(Continues from Part 2.)

Shindo: It’s your fourth year here Funahashi, and your sixth Ohkura. How do you stay motivated? For me, I try to think of the player. Games aren’t free, and they’re a significant investment of time. If we want people to play our games, we need to supply something worthwhile. Remembering that pushes me to give my all when creating something. It might sound obvious, but it’s important to me.

Funahashi: Me too. I always hope the player will enjoy what we make. None of the games I’ve worked on have been released yet, so I haven’t had a chance to see any user reactions first hand yet, but until then I’ll just have to make do with the reactions of my colleagues and the director.

Ohkura: I’d say I’m driven less by an external source of motivation, but from a knowledge that my current self does not quite live up to my ideal. The director and producer tell me, “Don’t worry, you can stay here as long as you like!” which is comforting. But realistically speaking, as a woman I have other things to worry about, like how I would make this job work if I wanted to start a family. I’m sure there are many other employees who have the same kind of worries. That’s why I want to work through those concerns and become someone capable of fitting all my goals.

Shindo: It always helps to have someone to look up to, someone who has been through the same things you have and can share their experience. For me that person is Kamiya, although everyone on the team has something I can learn from. I’m lucky to be able to work with everyone here at PlatinumGames. Games in this industry are often said to be pretty rough, but you also gain so much in return.

Ohkura: Yes, there are many people at PG with a lot of perseverance and straight-up guts. You make games together as colleagues and as friends. Although there are times when it can be tough, at the end of the day you’re doing something you love surrounded by awesome people.

Funahashi: I don’t consider myself someone with exceptional persevering power, but I must have something that got me through these first 3 years. What it is that allows you to keep persevering is different for each person. Unfortunately you usually won’t find ituntil you’re in a situation where you need it. That’s why I want to make games with people who choose to do things out of their own volition, not just because they were told to.

Shindo: I feel like there are a lot of people like that here. There’s something about PlatinumGames that just draws in that type of person. Maybe that’s why there are so many slightly weird people here.

Ohkura: There are a lot of people here who like to do things based on their own convictions.

Funahashi: Exactly. Even if your style doesn’t quite mesh with the company’s or team’s, I think it’s best to understand your own point of view and see what you have to bring to the table. If you do that, PlatinumGames is the kind of place where people will tell you, “As long as we achieve that common goal, just do it the way that works for you.”

interview by editorial studio MUESUM (2012/07/20)