Clover Studios (Okami, Viewtiful Joe) closed...


[UPDATE] Capcom supplied Next-Gen with the following "assumed Q&A" regarding the closure of Clover Studios.

[Capcom US PR politely asked Next-Gen to remove the Q&A that was posted here, not on the basis that the information was infactual, but because the form of the Q&A wasn't final. It seems that it was meant for internal use. As stated in the Q&A, however, Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami left Capcom in November 2005, later signing on with the company on a contract basis. Okami producer Atsushi Inaba and Devil May Cry director Hideki Kamiya have officially left Capcom to seek "a new challenge. (Revised for clarity.)

Capcom has assured Next-Gen an interview with Capcom marketing VP Charles Bellfield who will answer all our Clover-related questions. Thanks for the understanding.]

:???:
 
This was posted on gaf:

Hi.

Inaba here.



It seems like we’ve caused a bit of a fuss.

Regarding what’s to become of Clover Studio, it’s exactly as Capcom announced on its site yesterday.



I’d like to give my thanks to all the people who have graciously given their support to Viewtiful Joe, Okami, GOD HAND and Clover Studio. It was all too brief, but you truly have our thanks. And to all of the people who have voiced their shock and disappointment at this announcement, we offer our sincere apologies.



Almost every day, I have looked over all of the emails of support and encouragement sent to our webmaster, and felt for myself the affection you have shown for our company and our works. And every day I reminded myself of the importance of remaining directly connected to the feelings of our audience. This basic principle is something that I don’t want to ever lose sight of, even now.



To all our supporters, it looks like we’ll have to end things on a sad note, but that principle is something we will never lose sight of, something that we will carry with us in our hearts. There is more that I’d like to write, more that I think I need to tell you, but there would be some complications were I to speak out here and now.



This "Okami Blog" is a place where we have posted information relating to Okami, and as such it will be left as it is, occasionally updated whenever there’s something to report.



So now what?



…I’d like to create a new blog (or something similar to one) and write more on that matter bit by bit. So we’re going to have to set things up first, but I will let you in on the details in some manner or another, so please wait just a bit longer.



Well then.



About those "Okami Good Luck Charms" that sold out so quickly and so few of you could get a hold of: a resale has been confirmed!They are scheduled to go on sale mid-November at e-capcom (Capcom’s online shop), but preorders have started today, so everyone who wants to make sure they get one, be sure to make your reservation!



Okay, be seeing you!
 
Bloody hell ,i hope to god Okami still will be released in europe .


and hope those guys try to form their own team or perhaps get some support from MS or SCEj.
 
SEED will be a Mistwalker all over again I think. Microsoft will offer them funding without hesitating.
 
Great news!!! I really hope they get some good funding from one of the major players in the industry, I love their games.
 
SEED will be a Mistwalker all over again I think. Microsoft will offer them funding without hesitating.

Why?

Okami had a lot of positive press and PR and won a lot of awards and still sold poorly. That is the hurdle in development: Create unique, fun games people will buy. It is like writing a book: I can spend 3 years writing the most indepth, technically excellent, and enjoyable book, but if it is on an obscure topic with little interest people won't buy it--and will be outsold by many quick cash in books. There is a fine line there, and taking a story and premise people will be interested in and creating a killer game around it is very difficult--an art even. Sadly Okami didn't seem to resonate.

I think Clover studios needs a console with a demographic more in line with their vision. Okami would probably fit well on the Wii. The controls seem like a perfect match, and the demographic should eat it alive.

The Xbox? Not so much.
 
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