It's no secret that many believe innovation in the gaming industry today pales in comparison to the past. With development costs continuously rising and layoffs and studio closures occurring frequently, many developers tend to play it safe when working on projects. Ken Kutaragi, known as the "Father of PlayStation," shares this view and urges developers to break free from conventional thinking and innovate boldly.
In a recent interview with 4Gamer, Ken Kutaragi offered a candid assessment of the current gaming industry, stating, "The medium of games has stagnated. On the path toward a new developmental stage, developers need to rediscover their curiosity."
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about the industry, believing it is at a major turning point. Developers must persist in experimentation and exploration; once they lose their curiosity, their creative lives come to an end. "When you lose your curiosity and feel inside that 'this is probably as good as it gets,' then Everythinggj is over."
Ken Kutaragi reflected on the early days of PlayStation, noting that the team's original goal was to change the world. He believes contemporary developers should inherit this初心 (original aspiration), proactively leading trends rather than blindly following the mass market. The video game medium still holds immense potential for growth, and its future direction is highly anticipated.