SEGA and Atlus Japanese creators talk 2017 ambitions

SEGA and Atlus Japanese creators where a part of a series of interviews conducted by the Japanese website 4Gamer, in where they listed their favorite games of 2016 and what they thought 2017 held for them as creators. The SEGA and Atlus Japanese creators that were included in the interviews included:

Toshihiro Nagoshi (Yakuza series general director)
Masayoshi Yokoyama (Yakuza 6 chief producer)
Mizuki Hosoyamada (Puyo Puyo series general producer)
Shigeo Komori (First Production director at Atlus)
Kazuyuki Yamai (First Productiong director Atlus)

As a bonus, they even have Tetsuya Mizuguchi, who left SEGA over a decade ago but with the re-release of Rez Infinite it seems he can’t completely cut his ties with the company. If you didn’t know Rez Infinite is considered by many to be one of the best titles on PlayStation VR, so the game has gotten extra attention from mainstream media. Which of course is fantastic since he is a great creator. You can read what games these SEGA and Atlus Japanese creators liked in 2016 and what they hope to accomplish next year, read it all after the jump.

[Source: Gematsu]

Toshihiro Nagoshi, Sega Director and Yakuza Series General Director at Sega

Known for: Yakuza series

Favorite (non-)title of 2016: PlayStation VR

“This year we released Yakuza 6: The Song of Life and achieved a milestone for the Yakuza series. I think that there are pros and cons to the end of the story of Kazuma Kiryu, who served as the protagonist for more than 10 years. Be that as it may, I will work hard to create content that both myself and my staff can enjoy. I also think that’s a way to give back to Kazuma Kiryu. Sooner or later, I want to announce something different. Please look forward to it.”

Masayoshi Yokoyama, Yakuza 6 Chief Producer / Scenario and Production at Sega

Known for: Yakuza series

Favorite title of 2016: Summer Lesson: Hikari Miyamoto Seven Days Room

“Now that we have completed the ‘final chapter of the Kazuma Kiryu legend,’ I think that 2017 will be a year where we take a step towards the ‘future.’ I am thinking about how we can provide a way to offer a new Yakuza that connects everything so far with the future.”

Mizuki Hosoyamada, Puyo Puyo Series General Producer at Sega

Known for: Puyo Puyo Chronicle, Puyo Puyo Quest, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Puyo Puyo series

Favorite (non-)title of 2016: NES Classic Mini

“We’re considering announcing something around mid-January, so I’ll be happy if everyone can get excited.”

Shigeo Komori, First Production Director at Atlus

Known for: Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Legends

Favorite title of 2016: Final Fantasy XV

“In 2017, the Etrian Odyssey series will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Thank you very much to everyone who has supported the series so far. Thank you for sticking by Etrian Odyssey.”

Kazuyuki Yamai, First Production Director at Atlus

Known for: Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse

Favorite title of 2016: Pokemon GO

“Next year, the Shin Megami Tensei series will celebrate its 25th anniversary. In order to respond tho the encouragement we have received from everyone and to even the smallest valuable opinions, I hope to make a variety of preparations through events and such.”

Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Representative at Enhance Games

Known for: Sega Rally Championship, Space Channel 5, Lumines, Child of Eden, Rez Infinite

Favorite title of 2016: The Last Guardian

“From here on, I want to continue creating new experiences. Particularly, I will continue to focus on virtual reality. Rez Infinite still has various developments and much more evolution, so please look forward to it.”