Key information
Yoko Taro, the creator of the NieR and Drakengard series, recently shared his perspective on the Japanese video game industry during a conversation with Keisuke Okabe. Taro stated that he is largely indifferent to the future of the domestic sector, citing his belief that he will pass away soon.
Despite his personal detachment, Taro acknowledged the impact of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence. He views these tools as beneficial for younger creators, noting that individuals in their teens and twenties now have significantly more freedom to develop games compared to when he was younger, when joining a company was often the only path to 3D development.
Taro, who is 56 years old, admitted that he has considered retirement and noted that his financial situation would allow him to stop working. However, he continues to work despite a lack of desire to do so, primarily out of a fear that leaving the industry would increase his risk of developing dementia.
The developer maintains this professional routine by reframing the unpleasant aspects of game development as a necessary mental exercise. He explicitly uses the goal of preventing dementia as his primary motivation to continue facing the challenges inherent in creating new video games.
