Editor's note: Mr. Chambers offers a counterpoint to Jon Porter's piece about fixing the issues of Japanese RPGs. How do you feel about his stance that RPGs don't need "fixin'"? -Jason
Implying that the Japanese role-playing game -- or any RPG, for that matter -- needs to be fixed brings about vicious generalization in the eyes of readers. When authors write about this, each game they bring as part of their argument has a title that counters the point. This is not a dis at any authors who have brought this issue up. I felt Jon Porter's Can the Japanese RPG Be Fixed is well written and interesting.
The problem with creating the perfect RPG -- or "fixing" RPGs -- is that the fanbase surrounding them is horrifically diverse. You have warring factions that will rally to arms the minute someone challenges what they like. From what I've seen, this issue is much more prevalent with RPGs than with any other genre. First-person shooters and platformers don't have to "innovate" outside of small changes in order to keep their fanbase happy. Same with Madden NFL.
Some players want turn-based combat; others want to fight in real time; others want some sort of hybrid. Some folks love random encounters; others feel that combat should occur on the same screen as they travel. Some people prefer their RPGs to be linear; others crave the freedom that open-world RPGs bring. Some want to micromanage every single detail of combat for each character; others prefer to have A.I. put in some work. Some folks want 100-plus hours of grinding; others have children and want a more succinct experience.
I could keep listing stuff, but the point is that you can't please everyone with a singular title. Mass Effect is going to piss someone off. Final Fantasy is going to make a change that turns away some of its fans. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion will continue to receive hate for not having a great story or its underdeveloped hero, etc.
So, how do devs fix the problem?
They don't.
The onus here is with the player. Developers are creating plenty of RPGs to satisfy the tastes of this warring fanbase. Are you mad that Shadowhearts and The Last Remnant don't have a world map or exploration? Get over it and go play Dragon Quest or Oblivion. Upset that Persona 3 and Final Fantasy 13 use A.I. instead of allowing you to control all of the characters in battle? Go play Lost Odyssey or Enchanted Arms. Do you hate obsessive micromanagement during combat and want it more streamlined (the boat I ride in)? Then go play Final Fantasy 12 and enjoy the tactics the Gambit system allows you to employ prior to engaging in combat. Hate long-ass games? Play Deathspank. You get the point.
This isn't about East versus West, either. Both sides of the Earth have proven that they can make great games and duds in the eyes of players and critics. So, please, get off that. Marketers and advertisers have grossly stereotyped both cultures.
Nothing needs to be fixed. We just need to stick to playing what we like and allow others to do the same without judgment or condemnation. Something's out there for everyone.
