Share via:
Yoko Taro, the eccentric mind behind the NieR and Drakengard franchises, has candidly admitted that forming deep professional bonds is a struggle for him. The director described himself as “insufferable” during the development process and expressed a touch of envy toward creators who have built their own studios, noting they have “a place to belong.”
During a recent sit-down with Bayonetta and Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya on the developer’s YouTube channel, Taro reflected on the differences between his life as a freelancer and Kamiya’s path. Kamiya, along with other trusted colleagues, famously established Clover Studio and later PlatinumGames, surrounding himself with a consistent team of collaborators.
“I have collaborated with a vast array of people across numerous projects,” Taro explained. “Some individuals have a natural talent for forging close friendships, but I definitely fall into the other category. Perhaps I’m just a warped individual, which is why I don’t always mesh well with others.”
“In terms of building those lasting, tight-knit professional relationships, I feel like I’ve failed in my career within the games industry,” he continued. “I truly envy you and anyone else who has managed to establish their own studio. You’ve created a home for yourselves.”
When Kento Koyama, CEO of Clover, suggested that Taro actually seems quite popular among his peers, the director was quick to dismiss it. “That’s just the mask people like me have to wear,” he countered. “We act as though we’re giving it our all because we’re foolish like that. At work, I’m insufferable. I’m the worst. Even I have to acknowledge that.”
He did, however, joke about one scenario where his temperament might improve. “If there were alcohol in the office, I’d be a delight to work with,” Taro quipped. “Mostly because I’d be drinking… though I doubt anything productive would come of it.” Kamiya laughed at the suggestion, jokingly calling it a “passionate defense of workplace drinking.”
Earlier this year, the NieR creator also mentioned that a new game isn’t currently his top priority, famously stating that “work comes second… well, probably third” in his life.
