Resident Evil Creator Shinji Mikami Weighs In on the Streaming Era
Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami recently shared his thoughts on the impact of streaming on the gaming industry. As reported by Nikkan Sports, comedian and gamer Eiko Kano participated in a late-night Japanese TV show where guests shared stories about people they admire. During the segment, Kano asked Mikami about his views on streamers and spoilers. Mikami’s response was clear: if viewers watching a game stream from start to finish feel satisfied, then that’s all the game is worth. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of game creators to make titles that people want to play themselves, even after seeing the full experience. Mikami also encouraged Kano to continue streaming, showing support for the growing trend.
The Role of Developers in the Streaming Age
Kano, who streams games on his YouTube channel, has even appeared as a playable character in a promotional version of Street Fighter 2 (Automaton). Despite having permission from publishers to stream, he was curious about how game creators felt about their content being spoiled in live streams. His question to Mikami was not out of concern for his own streaming career, but rather a desire to understand the creators’ perspective. According to Kano, Mikami’s response was encouraging, and he would have quit streaming if the creator had disapproved. Kano mentioned receiving a similar outlook from Yuji Horii, the creator of the Dragon Quest series.
Other developers have also spoken about the phenomenon of people watching games instead of playing them. Earlier this month, Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy director Naoki Hamaguchi described the trend as a “crisis.” However, like Mikami and Horii, he believes the responsibility lies with developers to create games that inspire viewers to pick up a controller. Hamaguchi explained that if a stream makes someone wonder, “What would I do in that situation?” or “How would I experiment with that?”, then the game has succeeded in sparking curiosity. He added that the world is changing, and entertainment must evolve with the times.
Mikami’s New Studio and Future Projects
Mikami, who is also known for his work on Devil May Cry, Dino Crisis, and The Evil Within, founded his new studio, Unbound, after leaving Tango Gameworks. The studio was acquired by Stellar Blade developer Shift Up earlier this year, and plans are underway to help create and publish its next game. Unbound was born in 2022 and has remained fully independent until now, despite not having released or revealed any projects. In an announcement video, Mikami teased that he is working on “a fairly large game,” insisting that “we’re going to create a masterpiece of a game.” This new venture marks a significant step for Mikami, who has been a key figure in the gaming industry for decades.
