Squeenix CEO Calls Out Japanese Gamers on Western Bias

[LeonLethality]

Not to sound racist, but ya, I've heard a lot of people say that Japan is xenophobic.
I can point to Mario and Jynx as proof...

You would be surprised, you know how NA is full of japanophiles? well japan is full of the opposite, they are OBSESSED with the west. The main problem is most american games are FPS titles a genre that doesn't do well in japan

 

[John Funk]

Squeenix CEO Calls Out Japanese Gamers on Western Bias



Specifically, Wada has an issue with the Japanese term youge- (洋ゲ&#12540, the word used to refer to titles made in the West as opposed to Japanese-made games, or geimu (ゲーム - yeah, it's just the word "game").
(Via Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5420421/square-enix-president-calls-western-game-label-terribly-discriminatory])

Permalink

It's 'Geemu'.

If I'm remembering my high school Japanese classes, that long E can be written "ei" in Romaji, similar to how the long O can be written "ou." That's mainly because to most Western speakers, they read "ee" like in "Hee-haw" and read "oo" like "Spoon."

 

[deleted_by_strongbad]

A company has no place publicly criticizing consumers for their choice of taste. He wants more money, that's the long and short of it, and he's hoping that the consumers will bend to his desire. Companies need to reflect the will of the consumers, not the other way around.

I can see why they group them into two different categories, their games are games, you don't have to think, just play.
Western games are typically very serious and always feel like work of some sort. I find western games more entertaining because it is an endeavor, but it isn't for everyone.
They are different so different titles is not bad, and disliking something that isn't in your wheelhouse doesn't make you xenophobic, just as the reverse doesn't mean you aren't.

 

[slopeslider]

Squeenix CEO Calls Out Japanese Gamers on Western Bias



Specifically, Wada has an issue with the Japanese term youge- (洋ゲ&#12540, the word used to refer to titles made in the West as opposed to Japanese-made games, or geimu (ゲーム - yeah, it's just the word "game").
(Via Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5420421/square-enix-president-calls-western-game-label-terribly-discriminatory])

Permalink

It's 'Geemu'.

If I'm remembering my high school Japanese classes, that long E can be written "ei" in Romaji, similar to how the long O can be written "ou." That's mainly because to most Western speakers, they read "ee" like in "Hee-haw" and read "oo" like "Spoon."

Then how would we transcribe "Geimu"? Still use the ei? Now we're conflicting for no reason.
I guess the westerners who watch the 'nehnjuh' show 'nuhrootow' cant pronounce anything in 'japuhkneez"
Also, he wrote Youge correctly. So I think he just made a mistake.
At least write it correctly, even if you cant pronounce for crap. Less everyone start calling America "Uhmerikuh"

 

[deleted_by_strongbad]

maybe I'm just defensive cos I also live on an island, and although Britain did go out and conquer the map it was only after everyone else had invaded us.

Wasn't Britain built by invasion? As in, Britain is the child of the collective invaders, meaning you came after the invasion. I could be wrong, hence the question at the beginning.

 

[Doug]

Specifically, Wada has an issue with the Japanese term youge- (洋ゲ&#12540, the word used to refer to titles made in the West as opposed to Japanese-made games, or geimu (ゲーム - yeah, it's just the word "game"). By differentiating between the two, Japanese gamers are essentially saying that Western games aren't actually games, and the Square-Enix boss doesn't like it.

I mean, yeah, Western games aren't interactive novels and have actual gameplay, therefore not games! Makes perfect sense.

Not to sound racist, but ya, I've heard a lot of people say that Japan is xenophobic.
I can point to Mario and Jynx as proof...

I have better proof *points at WW2 and the Japanese warcrimes*

maybe I'm just defensive cos I also live on an island, and although Britain did go out and conquer the map it was only after everyone else had invaded us.

Wasn't Britain built by invasion? As in, Britain is the child of the collective invaders, meaning you came after the invasion. I could be wrong, hence the question at the beginning.

I don't think "Everyone" is the Romans, the Germanic tribes of the Saxons, the Vikings, and the Normans.

Thats 4. I'm pretty sure there are alot more people who could have invaded us if they wanted too and where lucky. See Spain, for example.

