Toshihiro Nagoshi: Kikizo Interview 2005

Sega's top development executive talks about PS3, Xbox 360, Revolution, arcades, Ryu ga Gotoku, Monkey Ball DS and loads more.

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Kikizo: It's almost hard to believe that this game comes from the same designers as the cute and cuddly Monkey Ball games... What inspired the change in tone?

Nagoshi: Well, really, I've done a lot of different games in all kinds of genres. Driving games, action games, network games, fighting games... this is just an idea that I haven't done before, and something that I hope players out there will enjoy. I'd really like people to think that I am a person with a wide variety of works.

Kikizo: There are a lot of gang-based games in the west recently. Why did you make a game centered around Yakuza rather than a wider-known western concept?

Nagoshi: It's a pretty common and easily understandable theme here in Japan. But at its core, it's really a human drama with an exciting theme.

"Old-look" Nagoshi

Kikizo: It seems like there will be a lot of cinematics in the game. How do you plan to integrate them with the main gameplay?

Nagoshi: Yes, there's a lot. The game has different parts: interaction parts, battle parts, and movie parts. We're trying to place them all, especially the movie parts, in places that best suit the story and serve to heighten the sense of drama. We think we're doing a good job.

Kikizo: What sort of abilities does Kiryu have?

Nagoshi: I think really his only ability is the strength of his body and his conviction. As for fighting... this isn't pretty martial arts fighting, like Shenmue or Virtua Fighter. You won't have flashy attacks and lengthy combos. These are very gritty, fierce, realistic brawls. Kiryu will be able to learn new fighting skills as he levels up, however.

Kikizo: We see that there are pachinko and slot machines in the game. Can we expect to see authentic Sammy models in the game?

Nagoshi: That's one of those nice benefits that comes from the merger. [laughs] You'll see a lot of the more recent models.

Kikizo: Do you have anything planned for next-gen platforms at this time?

Nagoshi: We've got something in the works, but it's not at the level where we would be able to announce it yet. We're currently doing study and research.

Kikizo: Were you involved in any way with the development of Shining Force Neo?

Next-gen: Nagoshi has "something in the works"

Nagoshi: Not really. I was the producer of the title, but most of it was done by a different part of the team.

Kikizo: Are we going to be seeing a lot of mini-games in Monkey Ball DS?

Nagoshi: Of course! Multiplayer games will be present. We're not sure about any sort of internet play yet, but you'll definitely have local wi-fi capabilities.

Kikizo: So all the control is done via stylus?

Nagoshi: Most of it. You'll still be using the normal buttons every now and then.

Kikizo: What is the second screen used for?

Nagoshi: Various things, like displaying cute pictures and animations of the characters, or maps, or other assorted things.

Kikizo: You drive a Ferrari, so does Naka-san, and a few other people at Sega do so as well. Why do you think so many people at Sega drive Ferraris?

Nagoshi: A lot of people enjoy high-class vehicles like Ferraris. I'm one of them! Every kid wants a cool car...and I guess I'm just a really big kid [laughs]!

Kikizo Staff
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