Senran Kagura series producer Kenichiro Takaki did an interview with Inside Games, discussing, among other things, the possible changes coming to Senran Kagura 7even.
Let’s just jump right in.
Interview text translated via Siliconera.
Interview
Inside Games: Last year during a Peach Ball broadcast, there was a moment where things got too sexy and the broadcast was shut down, but did you expect that from the start? And what were your thoughts on that?
Kenichiro Takaki: “We did try to be careful not to get banned, but ended up getting banned in the end… which really isn’t good, but it made me a little happy [laughs]. When we got the ban people on Twitter were like ‘they got banned lol’ so then others were like ‘what, what?’ and then the viewer count for the side that didn’t get banned over at NicoNico went up a lot [laughs].”
Do you plan to develop the next new Senran Kagura series game for Switch?
Kenichiro Takaki: “I can’t say anything concrete for now, but yeah, there’s a good chance.”
You previously mentioned in an interview that a new Senran Kagura game is in development for PS4, but things have been strict with regulations towards sexy expressions on PS4. That said, can you tell us your thoughts on this situation?
Kenichiro Takaki: “The regulation movement isn’t restricted to PlayStation, but it’s been spreading across all platforms, all genres, around the world, and I was expecting a time like this would come someday. However, it ended up coming sooner than I expected, and I find myself suddenly wondering what to do.”
So based on what you said, does that mean Senran Kagura 7even’s finished version will be vastly different from the original idea?
Kenichiro Takaki: “That’s right, we probably wouldn’t be able to release it with its original idea, but we’re not restarting everything, just thinking things over.”
Do you have any plans to release Senran Kagura 7even as two versions under different age ratings?
Kenichiro Takaki: “I haven’t thought about splitting it into two. [Thinks] … it’s tough.”
Compared to PS4, it feels like Steam is more lenient towards sexy elements, so if things keep getting worse for PS4 is there a chance you move to PC instead?
Kenichiro Takaki: “It isn’t impossible. However, if we only go with PC then I think it’d be pretty tough, as a genre. It is niche, after all. PCs are full of realistic shooters… hmm, well if it works I’d go for it.”
Something that I found intriguing was the bit about “wondering what to do”. I’d love a deeper look into the mind of Kenichiro Takaki to know which way he is leaning, and more importantly WHY he is leaning that way. Does he mean he is wondering if he should make different styles of games, or does he wonder if he should make them available in places where they are less likely to be censored.
It is clearly stated that they would possibly be willing to go PC only if the support was there. What do you think? Would you support the decision to go PC only? I know many gamers are going that route lately with all of the censorship and craziness happening in the gaming world, so maybe it isn’t as far fetched as they think. While there might still be a stigma in Japan, in NA the days of shooter only PC gamers are far over.
As of now nothing is being restarted, but they are “thinking things over”, and probably can’t release the game with the original idea. Maybe I am having flashbacks of a time long ago, but something deep inside me says I should encourage everyone to take to social media and politely let them know exactly what we want out of the next Senran Kagura game.
Something else I’m curious about is how fans feel about the possibility of games like this coming out with 2 versions? I know that is a more widely accepted thing with visual novels, but what thoughts do we have on making that more popular throughout all genres?
