Developers in emerging markets can achieve success with distinctive, well-crafted game titles, according to Shuhei Yoshida.
In the ever-evolving world of video games, Shuhei Yoshida, the former boss of PlayStation, is encouraging developers in emerging markets to embrace their cultural identities and showcase them authentically. This approach, he believes, can lead to the creation of globally resonant and singular games.
Yoshida's advice comes as we witness an increasing number of high-quality games emerging from regions such as Asia, India, the Middle East, and Latin America. For instance, Taiwanese game developer RedCandleGames has drawn inspiration from Taoism and merged it with cyberpunk in their game, Nine Sols, which Yoshida named his Game of the Year for the previous year. On its Steam page, RedCandleGames describes Nine Sols as "Taopunk", a blend of sci-fi elements with eastern mythology and fantasy.
In Brazil, where the quality and number of games have significantly increased over the past three years, Yoshida sees a promising future. He encourages Brazilian developers to lean into their own cultural experiences to offer something different in the industry. This approach, he believes, can help them stand out on a global stage.
Brazilian developers echo this viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of creativity rooted in local mythology and stories to craft unique games. They stress the need for a focused scope and structured projects to attract investment, but cultural distinctiveness remains key to standing out internationally.
Yoshida is not alone in his observations. Publishers are surprised and excited about the quality of games coming from Asia, China, Korea, and Southeast Asia. In fact, there are already scouts from publishers in emerging markets like Brazil.
In the video game industry, it only takes a few standout hits to put a region on the map. Yoshida notes that change comes fast in the industry, and he believes that developers in markets like Brazil should seize this opportunity to create something unique and globally resonant.
Our website was invited to Gamescom Latam by event partner Abragames, which covered flights and accommodation, providing a firsthand look at the burgeoning video game scene in Latin America. As we witness the rise of games like Nine Sols, it is clear that Shuhei Yoshida's advice is resonating with developers in emerging markets.
In conclusion, Shuhei Yoshida's advice to developers in emerging markets is simple yet profound: be true to your own culture. By embracing their cultural identities and showcasing them authentically, developers can create games that resonate globally and stand out in the ever-evolving video game industry.
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- Leveraging their cultural identities can help developers from emerging markets like Brazil create globally resonant games, such as the Taopunk genre found in Taiwanese game, Nine Sols.
- As technology advances, gadgets like smartphones and laptops provide a platform for developers in places like Brazil to showcase their unique cultural gaming experiences to a global audience.
