Katsuhiro Harada Praises Hidetaka Miyazaki's Unique Journey in Game Development
Katsuhiro Harada, the respected former director of the Tekken series, has offered profound insights into the career of Hidetaka Miyazaki, the visionary behind FromSoftware's critically acclaimed titles. Harada characterizes Miyazaki as an exceptionally distinct and dedicated game creator, whose professional trajectory is frequently undervalued by the gaming community. He notes that while Miyazaki's games, particularly the 'Souls' series, have achieved global success, the focus often remains on sales figures rather than the meticulous evolution and persistent dedication of the development team.
Miyazaki's path into game development was notably unconventional. He transitioned into the industry at the age of 29, leaving a position as an Oracle account manager after being deeply inspired by the game 'Ico.' This late start meant many companies were hesitant to hire him, but FromSoftware recognized his potential. Harada highlighted this unusual career origin, stating it’s 'remarkable' that someone without a background in the early polygon era became one of Japan's most celebrated game creators. Unlike his contemporaries, Miyazaki did not begin his career in large, technologically advanced studios.
His early roles at FromSoftware included a designer on 'Armored Core: Last Raven,' eventually leading him to direct 'Armored Core 4' and 'For Answer.' This progression set the stage for his breakthrough with 'Demon's Souls' and 'Dark Souls.' Harada, having observed FromSoftware's growth during his time as a Bandai Namco producer and marketing general manager, underscored that the success of 'Dark Souls' was not an overnight phenomenon. Instead, it was the culmination of continuous refinement and strategic building by Miyazaki and his dedicated team over numerous projects, a process often overlooked by observers fixated on commercial outcomes.
Harada expressed frustration with the shift in public perception, noting a complete reversal in attitudes towards Miyazaki's work compared to the studio's more challenging periods. He found it disheartening that many evaluate a game's worth solely based on its budget and sales figures, neglecting the intricate journey and growth of the developers themselves. This tendency, he suggested, prevents a deeper understanding of how these creators painstakingly achieve their current standing. Harada clarified that his critique was directed more at industry observers and some business-side personnel, rather than the fan base, highlighting a broader issue of appreciating long-term professional development within the gaming industry, an issue mirrored by recent widespread layoffs in major tech companies.
Interestingly, Harada also shed light on Miyazaki's humility, noting that the FromSoftware director reportedly suffers from imposter syndrome. Miyazaki's reluctance to engage in video interviews stems from a self-perception that his understanding of game development remains 'shallow,' and he feels unqualified to speak with authority on the subject. Harada finds this perspective almost absurd, remarking that if a developer of Miyazaki's caliber feels this way, it would leave others feeling utterly unqualified to discuss games at all, underscoring Miyazaki's profound impact and yet humble demeanor.
