Lost In Halo 3 Game Environments

7 Sep 2007 Category: Features, Technology, Worldwide

Lost In Halo 3 Game Environments

Halo 3: Snowbound - a dramatic execution under the blue sky. So, who designed the surrounding environment? © Bungie

Illustrator Ken Taya has a nice day job: He happens to be an environment artist for first-person shooter Halo 3 at American game developer Bungie. Also, he happens to be a bilingual Japanese-American Nisei, for ’second generation’. What does it mean to work in a game environment with this mixed cultural background? PingMag wanted to know more, especially since Halo 3 is coming out in two weeks…

Written by Verena

A Spartan: E.V.A. and the Covenant Carbine. Somehow surreal without the usual setting. © Bungie

The first time Ken introduced himself to us, he wrote: “Having lived in the USA and in Japan, I’ve experienced both acceptance and rejection from both sides. My art comes from my unique understanding and misunderstanding of both cultures, something other Nikkei, Japanese emigrants and their descendants, can relate to as they themselves try to understand their heritage.”

Now we want to know more! Explain a bit, please. First, what do you do exactly?

I used to work at a Japanese game company, Nintendo Software Technology (NST), making 1080° Avalanche, a snowboarding game. While there I helped design the UI, the user interface, and stage select screens… Now with Bungie, I specialise as an environment artist, which means I design 3d environments immersing the player in the game experience.

Halo 3: Sci-Fi battle settings… © Bungie

So, as an environment artist for Halo 3, what makes a good game environment then?

When there is the synergy between game play and visuals, the player becomes absorbed into the environment while getting to experience all the action that takes place.

And how do you get the player immersed best? Is it about a dramatic atmosphere – or what? Please explain for us.

Environment visuals alone cannot immerse anybody. It’s the right combination of game play, music, story, interaction with characters, and allowing the player to feel like they have control of their character.

What would the ideal environment look like?

That will depend on what kind of game you’re wanting to make. I think an ideal environment allows the player to live in his or her character.

A hypermodern Valhalla. © Bungie

And what are your favourite tools in terms of software?

Obviously Photoshop. I have a love hate relationship with 3D Studio Max. I’ve played around with openCanvas and love how easy I was able to get into it.

And your own favourite all-time favourite game you used to play?

Family Stadium for the Famicom. And still to this day I sometimes dust off the Famicom and play it for the nostalgia. Why: It’s fun going one on one with your buds, and Family Stadium is competition boiled down to simple fun.

What would that be? A chopper! © Bungie

How does coming from two different cultural backgrounds, being Japanese born in the USA, make your perspective on game design different? What do you think?

First regarding this cultural understanding and misunderstanding, I try explore that through my work on Enfu, the name is a derivative of the Japanese ‘monkey’ and ’style’ in Kanji. Then, I don’t think the process in which I design is that much different than any other artist. I can see, however, aversions to certain design choices each culture makes. For instance, when making colour choices, a Japanese designer alluded to the use of more unsaturated colours as a poor choice and clearly favoured more saturation. When working under non-Japanese designers, that same view was not held.
I think both sides see each others’ design choices in a slightly negative light, so when making personal choices in my design there is an inherent conflict between the two. It’s challenging to embrace these differences and I often have to remind myself that one choice is not better, just different.

Halo 3 allover hero, the Chief, in rendered mode… © Bungie

Also, in terms of developing: What do you think would be the fundamental difference in how Japanese and American companies view game design?

Well in terms of semantics the actual word designer and the roles associated with this position differ. Here comes an over generalisation: I feel that the Japanese game developers really focus on the feel of the game above everything else - and the US developers, the look.

… and the storyboard for his intro. © Bungie

Interesting about the ‘look’ and ‘feel’… So, how do you feel, ultimately, when it comes to your own approach - more Japanese or American?

My bet is on more American. I feel most ‘American’ when I’m surrounded by Japanese people. I feel only slightly Japanese when I’m in the US. Judge for yourself which you think I embody by observing the design choices I’ve made on my Enfu Serigraphs - I think you may see elements of both.

How come, in America, products might be more appealing if they have a kind of ‘Japanese’ touch?

