Hypolygon Inc.
SEGAWA Masao

Current job responsibilities

I work as a game producer at a company called Hypolygon. My work mainly focuses on creating content using User Generated Content (UGC) platforms such as Fortnite and Roblox. I plan and produce promotions that deliver interactive experiences both in Japan and overseas.

Role in Future of Life/Responsibilities and duties at the Pavilion

I was responsible for the creative direction of the Future of Life Pavilion’s virtual space. To allow people, including those overseas who are unable to attend the Expo in person, to experience the Pavilion virtually, we created content on Fortnite, a platform with more than 500 million users worldwide. I oversaw the overall design of the experience, with a particular focus on planning and developing the main attraction, “city-building” 50 years in the future.

Feelings on the Pavilion, the exhibits, and the product concept

I was given the concept of “each individual facing the future.” I understood this as an invitation to reflect on the importance of thinking, choosing, and shaping the future for oneself, rather than accepting what someone else has decided.

Memorable impressions from associating with Producer ISHIGURO Hiroshi

Meetings were always very stimulating because ideas would come from unexpected angles. For example, I was particularly struck by his unconventional view that “the metaverse is not interesting unless it is asymmetrical,” a perspective that challenges conventional thinking.

Commitments

I was very particular about expressing through graphics the experience of a future unseen gradually coming into view as one moves forward of one’s own free will. Through a structure where participants use “Imagination Points” collected during the experience to solve citizens’ problems and transform the city through their choices, I aimed to create an environment where people could naturally experience the idea that “the future is not something given, but something we create ourselves.”

Challenges

Expressing a future city where nature and culture coexist within a 3D space was a far more difficult challenge than I had imagined. Together with the production team, we held weekly discussions, produced countless proposals, and refined them repeatedly. Thanks to their meticulous supervision, covering everything from the architecture to the flying cars, we were finally able to bring the project to completion. While Fortnite content is generally centered on battle royale gameplay, this time our policy was to exclude weapons and create peaceful content instead. This was a direction I had never worked on before, so it was a novel challenge and a valuable experience.

New discoveries

The question of what life is had always felt somewhat philosophical and distant to me. However, through this project, I realized that this is a very personal theme that concerns each and every one of us.

Lessons learned from the project

Through this project, I came to appreciate the power of designing questions as experiences, rather than presenting ready-made answers. This time, we attempted to create a structure that makes individuals feel personally connected to abstract and broad themes such as “What is the future?” and “What is life?” through their choices and immersion. I hope to design approach to move the inner self of participants in all my future projects. Compared to other projects, the team members in this project often responded eagerly to our proposals, expressing strong interest. Even when an idea came in at the last minute, their attitude was, “If it’s interesting, let’s incorporate it!” I learned a lot from their supportive stance. As I move forward in my own work, I want to adopt more of this positive approach, embracing and integrating ideas from younger team members.

Highlights not to be missed

The content is not only the work of our virtual team, but was refined through the many ideas contributed by the entire project team. For example, Architectural Designer ENDO Jiro also contributed to the game design. I hope you will pay attention to the graphics of the futuristic buildings and cityscapes in harmony with nature, as well as the meticulously crafted ideas, all created by such a diverse group of members. (In fact, there are hidden items scattered throughout the city, and collecting them may even lead you to encounter MYAKU-MYAKU!) I hope you will explore every corner of the virtual space and enjoy making your own unique discoveries.