And we have a sneaking suspicion, based on what’s going on in the Japanese gaming industry, as to where he’ll continue his career…
PlatinumGames was founded on October 1, 2007, by Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil), Tatsuya Minami, Atsushi Inaba (the company’s current CEO), and Hideki Kamiya (designer, director, executive vice president). Kamiya will leave the company where he was director of Bayonetta and The Wonderful 101 and creative director of Sol Cresta. Before his departure, he was also working on a new game, Project G.G., which he said would be the final act in his epic trilogy (the first, Viewtiful Joe, was still created at Capcom, and the second was The Wonderful 101.)
Here is how PlatinumGames announced Kamiya’s departure on Twitter: “We regret to announce that Hideki Kamiya will be leaving PlatinumGames on October 12, 2023. We are truly grateful for his creative ideas, leadership, and contribution to the growth of PlatinumGames from our start-up to this day. We believe that he will continue to succeed in his future endeavors as a game creator. We look forward to seeing the game industry grow into a better place with him. We wish him all the best for the future!”
Kamiya also mentioned the departure (no wonder, as he loves using Twitter): “As announced on the official PlatinumGames Twitter account, I will be leaving PlatinumGames on October 12, 2023. This came after a lot of consideration based on my own beliefs. And it was by no means an easy decision to make. However, I feel this outcome is for the best. I will continue to create in my Hideki Kamiya way. I hope you’ll keep your eyes peeled.”
No word from the director of Resident Evil 2, Viewtiful Joe, Okami, Bayonetta, or The Wonderful 101 on where he’ll continue, but we’re guessing. We think he’s got the Chinese money and will continue under NetEase, one of the big tech giants. After all, it was from SEGA (Ryu Ga Gotoku Studios, to be precise) that they could poach Toshihiro Nagoshi, the former head of the Yakuza series. Whatever happens, we wish Kamiya the best of luck!
Source: Gematsu
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