Hideki Kamiya, the legendary game director known for his work on titles like Okami, Devil May Cry, and Bayonetta, has made a triumphant return to the gaming industry. After a 20-year tenure at PlatinumGames, Kamiya has founded a new studio, Clovers Inc., and is set to helm a sequel to the beloved Okami series. In an exclusive interview with VGC, Kamiya shared insights into his new venture, the revival of the 18-year-old Okami IP, and his reasons for leaving PlatinumGames.

Fulfilling A Long-Standing Ambition

Kamiya has long expressed a desire to create sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe, feeling that their narratives were left incomplete. Despite his efforts to persuade Capcom, the original publisher, to greenlight a sequel, his requests went unanswered. "The director himself is asking to make the game again, but they won’t even talk about it!" he humorously remarked in a YouTube video with fellow director Ikumi Nakamura. Now, with Clovers Inc. and a partnership with Capcom as the publisher, Kamiya's dream of continuing the Okami saga is finally coming to fruition.

New Sequel With New Studio, Clovers Inc.

Image from Clovers Inc. official website

Clovers Inc. draws its name from the original Clover Studio, which developed Okami and Viewtiful Joe, and Kamiya's first team at Capcom that worked on Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. Clover Studio, founded by former members of Capcom’s Division 4, was a significant part of Kamiya's career, embodying a creative philosophy he deeply values. "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," Kamiya told VGC.

Clovers Inc. is a joint venture between Kamiya and his former PlatinumGames colleague, Kento Koyama. After leaving PlatinumGames in October 2023, Kamiya was uncertain about his next move until Koyama proposed starting a new company. Koyama now serves as the president of Clovers, managing the business side, while Kamiya focuses on game development. "I’m a game developer, and my skill is making games. I can’t run a company," Kamiya admitted, praising Koyama's management skills.

Image from Clovers Inc. official website

Currently, Clovers Inc. employs 25 people across offices in Tokyo and Osaka, with plans to expand as they ramp up production for the Okami sequel. Kamiya emphasized that the focus is not on the size of the team but on the shared mindset and passion for creating exceptional games. "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 and Koyama's vision.

On His Exit From PlatinumGames

Kamiya's departure from PlatinumGames, a company he co-founded and where he served as creative leader and vice president, surprised many. He hinted at internal changes that did not align 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 tensions, Kamiya is excited about the new Okami project and the journey of building Clovers Inc. from scratch. "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 humorous responses on social media, which have earned him a reputation for being both entertaining and occasionally abrasive. He has been known to call fans "insects" and block those he deems to be asking "stupid questions." However, in a recent X (Twitter) post dated December 16th, 2AM EST, Kamiya showed a softer side by apologizing to a fan he had previously insulted.

He was touched by the fan's emotional reaction to the Okami sequel announcement and, upon reviewing their past interactions, realized he had been rude. "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. He shared a video of the fan's reaction and added, "I like this person…and I’m sorry about what happened before…"

Kamiya has also been responding to fans' requests to be unblocked and has been reposting and complimenting fan-made art and cosplays related to the sequel announcement. While he remains candid and sometimes sharp, this gesture indicates a willingness to mend past interactions and engage more positively with his fanbase.