GotNext: What was your favorite project to work on? What sort of games do you enjoy working on the most?
Kodama: Eternal Arcadia was definitely a favorite. That was the first game I acted as producer on, so I'm very close to it. I'm satisfied with everything I've done up to this point. I like doing RPGs and action/adventure games the most.
GotNext: What games have you worked on recently? Can you tell us what ideas of yours were implemented in them?
Kodama: I'm working on Altered Beast right now. It was recently shown at TGS. It's based on an older title for the Megadrive (One of the system's launch games in Western markets - ed). We initially conceptualized it it at Overworks, but we really started work on it when we merged into Sega-Wow. It's an action game with less RPG and adventure elements, so our primary focus is [centered] on fun action sequences.
GotNext: Skies of Arcadia has become a fan favorite all over the world. Are you happy with the way the game has been recieved?
Kodama: People who have played it really like it. I hear good things about it from people all over the world. It makes me very happy.
GotNext: We have heard rumors about a sequel or "gaiden" (side-story) game to Skies of Arcadia for a while. Can you tell us anything?
Kodama: We've had some plans, but the other team members are busy with games like Sakura Taisen right now, so it's on hold for the time being. But I think another game in the setting, with the sky pirates, would be great.
GotNext: Some people say there is a very big gap between the concepts of game design in the West and in the East. What do you think about this?
Kodama: Hmmmmm, that's a very tough question. [laughs] Certainly, games from the west have a different sense of graphic and setting from those that originate from Japan. Each has their strong points. You're seeing more and more of the popular western games coming out over here. I try to create things that have worldwide appeal, but I don't really have an answer to that question.
Still, when I was making a lot of RPGs, they didn't get a particularly large reception in the west. We always wondered how we could make the Japan-style RPG more appealing to that group.
GotNext: What have been your favorite games of this console generation?
Kodama: In the last year, I've enjoyed Final Fantasy X and X-2 the most. I'd like to try The Lord of the Rings: Third Age and Battle for Middle Earth sometime as well. When I play games for recreation, I try to play them not with the mindset of a designer, but as an end user. It's more fun that way.
Kodama: Did you make any contributions to the design and extra content in the Phantasy Star collections that appeared on the Saturn and the GBA?
They didn't use my ideas. When they were being made, I just supervised the development and gave some advices to the dev team. I am really happy with new people arranging [the] Phantasy Star world with various taste, so I did not want to do anything to force them. As long as the new idea does not [detract too] far away from original one.
GotNext: What about the PS2 remakes? Have you been involved with those at all?
Kodama: Well, since it is actually a remake, I just reviewed the code in each milestone and just supervised.
