Hideki Kamiya Reflects on His Departure from PlatinumGames: “I Couldn’t Bring My Soul to Life”

Hideki Kamiya has elaborated on his choice to depart PlatinumGames in 2023, stating: “I could not permit myself to stifle my essence for the sake of working in an atmosphere I didn’t resonate with.”

In a recent discussion with Japanese outlet Game*Spark (translated by Automaton), the Bayonetta creator spoke about his new studio Clovers and disputed any parallels to Capcom’s now-defunct Clover Studio (where he contributed to Okami and Viewtiful Joe), asserting that it wasn’t him “clinging to the past”.

“If there’s one thing I can assert with certainty, it’s Capcom Production Studio 4,” he remarked. “Studio 4 is where my journey began, and where I drew lessons from Shinji Mikami – a person who has been absolutely vital to my career, both as a creator and as a mentor.”

Mikami led Production Studio 4, which was responsible for numerous Resident Evil titles, Dino Crisis, Devil May Cry, and many others.

“Back in those days, we affectionately referred to what Mikami taught us as the ‘spirit of the 4th’,” Kamiya explained. “The reason for my departure from PlatinumGames was the company’s increasing shift towards a contemporary approach to game development that neglects the importance of individuality among creators.”

He further expressed: “Even if it meant the conclusion of my journey as a creator, I could not compromise my essence for the sake of fitting into an environment I disagreed with.”

Kamiya is known for being particularly vocal within the gaming industry; however, his work undoubtedly features a unique and distinctive character: from the fresh style of Devil May Cry and the flamboyance in Bayonetta to the surreal aesthetics of Okami and Viewtiful Joe.

This spirit of “the creators’ individuality” is also notably evident in, for example, Hideo Kojima‘s upcoming Death Stranding 2. In a landscape crowded with numerous copycat games and sequels, Kamiya’s remarks highlight the significance of crafting original experiences.

Another example from Kamiya’s repertoire is the shelved Scalebound, a project he collaborated on at PlatinumGames with Microsoft. This action game focused on a human protagonist equipped with headphones and a smartphone, navigating a fantastical realm alongside a dragon companion. Kamiya recently expressed his desire to revive this project, directly addressing Xbox chief Phil Spencer.

Kamiya even playfully jabbed at his former employer in a recent video on his YouTube channel. It features a gathering of notable developers from PlatinumGames who have recently departed, all enjoying a lively celebration.