Ex-Capcom producer Yoshiki Okamoto, who has already agreed to create a number of Xbox 2 exclusive titles, has suggested that a number of other Japanese developers have also, or are about to, sign-up for development on Microsoft’s next generation console.
As translated via GameSpot News, Okamoto's comments surfaced in an interview on the official Japanese Xbox website. “I've been hearing that some other designers will also be joining," Okamoto said. "There are a lot of surprises. I find myself saying: 'What, this development studio!? This game!? These people!?'."
"If the current line-up in development for the next-generation Xbox was revealed," he continued, "it would not only surprise users, but the entire industry. There probably wouldn't be anyone that would still be uninterested in buying the next-generation Xbox when they see the line-up."
Microsoft seems determined not to make the same mistakes with Japanese developers, as it did with the Xbox; having already convinced Okamoto,
Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguhi and
Rez creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi to create exclusive games.
If Okamoto’s hints of “a powerful fleet of Japanese designers” is correct then this will be a considerable boost to the format not only in terms of the variety of games available worldwide but also in terms of sales in Japan – where the current console has failed to become a significant force.
Okamoto also revealed that he already has games in playable form, suggesting that official announcements and unveilings can be expected at E3 in May. However, Microsoft may wait to reveal the full breadth of its Japanese support until the Tokyo Game Show this autumn.
Quotes translated from Japanese by Gamespot.com.
