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Yoko Taro, the creator of the NieR series, recently shared his perspective on his career trajectory during the The Tenth Mosaic event held in Tokyo from September 22 to 23. Speaking alongside director Keisuke Okabe, Taro stated that he has already achieved his primary professional ambitions through his debut directorial project, 2003's Drakengard.
Taro explicitly noted that he has no specific desire to create new titles in the future. He explained that he poured his full capabilities into Drakengard, fulfilling his dream of releasing a project he personally wanted to make. While he acknowledged the work was not perfect, he considers the realization of his vision a major milestone.
Despite his lack of creative drive, Taro continues to work primarily to maintain his health and prevent dementia, fearing the risks associated with sudden retirement. He also mentioned financial considerations, though he now believes his savings and pension could support him without further employment. He views current work stressors as a necessary activity for cognitive health.
Looking at the industry, Taro observed that technological advancements like AI have lowered barriers for small teams and individuals. He anticipates that this will lead to intensified competition among younger developers. Consequently, he expressed a personal hope to retire from the development scene before he is significantly impacted by this shifting competitive landscape.
