Insert Credit Gaiden #10 - Brandon in Tokyo, 2024
Digest
This podcast documents Brandon Sheffield's trip to Japan, focusing on his experiences at the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) and interactions with various game developers and industry figures. The journey begins with a personal travelogue, including visits to unique locations and encounters with local culture. Several interviews are featured, including conversations with Christian Whitehead (Evening Star), discussing his work on the Sonic franchise; Paul Veer (indie developer), sharing his experiences with Neo Geo Pocket Color games; Hunter Bridges (Evening Star), detailing his work on Sonic Mania and a Neo Geo Pocket Color emulator; and Johan Leclerc, a translator, discussing the challenges of translating Japanese games. The podcast also includes interviews with Dylan Cuthbert (QubicGames) at TGS, and Casey from Tokyo Indies, discussing their upcoming Game Boy game, "Marin's Day". Beyond the interviews, the podcast recounts humorous and frustrating experiences, such as navigating the TGS business pass system, losing a rented chair at Tokyo Designers Week (TDS), and losing a Pasmo card. The podcast also includes a visit to a Nintendo museum and observations about Tokyo's indie game development scene. The overall tone blends professional insights into game development with personal anecdotes and observations about Japanese culture.
Outlines
Japan Trip & Game Dev Interviews
This episode opens with an introduction to Brandon Sheffield's trip to Japan, followed by a travelogue and interviews with various game developers, including those working on the Sonic franchise and indie projects. Discussions cover 2D vs. 3D development, the challenges of indie game development in Japan, and the cultural nuances of translation.
Yumi Komiyama Interview & Cultural Experiences
Brandon visits Yumi Komiyama at Sega, discussing her work and experiences in Japan, including anecdotes about her family shrine and nightlife.
Indie Dev Interviews & Neo Geo Pocket Color Focus
Interviews with Paul Veer (indie developer) and Hunter Bridges (Evening Star) focusing on their work on various projects, including Sonic Mania, and their passion for Neo Geo Pocket Color games and emulation.
Translation Challenges & Industry Transitions
An interview with Johan Leclerc (translator) discusses the challenges of translating Japanese games, followed by an interview with Brad Flick, who transitioned from film/television to game development.
Tokyo Game Show (TGS) & QubicGames
A surprise interview with Dylan Cuthbert (QubicGames) at TGS, discussing his return after 15 years and the launch of "All You Need Is Help," followed by impressions of the show.
Nintendo Museum & TGS Logistics
A visit to a Nintendo museum is described, highlighting unique features like Game Boy cartridge-designed lockers. This is followed by a discussion of the frustrating experience of obtaining a business pass at TGS.
Tokyo Designers Week (TDS) & Tokyo Indies
The speaker recounts a frustrating experience at TDS, followed by an interview with Casey from Tokyo Indies, discussing their game "Marin's Day" and the Tokyo indie game scene.
Lost Pasmo Card & Concluding Adventures
The lockers were designed to look like Game Boy cartridges.
Keywords
Tokyo Game Show (TGS)
Annual video game trade show in Tokyo, Japan.
Indie Game Development in Japan
The process of creating and releasing independent video games in Japan.
Neo Geo Pocket Color
A handheld game console released by SNK in 1999.
"All You Need Is Help"
A new push-em-up puzzle game released by QubicGames.
Tokyo Indies Meetup
A game developer meetup group based in Akihabara, Tokyo.
Pasmo Card
An IC card used for electronic payment on public transport in Tokyo.
Indie Game Development
The process of creating video games independently.
Reverse Engineering
Analyzing a system to identify its components and interactions.
Q&A
What are some of the unique challenges of indie game development in Japan?
Challenges include securing funding, navigating cultural differences, and marketing/distribution.
What is the significance of the Tokyo Game Show for indie developers?
TGS provides an opportunity to showcase games, network, and gain exposure, but requires significant investment.
What are some memorable experiences Brandon Sheffield had during his trip to Japan?
Visiting a unique cabaret club, exploring a small town, and encountering unusual shops and restaurants.
What was the most frustrating aspect of the speaker's Tokyo Game Show experience?
The incredibly inefficient process of obtaining a business pass.
What unique feature did the speaker highlight about the Nintendo museum?
What happened to the speaker's Pasmo card?
The speaker lost their Pasmo card, and replacing it proved challenging due to an IC chip shortage.
What game is Casey working on?
Casey is developing "Marin's Day," a Game Boy game.
Show Notes
Brandon Sheffield roams the streets and parties of Tokyo Game Show 2024, interviewing famous developers, spotting soba restaurants affiliated with drift tracks, and espousing the beauty of Neo Geo Pocket sprites. Hosted by Brandon Sheffield, with Christian Whitehead, Paul Veer, Hunter Bridges, Yohan Leclerc, Brad Flick, Dylan Cuthbert, and KC. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman.
Chapters:
- starting things off with caveats (00:24 )
- a town called suwa (01:19 )
christian whitehead, are you sonic’s step dad? (14:31 )
paul veer, tell us about fuga memories of steel (23:13 )
hunter bridges, say what you were trying to do with the neo geo pocket emulator (28:43 )- yohan leclerc, what do you think about the encroaching AI problem? (35:10 )
brad flick, tell us about dialogue editing (40:09 )- running into dylan cuthbert on the train (46:59 )
- the process for getting a business pass at tokyo game show (01:07:59 )
kc, what happened to your other chair? (01:10:37 )- last day in tokyo (01:13:35 )
- mission success (01:15:56 )
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