• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

NieR: Automata Interview w/ Saito, Taro, Taura & Preview

H

Hektor

Member
Short summary of the interview: (english)

  • Q: Can we expect a reason as to why 2B is so sexily designed?

    Taro: I just love women!
  • The transparent bars during cutscenes are transparent because they're supposed to tell you you are in an story moment with uncontrollable character, while still allowing you to enjoy the art in the background
  • There might be a way to toggle them off in Nier 3
  • Taura ended up in this project because he was a big fan of Nier and volunteered instantaneously
  • Yoko Taro is by far the hardest person in the team to work with
  • Taura doesn't like doing the same thing twice, he says they didn't took a great deal from MGR, which may or may not be a good thing.
  • The difference with Nier and their older games is that they're trying to move away from the hardcore action niche, trying to make games that are more accessible.
  • In regards to regional changes/censorship, these decisions are done by regional teams of SE and outside their control, he is not aware that anything as been done for Nier: Automata in that regard, but regardless, his stories will still suck. (lol)
  • The ending is gonna be crap
  • Yoko Taro loves his female fans, but the guys he couldn't care less about. He might give them a hug tho.
  • Tauras answer to the question wether ever worked on Metal Gear Rising 2:
    "..."
About the preview session:(German)

  • They played 3 entire hours
  • The start of the game is supposedly really unusual and spectacular, but there's an embargo on the details
  • Your hub is a spacestation in black'n'white
  • You can change most things in the HUD (like you could in the demo)
  • The world is seamless, no loadingscreens
  • Some environments look ass (look up 4:20)
  • urf4Lrj.png

  • So do some NPC's
  • The combat system is expectedly less complex than a Devil May Cry or Bayonotta, but still feels very Platinum
  • Fans of Drakengard and NieR gonna find some nostalgic weapons
  • Every weapon can be slotted in either the light- or hardattack slot
  • Specific weapon combinations unlock exclusive and unique moves
  • NieR: Automata's banter between the characters reminds positively of OG NieR
  • The first three hours are full of genre swaps already
  • The Soundtrack made a good impression
  • There's gonna be a Jukebox that allows you to create your own soundtrack, including options like lyrics on/off
  • It's confirmed that the Demo is the first mission in the full game
  • The game is gonna be just as weird and charming as OG Nier
  • As example: (Spoiler for the first mission)
    if you die during the first mission you don't get back to a checkpoint but instead are presented with an exclusive ending and thrown back into the main menu
 
G

Grim Patron

Member
We got to do an interview and preview as well:

preview - http://www.godisageek.com/2017/02/n...nd-stunning-post-apocalyptic-visuals-preview/

Interview - http://www.godisageek.com/2017/02/nier-automata-interview-yosuke-saito-takahisa-taura/

my favourite bits:

“I mean, I was told by Mr. Saito here to go to work on the game in Osaka and work with these guys,” he says. “I was told that there was a really great, really talented development team there and it turns out it’s true, it’s great. All I have to do is sit there drinking beer all day and they make the game for me.”
Click to expand...

and

“It is very interesting looking at the reactions and all this praise coming from the fans and people are speaking so highly of it. I mean my story is really, really poor–it’s a piece of shit, really. It’s worth nothing, adds zero points into the review but Platinum Games action is worth 120 points. Overall, that’s 120% rating, so I think it’s worth it!”
Click to expand...
 
H

Hastati

Member
That's a very...Frank interview. I'd love to see a behind the scenes doc detailing all of the employees' complaints about Yoko Taro with mosaic and voice modulation.

Can't wait for the awful endings!
 
S

SilentRob

Member
Wow, thanks for the write-up Hektor! As usual, I'll try to answer and additional questions if there are any, though any story details are still under Embargo.
 
C

Crossing Eden

Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Servbot24 said:
Implication? You'll have to explain that one. Seems like he's just admitting that he designed a sexy character because he likes sexiness.
Click to expand...
It's the same implication as when the CD of FFXV said it's contradictory to want a non sexualized female party member. Subsequently, quotes like that imply that NOT having that mindset overtly means that you must not love the opposite gender enough.
Which let's be honest, gets reiterated near constantly in equality threads what with the accusations that we all just must hate breasts.
 
