Danganronpa creator encourages devs to "deceive the company" to get risky projects approved: "If something goes wrong, the one who hired you is to blame anyways lol"

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"Use your company," folks

Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls
(Image credit: Spike Chunsoft)

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.

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?

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Anna Koselke
Anna Koselke
Staff Writer

After spending years with her head in various fantastical realms' clouds, Anna studied English Literature and then Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, going on to specialize in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has written for various publications since her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she's not frantically trying to form words into coherent sentences, she's probably daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every animal or she's spending a thousand (more) hours traversing the Underdark in Baldur's Gate 3. If you spot her away from her PC, you'll always find Anna with a fantasy book, a handheld video game console of some sort, and a Tamagotchi or two on hand.

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