 

[hansari]

Are you kidding me?!!!

So what he is basically crying about is that the Japanese don't really have a market for endless year on year iterations of effectively the same game with new skins and maps being released to massive hype, dubious critical acclaim, and quick dismissal when the Next-Big-Thing(TM) runs through the same mill....

POKEMON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The main problem is most american games are FPS titles a genre that doesn't do well in japan

Many bestsellers in the West are FPS's...there are plenty of hit titles that aren't. Why not go see how Dragon Age Origins or Assassins Creed 2 has sold in Japan...

I can see why they group them into two different categories, their games are games, you don't have to think, just play.
Western games are typically very serious and always feel like work of some sort...

...

Are you telling me there was no learning involved in any Final Fantasy game. No figuring out "materia", no experimenting and analysis of the "license board"...

How about Silent Hill or Resident Evil? Those games you could play on autopilot

But maybe your right! Oh if only western developers could make simple fun games...

OH GAWD IF ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Doug]

But maybe your right! Oh if only western developers could make simple fun games...

OH GAWD IF ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IF ONLY! I'VE NOT SEEN A GAME WITHOUT A POWER-ARMOURED SPACE-MARINE WARRIOR IN THE PAST 30 YEARS!

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Japan has always had an air of self-determination. It's fair enough, they seem to know what they like, and what they like is the product of their own culture. However, I'm sure a lot more of them would have fun if they weren't so close minded about such things. I admire this duded for saying this, because with the weight his word would probably carry, it might just win a few over.

This.

I guess becoming an economic powerhouse after WWII has gone to their brains.

Economic powerhouse? I thought the Japanese Economy was in a bad recession.

DID SUZUMIYA HARUHI LIE TO ME?

 

[Mcface]

I don't blame them.
I don't buy any of their shit, because it's totally retarded imo.

 

[John Funk]

Specifically, Wada has an issue with the Japanese term youge- (洋ゲ&#12540, the word used to refer to titles made in the West as opposed to Japanese-made games, or geimu

s69-5 says that he has an issue with the Western term WRPG, the acronym to refer to Role playing games made outside of Asia as opposed to JRPG as in those made in Japan. It is s69-5's feeling that the two terms should be abolished and made into one all encompassing RPG term (like it was just over a decade ago).

I think it's a different thing. JRPG still notes that it's a game, but just a different genre - and honestly, JRPGs and WRPGs are different enough from each other that they might as well be different genres. Just like we have Action RPGs and Tactical RPGs, too.

 

[Hexenwolf]

For the sake of my (internet) ears, please never ever say the word Squeenix again!

 

[Danpascooch]

Not to sound racist, but ya, I've heard a lot of people say that Japan is xenophobic.
I can point to Mario and Jynx as proof...

Ah, the beautiful stereotypes that are so lovable because they are so horrible.

You gotta love/hate em'

 

[TsunamiWombat]

Specifically, Wada has an issue with the Japanese term youge- (洋ゲ&#12540, the word used to refer to titles made in the West as opposed to Japanese-made games, or geimu

s69-5 says that he has an issue with the Western term WRPG, the acronym to refer to Role playing games made outside of Asia as opposed to JRPG as in those made in Japan. It is s69-5's feeling that the two terms should be abolished and made into one all encompassing RPG term (like it was just over a decade ago).

I think it's a different thing. JRPG still notes that it's a game, but just a different genre - and honestly, JRPGs and WRPGs are different enough from each other that they might as well be different genres. Just like we have Action RPGs and Tactical RPGs, too.

Interestingly enough, Tactical RPG's are a genre that seem to do well on either side of the pacific... Hmmm

 

[bushwhacker2k]

I think I agree, a bit more open-mindedness would be nice.

 

[Alphavillain]

I think a gonzo Japanese-made FPS involving girl space cadets would be interesting.
OT, I don't think Japanese gamers want Western games because they prefer more focused, technically accomplished (read "fiddly") games: take a Japanese-made action RPG like "Demons's Souls" and you see how far it is from a casual, wander 'round the countryside role-playing game as is possible
... And if they don't want to play onine against annoying shouty kids on Call Of Duty [x], well I can understand that.