Why Are There No Anime-Styled Open-World Games from Japan? Insights from China's 'NTE'
A manga artist reflects on China's social game 'NTE' and examines why Japan's game industry doesn't produce anime-styled open-world blockbusters.
The Question Trending on Social Media: “Why Doesn’t Japan Create Them?”
Recently, discussions have been heating up on social media around the question, “Why doesn’t Japan’s game industry produce anime-styled open-world games?” The spark for this debate was ignited by the release of the new social game “NTE: Neverness to Everness,” developed by China’s Hotta Studio and launched on April 29, 2026. This open-world RPG, which is free to play with optional in-game purchases, is available on platforms such as iOS, Android, PlayStation 5, Windows, and macOS.
A Manga Artist’s Perspective on the “Sense of Distance”
A manga artist who played the game highlighted the differing approaches between Japan’s gaming industry and “NTE.” Japanese games typically emphasize character development and narrative progression, often requiring players to invest emotionally in the characters. In contrast, anime-styled open-world games like “NTE” prioritize the “experience” of exploring a vast world with visually stunning anime-inspired characters.
Japan’s Strength in “Structured” Games and the Challenges of New Ventures
Japanese game developers have long excelled at creating structured game genres, such as JRPGs, which follow established formulas. However, the open-world genre, which prioritizes expansive environments and player freedom, requires a fundamentally different development philosophy and significantly higher production costs. The manga artist noted that Japanese developers may not need to force themselves into this field but could instead leverage their strengths to establish unique approaches within the gaming landscape.
The Market’s Voice as Seen on Social Media
On social media, there is a noticeable sentiment that while the anime fanbase represents a significant market, there is a lack of large-scale open-world games produced in Japan. However, games like “Uma Musume Pretty Derby,” which successfully combine anime-style visuals with unique gameplay mechanics, demonstrate that Japanese developers can thrive in their own way. The manga artist emphasized that such games should be evaluated in a different context than titles like “NTE.”
The Importance of Enjoying Diverse Genres
In conclusion, the manga artist expressed the view that it is essential for players to enjoy a variety of game genres, not just in Japan but globally. The emergence of games like “NTE” is a welcome stimulus for the industry as a whole, but Japan need not necessarily follow the same path. Instead, the artist suggested that Japan should focus on delivering diverse games that capitalize on its strengths in character development and storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What kind of game is NTE?
- "NTE: Neverness to Everness" is an open-world RPG developed by China's Hotta Studio. It features stunning anime-style graphics and offers high freedom of exploration. The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases and is available on platforms such as iOS, Android, PlayStation 5, Windows, and macOS.
- Why is it said that Japan doesn't make anime-styled open-world games?
- Japan's game industry excels in creating structured games like story-driven JRPGs. However, open-world games require different design philosophies and higher development costs, making it more challenging to pursue this genre. Additionally, while there is market demand, aligning these games with existing successful models remains a significant challenge.
- What is the future of Japan's game industry?
- Currently, there is no pressing need for Japanese developers to chase the creation of massive open-world titles. However, there is potential for success in developing unique games that leverage anime-style visuals and Japan’s storytelling strengths. The coexistence of various genres is seen as the key to the industry's future growth.
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