Anything exotic carries some kind of appeal. I’m not sure this works both ways though. I bet more products sell in Japan which are associated with something Western than products in the US associated with Japan. I mean you will see Brad Pitt endorse Edwin jeans in Japan, but you won’t see Ken Watanabe endorsing fashion in the US… or at least not yet.

First-person shooter: through the eyes of the Chief. © Bungie

Same goes for products that come out on the Japanese market: having something ‘American’ is chic. And why does this seem to collide in terms of games which are supposed to sell internationally?

I recently saw a Mitsubishi commercial in the US which was obviously trying to be very Japanesey. They had all these Taiko drummers beating at drums with Noh like shouts and shakuhachi playing in the background. My reaction as a Japanese-American was: I can’t relate to that whatsoever… and bought a Prius. Apart from that, I’m no marketing expert, just an artist, so I don’t know why it’s so hard for American games to make it in Japan.

Halo 3 Spartan, ready to shoot. © Bungie

Do the main differences, if they are fundamental at all, lie in the different cultural backgrounds, the societies - or what else?

First, I don’t think there are fundamental differences in the way both cultures see games in general. We’ve grown up with many types that are very universal whether its tag, Kick the can, Poker, board games, etc.

Though I have only had the experience of working in the States, I’ve worked at many Japanese owned companies: I do feel that attitude of management differs greatly between the two cultures, however. When working under Japanese management, I was much more spoon fed and there seemed to be a lot of hand holding. Under American supervision I was given much more freedom to make my own mistakes and learn from them. This difference can be interpreted in the following common terms I often hear regarding both styles: “The Japanese style is too anal, and the American style is too loose.” Its hard to capture the nuances attached to certain words, but both are fairly negative, showing which each culture values.


Poster in airbrushed emotions: Halo 3. © Bungie

Also, I feel the process within Japanese companies as well as decision making is all very top down and little dialogue regarding process is shared vertically, whereas in American companies many if not all voices are considered and opinions solicited, and dissent is more widely acceptable and heard from the bottom ranks. I feel that if the design process is too regimented it crushes creativity. If the work environment feels a bit sterile, the management feels rigid, and the air is tense that is the exact opposite environment I would want as an artist to allow myself to be creative.

Hm, I see. Too bad we have to come to an end! Thank you, game environment designer, Ken Taya! Make sure to check out his cute Daruma!

73 Comments

  1. Hi all!2

    Posted by: qweqwe on September 7th, 2007 at 8:43 pm

  2. [...] Anyway, here’s the link: http://pingmag.jp/2007/09/07/halo-3-game-design/ [...]

    Posted by: Easy Only! Glog » Blog Archive » Interview with Ken Taya (PingMag) on September 7th, 2007 at 9:36 pm

  3. What a great interview. I am myself a fan of the Halo franchise and its great to see some of the background behind the immersive experience of the games.

    Posted by: icie on September 7th, 2007 at 10:23 pm

  4. Great article, very interesting.

    Posted by: Zombie on September 8th, 2007 at 12:31 am

  5. ANTI-VIDEOGAME COALITION

    Posted by: Anonymous on September 8th, 2007 at 1:09 am

  6. [...] PingMag - The Tokyo-based magazine about “Design and Making Things” » Archive » Lost In Halo 3… [...]

    Posted by: links for 2007-09-07 | Samurai Soapbox on September 8th, 2007 at 2:23 am

  7. It’s funny how it seemed when I was studying “design” . That video games had no place in the art/design world as far as I remember.

    My guess is that video games have now become “trendy” as with many things. It’s now cool to have a psp, nds, ps3 and xbox 360.

    Posted by: Anonymous on September 8th, 2007 at 3:07 am

  8. Yeah New iPod touch!

    Posted by: greektech on September 8th, 2007 at 3:46 am

  9. yeah! I got the Halo 3 reserved for 125$$$

    Posted by: Lucila on September 8th, 2007 at 4:48 am

  10. I’m getting Master Chielf’s helmet!!

    Posted by: Ben on September 8th, 2007 at 7:13 am

  11. Hi all!

    Posted by: qwe on September 8th, 2007 at 9:29 am

  12. I love Halo!

    Posted by: Akai on September 8th, 2007 at 6:24 pm

  13. Wow…. Most def beats my old little Atari 2600….

    Posted by: Shantell Martin on September 8th, 2007 at 10:08 pm

  14. “First, I don’t think there are fundamental differences in the way both cultures see games in general”.

