega Man Creator Keiji Inafune Calls Capcom a "Communist State"

[Jennacide]

$50 he comes West!

He pretty much already had. He was spending more time at Blue Castle in Canada during DR2's development then he spent back home in Japan.

It makes a lot of sense what he's saying. I mean, we can already see that's basically how Activision runs. And it sheds light on the furthering problem of Square-Enix growing into a bigger and bigger snowball of failure; though more than just "communism" is to blame.

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

I guess working for Capcom...
*puts on sunglasses*
make you a Capcommunist.

YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!

 

[thublihnk]

His quotes may contradict each other. On one level he is saying that gamers are more critical than ever and yet at the same time he is saying a lot of people working in the industry are slackers? Does that mean the few that aren't slackers are working that much harder or that simply that the dude is just whiny and makes complaints that maybe no real basis in reality.

I think the two are related to each other. No boundaries are being pushed anymore so no one cares about a mediocre title; we need AAA title with the standard runny-gunny or magic-stabby gameplay to be GOOD or we pay no attention. If, say, boundaries were being pushed but it was a title with less than stellar production value *coughcough* PSYCHONAUTS then we pay attention.

So in other words video games are like film or any most other kinds of entertainment in capitalistic cultures.

Also, I think Psychonauts had fine production values at the time, it didn't do as well as it should have probably due to marketing. I mean, at least for the Xbox it had above average graphics I think.

Short answer: YES! Long answer: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES.

I don't mean the graphics, I mean there were a few gameplay mechanics that kinda sucked and the difficulty curve was wonky and despite what a few of my creepy Ninja Gaiden worshipping arcade dwelling friends will tell you that's not a good thing. Things that could've been ironed out if there wasn't such a fiasco with the publisher and they could've had more time.

 

[samsonguy920]

Considering the buildup of bad vibes coming from Capcom this should be hardly surprising.

But I must say that chap is quite animated in what he has to say. Hope he got it all off his chest.

 

[thenamelessloser]

His quotes may contradict each other. On one level he is saying that gamers are more critical than ever and yet at the same time he is saying a lot of people working in the industry are slackers? Does that mean the few that aren't slackers are working that much harder or that simply that the dude is just whiny and makes complaints that maybe no real basis in reality.

I think the two are related to each other. No boundaries are being pushed anymore so no one cares about a mediocre title; we need AAA title with the standard runny-gunny or magic-stabby gameplay to be GOOD or we pay no attention. If, say, boundaries were being pushed but it was a title with less than stellar production value *coughcough* PSYCHONAUTS then we pay attention.

So in other words video games are like film or any most other kinds of entertainment in capitalistic cultures.

Also, I think Psychonauts had fine production values at the time, it didn't do as well as it should have probably due to marketing. I mean, at least for the Xbox it had above average graphics I think.

Short answer: YES! Long answer: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES.

I don't mean the graphics, I mean there were a few gameplay mechanics that kinda sucked and the difficulty curve was wonky and despite what a few of my creepy Ninja Gaiden worshipping arcade dwelling friends will tell you that's not a good thing. Things that could've been ironed out if there wasn't such a fiasco with the publisher and they could've had more time.

God that final level in Psychonauhts was fucking horribly hard. I had to use cheat codes to do it. It was really annoying. I don't think I could have ever saw the rest of the story without cheating. I see what you mean thhough, the game could have had more balancing and a less steep curve and NO FUCKING ESCORT MISSIONS.

 

[Tsaba]

$50 he comes West!

100 says he goes further east.

 

[SirPumpkinLongshanks]

God that final level in Psychonauhts was fucking horribly hard. I had to use cheat codes to do it. It was really annoying. I don't think I could have ever saw the rest of the story without cheating. I see what you mean thhough, the game could have had more balancing and a less steep curve and NO FUCKING ESCORT MISSIONS.

What's worse is when I played it it froze during the final boss fight, so I had to go all the way through the final stage again. I swear I nearly broke something, I couldn't even look at my PS2 for a few hours after that. I didn't even enjoy it when I finally won, it was just a matter of principle. The bloody thing wasn't gonna beat me.

 

[Defective_Detective]

I'm really worried about what Inafune's departure will mean for Megaman as a series, especially the new Legends 3.

I've been waiting for it for so long. Now I'm so scared they're going to screw it up.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Is he aware that it's not a particularly good idea to burn bridges? Not that he's wrong, of course.

 

[Mr Pantomime]

I wonder what hes going to do with that jacket

 

[Atmos Duality]

About time Inafune.
You might be an arrogant jackass, but I'm not arguing with you here.

 

[WanderingFool]

Give that man a prize...

Fuck yeah... I like this guy...

 

[SelectivelyEvil13]

Inafune makes a valid argument. XT inc describes the first point very well I think:

Different analogies aside thats what I have been telling my friends for ages. Game companies are resting on their laurels and gamers need you game to be uber top tier for our cash. They act like they don't know that their job is to make the 69.99$ price look like they are just giving the ticket to ride away. At nearly a hundred bucks a game as gamers the emotional economics isn't to suffer a loss, or break even or come out on top. Its to hit the entertainment ball out of the park so hard that its memory sears it's self into your mind forever.

This same principal can be applied to many items for sale, as there is the growing trend to squeeze as much money out of the consumer for as little *bang* as humanly possible. Games face a particular difficulty because many perceive them as artistic entertainment more like a film rather than any other standard product like a toaster. With that hefty price tag comes the expectation that the game's artistry and/or entertainment function will outlast a few weeks and for the game in question not to be an overpriced rental in hindsight.

The sexual comparison does make for a convincing augmentation to his point as well. In an age of proliferation and advancement garnering expanding ideas and capabilities for video games (and other mediums or products as well), we grow more discerning when it boils down to the next release. We've tasted the risotto and we cannot go back to the instant rice[footnote]Guess the reference![/footnote].

 

[Kelethor]

It is a glorious system Inafune, and you will conform or else!

OT: Good job bro, stand up for yourself.

 

[Eric the Orange]

$50 he comes West!

100 says he goes further east.

Well seeing as were on a sphere, it's kind of the same thing. Unless your implying he's going to get a Job somewhere in the pacific ocean.

 

[Mcupobob]

he should go to Activision i hear its all Milk and Cookies there


ot: good for him. he should do what he likes the way he likes it ...

My uncle was looking into a job at Activison, he told my the working conditions we awful. The place was dirty. Though thats just how he described it.

OT: Anyways cool guy, hates capcom something I can agree too. Wonder where he will be going though.

 

[Logic 0]

He can only do better at another company ... I hope.

 

[mexicola]

Well good for him, here's hoping he can find a company where he can continue making high quality pornography. *wipes a tear* Bless him.

 

[BrownGaijin]

Capcom is a communist state? Hmm...

Spoiler: Ignore the last few seconds. It's funny and unexpected, but it might only serve to throw you off.