Hideki Kamiya founds Clovers and announces sequel to Okami with Capcom

After leaving PlatinumGames Inc. at the end of 2023, Hideki Kamiya, one of the most influential names in the Japanese gaming industry, surprised everyone by announcing the creation of the Clovers studio and a collaboration with Capcom to develop a sequel to Okami, a cult classic beloved by many.

The new studio, which operates between Osaka and Tokyo, currently has a team of 20 people and plans to expand to about 70. Despite its relatively small size, Clovers' goal is to seek strategic partners to develop projects, avoiding financial risks that could compromise its independence. "We don't want to bite off more than we can chew," Kamiya emphasized.

However, if you're expecting big AAA productions, you might want to lower your expectations. Kamiya made it clear that he prefers to create games that prioritize creative identity and innovation over scaling commitments for commercial success. "Personally, I'm not interested in big titles, usually referred to as AAA. I want to work on intense games, but also on smaller, more exciting projects," he explained.

The studio's ambition is to balance medium-sized projects with independent titles, allowing for exploration of creativity without the overwhelming pressure that big productions often impose. "AAA titles are important, but the pressure for success can kill the creative spirit," Kamiya said.

While the foundation of Clovers sparks curiosity, it's the collaboration with Capcom for the sequel to Okami that has truly stolen the spotlight. This return to origins and partnership with former employers will surely be closely followed by fans and critics alike.

Now we just have to wait and see how this balance between creative independence and strategic collaboration will shape the studio's future projects.