In addition to other Square Enix creators, Drakengard 3 producer Takamasa Shiba is featured in the company’s latest annual report as well. In a “Creator’s Voice” section of the report, Shiba describes his future ambitions.
Shiba, who is General Manager of Producer Management Division II at Square Enix, works as producer on the Lord of Vermilion series of arcade games, in addition to serving as producer on the Drakengard series.
“I am an omnivorous gamer, playing every genre from simulation to fighting games,” Shiba says. “Maybe this background is what has led me to produce a variety of products, from online games and arcade games to consumer Japanese role-playing games. Going forward, I want to produce games that would ‘leave a scar on players.’”
“This expression may be difficult to understand, but I’m talking about something like a ‘life-altering product,’ which may sound scary, too,” he continues. “I used to be a hard-core gamer playing PC and NES games, taking part in arcade game tournaments, and enjoying tabletop roleplaying games and board games every week or so. Those things made me who I am today. I’m sort of a ‘representative of people whose lives were changed by games.’”
Shiba adds, “As of today, in 2013, I think that games are not for the masses; rather, they are articles of taste. I want to create ‘authentic games’ that would ‘fanaticize’ people, and ‘change’ or even ‘trouble’ their lives. Those are the kind of products I want to produce.”
Shiba is currently working on Drakengard 3, along with creative director Taro Yoko. You can read comments from him regarding that game here.
Image courtesy Square Enix.
