"I'm just such a warped person": Nier creator Yoko Taro says he's "insufferable at work" and feels jealous of devs with "a place to belong"

1. Games
2. Action RPGs

"I'm just such a warped person": Nier creator Yoko Taro says he's "insufferable at work" and feels jealous of devs with "a place to belong" News By George Young published 30 January 2026

"I'm the worst. Even I acknowledge that"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Square Enix) Share Share by:

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Email

Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google

Yoko Taro, best known for his work on the Drakengard/Nier series, says that he finds it difficult to make "tight-knit friendships" at work because he is "insufferable" when working on a game. He also explains how he's jealous of those who create a studio with friends as they "have a place to belong."

In a conversation with Bayonetta and Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya for his studio's YouTube channel, Yoko talks about how his work as a freelancer differs from Kamiya's, who has created his studio Clovers with developers he works well with and trusts.

【SP#04】ヨコオが頼る、X最強男”神谷英樹”について -Cafe Four Leafの井戸端会議- - YouTube Watch On

"I've worked with many different people, on many different projects," Yoko says. "I think some people are better at making close friends than others. I'm much more in the latter camp. Maybe I'm just such a warped person, and that's why I don't get along well with folks.

You may like

• Nier creator Yoko Taro says he isn't prioritizing a new game, pleads for updates from people who are
• Nier creator Yoko Taro praises Devil May Cry icon Hideki Kamiya for his ability to "clap back" at annoying fans online
• Bayonetta's Hideki Kamiya is enjoying work "more than ever" since leaving PlatinumGames and starting his own studio

"When it comes to making those tight-knit friendships, I feel like I have failed at that during my career in the gaming industry," he continues. "And I'm actually jealous of you and anyone else who's managed to make their own company. You have a place to belong."

When Clovers CEO Kento Koyama chimes in that, from the outside, Yoko seems well liked, he responds, "that's the facade that people like me have to put on. We make it seem like we're giving it our all because we're foolish like that. I'm insufferable at work. I'm the worst. Even I acknowledge that."

He does say there is one situation in which he thinks his co-workers would like him. "If there was alcohol at work, I'd be great to work with," Yoko says in jest. "On account of I'd be drinking… [but] nothing good could possibly come of it." Kamiya encourages his friend, calling it, "a spirited defense of alcohol in the workplace."

Nier creator Yoko Taro says he isn't prioritizing a new game, pleads for updates from people who are: "Work comes second… well, probably third"

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. CATEGORIES Nintendo Switch 2 Xbox Series X PS5 PC Gaming PS4 Xbox One Nintendo Switch Platforms Nintendo Xbox PlayStation PRODUCTS Nier: Automata Nier George YoungFreelance News Writer

Freelance writer, full-time PlayStation Vita enthusiast, and speaker of some languages. I break up my days by watching people I don't know play Pokemon pretty fast.

Show More Comments

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Logout Read more Nier creator Yoko Taro says he isn't prioritizing a new game, pleads for updates from people who are    Nier creator Yoko Taro praises Devil May Cry icon Hideki Kamiya for his ability to "clap back" at annoying fans online    Bayonetta's Hideki Kamiya is enjoying work "more than ever" since leaving PlatinumGames and starting his own studio    Former Square Enix exec says "we would love to make more Yoko Taro games," but "the audience size isn't big enough for the costs" if you ignore the Nier games that are big enough for the costs    Smash Bros creator Masahiro Sakurai says "it can be really frustrating" working on massive games with hundreds of devs: "There is work that clearly shows your results and work that doesn't"    "I feel a strong need to prevent Japanese-style game development from being lost": 40-year games veteran argues Japan devs should make "unapologetically Japanese" games    Latest in Action RPGs Nier creator Yoko Taro praises Devil May Cry icon Hideki Kamiya for his ability to "clap back" at annoying fans online    How To Respec In No Rest For The Wicked    How To Play No Rest For The Wicked Co-op    Baldur's Gate 3 was $60 in Early Access and "I never loved that approach," No Rest For the Wicked dev says of new price    The Expanse: Osiris Reborn could finally make Owlcat mainstream: "We’d been feeling a growing ambition to go bigger"    Diablo veterans announce dark fantasy action RPG that "represents everything we've learned" about the genre    Latest in News "I'm just such a warped person": Yoko Taro says he's "insufferable" and feels jealous of devs with "a place to belong"    Hoppers is being called Pixar's funniest movie ever in glowing first reactions    Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs shout out fellow French studio's climbing sim launching with clever nod to their J'RPG    Tomodachi Life Living the Dream Switch pre-orders are here, and UK fans get a picture-perfect free bonus    Final Fantasy 7's Materia almost had a very different name before series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi stepped in    Star Wars fans have noticed that one detail about the Inquisitors makes no sense    GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS

1. 1This hidden role board game makes me feel like a puppet master, so Traitors fans should listen up
2. 2Cairn review: "This climber has a grip on me – even when it loses its footing with awkward systems, the challenge remains surmountable"
3. 3The Doom Arena Board Game is hell on Earth (in the best way) | Preview
4. 4This award-winning board game is a five star must-have
5. 5Code Vein 2 review: "This vampire take on Elden Ring almost works, but the dungeons themselves lack bite"

1. 1Return to Silent Hill review: "Neither an impressive adaptation nor coherent enough to act as a standalone film"
2. 228 Years Later: The Bone Temple review: "The wildest and weirdest entry into the franchise yet"
3. 3Avatar: Fire and Ash review: "Still a technical marvel, with some of the year's best action filmmaking"
4. 4Five Nights at Freddy's 2 review: "We have waited two years for a Five Nights at Freddy's 1.5"
5. 5Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery review: "Brings Knives Out back to its roots for a sequel that's almost on a par with the original"

1. 1Wonder Man review: "A low-key gem that's up there with the MCU's best"
2. 2Starfleet Academy review: "It may feel a little different to what we're used to, but this is Star Trek through and through"
3. 3A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms review: "This Game of Thrones spin-off is a surprisingly heartfelt and fun return to Westeros"
4. 4Stranger Things season 5 finale review: “Shows off both the best and the worst of Hawkins”
5. 5Stranger Things season 5, Volume 2 review: “All set up for a finale that has so much to deliver”