“Nier Creator Yoko Taro Admits to Being ‘Insufferable’ at Work and Envious of Developers with a Sense of Belonging”

Yoko Taro, renowned for his contributions to the Drakengard and Nier series, admits that forming “tight-knit friendships” in the gaming industry is a challenge for him, as he considers himself “insufferable” during game development. He expresses envy towards those who have built studios with friends, feeling they have a true sense of belonging.

In a discussion with Hideki Kamiya, the mind behind Bayonetta and Devil May Cry, Yoko contrasts his freelance experience with Kamiya’s journey of establishing his studio, Clover, alongside trusted collaborators.

“I’ve collaborated with a variety of people across numerous projects,” Yoko shares. “Some individuals excel at forging close friendships, while I find myself in the latter group. Perhaps I’m just a bit warped, which makes it hard for me to connect with others.”

Reflecting on his career, he admits, “When it comes to forming those close bonds, I feel like I’ve fallen short in the gaming industry. I genuinely envy you and anyone else who has successfully created their own company. You have a place to call home.”

When Kento Koyama, CEO of Clover, remarks that Yoko appears well-liked from an outsider’s perspective, Yoko responds, “That’s the mask people like me wear. We pretend to give it our all because we’re foolish that way. I’m insufferable at work. I know it.”

He humorously adds that there is one scenario where he believes his colleagues would enjoy working with him: “If there was alcohol at work, I’d be a blast to be around,” he jokes. “Because I’d be drinking… but honestly, nothing good could come from that.” Kamiya playfully supports this, calling it “a spirited defense of alcohol in the workplace.”

Yoko Taro also mentions that he isn’t currently focused on developing a new game, humorously requesting updates from those who are: “Work comes second… well, probably third.”