Hideki Kamiya returns to the gaming industry with a new Okami sequel and a new studio after ending his 20-year stay at PlatinumGames. Read on to find out more about the upcoming title, and his new studio, Clovers.
Okami Sequel Helmed By Kamiya Himself
Fulfilling A Long-Standing Ambition
Legendary former Capcom game director Hideki Kamiya has announced his return to the game industry with an Okami sequel, produced by a new studio he recently founded. He sat down with VGC for an interview, providing more insight into Clovers Inc., the revival of the 18-year-old Okami IP, and why he left PlatinumGames.
Kamiya is known for being the director of amazing titles such as the original Okami, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 2, Bayonetta, and Viewtiful Joe. However, he’s always noted that Okami (and Viewtiful Joe) were the IPs that he strongly had the desire to create sequels for. In his opinion, the narratives of both games were incomplete, and he felt responsible for finishing up any loose ends. He even shared in a YouTube video with fellow game director Ikumi Nakamura (who also worked on Okami) that he has been asking Capcom for a sequel to the games, but to no avail. "The director himself is asking to make the game again, but they won’t even talk about it!" he joked.
However, it seems that his long-standing ambition is finally being fulfilled with the Okami IP, with a newly founded studio and teaming up with his former company, Capcom, as publisher.
New Sequel With New Studio, Clovers Inc.
Image from Clovers Inc. official website
Kamiya’s new studio is named Clovers Inc., a name influenced by the original developing studio that created Okami and Viewtiful Joe named Clover Studio, as well as a nod to his very first team in Capcom that directed Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. After all, Clover Studio is a milestone in his long career that he holds dear, one that he cannot overlook. "It was a company founded by former members of Capcom’s Division 4, built on the creative philosophy that [co-founder, Resident Evil creator] Mr. Mikami valued deeply. I’m still proud to have been part of that team. Though many years have passed since Clover Studio ceased to exist, the creative principles we held at the time remain just as important to me today," he shared to VGC.
Clovers Inc. is a joint venture by Kamiya himself and former PlatinumGames colleague, Kento Koyama. When Kamiya left PlatinumGames in October 2023, he was admittedly unsure of what to do next—that is, until Koyama approached him and convinced him to start a new company, with a new project. At present, Koyama handles most of the managing in Clovers as its president, with Kamiya focusing more on game development. "I’m a game developer, and my skill is making games. I can’t run a company," Kamiya said, noting that he knew Koyama was good at managing money and people. "I knew from experience that he could do it."
Image from Clovers Inc. official website
The up-and-coming Okami 2 studio now has 25 employees in total, split between Tokyo and Osaka. They plan to slowly expand as the company shifts to full gear for the sequel’s production. However, Kamiya noted that it’s not about the numbers—it’s about the mindset.
"For me, the most important thing isn’t building a huge company with lots of people—it’s ensuring that everyone shares the same mindset. I want to work with those who are truly passionate about creating something great, true creatives who can develop games with a strong core," he commented. A number of their team members are also former PlatinumGames employees who have previously worked with either Kamiya or Koyama and expressed a desire to continue working with them and thus followed the new company, sharing the same mindset that Kamiya was looking for.
On His Exit From PlatinumGames
However, there are still a lot of people who were shocked at Kamiya’s exit from PlatinumGames—a company he co-founded and stayed with for two decades. He was the company’s creative leader, vice president, and the face of the company. He has hinted at dissatisfaction with the internal changes happening, which ultimately didn’t align with his own philosophy on creating games.
"If I was satisfied at Platinum, then I wouldn’t have left. There’s a way I believe games should be made: a philosophy, a mindset of how games should be made. Koyama approached me, and we shared the same mindset and philosophy about game development." he said simply.
Nevertheless, despite the tension behind the scenes, Kamiya was enthusiastic about the new Okami project, saying that he was really looking forward to the game. He and Koyama started from nothing to get their new company off the ground, and seeing their hard work come to fruition made him excited. "Of course, the end goal of that is to make games, but just bringing people together and starting this company from nothing is also what’s really exciting for me."
Kamiya Apologizes For Snappy Remark To Fan
Besides being the director and mastermind behind several critically acclaimed titles, Kamiya is also infamous on social media for his sharp but comedic answers to fans’ questions, as well as his short patience. He has been seen calling people "insects" and even blocking fans if they answer "stupid questions." Some netizens find it hilarious, while others are not a fan of how he acts. However, his cold heart seems to be warming up a bit after he recently posted an apology directed to a fan he previously insulted, showing some remorse.
On an X (Twitter) post dated December 16th, 2AM EST, Kamiya posted that he was watching peoples’ reactions to Okami’s grand sequel announcement, and was "really touched" when he came across a fan getting "very emotional and overjoyed." But then, he recognized the fan’s face and quickly looked through his X (Twitter) history, only to find out that they have had interactions before—and not of the best kind. "She asked me a question. But in response, I was rudely shouting insults at her, and now I want to snap my own neck off…" he commented. He then added onto the thread with the said video of the fan, along with a caption "I like this person…and I’m sorry about what happened before…"
Moreover, he even seems to be responding to requests of fans asking him to unblock them, as well as reposting touching reaction videos to the sequel announcements and quoting fans, giving compliments to their fanmade art and cosplays. But that doesn’t mean he’s changing overnight—he’s still chewing out people who keep annoying him enough.
Source:
VGC’s Interview with Hideki Kamiya
Hideki Kamiya regrets harsh outburst towards Okami fan on X so much he wants to “snap his own neck off”
