Nier: Automata mastermind Yoko Taro has spoken out about the many annoying comments developers face from players online – but one person in particular is known for just not taking them: Devil May Cry, Okami, and Resident Evil icon Hideki Kamiya.
Speaking in a recent episode of Cafe Four Leaf, a talk show hosted by Kamiya, Taro speaks on the fellow dev's ability to "clap back" at rude fans on social media. For anyone unaware, Kamiya is well-known for comparing folks to insects and, well, blocking just about anybody who dares to be disrespectful in any capacity.
If you've not witnessed it yourself, just go to his Twitter account and behold – it's downright glorious.
Yoko seems to agree. "When you're a game creator and a public-facing personality, you draw attention from a lot of people, including some real weirdos," he says. "Some of them say things that are seriously absurd or out of line. But since they're your customers and your audience, you can't really clap back at full force."
This is a sentiment that Kamiya doesn't appear to buy into, though. He just… claps back anyway.
As Yoko puts it, "But Kamiya does clap back. He just tells them, 'Go away, you insect!' Just like how there are people who will tell you off in real life when provoked, I think it's a net positive to instill the fear that there are also game creators who have that edge." The Nier legend concludes, "That's why I think having Kamiya-san around as a game industry peer is super reassuring."
Unsurprisingly, Kamiya feels the same. "A lot of people assume we'll sit there and be their punching bags, so they get stunned when you suddenly punch them back," he admits – and even though he's a formidable foe to many on social media, his colleagues say he's different in person.
I get it, honestly… you're not the same online as you are in reality, and it's never easy dealing with the mindless hatred some people just can't seem to shy away from spewing. Rock on, Kamiya.
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