NieR: Automata is quite a unique experience, combining interesting worldbuilding and character designs with the brilliant and eccentric storytelling chops of Yoko Taro, and delivered through solid action and roleplaying elements. The heavy themes and philosophical undertones have also accentuated its appeal, and for Sony veteran Shuhei Yoshida, the game’s significance goes beyond commercial success — it represents a turning point for the Japanese gaming industry.
In a recent interview with AV Watch, Yoshida emphasized the crucial role NieR: Automata played in shaping modern Japanese games. According to him, the title single-handedly revitalised Japan’s game industry. Yoshida pointed out that during the PlayStation 3 era, most Japanese developers designed their games to cater to Western tastes, often compromising their unique cultural identity in the process. But then came NieR: Automata, a game that Yoko Taro developed without concern for its success outside Japan.
Yoshida believes that NieR: Automata‘s phenomenal success made many Japanese developers realise that games with a distinctly Japanese identity could also achieve global acclaim. This shift was so significant that he went as far as categorising the industry into two eras: pre-NieR and post-NieR, underscoring how pivotal the game was in redefining the industry’s direction.
Taro himself responded to the comments, agreeing with the analysis. He admitted that when Square Enix assigned him the task of developing NieR: Automata, they specifically asked him to create a game primarily targeted at the Japanese market, rather than focusing on Western audiences, with producer Yosuke Saito being the main driver of this approach.
Saito also shared his perspective on the matter. First, as a Japanese developer, he believed they did not need to conform to the tastes of foreign audiences. Second, he was confident that at least one million international players would be interested in experiencing an authentically Japanese game crafted by a Japanese team, especially one led by Yoko Taro.
Both Yoko Taro and Yosuke Saito have hinted on multiple occasions that they are currently working together on a new, undisclosed project. Given their past success, fans are eagerly anticipating what this mysterious collaboration might bring.
