Yoko Taro Reveals His Games Keep Getting Canceled
▼ Summary
– Yoko Taro’s most recent publicly released game was the mobile game 404 Game Re:set in 2023, which shut down in 2024.
– He has not released a major non-gacha Nier game recently, leading to public perception that he is not actively working.
– Taro clarified at G-CON 2025 that he has been working on projects, but many were discontinued during development and never released.
– He stated that he was paid for his work and has no personal issues with the cancellations, despite the lack of public releases.
– The article suggests that critics should be more understanding of developers like Taro, as unseen work does not equate to inactivity.
Many fans have noticed a significant gap in new releases from the celebrated game director Yoko Taro, whose last major public project was the mobile title 404 Game Re:set in 2023, a game that itself ceased operation the following year. Prior to that, he delivered the Voice of Cards trilogy across 2021 and 2022, as well as the enhanced version of Nier Replicant and the now-discontinued mobile game Nier Reincarnation. While enthusiasts eagerly await a brand-new, non-gacha Nier experience, the creative mind behind the series has not been idle, far from it.
During a recent panel at G-CON 2025 in Korea, where he appeared alongside Bayonetta director Hideki Kamiya, Taro offered a candid explanation for his apparent absence from the gaming scene. He revealed that multiple projects he has been involved with have been canceled during development, preventing them from ever reaching players. This insight came via a 4Gamer report, with translations provided by Automaton.
Taro addressed fan criticism directly, saying, “People often ask me, ‘Why aren’t you making a new NieR sequel?’ or say, ‘Yoko Taro isn’t doing anything.’ The truth is, a number of projects I was part of were discontinued partway through.” He went on to clarify, “I have actually been working on several things, it’s just that none of them made it to release. I was compensated for my efforts, so I don’t have a problem with it, but the public assumes I’ve been inactive because nothing has come out.”
It remains unclear exactly which projects were shelved or what the current status of any potential Nier title might be. Still, this revelation serves as a reminder that what happens behind the scenes in game development often differs greatly from public perception. For those inclined to voice frustration on social platforms, perhaps it’s worth extending some understanding, not only to Taro, but to developers across the industry who frequently face similar challenges.
(Source: Rock Paper Shotgun)
