Sonic Team: Kikizo Interview Spring 2005

We catch up with SEGA veteran, Yojiro Ogawa, to look back at Project Rub and discuss topical Sega matters, like PSP, Sammy's buyout and key Sega franchises.

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Kikizo: Is the DS easy to work with? What sort of special features of the DS would you like to see used more in future titles?

Ogawa: I feel it is easy to develop games for. Nintendo provides a lot of support and there was no particular problem in development. But besides that, this is hardware that stirs your imagination. So there's also this aspect that because it's enjoyable to create games for, it's also easier to develop on DS.

It is difficult to answer which functions we want to utilize. If it was a game console with just the double screen, we wouldn't be so interested. Same if it has the touch-sensitivity panel and sound recognition function only. So, if we have an opportunity to develop a title next time, we would like to interest users by employing voice recognition or radio communication in ways that are not available in other titles, taking advantage of all the DS functions.

Can you think of a suitable reason to include these hot
Sega chicks in this interview? Neither could we!

Kikizo: What DS games by other developers are you most looking forward to?

Ogawa: Because the DS itself is so unique, I am interested in all upcoming titles right now. I just wonder, "what they are doing on this title?" and in that sense, I suppose all the software contains the challenge of something new and I am looking forward to them.

Kikizo: Are you working on PSP as well and if so are you more excited about working on it?

Ogawa: I really only took glances at what the other team is doing for the platform during. However, in my personal opinion, both platforms are good. Since PSP and DS have different goals, it is hard to compare them, and I cannot see any point in doing so. Their audiences, and what users expect in them, are both different. Right now, there is no direct proposition that I will develop a PSP title, but a chance may appear in the course of time. If that opportunity arises, I would like to offer new gaming styles after considering the PSP audience carefully.

Shadow is going to shoot you up.

Kikizo: To what extent is Yuji Naka involved Sonic Team projects like Project Rub?

Ogawa: Naka-san checks games at important stages of development on a case-by-case basis, and makes adjustments to directions. But he is very involved with development, and we were told to readjust things down to the minutest details. He also gives feedback on ideas for a title, like package designs or the logo. I assume it was a quite a job for the developers since they were told to constantly redo things by both Naka and myself. Some ideas, such as blowing out candles, also came from Naka.

Sonic Team boss Yuji Naka with a Ferrari 360

Kikizo: How do Sega's studios feel after the Sammy takeover?

Ogawa: There has been nothing significantly different to affect us; to be honest the atmosphere changed more in the past when the studios became separate companies. At that time the sense of tension increased. Now that we have been re-integrated, we are keeping in step again to become an enormous force.

Watch out for the new Phantasy Star next month

Kikizo: What direction do you think the industry is headed? Where would you like it to go?

Ogawa: I can talk only about my very personal opinion of course! But besides games, other rivals have emerged, such as cellular phones, the Internet, and low-price DVD. Games should be bought and played more readily, I think. Currently, you need to purchase game hardware for exclusive use and go to a game store to purchase expensive software. For instance, with a DVD, you can play it even if you purchase a player made by any manufacturer. Also, unless it becomes possible to obtain titles in more general shops such as bookstores, games have no chance against other forms of amusement.

Next, we should create games that are more closely associated with people's lifestyles. And finally, we must reconsider the appreciation of game creators and the relationship between publishers and development departments. Because that story is likely to be a long one, I look forward to resuming it when we go out for a drink!

Thanks to Ogawa-san for his time. We'll bring you more top-notch Excitement Company stuff over the coming weeks.

For more top videogame interviews, look here!

Kikizo Staff
Demanding a proper game based on Sega's iDog

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