The debate surrounding game streams and Let’s Plays has been going on for years. Some developers see them as free advertising, while others worry that viewers might skip buying a game if they can experience everything through a stream.
According to legendary game designer Shinji Mikami, that concern may be missing the bigger picture.
Japanese comedian and content creator Eiko Kano recently shared a story about meeting Mikami, the creator of the original Resident Evil and director of Resident Evil 4. Known for his entertaining and often chaotic Resident Evil playthroughs, Kano admitted he was nervous about streaming games that revealed major story moments, puzzles, and surprises.
Even though he had permission from Capcom, Kano wondered how the creators themselves felt about people broadcasting entire playthroughs online. When he finally had the chance to meet Mikami in person, he decided to ask him directly.
The answer surprised him.
According to Kano, Mikami responded by saying, “If viewers watch a playthrough of a game all the way to the end and are satisfied with just that, then it was only that good of a game.”
Mikami reportedly explained that a developer’s goal should be to create an experience so engaging that players still want to pick up the controller themselves, even after seeing someone else finish it.
In other words, great games aren’t just about the story—they’re about the experience of playing.
The comment reflects a philosophy that places responsibility on developers rather than viewers or streamers. Instead of seeing content creators as a threat, Mikami appears to view streams as an opportunity to showcase a game’s strengths.
Interestingly, Kano said he received a very similar response from Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii, suggesting that some of gaming’s most respected developers share the belief that strong gameplay can overcome spoilers.
The idea has also been echoed by Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy director Naoki Hamaguchi, who has previously argued that modern RPGs need to evolve beyond simply telling a story. As streaming becomes more common, developers must create experiences that inspire viewers to jump in and play for themselves.
For Mikami, the message is simple: if a game is truly great, watching it won’t replace playing it.
Source: automaton-media.com
