Danganronpa Creator Urges Developers to Take Risks: “If It Fails, Blame the Boss!”

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Kazutaka Kodaka, the mastermind behind Danganronpa and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, has some unconventional advice for aspiring developers: if you want your creative ideas to get the green light, sometimes you need to bend the truth.

In a recent response to a fan seeking guidance on how to get their ambitious concepts approved, Kodaka humorously suggested that developers might need to “deceive” their employers. It’s a bold statement, but it carries a certain logic. After all, navigating corporate structures can stifle creativity.

“You’ve got to deceive the company,” Kodaka quips. “If you want to pursue creative work while employed, you can’t just follow every directive.” He’s got a point—many studios aren’t eager to take risks, and if developers don’t find a way to infuse their creativity into their projects, their ideas might never see the light of day.

Kodaka further elaborates that if things go south after pitching an idea, the blame lies with the company. “Even if it means pretending to comply, keep doing what you love,” he advises. “Use your company to your advantage. If something goes wrong, it’s on them anyway.” His perspective resonates with many, as comments reveal agreement with his candid approach.

Numerous fans highlight that this fearless mindset is essential in the industry, and it’s clear Kodaka embodies this philosophy. He’s previously stated he only creates games he enjoys, famously declaring, “I don’t care if they sell well or not.” So, if you have a particularly *out there* idea you’re eager to develop, maybe a little white lie could help you along the way.

In light of numerous live service shutdowns, the Danganronpa creator emphasizes that developers should take responsibility to provide players with a meaningful conclusion.