The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Creating a Rhythm-Action Game with Hi-Fi Rush Director John Johanas

Jul 3, 2023

01:42:15

Creator website

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Introduction

3min

How Shinji Mikami Got Started in Video Games

5min

The Importance of Level Design in Game Design

4min

The Effect of Cultural Differences on Game Development

5min

The Importance of Ambition in Design

4min

The Evil Within Story DLC

2min

How to Be a Successful Designer

2min

The Struggle to Get Experience

3min

The Importance of Teamwork in Game Development

3min

10.

The Personal Weight of That on a Project

2min

11.

The Impact of Poor Decision Making on a Team

5min

12.

The Importance of Music in PIFI

3min

13.

How I Learned to Play Guitar

5min

14.

The Generation of High Fire Rush

5min

15.

How to Pitch a Game That Doesn't Take Self Seriously

5min

16.

How to Explain a Game to a Programmer

2min

17.

The Human Element of Rhythm

5min

18.

How to Make Guitar Sounds Like You're Pressing to the Beat

2min

19.

The Importance of Character Connection in the Game

3min

20.

The Dreamcast: The Unexpected Game

5min

21.

The Importance of Rhythm in Music

2min

22.

The Importance of Sound Effects in Game Development

5min

23.

The Importance of Flexibility in Game Making

3min

24.

The Sour Moment

4min

25.

The Importance of Being Conscious of Our Time

2min

26.

Corsica's Character Changes

2min

27.

The Top Five Games in Your Backlog Pile Right Now

4min

28.

How to Push Your System Mechanically in Hi Fi Rush

3min

29.

How to Play Rhythm Rhythm Tower

3min

30.

The Game Makers Notebook

3min

Digital Eclipse LA's Adam Orth chats with John Johanas, the Game Director for the recently released rhythm-action game, Hi-Fi Rush. Together they discuss John's journey into development and how he landed himself in Japan and working with legendary game creator Shinji Mikami at Tango Gameworks; transitioning from design to leading his first full game project on The Evil Within 2; the personal weight of directing a sequel to a high profile game and earning your team's trust; how John's background in music lead to the creation of Hi-Fi Rush; and how the team balanced art, combat, and level design to guide players through the music enhanced gameplay.

The Game Maker's Notebook is sponsored by Xsolla. To learn more, go to xsolla.pro/AOIAAS.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.