Matsuura: Has DS Game Bubble Burst In Japan?

Author: by Staff

As part of an in-depth Gamasutra interview published today, NanaOn-Sha founder Masaya Matsuura (PaRappa The Rapper) has been discussing the Japanese DS game market, suggesting "some people have said already that the DS software's bubble has burst." As part of the in-depth chat, which also covered Matsuura's recent output, which includes a newly announced Wii rhythm game with Parappa creator Rodney Alan Greenblat, the developer explains: "We have to keep increasing the chance to make more unique titles, but for us it's getting much more difficult because the game market -- especially in Japan -- is still very conservative. Many people know that the DS has very unique titles, like Brain Training, or something like that, but it's not for younger-aged market. It's kind of older people, like me. So, about the young aged market: still very conservative. So these kinds of things are very important for us." When asked how long Matsuura believe the Nintendo DS and Wii be dominant in Japan, Matsuura adds: "That's a very difficult question. Some people have said already that the DS software's bubble has burst... [One company I know has] some kind of learning type of game. The first one sold over 200,000, but the second one is 8,000. So these kind of things are going to happen." The full interview with Matsuura is now available on Gamasutra, including plenty more detail on the developer's history and his newest projects.