GameCity '07: Keita Takahashi talks Noby Noby Boy

The oddball genius behind Katamari Damacy shows off the first technical demo of his latest project, shares insight into his creative process, and talks about the fights he has with his neighbours.

Game director Keita Takahashi took to the stage in front of a packed audience to talk about his new game, Noby Noby Boy, and immediately kicked off his shoes.

"I'm very nervous," he said, and talking through a translator, explained that he would play some soothing "forest sounds" to give the auditorium a more relaxed atmosphere. He then added that two days before coming to the UK, his favourite sandals had broken, which he had been worried was a sign that the plane might crash.

A preview of a very early version of Noby Noby Boy.

He also told us that the neighbours on the floor beneath his apartment were very noisy, and that he was waging a plant war against them by planting crawling ivy across his balcony so it would "grow down and remind them that there is someone living above them. Do you think they'll be angry? I can't wait."

Takahashi told the audience that he didn't want to talk about Katamari Damacy, as he was "sick of it." He then fired up a PlayStation 3 and showed the assembled guests the technical build of the game he is currently working on, titled Noby Noby Boy. Noby Noby means "stretch" in Japanese, but also, like many Japanese words, has several other meanings. Takahashi explained, "In Japan, Noby Noby also means postponed, which shows this is the right name, as it has been postponed."

The game does not have a definite date for release yet and is obviously still in the early stages, although Takahashi did reveal that it would be a PlayStation 3 exclusive. He handed out controllers to the audience, showing that up to three people could play at once, taking control of the Noby Noby Boy, who can do such things as stretch, jump, eat animals, eject them from his nether end intact, and lasso creatures by circling them. He also showed that animals will be able to hop on to Noby Noby Boy and enjoy a free ride.

Talking about his latest project, Takahashi admitted, "People do not understand it yet, even my boss. I think it looks fun."

He also berated the industry for a lack of creativity. He said, "Just as people have different personalities, in terms of games, you can make your own rules to develop and play. But in reality, we rarely see such variety. I wonder why?"

Takahashi also used his forum to remind people the importance of caring for the environment and doing such things as recycling rubbish and being nice to people in the street. He said, "I don't know about the future, but we will see more of the darker side of the earth. I really think so. I don't know if we can afford to have video games in 10 or 20 years' time...video gaming is good, but also it's a luxury. You can't play video games unless you're financially well off."

For more on Keita Takahashi, check out GameSpot's interview with him.

37 Comments

  • lamprey263

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 2:43 pm PT

    When you think about that last paragraph, maybe that's why the PS2 is still selling, because it's finally at an affordable price for most people being at $130, with good older games going between $10 to $20 a piece new.

  • RufustheSage

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 1:30 pm PT

    Love the last paragraph, speaks so many truths.

  • mattrix33

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 12:55 pm PT

    noby noby...lmao..what a crudola name

    WWW.theGAMINGREVOLUTION.COM

  • Razzi65

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 11:17 am PT

    last paragraph is a bitter reality... we should think abt it....

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 11:07 am PT

    Very surprised he is making it only for the PS3, I wonder if sony is paying him off. Anyway still dont have a clue how good it will be, but if its really good im going to be hoping he ports it to the 360.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 11:03 am PT

    Did I just read that Noby Noby boy can eat people and poop them out intact?

    AWESOME!

  • pastro243

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 10:01 am PT

    ps3 exclusive, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gwzK7us7XQ

  • PS3Compass

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 9:50 am PT

    And look, IT'S A PS3 EXCLUSIVE!!!!!!!!!! Lol.

  • RebornJeremiah

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 8:48 am PT

    We need more of this kind of developer. This guy knows what he is talking about.

  • carljohnson3456

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 7:57 am PT

    Look forward to it. Good to see someone not afraid to develope for the PS3!

  • weiz

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 7:20 am PT

    This guy is the next Yoot Saito. A cookie to anyone who knows who that is.

  • drogaz

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 6:36 am PT

    This guy is just as insane and random as the games he creates. Anyway, this game definitely looks interesting. I'll be keeping my eye on it.

  • lionelchu

    Posted Oct 29, 2007 1:12 am PT

    i'll probably buy this game just because this guy intrigues me so... his policy... be nice to people, take care of the planet, and be original. i'm sure this game will be great but awkward just like katamari.

  • jacob-goodlich

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 11:40 pm PT

    he seems like such an alive guy, not like kojima. but i like the idea of being able to stretch in a game, i didnt even think that it was possible.

  • s0njas0n

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 10:06 pm PT

    this was one of the most random interviews i have ever read. i'm still waiting to see if there is a "point" to this game.

  • Lumenadducere

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 9:53 pm PT

    Well, at least it'll be interesting...and who knows, it may even be quirky enough to be fun.

    I don't think games are going away - it's too profitable an industry. Will we see a decrease in game quality and in humanity in general? Maybe. But I doubt we'll lose the industry as a whole.

  • MasterChief725

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:54 pm PT

    I love katamari!

  • Agreb91

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:11 pm PT

    Oh boy. This looks and sound weird.

  • Giratina667

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 4:54 pm PT

    He brings a point,the future of the earth is in peril.

  • LuminosityBlaze

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 4:29 pm PT

    This guy is cool. Not to mention totally right, for every creative game there are 20+ generic copycats. Its refreshing to see someone at least TRY something different once in a while. Takahashi also sounds like a progressive individual, because what good are video games going to be when we are living half underwater and in wars all over? Some of us, like this man, can see it coming, now if we could all just do something about it in time...

  • thekey

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 4:19 pm PT

    Keita is my middle name.

  • PS3Compass

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 2:56 pm PT

    All I can say is: O_o

  • StephenHu

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 2:47 pm PT

    It's Nobi Nobi Boy

  • VixDiesel

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 2:30 pm PT

    The video of this(not on gamespot) is too funny and very random. While I'm a huge fan of his, this guy has some issues. But his games are awesome even if they are the most random thing in the world. Can't wait.

  • Ra-Devil

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 1:09 pm PT

    That was deep...

  • CamisadoBlue

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 11:18 am PT

    This guy is a legend, so glad people like him still manage to get an original risky idea made in an industry of sequels

  • Swift_Boss_A

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 10:26 am PT

    This guys a hoot, I'm glad he decided not to quit making games. This is definitely a wierd game... if it is an actual game

  • Reetesh

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 9:26 am PT

    Cool dude he is

    And saw the video yesterday, game was really strange, in classic katamari way and that = GOOD!

  • kori911

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 9:24 am PT

    That sounds as crazy as the last one!

  • Temmehkan

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 9:17 am PT

    this guy is insane, but in a good way

  • tatinhawk

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 8:37 am PT

    mmm... maybe I'll try it when it comes out.

  • uberjannie

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 8:16 am PT

    wierdoville

  • LINKloco

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 7:48 am PT

    That guy is weird. COOL!

  • mnmnanu

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 7:39 am PT

    sigh. ill leave this one alone.

  • craig828

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 7:22 am PT

    I don't really like him.

  • HK-47-M4

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:43 am PT

    I heard that this guy didn't like playing video games. But it looks like it could be fun, hopefully it turns out good.

  • Gribb85

    Posted Oct 28, 2007 6:04 am PT

    Sounds like a lovely fella'

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