    I feel this was true but right now Japan and Usa are totally different… just take a look at the bishoujo and doujin games booming industries that could never happen in the american market dominated by BLOCK BUSTER/macho action games…
    anyway great interview!!!

    Posted by: Ping Mag on GAMERSWEB on September 9th, 2007 at 1:54 pm

  15. [...] PingMag - Lost In Halo 3 Game Environments Illustrator Ken Taya is an environment artist for Halo 3. “Having lived in the USA and in Japan, I’ve experienced both acceptance and rejection from both sides. My art comes from my unique understanding and misunderstanding of both cultures…” (tags: pingmag enfu design games environment illustration japan japanese american nisei halo3 bungie cultural background technology) [...]

    Posted by: links for 2007-09-09 « Hic Sunt Dracones on September 9th, 2007 at 4:19 pm

  16. [...] sure which is better or worse, but the fact that both exist is fascinating. Taya Interview [PingMag via Jean [...]

    Posted by: consoleer » Blog Archive » Apples And Oranges: Bungie Illustrator Explains US/Japan Differences on September 11th, 2007 at 1:22 am

  17. [...] Entrevista con Ken Taya, diseñador de escenarios de Halo 3pingmag.jp/2007/09/07/halo-3-game-design/ por dThrak hace pocos segundos [...]

    Posted by: Entrevista con Ken Taya, diseñador de escenarios de Halo 3 // menéame on September 18th, 2007 at 5:13 am

  18. Impressive rendering.

    Posted by: yaschan on September 18th, 2007 at 6:25 am

  19. awsome pictures they rule

    Posted by: grant hackett on November 2nd, 2007 at 7:41 am

  20. your pictures are good but can they top mine be noob free go ahead klick mi name

    Posted by: NoobFree on February 26th, 2008 at 11:18 am

  21. Halo is so cool it makes me wanna pee in my pants!!!!

    Posted by: shel on March 25th, 2008 at 12:34 am

  22. [...] about his art, but if you want to hear what he has to say about his work on Halo 3, check out this Ping Mag interview. Ken brings a unique blend of Americana and Japanese pop art to his work. A print he graciously [...]

    Posted by: Japan Infusion | Ken Taya’s distinct blend of Japan, America ::: Bringing the best of Japanese culture into your life ::: on August 30th, 2008 at 12:47 am

  23. Nice website. Awesome job.

    Posted by: podcast marketing scott paton on June 1st, 2011 at 11:27 am

  24. Great website. I like this info your providing.

    Posted by: Anonymous on June 3rd, 2011 at 7:08 pm

  25. If You want to save your precious games

    Posted by: Wii Backup on June 7th, 2011 at 5:51 am

  26. Hey love your website, great postings, lots of good information. It’s really great

    Posted by: pre mature on June 7th, 2011 at 8:38 am

  27. Here’s another great article on the subject: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/why-do-we-need-personal-development-to-be-successful

    Posted by: personal development on June 15th, 2011 at 11:31 pm

  28. Getting a routines is paramount for your progress, and completion.

    Posted by: weightlifting routines on June 16th, 2011 at 10:12 am

  29. Nice Website! You should promote it from the messaging console at QuickSendSMS.com. Easy to use, nice and quick and can text (for free) to over 200 countries.

