Day in the Life of a Japanese Game Designer

Summary

This video follows the daily life of Sha, a 29-year-old game planner living in Tokyo, who works at one of Japan's leading mobile game development companies. From his morning routine to managing game design projects, Sha’s day is filled with meetings, collaboration, and creativity. His role as a game planner involves guiding a team of developers to ensure the game aligns with its vision and deadlines. With an intriguing mix of work and personal life, the video provides an insightful look into the gaming industry in Japan, showcasing Sha's journey, teamwork, and passion for creating engaging mobile games.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sha, a 29-year-old game designer, lives in a spacious 1LDK apartment in the heart of Tokyo, which he moved into for its proximity to his workplace.
• 😀 After earning a master's degree in computer science from the prestigious Sapporo University, Sha was hired immediately by a Japanese gaming company.
• 😀 Despite his career in game development, Sha originally dreamed of becoming a chef, showing his diverse interests and creative potential.
• 😀 Sha works as a lead game designer at a large mobile game developer, Kopla, known for casual games like 'Shido Neco' and 'Meow Meow Star Acres'.
• 😀 In Japan, the job title 'game planner' is more common than 'game designer,' with planners managing the entire creation process of a game.
• 😀 Sha’s current project is 'Neco Golf,' a mobile game with a realistic animated golf course, and he works with multiple departments to ensure cohesive development.
• 😀 Game development in Japan often involves regular communication among diverse teams, including designers, coders, and sound composers, to align their vision for the game.
• 😀 The office provides various conveniences such as a rental book system, frozen meals, and mobile devices for testing and debugging games.
• 😀 Programmers in Japan commonly write code in English, but most comments and documentation are in Japanese, reflecting a bilingual work culture in tech.
• 😀 As part of his daily routine, Sha attends meetings, coordinates with the team, and tests the game’s progress, ensuring quality before release.
• 😀 After work, Sha often socializes with coworkers, visiting local spots near their office, and enjoys relaxing activities like golfing on weekends.

Q & A

What is Sha's role at his company, and what does it entail?

Sha works as a lead game designer, also known as a 'game planner' in his company. His role involves overseeing the development of mobile games, managing the team, and ensuring the game meets its vision and is completed on schedule. He guides various team members such as course planners, designers, and programmers to align their work with the overall concept.

How does Sha's educational background contribute to his career as a game planner?

Sha earned a master's degree in computer science from a prestigious university, which provided him with the technical skills necessary for game development. His interest in creating systems, which started from childhood, led him to pursue a career in game design, where he uses both his creativity and technical knowledge.

What kind of work environment does Sha experience in his office?

Sha works in a spacious office in Tokyo Midtown with about 800 employees. The office is equipped with various amenities such as vending machines offering gourmet meals, rental libraries, and multiple mobile devices for testing. It promotes a comfortable and efficient working environment, supporting the employees' creative needs.

How does the company handle game testing and bug fixing?

The company runs a thorough testing process by using simulators and real devices to ensure the game runs smoothly. The team plays the game together to identify any bugs before releasing it. They also continue to update and improve the game even after its release to keep it engaging for players.

What role does communication play in Sha's job?

Communication is crucial in Sha's role as a game planner. He must constantly interact with team members from various departments such as design, development, and effects to ensure all aspects of the game align with the intended vision. Regular meetings and constant feedback are essential to keep the project on track.

What does the company do to ensure employee well-being?

The company encourages healthier habits by providing each employee with a weekly free massage and promoting regular breaks to avoid long hours spent sitting at desks. This helps reduce the physical strain of working in a computer-intensive environment.

How does Sha stay creative and contribute to the development of games?

Sha stays creative by exposing himself to various forms of entertainment such as games, anime, manga, movies, and theme parks. These experiences provide him with fresh ideas and inspiration that he can incorporate into the games he designs.

What is the significance of Sha’s childhood interests in his current career?

Sha's childhood love for creating and building systems, whether with Legos or drawing, laid the foundation for his current career in game development. His passion for creation eventually led him to pursue computer science and later transition into game design, where his childhood interests in systems and creativity are fully realized.

What is the game Sha is working on, and why is it significant?

Sha is working on 'Neco Golf,' a mobile golf game with a realistic animated style where players can compete online. It is significant because it has taken years of development, and its release on the App Store represents the culmination of Sha’s hard work and the team’s efforts. It’s a big day for him as the game is finally scheduled for upload.

What challenges did Sha face when he started his career in game design?

When Sha started, he did not initially have a background in game planning. He had to develop management and communication skills to organize ideas and communicate effectively with his team. This was essential to transition from a creative role to a leadership role in managing the production of mobile games.