Japanese video games are a popular cultural phenomenon both inside and outside of Japan. This success can be attributed to Japanese companies’ ability to successfully market and invest in their products whether they arise from a manga, anime, or popular icon. Mia Consalvo, Associate Professor at Ohio University, attributes the Japanese video game industry’s success to Japan’s “historical tendencies [of a self-sufficient economy], Japanese game companies have found a ready market at home, with little fear of outside competition.” Video games offer a diverse array of themes and concepts for developers to consider in their design; on the other side of the industry are its consumers, who have many different experiences to gain from playing the plethora of games available to them. Of course anything goes when developing games as long as it is rated justly, however one of the most recurrent ideas in developing games are those based on interesting periods in history. Although a commendable venture, many video game companies find it difficult to maintain historical accuracy while making the game entertaining and enjoyable for the audience. Sengoku Basara and Okami are examples of such games that are based on some aspect of Japanese history; both have been successful in localizing in the US, however both have accomplished this differently.
Sengoku Basara, a series developed by Capcom, is a loosely based historical fantasy game about the Sengoku era in feudal Japan. Sengoku Basara 3: Samurai Heroes is the third game of the series; it was released in 2010 in Japan, North America, and Europe. In order to understand the historical basis of the game one must first know some background information on the era of the Shogunate Empire in Japan...
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...."Cinema Journal 48.3 (2009): 135-41. Moodle Library Reserves. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. p. 139
"Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 08 Nov. 2011. .
Jansen, Marius B. "Sekigahara." The Making of Modern Japan. Cambridge, MA: Belknap of Harvard UP, 2000. 1-31. Moodle Library Reserves and Google Books. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. p. 31
Ibid p. 9-10
Ibid p. 31
Ibid p. 24
"Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 08 Nov. 2011. .
Ibid
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Ibid.
Ibid.
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The Japanese warrior, known as the samurai, has played a significant role in Japan's history and culture throughout the centuries. Their ancestors can be traced back to as far as can be remembered. Some stories have become mysterious legends handed down over the centuries. In this report you will learn who the samurai were, their origins as we know them, how they lived and fought and their evolution to today. It will be clear why the samurai stand out as one of the most famous group of warriors of all times.
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To understand how video gaming relates to Japanese culture we need to understand more about the country of Japan. We will explore some important facts about Japan’s cultural society and environment.
3. “Video Games” by Chris Jozefowics. Published by Gareth Stevens Publishing 2010. Pleasantville, NY 10570-70000 USA. Produced by Editorials Directions Inc.