F

Funyarinpa

Member
Crossing Eden said:
It's the same implication as when the CD of FFXV said it's contradictory to want a non sexualized female party member. Subsequently, quotes like that imply that NOT having that mindset overtly means that you must not love the opposite gender enough.
Which let's be honest, gets reiterated near constantly in equality threads what with the accusations that we all just must hate breasts.
Click to expand...
I see that, but then again, I doubt we should be taking the phrasing at head value. The whole interview is really tongue-in-cheek, as you know. I doubt that that implication is conscious or sincere. Wasn't the FFXV debacle a serious answer?
 
S

Servbot24

Banned
Crossing Eden said:
It's the same implication as when the CD of FFXV said it's contradictory to want a non sexualized female party member. Subsequently, quotes like that imply that NOT having that mindset overtly means that you must not love the opposite gender enough.
Which let's be honest, gets reiterated near constantly in equality threads what with the accusations that we all just must hate breasts.
Click to expand...

I suppose he could have made his statement in a more sensitive and PR-contextualized manner, but honestly I think we all clearly understood what he meant. He likes sexy people and he expressed that by making a sexy character. He's not saying that that's all there is to women, or that if you don't like sexiness in the same way that he likes sexiness, then you don't care about women.
 
K

KZXcellent

Member
These other devs trying to explain their character designs with lore while Yoko Taro's like "I like hot girls"

Gotta respect him for being direct. Of course all these interviews have funny responses, the bluntness of this one was pretty great.
 
I

Inuhanyou

Believes Dragon Quest is a franchise managed by Sony
Crossing Eden said:
It's the same implication as when the CD of FFXV said it's contradictory to want a non sexualized female party member. Subsequently, quotes like that imply that NOT having that mindset overtly means that you must not love the opposite gender enough.
Which let's be honest, gets reiterated near constantly in equality threads what with the accusations that we all just must hate breasts.
Click to expand...

Er, that's pretty reaching. He can't just like sexy designs?

I see your going just shy of calling the guy a sexist it seems.
 
C

Crossing Eden

Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Funyarinpa said:
I see that, but then again, I doubt we should be taking the phrasing at head value. The whole interview is really tongue-in-cheek, as you know. I doubt that that implication is conscious or sincere. Wasn't the FFXV debacle a serious answer?
Click to expand...
I feel it's representative of a lot of the issues with some mindsets wen designing female characters.

Servbot24 said:
I suppose he could have made his statement in a more sensitive and PR-contextualized manner, but honestly I think we all clearly understood what he meant.
Click to expand...
PR isn't the issue.
 
S

SilentRob

Member
Jimmyfenix said:
even if there was a reason i would have expected it to be as stupid as kojimas reason was why quiet was designed that way as well.
Click to expand...

Eh, I'm not so sure about that. Kaine's ridiculous Outfit actually has a pretty good reason to exist and it makes sense why she would want to show off her feminity like that. Other characters even make fun of her based on her Outfit, not knowing the backstory. That stuff can work.

I think you are way overthinking it Eden. Taro loves to be as blatant and self-depricating as possible in Interviews. That's basically all this is.
 
C

Crossing Eden

Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
SilentRob said:
I think you are way overthinking it Eden. Taro loves to be as blatant and self-depricating as possible in Interviews. That's basically all this is.
Click to expand...
Blatant yes, self deprecating in that context and the context of how much a large section of the gaming community loves dehumanization and objectification?
Nada.

Palculator said:
I can't enjoy this game if the director loves women
Click to expand...
Try thinking a little bit harder about why that statement is problematic.
 
F

Funyarinpa

Member
Crossing Eden said:
Blatant yes, self deprecating in that context and the context of how much a large section of the gaming community loves dehumanization and objectification?
Nada.


Try thinking a little bit harder about why that statement is problematic.
Click to expand...

Is it problematic that a director has modeled a character after their sexuality?
 
D

Dio

Banned
Crossing Eden said:
Try thinking a little bit harder about why that statement is problematic.
Click to expand...
I don't think he intended what you're reaching for. I think all he meant was that he likes women in the sense that he's a heterosexual male and he's attracted to sexy ones, which is hardly offensive.

He is not implying that people who don't like the design don't like women.
 
SoldnerKei

SoldnerKei

Member
well, now we can't say the guy didn't warn us regarding the story lol

Q: Can we expect a reason as to why 2B is so sexily designed?

