DS Set For A Fall

Masaya Matsuura, creator of the seminal ‘PaRappa the Rappa’, has said that the development community in Japan is beginning to lose faith in the longevity of the DS, thinking it could be in danger of losing its key audience.
Talking to Gamasutra, Matsuura said, “Some people have said already that the DS software’s bubble has burst. We have to keep increasing the chance to make more unique titles, but for us it’s getting much more difficult because the game market – especially in Japan – is still very conservative.
“Many people know that the DS has very unique titles like ‘Brain Training’ or something like that, but it’s not for younger-aged market. It’s kind of older people like me.’
As developers and publishers create their own training formula, Matsuura is worried that sales will start to drop off. While games for the mainstream, mature market took off, developers in Japan think Nintendo may have taken its eye off the ball, that is the younger consumer.
This news could bring out the ‘told you sos’ from those who predicted the DS success would be just a flash in the pan.