Yosuke Ishikawa
What you do at Tango?
As a 3D character artist, I make models for everything from the main characters to enemies (from small basic enemies to huge bosses), as well as NPCs and props. I’m also involved in things like art styles and technical specifications, and anything else related to 3D characters.
We also take the 2D art created by the concept artists and then create suitable 3D models based on it, while keeping in mind gameplay as well as aesthetics, and then increment on the designs based on feedback.
How do you describe Tango’s development environment?
With flexible hours and hybrid work, it’s an environment that’s really good for work-life balance.
When you’re in the office it’s easy to discuss what you’re working on with your team, but it also feels nice to just hang out and talk with people from other teams while you have a coffee break or whatever.
What do you think makes Tango unique as a game studio?
Sometimes you’ll be talking with a few other team members about an idea for something you’d like to add to the game, and everyone starts getting into it and building on the idea. But I’ve also sometimes quietly worked on creating that idea during my downtime, then putting it into the game before finally showing it to the director. That’s what I like about the environment here: people think for themselves instead of just making what they’re told, and it feels really easy to share opinions with everyone, even the director.
What are your thoughts about the type of people who work at Tango?
Well, creative ability is a given, but people here have a lot of flexibility, too. Considering a lot of members had just come off of creating horror games, there was some uncertainty when we were tasked with creating anime-style action for Hi-Fi RUSH. We were experimenting with different ways of doing things, and we were lucky to have a team that can find what works best and then build on it until we have something great.
Looking to the future, what are you excited for when working at Tango?
I’m glad to have the chance to start making games again with Tango Gameworks. Just like before, I’m looking forward to making interesting games without being tied down by things like genre.
What’s something you’d like to tell someone interested in the company or working with your team?
At first, a lot of people might have some trouble shifting gears from making gruesome creature models to making anime-style ones, but Tango has helped me to see that the fun of creation doesn’t change even when you’re working on a totally different genre.
So muster up your courage, and keep trying out new things! Come make interesting games with us!