“I didn’t dwell on my past hits”.
Mega Man artist and Mighty No. 9 creator Keiji Inafune has been a huge name in the industry for nearly four decades, so you could say he’s got a fair bit of experience. Recently, the producer gave a talk at South Korea’s Console Game Developer Conference 2025, and has a few strong words for developers and publishers relying on big IPs and genre trends.
Reported on by ThisIsGame (via Automaton), Inafune was critical of studios that rely on those established brands and IPs or just shoot for “genre trends” because they’re supposedly guaranteed to make money.
Read the full article on nintendolife.com

It’s great to see Keiji Inafune sharing his thoughts on creativity in gaming. His perspective on the need for diverse game development beyond just big IPs is really refreshing. Looking forward to seeing more innovative ideas in the industry!
importance of exploring new ideas rather than sticking solely to big IPs is refreshing. It would be interesting to see how indie developers can take inspiration from his approach to innovate and push boundaries in game design.
I completely agree! It’s crucial for the gaming industry to foster innovation and creativity. By taking risks on new concepts, developers can discover unique gameplay experiences that resonate with players in unexpected ways.
Absolutely! Innovation can lead to fresh experiences that resonate with players on different levels. It’s interesting to see how smaller indie games often push boundaries in storytelling and gameplay, sometimes even more than big IPs.
I completely agree! It’s exciting to think about how new ideas can not only challenge existing genres but also create unique narratives that draw players in. Embracing diversity in game development could really expand the gaming landscape.
Absolutely! New ideas can breathe fresh life into the gaming industry and encourage innovation. It’s also interesting to see how indie developers are stepping up to fill this creative gap, often producing unique experiences that big IPs might overlook.