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Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona director Katsura Hashino keeps his distance from user feedback to spare his mental health

Thick Thighs Save Lives

Thick Thighs Save Lives

NeoGAF's Physical Games Advocate Extraordinaire
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Katsura Hashino, the prolific developer behind the Persona series’ modern titles and the brand-new Metaphor: ReFantazio, recently participated in a dialogue with Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama. Over the course of the discussion (published by Famitsu), the two creators touch upon the topic of user feedback.

Although the internet and social media make it easier than ever before for game creators to find out what players think, Katsura says that he “tries not to be that conscious of” user feedback. This doesn’t mean that the Persona creator shuts out everything fans are saying, but rather that he tries to maintain his distance and treat it like part of his work. “Of course, I do check things out at certain times, such as right after launch. But it’s not like I can adjust [the game] based on what I see. When I need to look something up, I do it quickly in one go, because constantly looking at reactions isn’t good for your mental health.”
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When asked by a surprised Toyama whether he does things like looking up his own name online, Katsura goes on to explain, “I don’t, and I don’t use social media either.” The creator admits to even being uncomfortable about appearing in-person at promotional events.

On the other hand, Toyama, who is currently developing Slitterhead with Bokeh Game Studio, comments that his attitude towards user feedback may be changing with the times, as he recalls being more dismissive in the past. Even though Slitterhead is not a live-service game that needs to be finely tuned in response to player demands, Toyama says that he is keen on actively listening to what people have to say and adopting opinions that he finds useful.
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automaton-media.com

Metaphor: ReFantazio and Persona director Katsura Hashino keeps his distance from user feedback to spare his mental health - AUTOMATON WEST

Metaphor: ReFantazio director Katsura Hashino and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama talk about their attitudes towards user feedback.
automaton-media.com automaton-media.com
 
gow3isben

gow3isben

Member
Does this game have the bullshit filler mementos shit from P5?

If so I ain't buying.

But if it is all curated well crafted stuff I'll give it a go.
 
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Danjin44

Danjin44

The nicest person on this forum
gow3isben said:
Dem Atlus blokes just got another sale
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it’s currently my GOTY, I’m obsessed with this game and don’t let T rating fool you because this game more violent and dark than all Persona games combined, I don’t how hell this game managed to keep T rating.
 
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FewRope

FewRope

Member
Danjin44 said:
it’s currently my GOTY, I’m obsessed with this game and don’t let T rating fool you because this game more violent and dark than all Persona games combined, I don’t how hell this game managed to keep T rating.
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The first 30 seconds are more brutal than the whole of Persona 4 lmao
 
Roberts

Roberts

Member
Every artist who has created something should do this. Smart.

Duchess said:
One of the best decisions I made in the past few years was to delete my Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Horrible, toxic places.

(though, to be fair, they were all good in their early years)
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Best decision ever. I only kept letterboxd, because movies are life.
 
Little Mac

Little Mac

Member
Off topic but I’m playing Metaphor right now and loving it. I’m seeing Persona 5 Royal on sale on PSN for $24. For people who’ve played both, which game is better?
 
Hrk69

Hrk69

Member
Little Mac said:
Off topic but I’m playing Metaphor right now and loving it. I’m seeing Persona 5 Royal on sale on PSN for $24. For people who’ve played both, which game is better?
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Both are extremely good and have many similarities.

I would say Metaphor is more mature and has WAY better dungeons.

But you cannot go wrong with buying Royal for $24. It's a steal. Plus, you can date your teacher.
 
Rambone

Rambone

Member
Little Mac said:
Off topic but I’m playing Metaphor right now and loving it. I’m seeing Persona 5 Royal on sale on PSN for $24. For people who’ve played both, which game is better?
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Both are a masterpiece. P5R is more of the same kind of game but you are a high school student and modern setting. It has a lot of time/life management aspects to it inbetween dungeon running but ultimately you decide what you want to do and/or how you spend your time, there is no right or wrong answer. $25 is a no brainer if Metaphor speaks to you.
 
Klayzer

Klayzer

Member
Danjin44 said:
it’s currently my GOTY, I’m obsessed with this game and don’t let T rating fool you because this game more violent and dark than all Persona games combined, I don’t how hell this game managed to keep T rating.
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No kidding. I don't know how it didn't get a mature rating. A lot of death and racism, but no anime tits, probably the reason.
 
Mercador

Mercador

Member
I finally bought it even that I purchase D4 DLC and FFXVI, both I'm a bit disappointed. Is there any backlash around Metaphor? As far as I know, people are quite happy with this game, the lack of romance isn't a deal breaker for me but Steam Deck was. After trying the demo on the SD, it works good enough for me. I can always moonlight it from my gaming PC as well.
 
March Climber

March Climber

Member
Mercador said:
I finally bought it even that I purchase D4 DLC and FFXVI, both I'm a bit disappointed. Is there any backlash around Metaphor? As far as I know, people are quite happy with this game, the lack of romance isn't a deal breaker for me but Steam Deck was. After trying the demo on the SD, it works good enough for me. I can always moonlight it from my gaming PC as well.
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If you can manage to wait a month or two, that's usually when any criticisms or nitpick comments will start appearing. It's up to you to discern which is which when that happens.
 
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R

ricares81

Neo Member
Duchess said:
One of the best decisions I made in the past few years was to delete my Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Horrible, toxic places.

(though, to be fair, they were all good in their early years)
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You’ve not escaped them all yet as you’re still here on neogaf …. Jk
Bit of humorous console warring here and there but its not that bad here right guys?….. right?


(/s, definitely a lot of worse places out there).
 
laynelane

laynelane

Member
Duchess said:
One of the best decisions I made in the past few years was to delete my Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Horrible, toxic places.

(though, to be fair, they were all good in their early years)
Click to expand...

The only one I ever had was Facebook and I deleted it for two reasons: 1. I care about privacy and FB doesn't and 2. communication on there is so superficial that I couldn't see any reason to devote time to it. This was a long time ago, though, and after seeing you and others talk about toxicity - I'm glad I made that choice along with never having Twitter, etc.
 
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