From TechRadar · · 1m 40s
Stranger Than Heaven director hopes game breaks racism barriers
Director Mikinobu Abe says the game's 50-year narrative about a mixed-heritage protagonist facing discrimination is unlike anything in video games before.
In brief
Director Mikinobu Abe says the game's 50-year narrative about a mixed-heritage protagonist facing discrimination is unlike anything in video games before. Stranger Than Heaven director Mikinobu Abe hopes the game's story of a mixed-heritage Japanese-American man experiencing racism will resonate with players who have…
A story unlike any game
Director Mikinobu Abe says Stranger Than Heaven's narrative spanning fifty years across five distinct eras and cities in Japan is something he has never experienced in a video game before.
“I would say experiencing one man's life as a narrative and as a gameplay experience is something that I have personally never played before as a video game medium.”
Makoto Daito's mixed heritage
The main character, Makoto Daito, is of Japanese-American descent. Abe hopes his mixed heritage background and the racism he experiences when arriving in Japan will resonate with players.
Music breaks the barriers
RGG Studio felt music would be central to Makoto's character. When he arrives in Japan facing discrimination, music becomes the only thing that breaks those barriers and helps him communicate.
“Once he comes to Japan, he faces a lot of discrimination, and people won't even talk to him just because of his race and language. So, music was the only thing for him that would break those barriers and help him communicate with people.”
Music becomes his life's work
Captain Orpheus teaches Makoto how to make money from music. Because of his experience using music to overcome discrimination, it becomes natural for him to pursue showbiz as his life's work.
Personal experience behind the story
Abe and lead actor Yu Shirota have both experienced discrimination themselves. They put significant focus on telling Makoto's narrative about facing racism, hoping it will resonate globally.
“I hope that Makoto's life journey really speaks to people around the globe who have had similar experiences.”
Entertainment and immersion
Abe hopes the game will encourage players who have faced discrimination while also immersing those playing purely for entertainment in Makoto's narrative and life journey.
“I hope it really encourages people, as well as the player who just wants to entertain themselves while playing the game can also get immersed in this narrative.”
Launch date and platforms
Stranger Than Heaven launches on January fifteen, twenty twenty-seven, for PlayStation five, Xbox Series X and Series S, and PC.
At a glance
Stranger Than Heaven director Mikinobu Abe hopes the game's story of a mixed-heritage Japanese-American man experiencing racism will resonate with players who have faced similar discrimination.
