Peter Moore at C&VG

[Cyhwuhx]

.::: I'm still trying to digest it... Some of his words are very ironic...

EXCLUSIVE: PETER MOORE: "JAPAN CAN'T SURVIVE ON MAHJONG GAMES"

Why the head of Xbox global content believes XNA will salvage a floundering industry - full, amazingly frank comments inside

13:15 Microsoft corporate vice president Peter Moore made some surprisingly candid remarks on the state of the Japanese games industry last week, speaking to us following the world unveiling of XNA at last week's Game Developers Conference in San Jose.

Responding to a question on the reaction of Japanese developers to XNA - Microsoft's software tool package created to drive next-gen development - Moore deflected attention away from Xbox's failings in the Far East, stating: "As successful as PS2 and GameCube are on a market share basis, the Japanese market is flattening out and declining."

Moore elaborated that the big Japanese developers and publishers now "look at our platform on a global basis... They look and see we're clearly number two in the US, clearly number two and challenging hard in Europe, and they take a holistic approach."

In surprisingly frank remarks, Moore outlined why he feels it is a necessity for Japanese companies to work with Xbox, saying: "They have no choice because they can't survive on Mahjong games shipping for 100,000 people anymore - they have the same issues that we're resolving with XNA now: they need to develop large-scale global games to stay in business."

Moore also slammed what he sees as the lack of creativity in the East, believing "the nation that basically invented this business" is running out of ideas and falling behind the West:

"Last time [i was at Tokyo Game Show] I thought I saw the same game 15 times over - a guy with a sword running around. There's a lack of creative juices which they admit themselves... It's the western developers and publishers who are really driving innovation."

With this in mind, Moore firmly believes XNA is the key to wooing Japanese developers, publsihers and, ultimately, consumers, to an Xbox platform, something which has so far spectacularly failed to happen in significant numbers, despite success in the US and Europe.

Either way, Microsoft clearly believes XNA will kick-start a massive reversal in the company's fortunes, Moore predicting: "I'll be over there [Japan] in a couple of weeks doing publisher tours, talking about [XNA] - they're going to welcome it with open arms."

Bold words indeed; we'll find out soon enough if Japan is ready to take Xbox seriously the second time around. For the full Peter Moore interview, be sure to check back later this week.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/news/...p(que)id=102861

[Alex W.]

A guy with a sword running around- I'd rather have that (DMC) than a guy with a bunch of really shit D&D spells running around (Azurik).

Way to make yourself look like a muppet and offend a market you're trying to break into, buddy!

[Lazychu]

Moore also slammed what he sees as the lack of creativity in the East, believing "the nation that basically invented this business" is running out of ideas and falling behind the West:

Unlike soo many Western publishers and developers, eh?

He's certainly got some chutzpah.

[MK-1601]

More wisdom from the man who killed the Dreamcast.

Looks like they've bet the farm on the executive's pipedream that all games are going to need to be multi-million dollar blockbusters in future. It was funny when Hollywood made that mistake ten years ago.

[Jack]

EDIT: Stupid

[Alex W.]

Quoth the raven: Shityeah.

I'd buy it.

[Venice Cull]

Although I think the man's gone a little far, I do feel there is some element of truth in his words.

Putting aside his 'embrace X-Box' message, as far as I'm concerned it's the 'West' who have pointed the way forward in this generation, with the Japanese relying on inferior re-issues of old favourites (Sega, what's happened there?) and endless versions of tried and tested puzzle games and 2D shmups that the hardcore pretend to get excited over (winky smile).

Aside from the occasional Nintendo AAA game, Japanese videogame development has held little interest to me this generation, it's not something that I can put my finger on, but I think it would be fair to say it's the West who have recieved the most critical praise this generation (Bungie, Ubi etc) and certainly the smaller percentage of my shelf contains typically 'Japanese' type games this time around.

I'm as suprised as anyone about that. Perhaps my tastes have changed? or perhaps outside of Japan the increased power and 3D capabilies of consoles have been completely embraced by western developers?

