Japanese Video Game Design and Its Reception in Colombia: A Cultural and Market Perspective

Japan has established itself as a central hub in video game design, being the birthplace of iconic franchises and genres that have shaped the global industry. Despite ranking third in market revenue, its cultural influence is immense, with titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy achieving global ubiquity and challenging Western cultural hegemony. This article analyzes the distinctive characteristics of Japanese video game design and how they have been received and adapted in the Colombian market and culture.

By. Juan David Peñaloza, Comunications Intern

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History and Evolution of the Japanese Industry

The Japanese video game industry emerged in the mid-1970s with over thirty companies dedicated to arcade games, including pioneers such as Taito and Namco. The success of Space Invaders in 1978 marked the beginning of the "golden age" of arcades. The 1983 "Atari shock," which collapsed the U.S. market, created an opportunity for Japan, granting it a console market monopoly for the following two decades. Companies like Nintendo and Bandai Namco, now industry giants, began with arcades before expanding to consoles, adopting a business model where profitability stemmed from software. The "Famicom culture" developed gradually, supported by specialized magazines, and international success was based on a strong local industry in a globalized economic context.

Japanese design is distinguished by its unique aesthetic, innovative gameplay styles, and captivating stories, often featuring anime- and manga-inspired graphics. The narratives are intricate, exploring complex themes with well-developed and endearing characters, often young heroes with superhuman powers. Japanese culture, including its mythology, is a recurring source of inspiration. JRPGs (Japanese Role-Playing Games) exemplify these traits, with linear stories, turn-based combat, and a strong focus on plot and characters, in contrast to Western RPGs that prioritize open worlds and player agency.

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Gameplay mechanics in JRPGs typically include upgradable avatars, character customization, inventory management, and world exploration, with a diversified game economy. Save systems are often integral to the experience, adding tension, as in Resident Evil. Culturally, Japanese designers favor planning and clear objectives, reflected in the linearity and "grinding" of JRPGs. Nintendo’s philosophy, for example, focuses on a unique idea—the "core action" (like Mario's jump), emotional experience, and accessibility for all players.

In contrast, Western RPGs offer open worlds and real-time combat, with "blank slate" protagonists shaped by the player. While Western media tends to seek a "power fantasy," Japanese games offer escapism, allowing players to observe powerful characters or impactful stories. Japanese publishers tend to allow more freedom for stylistic risks and focus less on pure realism, leading to flashier, acrobatic movements in their games.

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Iconic Companies and Franchises

Japan’s industry is defined by companies like Nintendo, creator of Mario and The Legend of Zelda, which focuses on joy and social interaction. Square Enix, known for Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, prioritizes story, characters, and art, adopting a "polymorphic content" model across multiple media. Capcom, with franchises like Resident Evil and Street Fighter II, built a reputation for cutting-edge technology and a commitment to 2D graphics before the transition to 3D. Sega, although pioneering with Sonic the Hedgehog, eventually left console development to focus on software. The evolution of these companies demonstrates constant adaptation and diversification.

Current Trends in the Japanese Market

Japan, the world’s third-largest market, is undergoing significant evolution. Though traditionally favoring consoles and local titles, PC gaming has grown notably, driven by the pandemic and the availability of formerly exclusive titles on platforms like Steam. Japanese players spend heavily on video games, including microtransactions and mobile games. High-quality localization is crucial, aiming to balance cultural adaptation while preserving "Japaneseness" for global appeal. Japan is also investing heavily in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse, while the rise of indie development fosters experimental game design.

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Reception and Impact in Colombia

Video game popularity in Colombia dates back to the 1980s, with console and game releases coinciding with those in the U.S. A key factor was the proliferation of "famiclones" (NES/Famicom clones), which were cheaper and offered more software availability, laying the foundation for familiarity with Japanese aesthetics. Consoles like the Sega Master System, Mega Drive, NES, and SNES were popular in the 1990s. Sony’s PlayStation and PlayStation 2 reduced Nintendo’s presence, which resurged later with the Wii and DS. In the early 2010s, Colombia’s industry experienced a boom, driven by specialized engineers and government support through initiatives like the "Vive Digital Plan."

