WHO WORKS HERE

People Staff Interview

• From sports to art school dreams

  I'm originally from Kamakura, and I spent my childhood surrounded by nature, exploring the outdoors, collecting insects and flowers, and drawing them in my sketchbook. I also loved being active, and I played baseball, football, and basketball. In elementary school, I was so deep into sports that I was selected as captain of the football team. I was a full-on sports kid back then.
  Still, when I got to high school, I started thinking about my future, what I was good at and what I enjoyed. What came to mind wasn't sports, but art, and I made it my goal to get into art school.

• Obtaining a PHD in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property and joining Polyphony Digital

  After spending a year preparing for university entrance exams, I was accepted into Tokyo University of the Arts, where I studied Japanese-style painting. Following my undergraduate degree, I continued at the university in a doctoral program, focusing on the restoration and reproduction of cultural property. I may have had the option of continuing my research at the university, but after completing my doctoral thesis, I felt that I had done everything I had set out to do and began looking for the next step. Sonehara-san, a member of the Car Team, mentioned to me that Polyphony Digital were looking for staff. I started working part-time initially before joining through the SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment) new graduate programme.

  

• Course Maker and being on the Vegetation Committee

  For Gran Turismo 6, I was in charge of the tracks for the GT6 Track Path Editor, which was a free iPad app. It allowed users to draw lines and generate their own tracks, and I remember finding it quite challenging to replicate realistic natural scenery while preserving the flexibility required for real-time generation. We called the track generation system 'Course Maker' internally, and we also used a more refined version to create tracks for Gran Turismo Sport.
  Also, designing an original course within a real-world landscape often requires a different approach than replicating an existing real-life track. After selecting a base location, we analyse the expected vegetation and plant distribution that would exist in such an area and verify the terrain using aerial survey data. Alongside our regular production work, we also take part in cross-team "Breakout Committees". I belong to the Vegetation Committee, which conducts research on trees to be placed on the track and verifies data. While developing and validating specifications with the engineering team and technical artists, we engage in a process of trial and error that continually deepens our foundational knowledge. Kyushu, where the Fukuoka Atelier is located, is rich in natural forests, including evergreen broad-leaved forests, and we frequently conduct field observations of the trees surrounding the studio.

• A work culture where visual perception and expressive ability are prioritised above CG Skills

  People are often surprised when I say this, but as I studied Japanese painting and cultural property restoration at university, I actually had no experience in CG production until I joined Polyphony Digital. However, since it was clearly explained to me before joining the company that fundamental drawing skills, such as visual perception and expressive ability, were more important, I felt less concerned about my lack of CG experience and more excited to take on a new challenge.

• People who should consider Polyphony Digital

  As I mentioned, the most important skill is the ability to observe a subject clearly and express it accurately. Even without prior experience in CG production, you can develop those skills naturally by staying adaptable to the constantly evolving development environment and proactively seeking out new information.
  If you have a keen eye and the expressive skills to bring what you see to life, and the determination to bridge any gaps on your own, I believe this is a company where you will thrive.

• CG Artist Job Description