"The developer of the iconic PS1 horror game admitted to avoiding Virtual Boy production because he predicted the virtual reality console's poor sales performance."
In the competitive world of video game development during the '90s, a significant decision by Masaki Higuchi, a programmer at Human Entertainment, shaped the course of gaming history.
Masaki Higuchi, best known for his work on Clock Tower 2, was employed by Human Entertainment in the '90s. His boss, a fervent Nintendo fan, pushed for Higuchi to work on a Virtual Boy game. However, Higuchi had other plans.
The Virtual Boy, Nintendo's foray into the world of 3D gaming, was not as successful as the PlayStation, which was considered the superior console by Masaki Higuchi. Developing a game for the Virtual Boy could have been a prerequisite for developing games for the Nintendo 64, according to Hifumi Kouno. Yet, Higuchi refused to work on the Virtual Boy, expecting to be fired.
His defiance paid off. The PlayStation, the console he chose instead, turned out to be the most successful console of its era, while the Virtual Boy did not. Higuchi's most famous work at Human Entertainment was on Clock Tower 2, later released as Clock Tower in the West. This game, a horror masterpiece, stands out among the original PlayStation's lineup of horror greats and developed a cult classic reputation.
The cancellation of a Virtual Boy game developed by other Human Entertainment developers, described as a Space Harrier knock-off, might have been due to the platform's failure and potential requirements imposed by Nintendo. On the other hand, Higuchi's decision to focus on the PlayStation sequel to Clock Tower resulted in a successful game that is still celebrated today.
Henk Rogers, the Tetris legend, suggests that such career sacrifices for the sake of the company are common at Nintendo. Gunpei Yokoi, a designer at Nintendo, is popularly speculated to have been forced into early retirement due to the failure of the Virtual Boy, although Nintendo claims the timing was coincidental.
In conclusion, Masaki Higuchi's decision to prioritise the PlayStation over the Virtual Boy had a profound impact on the gaming industry. His work on Clock Tower 2 not only saved Human Entertainment from a potential loss but also contributed to the PlayStation's success and the creation of a beloved horror game.
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