Itagaki Recommends? Gambling!

Dead or Alive creator Tomonobu Itagaki is back with another masterclass in bad assery! When asked what advice he'd give to young game developers, Itagaki replied:

I think people should gamble more. Or [they should] play something like backgammon, a game that's not a video game but more of an analog traditional game... It really teaches you the core of game design... I think playing those types of games gives you the foundation... when you're gambling, you can't afford to have a chip on your shoulder. You have to make the right decision based on what the cards are in front of you. So you're constantly changing up your attitude and your position.

Picking up chicks and boozin' is a given, we guess! So take note, aspiring game makers and start saving your pennies. The backgammon table is calling you.
Advice to Aspiring Devs [MTV Multiplayer] [Pic]

3:00 AM on Wed Mar 19 2008
By Brian Ashcraft
1,590 views
26 comments

Comments

Nexus6 at 03:14 AM on 03/19/08
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Itagaki you sly ninja dog.
BPMμ at 03:22 AM on 03/19/08
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Connectedness Index: 261

Oh, Itagaki. What WON'T you say?
[laughter track]
deathsyth8888 at 03:22 AM on 03/19/08
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If only he can crate a game where he combines gambling and Dead or Alive girls. Man, now thats a triple-a title that would get alot of people addicted, one way or another.
Cruithne at 03:22 AM on 03/19/08
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A lesson in assery for sure, why you needed the adjective is beyond me.
He's a massive wanker.
Xiedo at 03:23 AM on 03/19/08
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Thanks, although the full article puts this into better context...
[www.mtv.com]
deathsyth8888 at 03:24 AM on 03/19/08
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@deathsyth8888: Ive got a great idea, Dead or Alive: Strip Poker. Yeah, now thats a million seller right there!
FranUnFine at 03:25 AM on 03/19/08
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@deathsyth8888: And so, Dead or Alive Exxxtreme Beach Strip Poker was born. Not really triple-a, but triple-xxx should do the trick, too.
H2oGatesy at 03:27 AM on 03/19/08
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Backgammon is soooo analog!

This guy is just the awesomeness.
celery at 03:29 AM on 03/19/08
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Connectedness Index: 0

From the full article, it sounds like he's preparing to shark the interviewer at backgammon. Which is awesome.
Ghede at 03:30 AM on 03/19/08
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Next the guy is going to say "Y'know, heroin isn't as popular as it used to be. We need to fix that."

... Funny thing though. I'm heading to a casino this weekend. Celebrating my birthday, as well as spring break.
little_dragon at 03:39 AM on 03/19/08
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@Ghede: Heroin will never go out of style! As long as the world remains as fucked up a place as it is right now, Heroin will allways be there, making life on this shithole of a planet a little more bearable...
UmeShoryu at 03:51 AM on 03/19/08
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To the naysayers, Itagaki is really onto something here! Who remembers this article? [kotaku.com]
If what Itagaki says about gambling teaching you the core of game design then Shiggy is walking proof. Everyone loves Mario, Zelda and Pikmin games, right?
luigilogik at 04:04 AM on 03/19/08
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you know what more people should masturbate, it's not a video game, it's more like getting analog with your digits...
shikaningen at 04:11 AM on 03/19/08
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@BPM X: Soul Eraser: Lulz

I wonder whether at any point in his life he's even been so much as on the verge, brink, cusp of realizing how spectacularly not cool he comes off.

At least take off those "super sweet" "badass" sunglasses. Good god.
Billkwando at 05:27 AM on 03/19/08
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Maybe Meatbun should sell WWID bracelets to remind developers how to be a badass.

I think Itagaki graduated from Cromartie High School.

@luigilogik: Oh man, how I laughed at that! Thanks for making my morning.
Captain Impulse at 05:33 AM on 03/19/08
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Connectedness Index: 130

@Billkwando: No matter how cool he thinks he is, Itagaki is still no where near cool enough to have gone to Cromartie High.
Lateralus63 at 05:58 AM on 03/19/08
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@UmeShoyru

Thats so true. Miyamoto used to be a gambler as well. I SEE SPOOKY CONNECTION.
catapult37 at 06:38 AM on 03/19/08
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"when you're gambling, you can't afford to have a chip on your shoulder."

How awesome is Itagaki? He speaks in Japanese, and ENGLISH PUNS come out.
MehGinla at 08:20 AM on 03/19/08
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That's some pretty terrible advice... Very very rarely will game companies hire game designers from outside their own walls, and even more scarce is hiring someone with no previous experience in the industry to be a designer.

Glad his advice is as ineffective as his looks...
cactaur at 09:16 AM on 03/19/08
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Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi already beat him to the Fighting/ Gambling/ Picking up girls game. Really diggin Yakuza 3 right now.
Phlycheez at 11:07 AM on 03/19/08
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If you look at the actual meaning behind what he says, he actually makes a good point. Something with those old games like Backgammon and traditional analog games made them appealing (which is why they're still around today). He's basically saying, work with what you got to make sure that you "win" aka, make sure the game doesn't blow solid chunks.
RonCey at 01:21 PM on 03/19/08
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Backgammon > *Your Favorite Video Game

I'm serious.
Desertwolf at 02:43 PM on 03/19/08
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@luigilogik: wow.. lol.. wow that's all i can say
subterfunk at 06:16 PM on 03/19/08
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can we have beach backgammon please?
Zero_Beat at 08:34 PM on 03/19/08
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Itagaki is a certified pimp Ninja. A Pimpja, if you will.
B33 at 06:13 PM on 03/20/08
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Anyone else view Itagaki as a sellout? Or do I stand alone on my views?