Rah, Japanese developers main problem last gen was programming and getting used to hd development. They, especially Capcom and Square Enix, created highly expensive in house engines that not only delayed development, and forced them to fuel money into its engine creation (Final Fantasy being the best example)
Actually, just Square. MT framework was a hugely beneficial and scalable engine. It really allowed Capcom to pump out video games quickly and on several platforms.
it made hd game creation something completely different for most JP developers. Unreal 4 is not only completely free as I said, it comes with its own algorithms and tools and eases the development process so developers not only do not have to spend money engine creation, but also programming. To express how it works, it's like a highly extensive version of Sims Build mode for game creation. You can literally sculpt a scene with Unreal 4 in just minutes.
I know what Unreal Engine does. You don't need to talk to me like an idiot, especially when all your doing is ignoring the main actual point. What good would high level game development be if there wasn't a platform to sell it on? Oh wait, so there must be something to drive the demand of the use of an engine like this. Gee! What could that be?
Also, Unreal Engine 4 is only free if you don't mind Unreal taking 5% of your profit share and must continue paying that 5% per quarter. I really doubt companies like Square and whatnot are going the free method. So your point here is moot. Free for small developers, but not the developers were talking about.
1. It's cheaper and more viable to do so
It's also cheaper and more viable to put out extremely cheap mobile games that don't require the time, effort, and cost of an unreal 4 level console game. So why would anyone want to make a console game? Couldn't be that there is a platform doing very well in the game space that shouldn't be ignored? Couldn't be that this platform can make use of Unreal 4 games?
2. There are far more market options now, you can easily make a game for ps4 and port it to PC AND turn a profit
PC is only starting to be a viable area and is still an after thought for most Japanese companies.
3. They are able to make money despite the lack of console support in Japan.
Yes, because the PS4 is doing really well outside Japan......................Like I already said. Also hopefully these games will actually help Japanese PS4 sales. Which has nothing to do with the PC as well.
Make no mistake, ps4 ain't all that in Japan, and there's a very, very big reason even SE is using Unreal not only for FF7r but also DQ11. You really think that if SE had the development engine issues it had last gen, it would be making DQ11 on two systems? 
Um where did I say this? Oh thats right I did'nt. I don't know where I said Unreal engine 4 hasn't helped Japanese developers, because I never said that. What I said is regardless of what it does, there needs to be an actual market for them to sell Unreal Engine 4 games and other console games. The PS4 has helped make that market. You're talk of Unreal being easy and whatnot really has nothing to do with my point.
Why are they doing this? Because they can. 
How can they do this? Unreal 4.
Yep, because they'd think it's a good idea to make Unreal 4 games if the combined sales level of the PS4 and Xbone was that of the WiiU. Oh wait they wouldn't. The making of Unreal 4 level console games and console games in general is thanks to the actual success of these consoles. The success of them outside of Japan is great enough to convince developers that it's a good idea to actually make games for them and hope that they either help turn the tide in Japan or do well outside of it.
They would'nt make Unreal engine 4 console games if consoles bombed. Which is why they did'nt until things like the PS4 proved to actually be a success.
Why are they doing this? Because they can. How can they do this? Unreal 4. They never would have jumped on the wagon otherwise and both you and Lager come off as slobbering ps4 freaks. This coming from someone who has even decided to pick up a ps quadruple.
I actually own all consoles and unlike you I don't come into every thread going "OMG PLEASE COME TO PC, PC IS SO AWESOME!". So please don't try the fanboy card here. I never said the PS4 was the most amazing and best console, only that it's success is helping convince developers to make actual games on it. Which is true.
