Capcom to publish Grand Theft Auto 3 – but will ultra-violence appeal in Japan?
Japanese get a taste of the West.
Capcom and Rockstar Games have announced a deal that will see the Street Fighter firm publish Grand Theft Auto 3 for PlayStation 2 and PC in Japan this autumn.
The surprising move sees Capcom take the plunge where perhaps other Japanese companies have been more cautious. There was a degree of unspoken resentment towards GTA3 when it stormed Europe and the US last year. Arguably triggered by the game’s massive success, various notables, including Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi, made it clear that in their opinion, the content would not appeal to the Japanese public.
Despite this, both Capcom and Rockstar are trumpeting the deal as loudly as one would imagine. ‘’We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to bring Grand Theft Auto 3 to the Japanese gaming public’’, stated Sam Houser, president of Rockstar Games. ‘’We have always felt that the freedom, non-linearity and gameplay mechanics explored in the Grand Theft Auto series possessed a universal allure that would appeal to gamers worldwide and clearly, Capcom shares the same beliefs’’.
Kenzo Tsujimoto, president and CEO of Capcom said: "The Grand Theft Auto franchise changed the way video games are played and perceived with its groundbreaking gameplay, amazing production values and unparalleled sense of style. Now, the Japanese gaming community will finally have the opportunity to experience the Grand Theft Auto phenomenon first hand.”
As to whether the game will appeal in Japan will be one of the more interesting things to watch in the coming months. We’ll bring you the game’s progress as it breaks.
The surprising move sees Capcom take the plunge where perhaps other Japanese companies have been more cautious. There was a degree of unspoken resentment towards GTA3 when it stormed Europe and the US last year. Arguably triggered by the game’s massive success, various notables, including Sega’s Toshihiro Nagoshi, made it clear that in their opinion, the content would not appeal to the Japanese public.
Despite this, both Capcom and Rockstar are trumpeting the deal as loudly as one would imagine. ‘’We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to bring Grand Theft Auto 3 to the Japanese gaming public’’, stated Sam Houser, president of Rockstar Games. ‘’We have always felt that the freedom, non-linearity and gameplay mechanics explored in the Grand Theft Auto series possessed a universal allure that would appeal to gamers worldwide and clearly, Capcom shares the same beliefs’’.
Kenzo Tsujimoto, president and CEO of Capcom said: "The Grand Theft Auto franchise changed the way video games are played and perceived with its groundbreaking gameplay, amazing production values and unparalleled sense of style. Now, the Japanese gaming community will finally have the opportunity to experience the Grand Theft Auto phenomenon first hand.”
As to whether the game will appeal in Japan will be one of the more interesting things to watch in the coming months. We’ll bring you the game’s progress as it breaks.
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