Japan once ruled and defined the global gaming industry. In the arcade age, Japanese developers gave us "Pac-Man," "Space Invaders" and "Donkey Kong." In the era of physical consoles: "Metal Gear Solid," "Snatcher," "Final Fantasy" and "Silent Hill." Japan's creative use of technology, physical design and narrative whimsy once made it the only country in the world that consistently delivered interactive pleasures via buttons and joysticks.
But as veteran American translator, localizer and voice director Jeremy Blaustein reminds me, that was a very long time ago.
Since then, the Japanese gaming industry has grown increasingly marginal in the global market. Costs have soared, technologies advanced exponentially and the Americans overtook the business. Speaking at the Tokyo Game Show in 2009, game creator Keiji Inafune was unequivocal: "Japan is over," he said. "We're done. Our game industry is finished."
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