From IGN · Verity Townsend · · 1m
NieR Creator Yoko Taro on Dementia Fear
Yoko Taro says fear of dementia keeps him working despite wanting to retire.
In brief
Yoko Taro says fear of dementia keeps him working despite wanting to retire. Yoko Taro, creator of NieR, would retire from video games but fears dementia and continues working to prevent it. Originally reported by IGN.
Yoko Taro's retirement plans
Yoko Taro says he wants to retire from video games but has no current projects.
“I’m done with working. I don’t want to do it anymore.”
Dementia fear motivates work
Yoko Taro fears developing dementia in old age and keeps working to prevent it.
“This is good for preventing dementia.”
First game as director
Yoko Taro completed his first game as director in 2003 with Drakengard.
“With Drakengard, the first game I was given the opportunity to direct, I was actually able to do almost everything the way I wanted”
Game industry changes
Yoko Taro says game industry options for creators have broadened since his time.
“I think this competition will gradually spread like fire from the younger generations to the older generations of developers”
Current projects
Yoko Taro is writing a Neon Genesis Evangelion TV series and working on mobile games.
“Since 2021’s Nier Reincarnation and the reboot of Nier Replicant, Taro has worked on the Voice of Cards RPG series and 2024 mobile title 404 GAME RE:SET”
Project cancellations
Yoko Taro has had many projects canceled during development without release.
“I often get told stuff like, 'Why aren’t you making a new sequel to NieR?' or, 'Yoko Taro isn’t doing anything'”
Future of game industry
Yoko Taro expects AI to create opportunities for younger game creators.
“I think that recently AI and various technologies have created a breeding ground where creators in their teens and 20s, who are even younger than Mr. Okabe, can freely create things”
The main idea
Yoko Taro, creator of NieR, would retire from video games but fears dementia and continues working to prevent it.
