Yamaoka: Japanese industry needs to think globally
Grasshopped Manufacture's Akira Yamaoka has added his name to a list of Japanese developers expressing concerns for the domestic development scene.
Yamaoka, who works as a designer and producer but is best known for his work with game soundtracks like Silent Hill, told EDGE that he feels the Japanese games industry is "struggling a bit".
"Maybe we reached the maximum that we could achieve, and we have to admit it," he said.
"I think that those Japanese people who do not understand cultures overseas will not be able to create entertainment for the global market.
"Creating videogames is a service. If you can't, or don't want, to see and meet users around the world, I don't think it's possible to provide the entertainment they want."
Yamaoka's comments echo those of several prominent Japanese industry figures over the last few years, including former Capcom creative Keiji Inafune, who gave a rousing speech during GDC 2012 on a similar theme.
Grasshopper Manufacture's latest is Xbox Live Arcade exclusive Sine Mora; Yamaoka was sound director for the shoot-'em-up.