In a wide-ranging dialogue on his profession with fellow Japanese developer Ikumi Nakamura, the person behind beloved motion classics like Satan Might Cry and Bayonetta instantly addressed his outdated employer, Capcom, with a request: let him again within the studio to make sequels to 2 of his video games.
In 2006 Kamiya directed the Zelda-like journey recreation Okami, which we rated extremely greater than a decade later when it was lastly ported to PC. It was his final recreation at Capcom—the corporate closed the inner studio that had made Okami shortly after its launch, and lots of the builders (together with Kamiya) left to discovered Platinum. However after practically 20 years, it looks like Kamiya nonetheless seems like he has unfinished enterprise.
“The story ended halfway, so leaving it as it’s, I really feel unhealthy,” Kamiya mirrored. “Creators, I believe, have the responsibility to create sequels followers are eager to see. Though I sound all excessive and mighty, it has been awhile since I’ve moved on from Okami. However I nonetheless really feel like I have not fulfilled my responsibility. So Capcom, please, let’s do it collectively.”
Nakamura added her personal “please,” as she’d labored with Kamiya as an artist on Okami—her first credited recreation position after becoming a member of Capcom at age 19. This is not the primary time the 2 have mentioned making a sequel—they even recorded a video in 2019 declaring that “Okami goes to be again!” although the assured declaration apparently wasn’t sufficient to get Capcom on board. Perhaps this time, with Kamiya freshly unemployed, there’s an opportunity it’s going to occur—although Nakamura now has her personal studio, the place she’s heading up horror recreation Kemuri.
The dialog between the 2 is playful however does appear honest. Kamiya added that he additionally felt the identical means about his comedian e-book themed beat ’em up Viewtiful Joe, which did get a sequel however apparently left some issues unresolved. Whereas a latest Capcom fan survey noticed loads of individuals asking for an Okami sequel, Kamiya joked that Viewtiful Joe did not even get a point out. “It is solely as a result of eight individuals have performed Viewtiful Joe,” he stated. “That recreation additionally ended mid-way, so I would like to complete it. The survey that Capcom did final time did not have Viewtiful Joe as an choice, so I despatched a response saying ‘I’m Hideki Kamiya, let me make Viewtiful Joe’s sequel.'”
His write-in remark did not make it into the survey outcomes, and Kamiya’s apparently nonetheless salty about it. “The director himself is asking to make the sport once more however they will not even discuss it. What the hell, Capcom? The place did my remark go? They will publish feedback from different gamers like ‘Resident Evil was my first recreation I purchased for my PlayStation’ or ‘I’ve all the time loved taking part in Mega Man since I used to be a child.’ These feedback are essential, however it could’ve been good in the event that they talked about me too. Hear me out as a director, please. I am human too. I am additionally a gamer. I want they’d deal with me equally like players.”
Nakamura is cracking up all through the change, so it is clear they’re having a little bit of enjoyable. However additionally they know what number of followers want to see sequels to each video games (thousands and thousands for Okami; precisely eight for Viewtiful Joe).
“This type of factor ignites one thing and causes a stir which may result in truly beginning one other undertaking,” Kamiya stated. “We need to take probabilities on miracles like that. So truthfully, we weren’t pranking however moderately encouraging a shift. You realize, now that I am unemployed.”