Also, there are hints that Japanese publishers are looking to create more 'Western' style games, so perhaps things will change.

I don't expect anyone to agree with me (especially here) but I thought I'd add an alternative viewpoint anyway.

[Graham S]

I think there is a little bit of truth to the idea that it is Western developers who've been innovating more than the Japanese in recent years.

*edit* beaten to it, better, by Clive. What he said.

[Alex W.]

Well, yes, but he words it in such a poor manner I'm amazed he's not on Gamesradar's forums.

[Venice Cull]

Well, yes, but he words it in such a poor manner I'm amazed he's not on Gamesradar's forums.

Oh, yeah. He's done a bit of a Prince Philip as far as I'm concerned.

[Cyhwuhx]

Also, there are hints the the Japanese publishers are looking to create more 'Western' style games, so perhaps things will change

.::: Actually that part is what I think has already happened too much.

Just look at Namco for instance; Dead to Rights, kill.switch, Breakdown. Japs trying to do Western games. It's almost as embarassing as MS claiming Sudeki is going to be a Jap RPG done by the West.

There's certainly a point in his word that games need to diversify and such, I just find his choice of words very wrong. He seems to be yelling what everybody is doing wrong but forgetting the Xbox is partly doing those things right now.

Then again, some people already described this to me as being 'typically MS'. I havn't been following the Browser- and OS-Wars that heavily. but the examples mentioned did indeed seem to imply that MS likes to 'forget about itself' while berating others.

[Major Britten]

Well, yes, but he words it in such a poor manner I'm amazed he's not on Gamesradar's forums.

He's just bitter because there are no games with a guy with a sword running around on xbox yet there are so many like that on PS2 that they all look the same

[Cyhwuhx]

He's just bitter because there are no games with a guy with a sword running around on xbox yet there are so many like that on PS2 that they all look the same

.::: In what kind of alternate dimension do you live and how do I get there?

[Halonic]

An interesting and refreshing statement and one I am impressed to hear from Microsoft.

If anyone hadnt noticed, there are less of us every year. Not new gamers, or gamers in general, I mean US, the otaku wannabes that grow older and wiser every year. There are other things to interest us, there are only so many hours in the day and quite frankly, bills and life takes more of our time and money then we can keep track of.

So what do we do?

Do we follow the old eastern gods that drip feed us gold dust classics amoungst a trickle of old ideas.

Do we follow the new, brash, shiny toys the western pantheon tempt us with.

Or

Do we buy that bike, go on that holiday we badly need, the bigger TV, baby gear, visits to distant friends and family, the new mortgage, the better car.

To speak for myself, I fear this will be my last console generation. I have invested more into this generation then any that have gone before, my disposable income has increased to enable me to get every significant title as and when it has been released, I have every current platform and have all the facillities and time to fully appreciate every release.

I have never been more disappointed with my "investment". Other things are becoming more important. I could even say that were it not for Edge and here, I would have left gaming awhile ago.

It is good to hear a strong voice coming from a company intending to capture the entire market. It is good to see its plans and desires. Will it be good for the gaming industry as we know / knew it? I doubt it. Will it keep gaming relevant and continue the growth of our embryonic niche?

I hope so

[Popo]

But who's better, Japan or Peter Moore? There's only one way to find out! FIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!!!

[decider]

.::: Actually that part is what I think has already happened too much.

Just look at Namco for instance; Dead to Rights, kill.switch, Breakdown. Japs trying to do Western games. It's almost as embarassing as MS claiming Sudeki is going to be a Jap RPG done by the West.

Both kill.switch and Dead to Rights were developed internally at Namco Hometek. In the US.

[Ebisumaru]

It is good to hear a strong voice coming from a company intending to capture the entire market. It is good to see its plans and desires. Will it be good for the gaming industry as we know / knew it? I doubt it. Will it keep gaming relevant and continue the growth of our embryonic niche?

I hope so

Strong voice? More the bitter ravings of a corporate dullard.

