Shinji Mikami: If a stream satisfies players, the game isn't good enough

Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami has reportedly said that if viewers are satisfied watching a full livestream of a game, then the game itself is not good enough.

Mikami shared his views during a conversation with Japanese comedian Eika Kano. Kano, who regularly streams games on his YouTube channel, appeared on TV Asahi's late-night chat show Mitorizu Jan last week. He recounted asking Mikami about game streaming after feeling conflicted about spoiling story and puzzle elements in titles like Resident Evil.

Kano explained he had received permission from Capcom to stream its games but still worried about the impact on players. He decided to ask Mikami directly, prepared to quit streaming if the developer disapproved.

Mikami's reported response emphasized the need for games that compel personal play. According to Kano, Mikami stated: "If viewers watching the game stream are satisfied just by watching it through to the end, then the game must only be so good." Mikami reportedly added: "It’s our job to make games that make people want to finish them with their own hands, even after watching someone else beat them."

The anecdote was first reported by Nikkan. Kano also spoke to Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii on the same topic and received a similar response. Kano suggested that "the gods, the legends, all share that mindset."

The comments echo recent remarks from Final Fantasy 7 Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi. Earlier this month, Hamaguchi told 4Gamer that modern RPGs must offer more player agency. He described the risk of players feeling satisfied by streams alone as "a bit of a crisis for the work itself."

Mikami founded Tango Gameworks in 2010 and left the studio in 2023. A remaster of Shadows of the Damned, which he created with Suda51, launched in 2024. Kano's TV appearance highlights ongoing industry discussion about livestreaming's effect on game design and player engagement.