The impact of Japanese games in Colombia has deeply permeated culture. Franchises like Pokémon and Super Mario Bros. inspired young Colombians to learn programming. However, Dragon Ball Z was a massive cultural phenomenon throughout Latin America, with prime-time episodes and public screening events. Its fighting games for Super Nintendo and PlayStation 1 reached eSports-like status in Colombia. The Japanese franchise The King of Fighters (SNK) also enjoyed "disproportionate prominence" in the Latin American fighting game scene, surpassing Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat due to the accessibility of Neo Geo arcade machines and piracy. y Mortal Kombat debido a la accesibilidad de las máquinas arcade Neo Geo y la piratería.

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The magnitude of Japanese cultural impact is evident in events like SOFA (Salón del Ocio y la Fantasía) in Bogotá, Colombia’s largest geek culture festival. SOFA gathers thousands of anime, comics, video game, and cosplay fans, offering conferences, workshops, tournaments, and contests. It hosts the qualifying round for the World Cosplay Championship in Japan and paid tribute to Akira Toriyama in 2024 with an "Asiatika" section focused on Asian, especially Japanese, culture. These events act as "cultural bridges," integrating Japanese pop culture into the Colombian landscape.

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The Colombian Video Game Market

Colombia’s video game market is growing rapidly. Total game revenue in Latin America doubled between 2017 and 2022, with projections nearing $6 billion by 2029. Colombia and Argentina stand out with a gaming frequency of 89%, surpassing the global average. In 2024, Colombia’s game industry generated $14.02 million. The Colombian government has supported the sector’s growth with initiatives like the "Vive Digital Plan" and Proexport Colombia, generating business expectations exceeding $60 million. Colombia offers attractive incentives for foreign investment, facilitating collaborations with international giants like Bandai Namco and Square Enix. The country hosts more than 80 game development companies and a skilled workforce, with Medellín positioned as a hub of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Current trends in Colombia include the rise of mobile games, with anime-themed titles performing strongly. While AR/VR device penetration is low, the high mobile usage, young population, and interest in games and e-learning make Colombia fertile ground for mobile AR development. Cities like Bogotá and Medellín are tech hubs where local startups are creating AR experiences for tourism, virtual events, and education. Colombian users show a marked preference for music, storytelling, and interactive content.

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The reception of Japanese video games in Colombia has evolved from consumption to direct inspiration for local development. Cris Tales, by Colombian studios Dreams Uncorporated and SYCK, is a “tribute to classic Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, and Persona.” It combines a hand-drawn art style with rich narrative and turn-based combat, incorporating influences from Colombian culture and architecture. Another example is Poltergeist: A Pixelated Horror, whose prototype won a Square Enix contest in Japan, demonstrating recognition of Colombian talent.

Colombian studios are gaining international recognition and establishing collaborations with global companies, including Bandai Namco and Square Enix. The industry’s growth is tied to the development of local talent, with a growing number of engineers and seven universities offering specialized programs. Early exposure to foreign game concepts, including Japanese ones, required a certain cultural capital, indicating a progression from consumers to creators, often under Japanese influence.

Conclusion

The interconnection between Japanese video game design and its reception in Colombia is a dynamic field. Japanese influence has been a key driver in shaping Colombian gamer culture and industry growth, laying the foundation for a future of hybrid creation and enriching collaborations. The continued growth of mobile gaming and the potential of AR/VR technologies in Colombia offer new pathways for expanding Japanese influence. The emergence of a hybrid design identity, where Japanese aesthetic and mechanical principles blend with Colombian cultural elements, positions Colombia as a unique actor capable of creating games that resonate both locally and globally. For the industry, co-production and deeper cultural integration are recommended.

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