Hey kids! Have you ever noticed how cats are just…cats? They don't try to be dogs, or birds, or anything else. They're purr-fectly happy being themselves. Well, Masahiro Sakurai, the creator of the super popular video game series Super Smash Bros., thinks Japanese game developers should be the same way! He believes they should focus on making games that are uniquely Japanese, instead of trying to copy what's popular in other countries.
Imagine a little robot cat, let's call him Bolt. Bolt loves watching Japanese game developers work. He sees them creating games with amazing stories, cool characters, and gameplay that's super fun and different. But sometimes, Bolt notices that some developers try to make their games more like games from other countries, hoping more people will buy them. Sakurai thinks that's like a cat trying to bark – it just doesn't feel right!
Sakurai recently received a special award called the Art Encouragement Prize from the Japanese government. This prize is given to people who make amazing contributions to art. It's like getting a giant ball of yarn for being the best cat artist ever! After receiving the award, Sakurai shared his thoughts on game development. He said, "I think that they seek the uniqueness and fun of Japanese games." He believes that people all over the world love Japanese games *because* they are different and special. They don't want Japanese games to be just like everything else.
Bolt the robot cat understands this. He loves how Japanese games often have a certain charm and creativity that you don't find anywhere else. It's like the difference between a cat gracefully leaping across furniture and a robot clunkily rolling around. Both are cool, but they're cool in different ways!
So, what does "uniqueness" mean? It means being different and special. Think about your favorite video game. What makes it stand out? Maybe it's the characters, the story, or the way you play it. That's its uniqueness! Sakurai thinks Japanese game developers should embrace that uniqueness and not be afraid to be different.
It's like a cat with a unique meow! Some cats meow loudly, some meow softly, and some even chirp! Each meow is special and shows the cat's personality. In the same way, Japanese game developers should let their personalities shine through in their games.
Sakurai's message is simple: be yourself! He wants Japanese game developers to create games that are true to their own style and culture. He believes that's the best way to make games that people all over the world will love. After all, everyone loves a cat that's confident and comfortable in its own fur!
Bolt the robot cat agrees. He thinks that when game developers are true to themselves, they create the most amazing and memorable games. So, next time you play a Japanese video game, remember Sakurai's advice and appreciate the uniqueness that makes it so special. It's like a cat's purr – comforting, unique, and totally awesome!
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