Official US PlayStation Magazine interview with Shinji Mikami

In 1999 the Official US PlayStation Magazine interviewed Capcom Producer Shinji Mikami, ahead of the release of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis.

Transcript
Transcript= Although he's currently busy with both Resident Evil 3 and Dino Crisis (as well as other projects), Resident Evil producer Shinji Mikami sat down to answer a few of our questions about Resident Evil, past and future.

OPM: The Resident Evil series has been a best seller not only in Japan but in America and Europe as well. Why do you think your games have been so popular all over the world?

SM: I think it is because the games have an "edgy feel" that could not be found in other games.

OPM: Did you have any idea when you were working on the first Resident Evil it would be so popular and spawn a whole series of games?

SM: No, I never imagined the game would be so popular.

OPM: What do you feel is the most important thing in making a good game?

SM: Continuous care about the details of the game, determination to make it the best game ever, always remembering to think from the game players' perspective, and lots of teamwork.

OPM: What is the hardest part about making a Resident Evil game?

SM: It's always a big challenge to figure our how we should handle the horror aspect of the game to maximize the fear. It's also very challenging to keep each series' story line consistent with the other.

OPM: How do you go about planning and making a Resident Evil game?

SM: I plan it all in my head first and then start working on it. However, after I actually start working on it, I often make changes to my initial ideas.

OPM: Many games have tried to duplicate the look or feel of Resident Evil since it was released. How do you feel about this influence you have had on other games?

SM: I see some games not only copy Resident Evil but also build upon it. Such games have their own unique appeal and i'm impressed and stimulated by them.

OPM: What do you see as the main differences between Dino Crisis and Resident Evil?

SM: Both titles focus on the sense of horror, but the nature of the horror is different. In Dino Crisis, you are constantly chased by huge, agile, overwhelmingly powerful creatures. It's a panicking horror. In Resident Evil, you guard yourself against slow-crawling zombies. It's more of a slow but chilling horror.

OPM: What other PlayStation games d you enjoy or respect?

SM: UmJammer Lammy and Dance Dance Revolution. I like them because anyone can start playing them immediately and even the people watching the game enjoy watching.

OPM: What do you think of the PlayStation 2? Will we see a Resident Evil for it soon?

SM: I think the machine enables us to move on to the next-level in terms of representation. And, yes-we certainly are considering making a Resident Evil game on PS2.