Koei Tecmo's Nioh: 12 Years of Development and Three Major Reboots

The critically acclaimed action RPG, Nioh, took an impressive 12 years to develop, with the team humorously referring to it as the "senior student" when it launched in 2017. Recently, Koei Tecmo's president and Nioh producer, Yoichi Erikawa, shared his reflections on this lengthy process, noting that while he has no regrets, he believes that if any of his employees had taken such an approach, they would have likely faced dismissal.

In a discussion hosted by the Japanese media outlet Denfaminico Gamer, Erikawa and Sengoku series manga creator Hideki Miyashita delved into the development journey of Nioh, which underwent three major overhauls. Erikawa's dedication to ensuring the game offered "new entertainment value" led to these drastic changes. He expressed, "If I don't feel the 'new entertainment value,' I propose to redo that section. Nioh is a prime example of this, as we rebuilt it three times. As the producer, no matter how many suggestions I made, it didn’t really help (laughs)."

The Evolution of Nioh: From JRPG to Action RPG

Originally conceived as a traditional JRPG in 2004, Nioh's direction shifted dramatically after Koei merged with Tecmo in 2008. The first version was scrapped, and the Omega Force team, known for the Dynasty Warriors series, took the reins to reimagine it as an action RPG. However, that second version also faced rejection. Eventually, Team Ninja, famous for the Ninja Gaiden series, stepped in and redefined the game with a more intense combat style reminiscent of Ninja Gaiden.

Despite not meeting Erikawa's high standards multiple times, Nioh ultimately emerged as a remarkable title after its extensive revisions. The game effectively combined the strengths of Koei's historical expertise and Tecmo's prowess in action gameplay.

Lessons Learned from a Long Development Cycle

Reflecting on the lengthy development process, Erikawa acknowledged that Nioh's extensive timeline might have been influenced by his own stubbornness. "If it were my employees, they might have been fired by now (laughs)," he admitted. However, he emphasized the importance of quality over speed, which ultimately paid off as Nioh and its sequel have sold a combined total of 8 million copies, with approximately 90% of sales coming from the Western markets.

Rising Popularity of Historical Themes in Entertainment

Erikawa also pointed out the growing interest in historical narratives, particularly in relation to Japan and China. He noted that the recent buzz around the Disney+ live-action series "Shōgun" reflects a broader trend where historical dramas and games are gaining traction. "In the past, historical-themed works were not very popular in manga and anime, but they are now increasingly accepted by the market," he remarked.

Future Prospects for Historical Games

As the gaming landscape evolves, Erikawa sees a bright future for historical games. He believes that as audiences become more receptive to these themes, developers will have more opportunities to create engaging and culturally rich stories. This shift could lead to innovative gameplay experiences that honor historical narratives while appealing to modern players.

Impact of Nioh on the Gaming Industry

Nioh's success has not only established it as a beloved franchise but has also influenced how action RPGs are developed. By blending traditional storytelling with intense combat mechanics, it has set a new standard for what players can expect from the genre. Erikawa's commitment to quality and innovation is a testament to the potential for games to evolve and capture the imaginations of players worldwide.