[Cyhwuhx]

Both kill.switch and Dead to Rights were developed internally at Namco Hometek. In the US.

.::: But was the output significantly better because of it?

[decider]

.::: But was the output significantly better because of it?

I only pointed that out because you said it was 'Japs trying to do western games' when it was actually 'Westerners trying to do western games' (both of which were fun, if a little easy).

[Cyhwuhx]

I only pointed that out because you said it was 'Japs trying to do western games' when it was actually 'Westerners trying to do western games' (both of which were fun, if a little easy).

.::: They're still doing it nevertheless. A Japanese company tries to take in more Western games with a Western division (I know Hometek isn't a 'new' part of Namco).

There seems to be a focus with Japanese developers that they should produce Western output. That's what I meant with 'Japs doing Western games'. They are using Western divisions of course but it doesn't necessarily make it all work. Of coruse there are exceptions, but both sides should focus on their own strong points instead of trying to take each other's gold.

[Halo]

There seems to be a focus with Japanese developers that they should produce Western output. That's what I meant with 'Japs doing Western games'. They are using Western divisions of course but it doesn't necessarily make it all work. Of coruse there are exceptions, but both sides should focus on their own strong points instead of trying to take each other's gold.

I'm sorry, but I can't think of any game that meets this criteria. I don't remember any Japanese FPS games off-hand... and most game genres (such as the now westernised stealth genre) were pioneered by the Japanese anyway. I also don't seem to know any Japanese free-form racing games either. Stuff like strategy games (which were pioneered by the Japanese anyway with Famicom Wars) is westernised, you could argue that Pikmin in western-influenced. Mmm.

If anything, the west constantly trying to emulate the Japanese games for several years... I'm struggling to think of any truely "western" genres ther than FPS' TBH.

[Cyhwuhx]

.::: Ah... forget it I'm not in the mood to deepen this any further. Maybe I'll give you a more concrete answer tomorrow.

[Wiper]

I'm sorry, but I can't think of any game that meets this criteria. I don't remember any Japanese FPS games off-hand... and most game genres (such as the now westernised stealth genre) were pioneered by the Japanese anyway. I also don't seem to know any Japanese free-form racing games either. Stuff like strategy games (which were pioneered by the Japanese anyway with Famicom Wars) is westernised, you could argue that Pikmin in western-influenced. Mmm.

If anything, the west constantly trying to emulate the Japanese games for several years... I'm struggling to think of any truely "western" genres ther than FPS' TBH.

Eheh, you might want to check your facts before you go trumpeting facts around mate:

Strategy games have been going since long before Famicom Wars. Jeeze, even turn-based war games had been going on for yonks before it: c.f the American company SSI (Strategic Simulations Inc.), who released Cytron Masters, the first ever real-time strategy game in 1980. A teensy bit before Nintendo got in on the scene

(Oh, and who can forget the brilliant Utopia. Mmm)

As for the stealth genre: I'm not sure where you'd place the first Japanese stealth game, but assuming it was Metal Gear, then it was still released 7 years after Castle Wolfenstein - another stealth-oriented title.

Yes, both genres have had influence from Japan, but in both cases these influences have mostly stayed in Japan. Famicom Wars begat the later Wars titles and games like the Shining Force series, SSI's titles begat Civilisation and Laser Squad (which in turn begat titles like Dune II). Metal Gear begat the rest of the Metal Gear series, Castle Wolfenstein begat FPS's which then begat Thief and "Military FPS's" (e.g Hidden and Dangerous) which then lead on to titles Splinter Cell and so on.

So no, they aren't really 'Japanese' genres.

Indeed, you'd be hard-pressed to find a genre that - technically - originates in Japan. Eastern RPG's followed on from the success of Western D&D inspired RPG's, the first fighting games were created in the West (games like Swashbuckler). And of course the first ever schmup was Space War!, long before Space Invaders got on the scene

Basically what I'm trying to say is this: both regions have their own genres, or takes on genres - regardless of where they originated they are now viewed as being 'the' genres of whichever area provides the most/best titles within it. And both have been important in the evolution of gaming. So quit nit-picking, y'hear?

