EMPLOYEE INTERVIEWS

Game Designer

A Game Designer with a global perspective unifying the Japan and the world

Joined in 2023

Game Designer Y.N.

＼ Career Path ／

Studied English in the U.S. as a high schooler, broadening their understanding of player perspective through different forms of media.
Joined SEGA with a focus in live ops for mobile titles, managing social media and planning content based on player feedback.
Currently based at SEGA of America, bridging the teams in Japan and the U.S. while planning initiatives tailored to local audiences.
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Q1
What I Studied

During my high school years, my family moved to the U.S., and though I could barely speak English, I attended school. And I worked like crazy to improve at the language. I kept up my studies after returning to Japan and set my sights on a career in entertainment. This led me to try out many new things. Not just games, but also watching movies, anime, sports matches, and even taking part in matches myself. This broadened my horizons, and has helped me understand the mindsets of the players in my current position.

Q2
Why I Joined SEGA

I wanted to work at SEGA. They have so many globally beloved IPs, and they've continually taken on new challenges, especially in its pursuit of global expansion. During my interview, I learned that the company encourages people to speak up when they want to do something. That willingness to let people try new things resonated with me. Plus, I was impressed by the learning opportunties that SEGA provides. This was a place where I could improve my English skills, and challenge myself in a global environment. That's why I joined.

Q3
My First Assignments at SEGA

I was a game designer working on live ops for mobile titles. I handled everything from online event announcements to designing the in-game events themselves, and I saw how much live service titles could change day-by-day. When the events I worked on would go live, I'd rush to social media for the reactions, and I could tell that my work was bringing joy to our users' lives. And it was also rewarding to use everyone's feedback to improve future events.

Q4
Biggest Surprise After Joining SEGA

Before joining, I imagined game designers as craftsmen who worked independently, single-mindedly perfecting their technical expertise. In reality, even as a newcomer, my peers encouraged me to share my ideas, and they always listened to what I had to say. During playtests, it didn't matter if you were a game designer, an artists, or a programmer. Everyone shared their ideas to make the best possible experience for players. Seeing people from different disciplines come together to create a single game was unexpected, in the best possible way.

A look at Anime Expo, where Y.N. helped set up and staff the event

Q5
Current Duties

I'm currently working at SEGA of America. I'm responsible for the coordination between the developers in Japan and our local marketing and sales teams. That doesn't mean I just relay messages from the Japan side. Rather, I share insights on U.S. culture and player preferences, and suggest ideas that will work for the local market. With my business and planning experience, I design initiatives that resonate with players in each region.

Q6
Motivation and Successes

One experience that really stands out was organizing a stage event for one of our titles at Anime Expo, a major annual event in the U.S. I coordinated with the teams in Japan and the U.S., handling everything from planning and preparation to running the event. The venue was packed, and when the music started, the crowd was on their feet, singing and dancing along. Seeing all that preparation turn into such excitement from the fans was incredible and reminded me why I love working in entertainment.

Q7
Future Goals

I'd love to create games and IPs that reach audiences around the world and stay with them for years to come. Working in the U.S. helps me understand different cultures and player preferences, and I can hone both my business and creative skills. I like various genres, but I'm particularly into sports games and games you can play with friends, whether co-op or competitive. My goal is to become a producer, so I plan to keep growing and become a person who can see the bigger picture and lead a project from start to finish.

Q8
SEGA's Appeal

What I love about SEGA is that everyone is encouraged to speak up and try new things, regardless of age or role. Speaking from experience, I put myself forward for a position in the U.S. early in my career, and my boss willing to let me go for it. People are open to ideas from newcomers too, so taking the initiative can open up all kinds of opportunities. Whether in Japan or the U.S., everyone shares a passion for creating great experiences and delivering them worldwide. This is a supportive environment where you can seek advice as you branch out to new experiences.

Q9
Message to Applicants

I'd love to work with people who embrace change, think for themselves, and are eager to take on new challenges. There's still a lot I have to learn, and I see all these new experiences as an opportunity for me to grow. Making games is a team effort, and it's important to hear from people with different roles, cultural backgrounds, and perspectives. If you're a team player who is eager to keep learning, isn't afraid to speak up, and wants to bring joy to the world through video games, we'd love to have you aboard.

Q10
A Recent Highlight

I recently watched a basketball game at Cosm in the U.S., with the massive screen putting me right in the court, I was blown away. For one thing, I played basketball in middle school, but what struck me was that the leaps we've made in technology have completely transformed how we watch sports.

A Typical Day

10：30 AM　
Arrive at the office
11：00 AM　
Internal meetings at SOA
12：00 AM　
Lunch break
1：00 PM　
Prepare materials
2：00 PM　
Meeting with a local advertising agency
3：00 PM　
One-on-one meetings with my manager
4：00 PM　
Prepare for meetings with SEGA (agenda checks, team correspondence, etc.)
5：00 PM　
Meetings with SEGA
7：00 PM　
Leave the office
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