    Posted by: QuickSendSMS on June 16th, 2011 at 3:01 pm

  30. Turbine Idroelettriche

    Posted by: energie rinnovabili on June 17th, 2011 at 9:08 am

  31. I want to see the many development of this site.

    Posted by: Internet Strategy on June 25th, 2011 at 12:50 pm

  32. Weird workouts that burn abdominal fat faster than typical “cardio”

    Posted by: best Six Pack Abs Diet/workout on June 27th, 2011 at 11:14 pm

  33. Keep up the good work, wonderful job!

    Posted by: wedding dream on July 10th, 2011 at 8:29 am

  34. After everything else have failed, you came to the right place.

    Posted by: commission black ops on July 13th, 2011 at 5:49 am

  35. This is the best soccer website ever!!!!!!!!!! And u can shop from the ads they r all right!!!!!

    Posted by: Soccer on July 18th, 2011 at 12:21 pm

  36. Let’s face it, These comments about Ladies favoring pologamy is getting out of hand.

    Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 21st, 2011 at 11:41 pm

  37. I am sure my visitors appreciate the information about this blog.

    Posted by: Definition Marketing on August 10th, 2011 at 4:53 pm

  38. Enjoy this site very much. 4g is now happening wave of the “future” if you will, and just keeps getting better.

    Posted by: 4g cell phone on August 17th, 2011 at 10:18 pm

  39. Companies Hiring Freshers Now. Sign up for Free to Apply.

    Posted by: frehers on October 19th, 2011 at 4:09 am

  40. http://www.happyseasons.gr Online Store

    Posted by: χριστουγεννιατικα δεντρα on November 8th, 2011 at 8:53 pm

  41. Hey, I like your website, it is a wonderful site! I’m looking for some informations about sports betting to put in my page.

    Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 7:10 am

  42. New Information About Hairstyles and Haircuts.

    Posted by: hairstyles on November 11th, 2011 at 10:27 am

  43. Good website! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I’m wondering how I might be notified when a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!

    Posted by: Janeen Overstrom on November 15th, 2011 at 5:41 am

  44. Free Indicateur,Free Expert Advisor,feedwikipedia,forex wikipedia.

    Posted by: forex wikipedia on November 23rd, 2011 at 9:57 pm

  45. Lorem sonyn wzwalkman sit amet, Cyber Monday Deals in Cell Phones & Accessories

    Posted by: technology on November 28th, 2011 at 2:17 pm

  46. Cyber Monday 2011 Deals List my blog. you can shopping online Cyber Monday Sale have product HDTV,3DTV,Tablets,Laptops,Netbooks,Notebooks,Game Consoles & Electronics, you can see list Best Cyber Monday Deals and buy cheapest product and super saving shipping from AMAZON.COM

    Posted by: Cyber Monday 2011 Deals List on November 28th, 2011 at 3:55 pm

  47. is good….greeting!

    Posted by: islam menjawab on November 29th, 2011 at 6:29 pm

  48. Timex Ironman Watch Bands

    Posted by: Watches Timex on November 30th, 2011 at 5:37 pm

  49. wow… is cool….

    Posted by: toko jasa on December 1st, 2011 at 11:17 am

  50. Amritsar Temple Pictures,Golden Temple Amritsar Pictures,Harmandir Sahib Amritsar,Swarn Mandir,Darbar Sahib Amritsar, Durgiana Mandir Amritsar,Bada Hanuman Mandir Amritsar,Holy City Amritsar, City Amritsar Pictures, Famous Amritsar Places,Shivala Bagh Bhayian Mandir,Badra Kali Mata Mandir,Chintpurni Mata Mandir,Ram Talai Mandir,Ram Tirath,Model Town,Mata Lal Devi Mandir,Sheeda Sahib,Vaishno Devi Mata Bhawan Pictures,Radha Sawami Baba Ji Pictures,Veer Bhan Shivala,Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib,Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir,Gurdwara San Sahib,Banke Bihari Mandir,Gurdwara Goindwal Sahib,Baba Budha Sahib,Bohli Sahib, Itihasik Temples Pictures Download,Baba Bhoot Nath Maha Kaleshwar Mandir

    Posted by: Abhinav Duggal on December 3rd, 2011 at 12:25 am

  51. Thank you so much for this content, Im so lucky and glad that I found this website, Please keep this website going and I will keep

    Posted by: The Visayas on December 9th, 2011 at 10:01 am

  52. I’m very lucky to have found this website, this is exactly what I have been looking for All I can say is wow, you hit the nail by the head.

