Consalvo, Mia
2009
Convergence and Globalization in the Japanese Videogame Industry

Applies Henry Jenkins’ “convergence culture” to Japan.

Some history of and statistics about Japanese video games, video game industry, and the industry’s relationship with “the rest of the world”.

140
“Bandai Namco is moving their strategy beyond localization of Japanese products and the development of overseas content: “Instead of development that is based on the framework of ‘products for Japan’ and ‘products for overseas’ we will emphasize cooperation between Japan and overseas bases and implement worldwide development from the planning stage.” What this might mean is the development of content that in its raw form might draw from common themes, characters, or universes, but is then localized or “culturalized” to respond best to the interests of a variety of markets. Perhaps this indicates the formation of another layer or level to convergence. In addition to a fictional media universe drawing from a theme or character to create a diversity of content across multiple media platforms, convergence might entail that process working across regions and markets as well, carefully adapted not only for a technical platform, but for particular communities or nation states. Convergence just gained another order of complexity.”
-> Worldwide EA launch.

141
“For now, they [Japanese video game companies] continue to struggle with the logics of convergence, in a constantly changing global media universe.”