Katsuhiro Harada, a prominent figure in the fighting game genre and former face of Tekken, has spoken out against the practice of evaluating video games primarily through their sales figures. Harada, currently CEO of SNK VS Studio, asserted that such a narrow perspective often overlooks the creative journey and development process.

Harada’s remarks, posted on Xitter, specifically praised Hidetaka Miyazaki, president of FromSoftware and the creative mind behind the Souls series and Elden Ring. He noted Miyazaki’s late entry into game development and his work on less critically or commercially successful titles before achieving widespread acclaim with Demon's Souls in 2009. Harada contended that these earlier projects were crucial in paving the way for the later success of the Souls games, arguing that those who disparage them fail to "appreciate the journey or the growth of the developers themselves."

He clarified that his comments were not directed at the fan community but seemed to be a critique of individuals, potentially publishers or executives, who prioritize short-term financial gains over long-term artistic development. "Whenever I heard those kinds of opinions, I always thought, 'That’s exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s never actually developed games,'" Harada stated.

Harada, who was involved with the Dark Souls and Elden Ring series as Bandai Namco's general manager, observed that neither game became a massive success overnight. He emphasized that their achievements were the culmination of Miyazaki and his team's cumulative efforts across previous titles. Harada reflected on how Miyazaki now receives global attention, but many of these offers appear to come from those who only recognize his current success, a stark contrast to the times when he and his team were struggling.

Miyazaki's career path is described as "exceptionally unusual," having begun his professional journey in the industry after turning 30 and not starting at a major studio with significant technological advantages during the early polygon era. Before his breakthrough with Demon's Souls, Miyazaki contributed to several Armored Core titles and joined FromSoftware, a studio founded in 1994 that had already developed numerous games, including the Tenchu series and Echo Night, prior to his arrival as a designer. The King's Field action-RPG series, also developed by FromSoftware, is seen as a precursor to the Souls universe, sharing similar labyrinthine world design and a somber atmosphere.

Harada's sentiment comes at a time when the industry is experiencing a significant departure of seasoned developers. He drew a parallel to recent layoffs, such as those at Bungie, suggesting that while such decisions may align with revenue and cost projections, they result in the loss of invaluable accumulated expertise.