Why Younger Players Aren’t Connecting With JRPGs

In this episode, we dig into a growing concern around the future of the genre: why younger players aren’t connecting with JRPGs the way older generations did. 🎮💭

We break down a recent article from Automaton Media that explores how long development cycles in modern JRPGs are impacting player attachment, especially in Japan. When many of us were growing up, new JRPG entries arrived every year or two. Now, it’s common to wait six to seven years between releases, which makes it harder for younger players to form lasting connections with a series.

We also talk about how some developers, like Nihon Falcom, have found a sweet spot with AA development. By releasing games more consistently, they’ve kept their audiences engaged and helped drive long-term adoption and sales. It raises the question of whether other studios need to rethink their approach if they want the next generation to grow up loving JRPGs.

💬Let us know in the comments: Do long gaps between games affect how you connect with a series, and what do you think studios should do differently?

✨ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the JRPG conversation with us every week!

Link to the article: https://automaton-media.com/en/news/young-gamers-in-japan-may-not-be-forming-the-same-attachment-to-final-fantasy-or-dragon-quest-because-modern-dev-cycles-are-as-long-as-their-childhood-users-theorize/

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:01:15 Let's talk about that automaton-media article

00:09:00 What are the kids playing?!

00:14:22 Are younger generations less interested in narratives?

00:25:00 Are there unrealistic expectations on series like Final Fantasy?

00:33:55 Bringing it back to the success of the Trails series

00:44:30 Are cross platform releases affecting development and creativity?

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