I seriously want to move to tokyo and I don't know japanese that well..

[GoldCoinLover]

I adore Japan. Japan is everything to me. People are slim, its the healihiest country in the world. The technology is awesome. It's where Nintendo's games are made ( I think.) . I want to actually move to japan, and somehow (obviously) get a job there as a game designer for Nintendo of japan. This is going to be an ENORMOUS task, considering I don't know much japanese.

I'm 17 right now .. I have my first job at McDonalds. This is ultimately a dream of mine; to travel to japan, and hopefully, someday, live there.

The problem is the enormous task of memorizing all the kanji, and kana (I got most of the kana down). Oh lord please help me.. this is one hell of a dream.

 

[GoldCoinLover]

I'm going to have to take japanese classes in colleage. For me to speak it fluently, and write and recongize writing -- oh god, how long will that take me to learn? 10 years?

 

[Keiichi]

No only do you need to know Japanese, you better be one pretty good designer, too to get consideration from Nintendo. The best way to know Japanese is to live in Japan. Good luck.

Keiichi

 

[TwistedMac]

No only do you need to know Japanese, you better be one pretty good designer, too to get consideration from Nintendo.

and have a reputation as such from years of experience

big plans are nice, but I'd think smaller than nintendo

Wouldn't say learning Japanese is your biggest problem

 

[Mike Cash]

Wouldn't say learning Japanese is your biggest problem

Neither would I. I'd say the biggest problem will be burnout and/or disillusionment.

 

[Ichiro]

I'm going to have to take japanese classes in colleage. For me to speak it fluently, and write and recongize writing -- oh god, how long will that take me to learn? 10 years?

You have my blessings to complete in only 5
As for getting hired from Nintendo? I'd suggest going to Digipen, them and Nintendo are rather close.

 

[Brooker]

Nintendo of America is here in Seattle. Why not start there?

 

[PaulTB]

Nintendo of America is here in Seattle. Why not start there?

I know someone who works for [Japanese computer company I have forgotten the name of but might start with Fuji] in the UK. If his experience is anything to go by learning Japanese would be a useful plus to working there.

After you've got the job and shown you can work in Japanese I expect getting transferred to Japan would be possible.

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

I do not know adoption of a foreigner in Nintendo (Japan)
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n06/new.html

An adoption plan of a university new college graduate supplier of 2006 is 60 people
A higher vocational school graduate is five people.
Adoption is very small.

 

[blade_bltz]

I'd have to agree with Mike on this one. Not to be cynical or anything.

 

[smoke]

I adore Japan. Japan is everything to me. People are slim, its the healihiest country in the world. The technology is awesome. It's where Nintendo's games are made ( I think.) . I want to actually move to japan, and somehow (obviously) get a job there as a game designer for Nintendo of japan. This is going to be an ENORMOUS task, considering I don't know much japanese.

I'm 17 right now .. I have my first job at McDonalds. This is ultimately a dream of mine; to travel to japan, and hopefully, someday, live there.

The problem is the enormous task of memorizing all the kanji, and kana (I got most of the kana down). Oh lord please help me.. this is one hell of a dream.

wow...when i was 17 all i wanted to do was get laid and get paid (not neccesarily at the same time )
well it's good to have dreams man and it's good to have goals. personally i would set my sights a little lower...use the Mcdonalds money to have a couple of trips to japan to learn culture and put any lessons to good use. also, like people have said, get some experience in the gaming industry..a move to japan probably won't happen before you are 30!
but who i am to tell you what to do and what not to do...go live your dreams boy, just don't forget me when you're stinking filthy rich.

 

[m477]

The hardest part will be getting into the gaming industry at all.

It is an EXTREMELY competive field, and probably the only way you will get a job at ANY game company is if you have at least one of
a) previous game development experience
b) a degree in Computer Science and experience/specialization in an area like AI, graphics programming, network programming, etc.

The best advice I can give you is to start trying to make games on your own now. There are plenty of books and websites about game development.

 

[Ewok85]

Nintendo might make the hardware and stamp their name on the games but they dont design it all. Have a look at a smaller company, go to university and study design etc and start from there.