Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk2 min

Why Yoko Taro Says He Keeps Making Games: “Dementia Prevention” Was One Reason

Yoko Taro reportedly said the stress of game development helps him think of the work as a way to keep his mind active. The comment is a personal motivation, not proof that making games prevents dementia.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Yoko Taro reportedly said he continues making games partly because he thinks the work may help keep his mind active—but his comment was a personal motivation, not evidence that game development prevents dementia. The 4Gamer report says he made the remark during a September 2026 public conversation in Tokyo.

What Yoko Taro reportedly said

At The Tenth Mosaic, a game-culture event held at the Institut français de Tokyo on September 22 and 23, 2026, Taro spoke with Keisuke Okabe, associated with Ender Lilies and Ender Magnolia. The discussion turned to his future work.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

As reported by 4Gamer on October 7, Taro said he had already done what he wanted with the original Drakengard and felt as though he were living out his “remaining days.” He reportedly said that he could soon live on savings and a pension and, emotionally, did not want to work anymore. Still, he named “dementia prevention” as one reason he continues making games.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

His explanation was that he had heard stories about people who were very focused on work developing dementia after retirement. He reportedly told himself that the frustrating parts of game development were “good for preventing dementia.” These are reported remarks from a public conversation, not a clinical claim.

#1 Best Overall
Nier, Automata Game of the Yorha Edition - PlayStation 4
  • Game of the YoRHa Edition includes the game along with DLC and bonus content for the full experience of the award winning post-apocalyptic action RPG; See description below for complete details
  • Action packed battles and fluid combat perfect for both newcomers and experienced action gamers
  • Includes RPG elements such as leveling, different weapon types, combat skills, and customizable load outs
  • The desolate open world features beautiful vistas and a wealth of sidequests in addition to the main storyline
  • Pods assist in and outside of battle and can be upgraded with new attack variations and abilities

Does making games prevent dementia?

The reports do not establish that game development prevents dementia, or that Taro’s experience demonstrates a health benefit. His comment describes how he thinks about continuing stressful work; it is not medical evidence or a recommendation for people concerned about dementia.

The retirement stories he cited are anecdotal. The available reporting provides no clinical study, risk estimate, or evidence about whether making games—or playing them—changes dementia risk. It would be misleading to treat his remark as proof that either activity prevents the condition.

Rank #2
Sale
Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139... - PlayStation 4
  • Uncover the truth behind the world of NieR and prepare to question everything in this dark, twisting tale
  • Journey alongside an unlikely group of allies through a ruined world, plagued by sickness and monstrous horrors
  • A mesmerizing iconic soundtrack, newly recorded by NieR:Automata composer, Keiichi
  • Fight back dreadful enemies with a visceral, uniquely customizable blend of swordplay and powerful magic
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to read the remark in context

The point is not that Taro has discovered a reason everyone should keep working. He reportedly described a personal tension: he feels little desire to work, yet the challenges of game development give him a reason to continue. The “dementia prevention” line was one part of that explanation, framed around stories he said he had heard.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

AUTOMATON WEST also published an English-language account with a translation of his remarks, but its page is dated October 8, 2026—one day after 4Gamer’s report. Its rendering can help English readers understand the wording, but it should not be mistaken for an English transcript recorded at the event or for a report published before 4Gamer’s account.

Quick Recap

SaleBestseller No. 2
Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139... - PlayStation 4
Nier Replicant Ver.1.22474487139... - PlayStation 4
A mesmerizing iconic soundtrack, newly recorded by NieR:Automata composer, Keiichi
$26.89
Bestseller No. 3
Nier Automata: Standard Edition (PS4)
Nier Automata: Standard Edition (PS4)
Action-Packed Battles; Beautifully Desolate Open-World; Masterfully Crafted Story and Characters
$29.99
SaleBestseller No. 4
Nier: Automata (Game Soundtrack)
Nier: Automata (Game Soundtrack)
Import Game - Japanese Version; Compatible with US systems (region free); Japanese language (other languages may be included)
$30.96
Best Value
NieR: Automata Game of the YoRHa Edition (PS4)
  • Action-Packed Battles - Players will switch between using melee and ranged attacks in battle against hordes of enemies and challenging bosses across a variety of open field maps.
  • Beautifully Desolate Open-World - The game seamlessly joins together hauntingly beautiful vistas and locations with no area loading.
  • Masterfully Crafted Story and Characters - NieR: Automata tells the story of androids 2B, 9S and A2 and their ferocious battle to reclaim a machine-driven dystopia overrun by powerful weapons known as machine lifeforms.
  • Elements of an RPG - Players will obtain a variety of weapon types, level up in battle, learn new combat skills, and customise a loadout that caters to their playstyle.
  • Utilise the Pod Support System to Assist In and Outside of Battle - Pods can attack the enemy in both manual and lock-on modes.
Rank #4
Sale
Nier: Automata (Game Soundtrack)
  • Import Game - Japanese Version
  • Compatible with US systems (region free)
  • Japanese language (other languages may be included)
  • Manual and packaging in Japanese language
Rank #3
Nier Automata: Standard Edition (PS4)
  • Action-Packed Battles
  • Beautifully Desolate Open-World
  • Masterfully Crafted Story and Characters
  • Elements of an RPG
  • Utilise the Pod Support System to Assist In and Outside of Battle

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.