Dragon Quest Creator Yuji Horii Shares Thoughts on Game Live Streaming

Yuji Horii, the creator of Dragon Quest and an industry legend, has expressed his confusion regarding the growing popularity of live streaming games. He questions whether this trend genuinely helps advertise games or if it merely serves as a form of entertainment for viewers. According to Horii, the rise of streaming reflects the emergence of a new type of gamer—casual viewers who prefer observing gameplay to actively participating in it.

Shifting Player Preferences: Core vs. Casual Gamers

In an interview with Famitsu, translated by GamesRadar+, Horii delves into the evolving tastes of players and the changing landscape of gaming. He identifies a clear divide in the gaming audience:

• Core Gamers: Players who seek to immerse themselves fully in a game, striving to uncover every detail and achieve complete mastery.
• Casual Gamers: Players who prefer shorter, less involved experiences and are more inclined to quickly finish games or simply watch others play.

"In terms of more casual gamers, people have increasingly enjoyed game live streaming," Horii explains. "In the past, just watching people play games all the time was not seen as a form of entertainment. Though saying that, I used to watch my friends play over their shoulders. But now live streaming has become really popular."

Live Streaming: A Puzzling Phenomenon

Reflecting on this trend, Horii admits he struggles to grasp the appeal of watching others play games rather than playing them firsthand. Even with streamers providing entertaining commentary, he finds the concept unfamiliar. "It used to be unthinkable that the player would be the funny one and attract fans rather than the game," Horii remarks, showcasing a nostalgic perspective on how gaming culture has evolved.

The Marketing Debate: Does Live Streaming Help Developers?

While live streaming undeniably expands the potential audience for video games, Horii remains uncertain about its effectiveness as a marketing strategy. He notes, "It's really interesting to see how people play the games you made. But I don't know if it works as a marketing tool. Some people will be satisfied by just watching the live stream, and some will want to play after seeing it. I'm really not sure yet."

A Broader Industry Perspective

This sentiment has been echoed by others in the gaming industry. Earlier this year, Naoki Hamaguchi, the director of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, commented on the transformative influence of streamers. He emphasized the importance of designing games that players actively want to play, rather than passively watch.

Looking Back: The Case of Dragon Quest 9

Horii also reflected on the history of Dragon Quest 9, which has been confined to the Nintendo DS for 17 years. He admitted feeling "a little disheartened" upon discovering that fans never expressed a strong desire for the game to be revisited or remade. This highlights the challenges developers face in understanding and adapting to audience expectations in an ever-changing gaming landscape.