Dragon's Dogma 2 producer Naoto Ohyama stated that there are clear differences in how Japanese and Asian players and Western players evaluate friction in game adventures. The development team chose not to side with either group, but instead added options while retaining the original mechanics, receiving positive feedback from players in both regions.
Naoto Ohyama and Director Kengo Kinoshita discussed game design and player feedback in a recent interview. Kinoshita is also responsible for the upcoming Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen expansion content.
Naoto Ohyama stated that Western players generally place greater emphasis on harsh, realistic adventure experiences. They refer to the challenges imposed by the game as "friction" and tend to view them positively. For example, the difficulty caused by the inability to fast travel can also become part of the adventure experience.
Japanese and Asian players have different views on the same design. These players are more likely to perceive it as frustration caused by the game, so the team received many requests for a more comfortable, convenient, and accessible experience.
A recent update to Dragon's Dogma 2 added a key item that allows unlimited fast travel between different locations. Naoto Ohyama believes this change can be seen as a direct response to feedback from Japanese and Asian players.
Naoto Ohyama explained that the team's approach was to add new options without disrupting existing mechanics, thereby addressing both types of demands. Kengo Kinoshita also stated that the development team has always believed in letting players make their own choices rather than taking sides. Naoto Ohyama noted that these adjustments ultimately received positive feedback from players in both regions worldwide.