Insights into the Development of NieR: Automata
Yoko Taro, the visionary behind the NieR series, recently revealed that he was instructed to create NieR: Automata with a primary focus on the Japanese gaming market, without the pressures of international critique. This intriguing narrative came to light during his engagement on X (formerly known as Twitter).
A New Direction for Japanese Gaming
Shuhei Yoshida, a prominent figure at Sony and PlayStation, highlighted the significant impact of NieR: Automata on the Japanese video game landscape during a recent conversation with AV Watch. He noted that the title was pivotal in shifting the industry away from solely imitating Western styles and trends, particularly those popularized during the PS3 era. Yoshida confidently stated that the Japanese gaming sector experienced a resurgence post-NieR.
Behind the Scenes: Yoko Taro’s Reflection
Yoko Taro shared Yoshida’s commentary on his social media account, expressing gratitude for the recognition. He also mentioned that Yosuke Saito, the game’s producer, was the one who encouraged this localized approach. Taro recounted Saito’s directive to focus exclusively on the Japanese audience without fretting over foreign reviews.
“I remember he said something like ‘Yoko, you’re incapable of making games for overseas, so (at least) give it your best for the Japanese market.’”
Producer Responds: Clarification on Intent
Yosuke Saito later chimed in, humorously clarifying his original statement. He mentioned, “That’s not exactly what I said lol. What I meant was, because we’re Japanese people, there’s no need to go out of our way to appeal to overseas audiences. We can probably attract around a million people across the globe who want to play a Japanese game made by a Japanese person (the one and only Yoko Taro!)” Taro playfully responded, questioning if they were essentially conveying the same message.
NieR: Automata’s Global Availability
NieR: Automata is accessible to gamers worldwide on platforms including the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC. The anime adaptation is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll. Additionally, an exciting livestream event for the NieR franchise is scheduled for April 19, 2025.
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