    Posted by: The Visayas on December 12th, 2011 at 8:42 am

  53. HalloHi is Social Network service . You can write what ever you want you have your space on this site and you can do whatever you want share music , videos , write blogs , read blogs , ask question , answer question , play games , upload documents , do

    Posted by: HalloHi Social Network on December 14th, 2011 at 11:46 am

  54. HalloHi is Social Network service . You can write what ever you want you have your space on this site and you can do whatever you want share music , videos , write blogs , read blogs , ask question , answer question , play games , upload documents , do what ever you want your free space:))).

    Posted by: HalloHi Social Network on December 18th, 2011 at 3:05 am

  55. Nice website to watch music, movies and tv shows online.

    Posted by: Desi Forums on December 21st, 2011 at 8:00 pm

  56. I like it and thanks for sharing this great source. its being my favorite.I like this web blog very much, Its a really nice position to read and find information.Cool site bro, nice post and keep sharing, thanks.

    Posted by: Calculate BMI For Women on December 22nd, 2011 at 8:56 am

  57. Lorèm Ipsum dolor chita ame, anile reply. Ou tanpri e-dèy. Nou toujou, tankou plis plis plis isit la lide sou ide li yo, pa Teyorèm ou an oswa pi plis. Posted pous

    Posted by: buy cheap vacuum cleaners online on December 28th, 2011 at 1:07 am

  58. What do you think about the last comment? I’d love to hear from the author.

    Posted by: dc tours on January 2nd, 2012 at 2:22 pm

  59. Hay very nice blog , keep it up buddy

    Posted by: Jammer on January 2nd, 2012 at 8:44 pm

  60. I found youre blog via searching the net and I have to say.

    Posted by: sweets on January 10th, 2012 at 5:52 am

  61. Thank you. O like this post. I would like to share at my facebook account.

    Posted by: zayifla on January 11th, 2012 at 4:23 am

  62. Безплатни обяви в Facebook, сайт за обяви вестник за обяви добави обяви, София, Пловдив, Варна.

    Posted by: Безплатни обяви on January 12th, 2012 at 11:25 pm

  63. Welcome to Alamanda.my your 100% free online classified marketplace. Our idea is simple, why pay when you can sell for free?

    Posted by: Malaysia's Online Marketplace on January 22nd, 2012 at 1:09 am

  64. Alamanda.my offers the same online marketplace like other website but with better and more friendly interface!. Buy and sell everything here or you can find jobs, services, properties and other stuff too. Feel to use the website conveniently and have fun.

    Posted by: Malaysia's Online Marketplace on January 23rd, 2012 at 4:08 pm

  65. Maniac

    Posted by: slim coffee on January 24th, 2012 at 5:56 am

  66. This piece of information is a gem for me, very helpful, really a great piece of writing, thanks for the effort made, really impressed.

    Posted by: Costume Jewellery on January 24th, 2012 at 2:16 pm

  67. This piece of information is really helpful, It is quite informative for me, excellent writing, thanks for the post

    Posted by: Lord Ganesh Pendant Jewellery on January 25th, 2012 at 1:23 am

  68. Hi ….. I have information about Whirlpool washers, you should read them and get tips and tricks commersial business with Whirlpool washers.

    Posted by: whirlpool washers on January 27th, 2012 at 7:20 am

  69. Haftalık kiralık villa fırsatlarımızı takip ediniz, beş yıldızlı otel konforunda, SPA, türk hamamı, açık ve kapalı havuz farklılığına 97 TL ye sahip olunuz

    Posted by: günlük kiralık on February 9th, 2012 at 7:10 am

  70. Im so happy, now that I found your website, your contend is very informative and educational. I will always come back for

    Posted by: advertise to millions on February 16th, 2012 at 6:52 am

  71. Another useful article again. Thanks.

    Posted by: Byggfirma Stockholm on February 26th, 2012 at 12:53 am

  72. Lost In Halo 3 Game Environments good post562

    Posted by: air multiplier on April 20th, 2012 at 11:02 pm

  73. more.

    Posted by: Catch your spouse cheating on April 24th, 2012 at 8:51 pm

  • Share and Enjoy:
  • del.icio.us
  • digg
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • RawSugar
  • Reddit
  • YahooMyWeb
Previously on PingMag