Playing Fields

Daigo Umehara is a legendary Street Fighter player. Kana Tani, a skilled Tekken pro. Here they showcase their career gamer lives in Japan and weigh in on the government's attempt to control the industry.

Japan's flourishing arcade scene is a joy to behold. Here, old and young alike discuss the importance of arcades recreationally and as a fundamental resource for pro and aspiring competitive gamers.

Get to know the independent heavyweights like Pixel Junk Studios lead developer and Bit Summit founder Dylan Colburn, as well as members of Japan's next wave of young game creating talent.

The last generation of gaming hardware saw a growth in the number of western developers releasing content at a furious pace. But Japan is having a resurgence in AAA thanks to unique gameplay styles.