Taro: I just love cosplayed women!
Click to expand...

fix'd

I really need this game
 
S

Servbot24

Banned
Crossing Eden said:
Blatant yes, self deprecating in that context and the context of how much a large section of the gaming community loves dehumanization and objectification?
Nada.
Click to expand...

I agree it was not self-deprecation, but it was an avoidance of trying to justify anything. It's an "I like this type of design, so I made this type of design" comment. Yeah it's shallow and base, yeah I wish he would aim higher, but I don't feel as though he can be faulted either.

I am 100% for sensitivity and for designers trying to make a positive example on these types of issues, but the idea that him saying he enjoys women's figures is actually him saying that anyone who doesn't enjoy the same types of bodies that he enjoys must be a woman-hater... sorry, that just seems like a wild leap.
 
C

Crossing Eden

Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Funyarinpa said:
Is it problematic that a director has modeled a character after their sexuality?
Click to expand...
Nothing about 2b's design says anything about her sexuality, nor does anything she's doing, sexuality=/=sexualization and to answer your question yes. It's still a prevalent issue.

Dio said:
I don't think he intended what you're reaching for. I think all he meant was that he likes women in the sense that he's a heterosexual male and he's attracted to sexy ones, which is hardly offensive.

He is not implying that people who don't like the design don't like women.
Click to expand...
Most heterosexual men like attractive women, its' when that attraction starts to lead t objectification is when the issue arises.

Servbot24 said:
I agree it was not self-deprecation, but it was an avoidance of trying to justify anything. It's an "I like this type of design, so I made this type of design" comment. Yeah it's shallow and base, yeah I wish he would aim higher, but I don't feel as though he can be faulted either.

I am 100% for sensitivity and for designers trying to make a positive example on these types of issues, but the idea that him saying he enjoys women's figures is actually him saying that anyone who doesn't enjoy the same types of bodies that he enjoys must be a woman-hater... sorry, that just seems like a wild leap.
Click to expand...
I'm saying that's a bit of the implication, an implication that gets outright stated by large sections of the gaming community. And hell yes he can be criticized for adding to the pile and being shallow. Imagine if ND made a game with character designed like the women in Jak 2, they'd get a lot of criticism. The main implication I have a problem with is the idea that default for women=sexy based on that response. He seriously could've worded that a shit ton better.
 
R

Raptor

Member
So now if I like women that means I think women are nothing but hotness and sexy and nothing more and thats why I will design them that why because I think nothing more but ass and boobs.

Jesus Christ man.
 
F

Funyarinpa

Member
Crossing Eden said:
Nothing about 2b's design says anything about her sexuality, nor does anything she's doing, sexuality=/=sexualization and to answer your question yes. It's still a prevalent issue.
Click to expand...

You misunderstood me. I meant that Taro designed 2B around *his* sexuality. Is it amoral, in your opinion, for a developer to create a character that appeals to themselves?
 
S

Servbot24

Banned
Raptor said:
So now if I like women that means I think women are nothing but hotness and sexy and nothing more and thats why I will design them that why because I think nothing more but ass and boobs.

Jesus Christ man.
Click to expand...

It's not about your intention, it's about the statement that is (probably inadvertently) made when these characters are the face of the industry. There's nothing wrong with it on a personal level, there is potentially something wrong with it on a socially responsible level.

Btw in this case I have no problem with her design on any level. I really love it actually, for a number of reasons.
 
S

Setsu00

Member
Crossing Eden said:
I'm saying that's a bit of the implication, an implication that gets outright stated by large sections of the gaming community. And hell yes he can be criticized for adding to the pile and being shallow. Imagine if ND made a game with character designed like the women in Jak 2, they'd get a lot of criticism. The main implication I have a problem with is the idea that default for women=sexy based on that response. He seriously could've worded that a shit ton better.
Click to expand...

Taro said in another interview that he wants to make a game about an old lady having problems with her knees. If you want to take him at face value, be fair and take everything he says on face value.

Source: "Taro discusses the main character of 2B and jokes about the various ideas thrown about during development. “Certainly the star of the show is a female character, we did have discussions about making her an old lady, an old granny,” he laughs. “I want to play a game where you’re playing as an old woman and she saying ‘Oh, my knees!’ Maybe next time,” he says, shrugging."
 
