Book Synopsis

This book explores Keiji Inafune's unique and controversial approach to video game design by breaking down his prolific output into seven key concepts.

Keiji Inafune is a polarizing figure in the video game community. While some view his work on Capcom's Mega Man series as a pivotal contribution to the gaming industry, others question his very claim to the title of game designer. No matter one's stance, however, Inafune's work inspires passionate discussions about video game design and its history.

In this book, Andrew Schartmann explores seven core principles that permeate Inafune's output and constitute his creative "voice." He also draws on Inafune's controversial persona to probe the very definition of "video game designer"-a term problematized by the collaborative aspect of game design and the industry's Wonka-esque obsession with secrecy. With high-profile games like Mega Man, Street Fighter and Resident Evil, Inafune's repertoire provides an ideal lens through which to explore the nuts and bolts of game design and the many forces that shape it.

Review Quotes

"Schartmann takes an intriguing look at Keiji Inafune, one of the Japanese games industry's most influential, and controversial, figures. The book effectively analyses Inafune's contributions to many of gaming's most well-known series while also attempting to disentangle his dual roles as both a game designer and businessman. A valuable read for anyone interested in a more in-depth look at the Japanese games industry and its relationship with the West." --Ryan Scheiding, Assistant Professor of Digital Media (Game Design & Game Studies), Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

About the Author

Andrew Schartmann is a faculty member at the New England Conservatory, USA. In 2017, he was named Audio Director of Yale's Play4Real lab, where he produces sound and music for virtual-reality video games. He taught previously at McGill and Yale, USA, and currently serves as the Associate Editor of DSCH Journal. He is the author of the 33 1/3 on Koji Kondo's Super Mario Bros. Soundtrack (Bloomsbury, 2015).