Candid interview with Yoshiki Okamoto

Gamasutra has this fantastic interview with Yoshiki Okamoto of Game Republic. Previously he had been with Konami (Gyruss, Time Pilot), then Capcom (1942, Street Fighter, and Resident Evil). The topics range from his difficulties starting his independent studio, including some very frank criticisms of the quality of their games thusfar, to his assessment of the lead that Western developers currently have in game engine technology, to rumblings of uncertainty over the future of the Nintendo DS.

I have to say with all due respect, this is by far the best and most candid interview I' ve ever read with a Japanese developer... usually they are just mazes of polite doubletalk. This one has some really interesting insights. I' m not even particularly a fan of his games... it' s just a great interview with a lot of fascinating information.

Yoshiki Okamoto was pretty straight forward.
Honest is the best policy.

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.