Platinum Games aims for a 'Western' relationship between developer and publisher, Minami says

Bayonetta and Vanquish developer Platinum Games aspires to have what it describes as a "Western" relationship between the studio and its publishers, studio president and CEO Tatsuya Minami said in the latest Iwata Asks Q&A.

Speaking to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, Minami said that Platinum Games has a distinctive philosophy, which is that of being uncompromising. For this reason, it aims for what it calls a "Western" relationship between studio and publisher.

"The people at development studios in Europe and America are being funded by publishers but won't do everything they're told," Minami said. "We want to preserve that even relationship while making the games we want. If we fail, the company will break up, and if it goes well, we'll be like, 'Take that!'

"I think that kind of relationship is good," he said. "After all, the ones who think about the players the most and face them and strive to make something for them are the game makers."

Platinum Games executive director and producer, Atsushi Inaba, added that if the studio puts itself in a position to make demands from publishers, then the catch is it must deliver results or it will have to succumb to the publisher's demands.

"We do keep making demands, but in order to do that, generating results is crucial," Inaba said. "Besides, while there is a difference in position in that we receive money from a publisher to make games, we still want to keep that equal relationship."

The full interview where Minami and Inaba talk about the history of Platinum Games and its philosophy can be read here.