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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

The year 2025 has been particularly eventful for Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka – with the successful release of The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, his original concept for Tribe Nine taking shape as a live-service game, as well as new game Shuten Order being just around the corner. Recently, Kodaka spoke to AUTOMATON about his relationship with the projects he took part in, mentioning that "creator-oriented" development is the key to creating unique games.

"Personally speaking, it would be good for Japanese game development to be more dependent on individual creators and focus on nurturing originality. That way, more uniquely Japanese games will get produced. That is one of the goals I set for myself, and it also comes with a sense of responsibility for the work itself." While it is quite difficult for creators nowadays to act individually given that they are usually bound by a company contract , Kodaka seems to be suggesting that having one "creator" become the face of a project would not only tie into the aspect of having more creative control over the game, but also place a certain amount of responsibility on the creator – as opposed to everything being attributed to a company name.

"If a project has my name or Too Kyo Games' name on it, regardless of who has the ownership rights, I feel the responsibility to sincerely confront players [of the games I worked on] no matter what." Case in point, Kodaka recently launched a revival project for the soon-to-be-discontinued ARPG Tribe Nine, whose concept he originally created but does not own the rights to. Forming the Neoneon Tribe doujin group alongside two key members of the original Tribe Nine development team, Kodaka will be reclaiming the game in a completely different format – with the intention of taking responsibility for what he and his peers created and providing the fans with a proper conclusion to the story.

On an additional note, Kodaka's stance on wanting a more creator-oriented game industry doesn't come as a surprise at all. The Danganronpa and Hundred Like creator has notably written nothing but original scenarios for over a decade, with his last involvement with an existing IP being 16 years ago.

Furthermore, in another interview with AUTOMATON, Kodaka expressed that he had always felt that this kind of individuality is what makes Japanese games Japanese. "I've always felt that the strength of Japanese games lies "on a different axis" from AAA-scale production. Games that have a strong sense of individuality, like those from the PS1 or PS2 era, feel very "Japanese" to me […] Nowadays, game development is becoming "product-driven," but for Japanese games to survive, I think we have to go in the opposite direction from what's happening overseas by doubling down on the creator-driven approach" Judging by thisit is very likely that he will continue delivering original stories and characters for as long as he is active – unless he decides to completely betray our expectations Kodaka-style once again.

The Hundred Line and Danganronpa creator says there would be more uniquely Japanese games if development was more creator-oriented and focused on individuality - AUTOMATON WEST

Kazutaka Kodaka told AUTOMATON about the importance of "creator-oriented" development and fostering individuality in game creation.

automaton-media.com

 

[Shadowplay1979]

So...insider on this world... yes 100 percent. The Game industry here has many advantages over the wests Uggo political fueled atmosphere. Originality is not one of them. Any company that isnt the biggest....are afraid to take any chances or do anything out of line. Its not the industry its just the rigidity of japanese culture in general which has become more insular since the economic bubble bursts of the 80s and 90s. This is why any company that isnt at the top of the chain just stands in the shadow of them, making ports and mobile slop. I would still rather work here then anywhere else and still would rather work on japanese games....just wish they would take some leaps of faith...or even attempt making smaller games. The AA scene here needs to get a leg up.

 

[Angry_Megalodon]

Creativity and individuality come together. When you throw in focus group, the input of exects and "the voice of many" everything goes to shit.

 

[Shadowplay1979]

Creativity and individuality come together. When you throw in focus group, the input of exects and "the voice of many" everything goes to shit.

Theres no focus group mentality here...its more like "this is the way its made and done so we will just make it this way"

"Hey i have an idea" Lets try adding...

"haha thats interesting, but the client wants to just do it this way"