There are still many Japanese creators taking risks — hell, even granddaddy Kojima made a massively expensive game based on the occupation of the Japanese bokka. Kodaka, Suda51, Swery, Taro, Vanillaware, all these guys do whatever they want and worry about sales later. And while their games aren’t always successful, they are almost always hugely influential and provide fuel and inspiration to other creators to keep advancing and innovating.

Lots of publishers know next to nothing about what players want. It’s a real shame, too. Just thinking about all the amazing games that never got made because some people couldn’t see the fun in them.