This article examines the reasoning behind a renowned game director’s choice of casting and his take on cultural representation in his projects. The discussion delves into technical challenges, language factors, and recent technological improvements that have influenced his decisions.
The director has become well-known for his preference for Western leads in his recent releases, even though he himself is from Japan. Observers of his work know that his games typically feature a limited number of native talents when it comes to photo-realistic scanned models, such as those seen in his famous series. He shared his perspective with a major Japanese gaming outlet, explaining the underlying issues and recent developments.
He mentioned several factors behind his casting approach, such as:
- The imaging technology has historically had difficulty accurately reflecting the facial features of Asian individuals.
- Many of the native actors struggle with a high proficiency in English, which poses challenges during studio recordings.
Recent improvements have helped in overcoming some earlier technical issues. Moreover, the language barrier was largely resolved after collaborating with an actress who is fluent in both English and Japanese. This professional, who grew up overseas, impressed him with her capabilities and amiable personality, making her a natural fit for the project.
He further explained that capturing the true resemblance of younger individuals and women is particularly challenging because of their naturally smooth skin, which often results in a computer-generated appearance. In contrast, older actors or those with distinctive facial features can be rendered with greater detail. Past attempts to incorporate native talent had not met his expectations until new technology allowed for a more accurate portrayal. He expressed satisfaction with the improved outcomes and hinted at aspirations for further enhancements in future projects.
The discussion concludes by posing a thought-provoking question about the potential for more native actors in his future releases, inviting audiences to consider "the continuously shifting portrayal of video game characters".