[Alex W.]

MetalGear was created by Hideo Kojima in KCEJ- so that's a Japanese franchise. And the one which created the stealth-driven action game.

EDIT- which, just to be clear, is a genre strongly associated with the West.

[MK-1601]

I think Clive's way off the mark here. There has been no decrease in innovation from Eastern developers that I can see. There has been an increase in the amount of console games put out by Western developers (due largely to the increased ease of making cross-platform games and the nearness of all three machines to the PC - as opposed to the PS1 - in terms of capabilities), but how many of those don't fall into tried and tested genre conventions? None that I can think of.

There's been no western Viewtiful Joe, Pikmin, Gregory Horror Show, Monkey Ball, Animal Crossing, etc. etc.

[kamrantaz]

3D action games have come of age this gen. Man with sword running around is what has made this gen so good. Combo agogo!

[Ed-E]

I think Clive's way off the mark here. There has been no decrease in innovation from Eastern developers that I can see. There has been an increase in the amount of console games put out by Western developers (due largely to the increased ease of making cross-platform games and the nearness of all three machines to the PC - as opposed to the PS1 - in terms of capabilities), but how many of those don't fall into tried and tested genre conventions? None that I can think of.

There's been no western Viewtiful Joe, Pikmin, Gregory Horror Show, Monkey Ball, Animal Crossing, etc. etc.

I think Moore, and Clive, have points. I don't think innovation has decreased in Japan - look at the games you mentioned, and Katamari Damashii. I think the quality has dropped quite significantly though. For example, I've only been impressed by one or two of Nintendo's GC efforts, and Square-Enix's recent output has been below the excellence of days past (Sword of Mana, Crystal Chronicles). Whereas in the West it seems to me that games are suddenly becoming better. No-one can deny that Ubi Soft have had quite the miraculous and totally unexpected turn-around from shelf-fodder to genuinely stunning efforts, and even EA have been getting better as of late.

It's all opinionated, so nobody is right or wrong here. I will agree that Moore's choice of words was certainly pretty poor, though.

[Burai]

"Last time [i was at Tokyo Game Show] I thought I saw the same game 15 times over - a guy with a sword running around. There's a lack of creative juices which they admit themselves... It's the western developers and publishers who are really driving innovation."

Nice to see Moore unable to keep his foot out of his mouth - not only kicking the biggest Japanese region Xbox success since DOA Volleyball in the teeth (IE, Ninja Gaiden), but also wholesale slagging the same Japanese developers he's trying to tempt onto his platform. True or otherwise, it's still a really fucking stupid thing to do.

[MK-1601]

I think Moore, and Clive, have points. I don't think innovation has decreased in Japan - look at the games you mentioned, and Katamari Damashii. I think the quality has dropped quite significantly though. For example, I've only been impressed by one or two of Nintendo's GC efforts, and Square-Enix's recent output has been below the excellence of days past (Sword of Mana, Crystal Chronicles). Whereas in the West it seems to me that games are suddenly becoming better. No-one can deny that Ubi Soft have had quite the miraculous and totally unexpected turn-around from shelf-fodder to genuinely stunning efforts, and even EA have been getting better as of late.

It's all opinionated, so nobody is right or wrong here. I will agree that Moore's choice of words was certainly pretty poor, though.

Oh yeah, I think it's definitely the case that there is a 'skills shortage' in Japanese development, where not enough developers have been willing to embrace new techniques. Square being a good example, and Capcom previously (the last year's output seemingly being aimed at addressing this problem). I suppose that's got to affect technology-led innovation.

[Gique]

strange.

I see countless western made "grey corridor with an arm holding a gun in the corner" games whenever I check out western trade shows.

doubly strange is that most western publishers laugh original concepts out of the door, I mean do you honestly think katamari damacy would either LOOK THE SAME or even EXIST outside of japan?

twat.