THE MAKING OF Katamari Damacy

KEITA TAKAHASHI TALKS US THROUGH HIS JOURNEY FROM ART-SCHOOL ODDBALL TO WORLDWIDE ACCLAIM AS THE CREATOR OF THE PS2 CLASSIC KATAMARI DAMACY. ALONG THE WAY WE DISCUSS GOAT-SHAPED FLOWERPOTS, DESIGNING PLAYGROUNDS, HIS ENDLESS WISH TO MAKE PEOPLE SMILE AND HIS NEW GAME, TO A T

- JAMES TOCCHIO

Keita Takahashi was a 3D artist at Namco when he created the iconic PS2 game Katamari Damacy. He now makes games at his own independent company, Uvula. It's characteristic of Keita Takahashi to be humble. In our hour-long conversation the creator of Katamari Damacy apologises no less than nine times for such criminal offences as: being tired, for being bad at interviews, for making "stupid games", for his "silly answers", for being a game designer instead of a doctor or a teacher or a musician, and for the fact that he must charge money for his games. For a creator whose work is beloved by millions and has been exhibited at the Museum Of Modern Art in New York City, he's almost pathologically understated. "I was just lucky," he says almost bashfully. "I still don't understand. I still don't believe that I have been working on videogames for 20 years. It's crazy."

But let's go back to the beginning and discover how Katamari Damacy came to be, because as an art student, Takahashi was unsure where his path would lead. "The art school was for four years," he says. "I thought this would be the last freedom for me before I go to a company. I have one big concern, which is, I like to make something, draw something, but I'm in the sculpture department, which is very unnecessary stuff. So, I had no idea how to earn money after I graduated school. I was not clear what I wanted to do."

He thinks for a long moment before speaking, another trait that's characteristic, and then with a grin, continues. "And the answer is super simple and stupid. It's still precious to me, even after I graduate, even after 20 or 30 years. What I want to do is make people smile." Takahashi pauses once again, as if deciding what to say next. Then suddenly he says, "I made a goat-shaped flowerpot. Do you know this story?"