Yoko Taro's 'Weird' Approach to Game Development Led to Nier: Automata's Success

Nier: Automata director Yoko Taro has a reputation for being weird and esoteric. However, his unconventional approach to game development may have been the key to the game's massive success. With the first Nier, released in 2010, the game featured two different protagonists, with a gruff older character on Xbox 360 and a boyish lead on PS3.

In the West, both versions used the older protagonist. That approach "didn't end in great sales," Yoko told The Guardian in 2018, "so we stopped overthinking it." Things changed for the launch of the RPG's follow-up in 2017. "For Nier: Automata, I wasn't told to target anyone," Yoko explains.

"I just made what I wanted to, and I tried to stay hidden from Square Enix as much as possible." Clearly, that approach worked. Nier: Automata turned out to be a breakout hit. Selling over 10 million copies and becoming widely recognized as one of the best RPGs ever made.

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Yoko's approach to game development has been met with a peculiar paradox: despite creating content aimed at the masses. His titles often resonate with an unconventional audience. This enigmatic phenomenon has led some to question the director's self-perception.

With Yoko himself seeming to acknowledge a disconnect between his intentions and the reactions of his fans. A self-deprecating humor appears to be a hallmark of his persona. With Yoko frequently poking fun at his own quirks and perceived shortcomings.

His entry into the game industry was not driven by grand ambition. However, rather a desire to express himself through a medium that allowed him to speak up.

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As a result, Yoko has come to accept a reputation as a "warped individual" who brings a unique perspective to his work, one that has earned him a devoted following among fans who appreciate his unconventional approach.

As PlayStation kills discs, Nier Automata creator Yoko Taro is saddened by the loss of physical media and despairs over the future of games: That's just the way things are going.