Hideki Kamiya, the legendary game director behind iconic titles such as Okami, Devil May Cry, and Resident Evil 2, has made a triumphant return to the gaming industry. After a 20-year tenure at PlatinumGames, Kamiya has launched a new studio, Clovers Inc., and announced an eagerly awaited sequel to Okami. In an exclusive interview with VGC, Kamiya shared insights into his new venture, the revival of the Okami IP, and the reasons behind his departure from PlatinumGames.
Fulfilling A Long-Standing Ambition
Kamiya has long expressed his desire to create sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe, feeling that their narratives were left unresolved. Despite his persistent requests to Capcom, the original publisher, for a follow-up, his efforts were met with silence. "The director himself is asking to make the game again, but they won’t even talk about it!" he humorously recounted in a YouTube video with fellow director Ikumi Nakamura. Now, with Clovers Inc., and in partnership with Capcom as the publisher, Kamiya is finally bringing his vision for an Okami sequel to life.
New Sequel With New Studio, Clovers Inc.
Clovers Inc., Kamiya's new studio, draws its name from Clover Studio, the original developer of Okami and Viewtiful Joe, and a nod to his early days at Capcom where he directed Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. Reflecting on his time at Clover Studio, Kamiya expressed pride in being part of a team founded by former members of Capcom's Division 4, which was built on the creative philosophy of Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. "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," he told VGC.
Clovers Inc. is a joint venture with Kento Koyama, a former PlatinumGames colleague. After leaving PlatinumGames in October 2023, Kamiya was uncertain about his next move until Koyama proposed starting a new company. Koyama, who now serves as president of Clovers, manages the business side, allowing Kamiya to focus on what he does best—game development. "I’m a game developer, and my skill is making games. I can’t run a company," Kamiya admitted, praising Koyama's managerial skills.
Currently, Clovers Inc. employs 25 staff members split between Tokyo and Osaka, with plans for gradual expansion. Kamiya emphasizes the importance of a shared mindset over sheer numbers. "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 explained. Many of the team members are former PlatinumGames employees who share Kamiya's and Koyama's vision.
On His Exit From PlatinumGames
Kamiya's departure from PlatinumGames, a company he co-founded and served for two decades, surprised many. As the company's creative leader and vice president, he hinted at internal changes that conflicted with his philosophy on game development. "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 stated.
Despite the underlying tensions, Kamiya is excited about the new Okami project. The journey of building Clovers Inc. from scratch and seeing their vision take shape has been invigorating. "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," he shared.
Kamiya Apologizes For Snappy Remark To Fan
Kamiya is also known for his sharp and often comedic social media interactions, where he has been known to call fans "insects" and block those asking "stupid questions." However, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter) dated December 16th at 2AM EST, Kamiya showed a softer side. He apologized to a fan he had previously insulted after recognizing her emotional reaction to the Okami sequel announcement. "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 wrote, expressing regret and appreciation for the fan.
Kamiya has also been responding to requests from fans to unblock them and has been reposting and complimenting fan-made art and cosplays related to the sequel announcement. While his demeanor remains sharp, these actions suggest a willingness to engage more positively with his community.
