Speaking in an recent interview with Develop magazine, Silent Hill composer and producer Akira Yamaoka described American game development teams as “very advanced.” He feels that compared to American developers, Japanese studios are “in trouble.”

It’s completely different working with an American team. There are of course advantages and disadvantages, but overall, I’m really impressed with the American staff and their technology. Their graphical and technical ability is amazing. There’s a huge leap, actually. They’re very advanced. I’m Japanese, and I think this is not just with Silent Hill but with the whole of the industry – I look at what American developers are doing and I think wow… Japan is in trouble.

Most folks (at least us Westerners) usually think of Japanese development studios as “more advanced” technology-wise so this is a surprising statement. Especially since it is coming from someone who was born and raised in Japan.

Akira Yamaoka: “Japan is in trouble.” [NeoGAF]

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