shmuplations

Talking Game Design with Fukio “MTJ” Mitsuji

Added 2019-07-30 14:56:04 +0000 UTC

http://shmuplations.com/mtjdesign/

This 1989 feature, originally published in Gamest magazine, captures a discussion between some of Japan’s most accomplished arcade game designers, led by fellow Taito developer and regular Gamest contributor Fukio “MTJ” Mitsuji (1960-2008). While it ostensibly broaches the general topic of game design, the discussion tends to focus on the individual and shared work histories of the interviewees and the conception of popular games like Kazutoshi Ueda’s Mr. Do! and Michishito Ishikawa’s Wonder Boy.

In addition to this interview, Fukio Mitsuji actually published 10 other essays on game design in Gamest from 88-90, I believe. They're mostly related to arcade action/puzzle design (with occasional insights in Mitsuji's own games like Bubble Bobble), but I'm happy to translate them if there's interest (I'll be opening voting again in a couple days!).