C

Crossing Eden

Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Funyarinpa said:
You misunderstood me. I meant that Taro designed 2B around *his* sexuality. Is it amoral, in your opinion, for a developer to create a character that appeals to themselves?
Click to expand...
There's an orgy of that already in the industry, in this day and age, it's pretty problematic. And it's pretty backwards considering he at least tried to critique that aspect of it in the past.

Setsu00 said:
Taro said in another interview that he wants to make a game about an old lady having problems with her knees. If you want to take him at face value, be fair and take everything he says on face value.
Click to expand...
That would at least be more refreshing than another Waifu character
. Here's the thing, unlike a lot of the other things said, that one has some very real implications in comparison, especially since it's also been said by other devs recently.
 
R

Raptor

Member
Servbot24 said:
It's not about your intention, it's about the statement that is (probably inadvertently) made when these characters are the face of the industry. There's nothing wrong with it on a personal level, there is potentially something wrong with it on a socially responsible level.

Btw in this case I have no problem with her design on any level. I really love it actually, for a number of reasons.
Click to expand...

So he cant say he likes women?

I dont understand seriously whats the problem with his response.

what should he say "I like women but not because they......" Im at blank as to what he could say, he designed a sevy character, whats the reason? because he likes sexy characters in this case women, I guess Im naive then.
 
F

Funyarinpa

Member
Crossing Eden said:
There's an orgy of that already in the industry, in this day and age, yes. And it's pretty backwards considering he at least tried to critique that aspect of it in the past.
Click to expand...

I personally disagree that indulging in one's sexuality is anything immoral, regardless of other circumstances, but I do see your point. Let's agree to disagree.
 
S

Servbot24

Banned
Raptor said:
So he cant say he likes women?

I dont understand seriously whats the problem with his response.

what should he say "I like women but not because they......" Im at blank as to what he could say, he designed a sevy character, whats the reason? because he likes sexy characters in this case women, I guess Im naive then.
Click to expand...

He can totally say that, I have no problem with it. It's just good to always keep in mind that the way we behave and the things we make contribute to something much bigger than our individual selves. Even though I don't agree with Eden's specific points, I appreciate that he's considering the game in an larger context than just purely the game itself.
 
R

Raptor

Member
Servbot24 said:
He can totally say that, I have no problem with it. It's just good to always keep in mind that the way we behave and the things we make contribute to something much bigger than our individual selves. Even though I don't agree with Eden's specific points, I appreciate that he's considering the game in an larger context than just purely the game itself.
Click to expand...

Thanks for responding without calling me a close minded or anything.

I guess yeah I will agree to disagree with some of the points presented in this thread then :)
 
sensui-tomo

sensui-tomo

Member
Going to try to keep things on topic. Like how we have a hidden ending at the very beginning of the game. Love that we're going to be able to pick select music to play with the jukebox.
 
C

Crossing Eden

Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Servbot24 said:
He can totally say that, I have no problem with it. It's just good to always keep in mind that the way we behave and the things we make contribute to something much bigger than our individual selves. Even though I don't agree with Eden's specific points, I appreciate that he's considering the game in an larger context than just purely the game itself.
Click to expand...
Thank you for taking the time to see the point being made instead of a kneejerk "Oh I can't say I like women now?!"
 
C

Crossing Eden

Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
Raptor said:
See?

Lol.
Click to expand...
You missed the crux of the issue. No one is saying you can't say that you like women now. Consider the context of that statement in the way it was made and similar comments made by devs before.
 
Z

ZangBa

Member
Considering the first game, I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up ashamed of my words and deeds despite his reasoning for 2B's design.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Nier 3: Yoko Taro Reportedly Teases sequel at Concer"R3PENT"
Rumor 2
65
3K
Arsic replied
Nier Automata Sequel seems to be a mobile game (Nier Reincarnation followup)
Rumor Game Dev
32
1K
Hudo replied
Yoko Taro & Yosuke Saito Working on Project Separate from NieR; Announcement Planned 2024
News 2
64
3K
Werewolf Jones replied
Woman used Tinder to convince people to buy Nier: Automata gets approval from Yoko Taro
News Cringe 2
85
10K
EverydayBeast replied
Stellar Blade | Preview Thread
Opinion Event Hype 3 4 5 6 7
315
23K
Toots replied
Top Bottom