Streamline Studios, a leading global video game and Metaverse development company, recently welcomed Rui Kawada as their new director. With an impressive 15 years of background in the gaming industry, Rui brings a wealth of knowledge and valuable insights to Streamline Studios. This appointment marks a significant step forward in the company’s expansion into the Japanese market.

Rui Kawada boasts an extensive professional experience in prominent organizations, including Nintendo of Europe, Square Enix, and Google. In her new role, she will work closely with Kenji Kajiwara, the Head of Japan, to strengthen partnerships with Japanese game companies and explore untapped business opportunities and collaborations within the region.

In this exclusive interview, we had the opportunity to delve into Rui’s journey within the industry, learn more about her plans for Streamline Studios, and gain her perspective on the future of gaming.

Congratulations on your appointment as the Director of Streamline Studios Japan! What inspired you to pursue a career in the gaming industry, and how did you get your start?

Thank you! I was born and raised in Kyoto where Nintendo HQ is as you all know. Some of my neighbours actually worked for Nintendo when I was at elementary school, and they used to give me some game copies when I was drawn into the world of video games. Luckily, when I finished university in the UK, there was an open position at Nintendo of Europe where my video game career started. The gaming industry is such a fascinating industry, growing fast, with huge passion from both creators & players which never bores me! I have been working from platformer to publisher, then mobile platformer to game developer… it looks like I am completing all aspects of this industry now! (laugh).

What motivated you to join Streamline Studios Japan as the Director?

Although it was one of the hardest experiences in my professional career, all the experience I gained working in the development team of FINAL FANTASY XV was definitely the highlight of my career so far. I really enjoyed working with so many talented creators and colleagues, and also all the hard work paid off whenever I met with devoted players hearing their experiences playing the game. From this experience, I felt that I wanted to be close to development once again, hence this decision was made. Being in the development studio means I can get involved in so many different games from many different publishers which excites me the most!

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement during your 15 years in the gaming industry, working with several international companies?

I am grateful to have all of these great experiences with global companies. It is hard to pick one thing but my contribution towards the FINAL FANTASY XV project is definitely the showcase of my 15 years in the industry. Especially being involved in developing and producing of CG film “KINGSGLAIVE FINAL FANTASY XV” was another level of experience. From project management to voice/motion capture casting, not only gained a new skillset but got a wide range of new connections in various industries through the project surely became an irreplaceable experience.

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the gaming industry, and what strategies do you use to remain competitive?

Staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the gaming industry is essential for us. Our leadership brings strategies to remain competitive. Of course, we have a dedicated research and development team that closely monitors industry news, attends gaming events & conferences, and engages in networking events. I know these are the least we can do to help us stay informed about emerging technologies, market trends, and the latest game design innovations.

Also, we have a good culture of experimenting with new creative ideas and exploring new technologies which definitely helps to maximise and improve our standards.

What are your thoughts on the future of the gaming industry, and how do you see it evolving in the coming years, especially with the inclusion of AI?

Gaming industry surely cannot ignore AI. It improves all areas of game development such as characters, makes the world more realistic, and customises gameplay. AI-related technology like content generation and machine learning will definitely grow. We also see future gaming experiences including AR and VR for more innovative & experiences.

What do you think are the current trends in the gaming industry in Japan and how do you see Streamline Studios positioning itself in this market?

In Japan, mobile games still dominate the market followed by consumer games. PC games are rapidly growing in recent years which we see our expertise can offer in many areas. We are knowingly Unreal Engine professionals, and more games are using Unreal Engine now which means we can share our 20+ years of knowledge and skillset as UE developers.

How do you plan to leverage your experience in leading and managing teams to build the operations of Streamline Studios Japan?

Streamline Studios Japan is a team of 5 at the moment, and each of us has unique and experienced backgrounds. Our Head of Studio, Kenji Kajiwara has 20+ years of experience with console gaming platformers, putting his experience with our unique experience from different backgrounds, I believe makes us to be able to offer extensive service and put us in a unique position in the industry.

In your opinion, what sets Streamline Studios apart from other gaming companies?

What makes Streamline Studios stand out in the industry is our ability to quickly adapt to the latest trends, our worldwide presence, and our steadfast commitment to creating unforgettable gaming experiences. We always tailor our service to each client to meet their needs, nothing is the same in our standards, this shows how much we care about each project/client.

Do you think the current layoffs in the industry are affecting Asia and other parts of the globe?

Layoffs in the gaming industry affect regions globally due to its global nature. Economic factors can trigger worldwide layoffs. Streamline Studios is trying to maintain the work environment and adapting to industry shifts to support our team.

Rumours suggest that the company exhibits a crunch culture and if so, how does Streamline plan to tackle it?

We take work-life balance very seriously, reject crunch culture, and value stable and sustainable development. Our project management emphasises reasonable timelines, preventing burnout, and fostering a creative, balanced team for long-term success in the gaming industry.

For more news and updates on Streamline Studios, visit the official website.