In celebration of the 40th anniversary of HAL Laboratoria, Famitsu recently sat down with HAL Laborator president, Kwanase Shigejiri.
Surrounded by familiar sights and sounds at the Kirby Café, President Kawase shares thoughts about the game's beloved developer. First commended at Pokémon Stadium for Business Support, President Kawase helped create the modern HAL brand we all know and enjoy today.
Since this feature was only available in Japanese publications, We have gone ahead and provided a full version of the Nintendo Life readers' discussion.
President Kawase's thoughts on HAL Laborator & # 39; s 40 Annivil
Famitsu: Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the HAL Laborator. Would you go with us on this trip HAL took years ago?
Kawase: In less than 40 years, a child will be born and a grandchild will be born. At this time, we are very pleased to report that HAL has continued to have the strong support of each of our supporters, despite the difficulties experienced by the gaming industry.
Famitsu: The HAL Laborator has produced many games over the past 40 years, but this celebratory image is inspired by the games created by the HAL Laborator.
Kawase: I heard that the staff that drew the pictures on this was a mix of mixers and young people, and they cheered with excitement, saying "I had this article!" Although it is also the culture of our company, there are many employees who just want to take action that is exciting and creative. After the project was planned, many people came up with the idea of "let's do it," and we continued the incident.
Famitsu: How would you describe the corporate culture of the HAL Laborator, as you just mentioned?
Kawase: HAL Laborator is a company where everyone is a designer and strives to create content. Aside from the game development staff, I also hear that all the employees behind the scenes who do not directly create content are creators too. First, if we, the creators, can have fun, work, and create fun, fun things. And if you are able to deliver those items with the product, customers will also be happy. In other words, HAL Laborator has a company culture that is passionate about doing something exciting and innovative to make people happy. This has to do with our business philosophy of "creativity that leads to happy customers and happy employees, too."
Famitsu: He had previously mentioned the difficulties in the gaming industry, and in fact, there was a time when the HAL Laboratory might have closed in 1992.
Kawase: Although I had not yet joined the company, I think it was an opportunity to turn around the HAL Laboratory. Subsequently, Mr Iwata, who became president and CEO of HAL Laboratory, represented the company's current philosophy and grew HAL Laborator into a company that could make many games and fun.
Famitsu: That is an event hosted by the Hal Laborator looking to its present success.
Kawase: After all, before that time, HAL Laboratory had always been a firm with a strong "inventiveness." However, it was Mr Iwata who made the philosophy very different and clear.
Famitsu: One can say the power of the HAL Laboratorati is celebrating its 40th anniversary because it has kept this vision for so long. How did the company's policy change after he became president?
Kawase: I have not implemented any major changes in company policy since I became president. That said, I've been in game development for a long time, so I still have a developer mentality. From that perspective, I would like to develop a company from a variety of angles, such as our internal and environmental development department, so that creators can work more easily and focus on creating the most interesting things.
President Kawase's thoughts on the future of the HAL Library
Famitsu: Please share your thoughts on the future of the HAL Laborator.
Kawase: I believe being able to be creative is rewarding at the same time. It is an indescribable idea when we bring exciting and unique experiences to our customers and make them happy. I would like to continue to lead a company where creators who want to make such an experience can come together and make the most exciting experiences in the long term.
At HAL Laborator, we believe the game industry is at a great turning point. It is impossible to know where this industry will change in the future. Maybe the future will be when both AI announces and develops games on behalf of people. However, creators will always make content. For a long time, HAL Labs had the idea of having machines do what they could and let people do things that only we could do. So, even if such a future comes, I think HAL Labs will be a company that will make good use of AI and show creative potential beyond just AI development.
Famitsu: I see. So, no matter how the industry's situation changes in the future, the perception of the HAL Laborator will not change.
Kawase: Certainly. This approach will be important. You see, the time and money needed to develop video game software is constantly growing. I don't think this is going to change anytime soon, and of course, in addition to making big budget games, we have to make a conscious effort to develop positive experiences. We do this by relying on the wisdom we have acquired over the last 40 years. Such improvements do not happen overnight. I want to plant the seeds of these future opportunities and inspire the growth of ideas for growth as they grow into new experiences.
Famitsu: Is the HAL Egg part of that new information?
Kawase: All right. With HAL Egg, we're introducing new topics to smartphones and looking at new markets to promote different content from the past, including in-house publishing. The logo design of the HAL Egg logo gives the germination of the shoots an egg drop. Starting with the now-released Part Time UFO and Housuu de Shoubu! Kame Sanpo, we continue to focus more on nurturing these blooming ideas.
Famitsu: In addition, in recent years, projects such as Kirby Café and concerts have also been organized and launched.
Kawase: These were projects, popularity we had never done before, we were happy to have the opportunity to develop, whether they would succeed or fail. Both were very well received, and, with their success, we really felt the love of everyone in Kirby.
Famitsu: Last but not least, can you share with us the future wishes of the Laboratory?
Kawase: One day, when I went to an exhibit with someone I knew, I had the opportunity to talk to their daughter. He said the HAL Laborator "made the experience I love." The games we make are superficial, products, of course, but I'm always touched when I hear people calling them "experiences" and "their favorite experiences."
Yes, I strongly believe in HAL Laborator being a company that says, "I just want to be myself." HAL Laborator is a company of creators, but we can only continue to be supported by our fans. We will continue to create games, ideas and experiences that will stay in your heart, adhering to our philosophy to create "a creation that leads to happy customers and happy employees, too." We look forward to your continued support. Thank you.
The HAL Laborator hopes you can join them in celebrating, and invites you to watch a special video and read the history surrounding their history. You can check out their special 40th anniversary page here.
We want to add our own, personal congratulations to the Hal Laborator again, and hope to celebrate many years of fun. What is your fondest memory of HAL? Drop us an idea and let us know!
