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Nier's outspoken creator on why he includes atypical voices

"I don’t believe I’m some sort of example of someone anti-discrimination. In the past and up until this point of my life, I’m guilty of bullying, hating others."

Christian Nutt, Contributor

October 7, 2015

1 Min Read
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"I don’t believe I’m some sort of example of someone anti-discrimination. In the past and up until this point of my life, I’m guilty of bullying, hating others. I’m aware that I’ve done these things. Maybe it’s that sense of resignation that’s had an effect on the characters I’ve made."

- Nier and Drakengard series director Taro Yoko

Amongst the dedicated cult fan base who loves his games -- Nier and the Drakengard series --  Taro Yoko is well known for creating fascinating characters and situations.

In a new short interview from Japanese magazine Dengeki PlayStation, as translated by Doki Doki Kusoge, Yoko plays down suggestions his games are unusual -- "I don’t think they’re all that different from other games" -- while explaining his interest in bringing underrepresented characters into the story.

It's worth noting that the representation of Kainé, the character alluded to by the Dengeki interviewer, was not without controversy, which is complicated by the game's unusual setting.

If this leaves you curious about Yoko's ethos, you would do well to watch his engrossing GDC 2014 talk, "Making Weird Games for Weird People."

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