The Fate/Grand Order USA Tour kicked off in Los Angeles California. The event was themed around the game and featured many different attractions for FGO fans to experience. We sat down with FGO Creative Producer Yosuke Shiokawa to talk about his involvement with the event. Read on for the full interview.
T-ONO: Can you tell us how you were inspired to come up with an event like this? What was your thought process?
Yosuke Shiokawa: We have actually held many events similar to this one in many different places besides Tokyo including remote areas in Japan.
These Fate/Grand Order events are exclusively designed to be standalone. Only the fans and staff of FGO attend, and it's very exciting for us to have this kind of exclusivity.
Going forward we wanted to do something like that for the US as well. In Japan, these events are centered around a theme such as a pharaoh or perhaps a mystery theme. For the US tour, we wanted something that represented America, and we came up with a road trip theme.
T-ONO: Fate/Grand Order Fes is a widely popular event in Japan. Can you tell us some of the different experiences it has compared to the US tour?
YS: One of the biggest differences is we wanted the Fate/Grand Order US tour to be more interactive for the attendees. You may have seen some of the various attractions such as the photo booth and the noble phantasm display area exhibit where attendees can hold and take pictures with weapons and props from the game.
We had the Golden Bear for attendees to ride. I am sure many Japanese players were very jealous.
T-ONO: Based on what you have designed for the US Tour, is there anything you would change for any future FGO events in Japan?
YS: I can't really say anything at the moment; however, I did take a lot of pictures to take back to Japan to reflect on.
T-ONO: Your next scheduled stops for the tour include Rosemont, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York. Is there any particular state you wish to hold the tour at to promote Fate/Grand Order?
YS: I think, personally, I would like to bring the tour to Alaska.
T-ONO: Why Alaska?
YS: I’ve been there once and it’s just so beautiful there. I want to send my game over there and offer it to nature. [laughs]
T-ONO: Now that you have a bigger role within the company, have there been any hurdles or challenges in your position?
YS: Fate/Grand Order started out as a smartphone game. While the series has evolved into different types of experiences such as a VR game or an escape room game, they still exist within the FGO universe. Occasionally, players react negatively to these experiences outside of the mobile title; however, we also do hear some players find them quite enjoyable.
The challenge for me would be to try and convince current FGO players to try out a new kind of experience. In FGO, the servants will sometimes do unthinkable things. I would like to make the unthinkable translate into different kinds of experiences.
T-ONO: Lastly, do you have a message for our American audience?
YS: Fate/Grand Order is a very unique experience. There is nothing like it even on a home console. For people who haven't experienced Fate/Grand Order, please take a look at it, and try to experience it like so many other people. I am sure you will fall in love with it.
