Hutchinson: “Japanese developers criticised less due to industry racism”

Alex Hutchinson, creative director of the Assassin’s Creed series, has alleged that there is a “subtle racism” permeating the video game industry, in that Japanese developers aren’t criticised for their storytelling nearly as harshly as their Western competitors.

“It’s condescending to do this,” he said.

He goes on to note that a Japanese game which has a story that is “literally gibberish” will be praised by journalists, but a Western game like Gears of War will be torn to pieces by the same group.

“The way we see Assassin’s Creed 3 now is as a franchise, like Mario or Resident Evil, that will have its ups and downs,” Hutchinson said, referring to the lacklustre critical response to Assassin’s Creed: Revelations.

“There’s a subtle racism in the business, especially on the journalists’ side, where Japanese developers are forgiven for doing what they do. It’s condescending to do this.

“Just think about how many Japanese games are released where their stories are literally gibberish. Literally gibberish. There’s no way you could write it with a straight face, and the journalists say ‘oh it is brilliant’.

“Then Gears of War comes out and apparently it’s the worst written narrative in a game ever. I’ll take Gears of War over Bayonetta any time.

“I just think the simple question should be; is the story any good?”

Do you think Hutchinson is correct? Should allowances be made for foreign developers? Share your thoughts in the comments.