At the first NieR Replicant official stream on April 19, Square Enix producer Yosuke Saito and NieR series creative director Yoko Taro announced a new game together - is it NieR Automata related? Here's what happened.

Is it a NieR Automata successor?

NieR Automata is the latest console game of the NieR series. Since then, the series also stopped by iOS and Android, with NieR Reincarnation in early 2021 on mobile. And this week, NieR Replicant Ver.1.22, an enhanced version of the original, will be launching on consoles and PC.

As for this new game, it seems unlikely to be as grand as NieR Automata. As on stream, Yosuke Saito and Yoko Taro explained the new game is "indie like" and will only be released digitally. Though they hinted at a limited physical edition. All of this was also written on sheets Yosuke Saito displayed:

The duo also added that the game's development recently reached a playable state. Note that they did not reveal the game's title, platforms, or a release date estimate yet. Lastly, it's highly likely this game is one of the two Yoko Taro games teased in 2020.

  • YOKO TARO - What we know about his two new games at Square Enix.

Yoko Taro's new game - Is it even NieR / Drakengard related?

While it was unspecified on stream, it's unlikely this new project with Yoko Taro will be NieR / Drag-on Dragoon (Drakengard) related. With that said, Square Enix is definitely working on more NieR.

Square Enix NieR team is recruiting

Still on the stream, Yosuke Saito announced Square Enix and the NieR team specifically, is hiring. Soon after the stream ended, the Square Enix NieR hiring page was updated. They are looking for art directors and scenario designers. The page also includes messages from Yoko Taro and Yosuke Saito. We summarized them below.

Yoko Taro brought up the various developments of the series for the 10th anniversary, with the releases of "NieR Replisomething" and "NieR Reinsomething". He mentioned it's thanks to the new staff they recently hired, who did most of the work while he spent his time sleeping. So if you're motivated and want to use him as a stepping stone for your game developer career, now's your chance.

Yosuke Saito meanwhile explained on stream one position they're most notably hiring for is assistant producer, so you'd be working directly with him. As for his message, he stated this is a rare opportunity where you'd get to earn a living and learn from Yoko Taro, and that he would have definitely applied himself when younger. He added that it's a lot of hard work, but still a very good environment for the game industry.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 releases on April 24, 2021, worldwide, on PS4, PC via Steam, and Xbox One.