Danganronpa and The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy mastermind Kazutaka Kodaka has some words of wisdom for any aspiring developers – if you want to have an especially out there or creative project approved, lie.
Well, that's a bit of a crude summary, but it's pretty on point regarding Kodaka's actual words. As translated by Automaton, a new online post from the developer in response to a fan asking for advice on how to have their more ambitious or "out there" ideas approved by companies sees him suggesting people "deceive" their employers.
Yes, you read that right – and in a way, it does make sense. Lie your way to the top and all that.
"You've got to deceive the company," Kodaka writes, amusingly. "Pursuing creative work while in a company is impossible if you're someone who does whatever the company tells them."
He's not entirely wrong here – not all studios are willing to push boundaries, after all, and should devs simply comply without finding a way to incorporate their own creativity, they may never see it come to fruition… although, I suppose that's true of all jobs.
会社を騙すんですよ。会社の中にいながらクリエイティブがやりたいなら、会社の言いなりになってたら無理。言いなりになったフリをしてでもやりたい事をやる。会社を利用する。ま、それで何かあっても雇ったヤツが悪いw https://t.co/FFQEt4bchNFebruary 4, 2026
Kodaka continues, concluding that should things take a turn for the worse following a proposal… well, that's on the company. "Even if it means that you have to pretend to obey, keep doing what you like," he advises.
"Use your company. And if something goes wrong, the one who hired you is to blame anyways lol." As funny as it is to read, comments show folks agreeing with the Danganronpa lead.
Many point out that such a bold attitude is the right way to approach your work, and I'd say Kodaka would certainly agree. This is the same man who previously admitted he only makes games he likes, stating, "I don't care if they sell well or not" – a legendary line if I've ever heard one, honestly.
So, you've heard it here. Should you have a particularly *unique* idea you want to bring to life, maybe try a fib or two?
