Shinji Mikami
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Grasshopper goes Unreal for EA horror franchise
It may seem like a stretch, but we're keeping a close eye on every scrap of information surrounding the collaboration with Goichi "Suda51" Suda and Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami (as well as Tetsuya Mizuguchi's Q Entertainment). Publisher Electronic Arts has announced (via press release) that Suda51's studio Grasshopper Manufacture has licensed Epic's Unreal Engine 3 for the multiplatform horror franchise. We're curious what the use of UE3 means for the Wii version of the game, given Epic's non-support of the console.Unfortunately, what's lacking in the press release is any information about the game itself. Said Epic VP Jay Wilbur, "Grasshopper Manufacture is one of the most daring and innovative studios in the world, and we can't wait to see what they're able to do with Unreal Engine 3." Welcome to the club, buddy.
EA hoping to sign up more Japanese developers
Having already come to an arrangement with Japanese star developers Goichi "Suda 51" Suda and Shinji Mikami to publish a mysterious horror franchise*, who could blame EA for stalking showing interest in other Eastern talent? Speaking to MTV Multiplayer, David DeMartini, who oversees the EA Partners program and a board swathed in secret plans, candidly admits, "EA looks at the top 20 developers in the world and we try to sign anything those guys are working on." DeMartini explains that deals such as the Suda/Mikami one represent "something that is very unique and very special," despite being, like many of our relationships, "slightly uncomfortable for both parties." We're dying to see the results of EA's collaboration and share DeMartini's unshaken hope that it "will serve as a springboard to a successful formula that we can apply to some of the other great Japanese designers." You know, like Gackt.*It's the franchise that's mysterious, not the horror. We're quite certain it'll have obvious, horror-inducing things like ghosts or Rihanna albums.
EA publishing new action horror 'franchise' from Suda51, Shinji Mikami
EA has just announced a publishing agreement with eccentric No More Heroes developer, Grasshopper Manufacture. The deal concerns an "all-new action horror game" produced by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami and directed by the master of self-referential weirdness, Goichi "Suda51" Suda. The mysterious title, which also boasts the involvement of Q Entertainment, is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and Wii. Goichi Suda has nothing but good things to say about EA Partners in the press release, praising the group for sharing Grasshopper's "commitment to quality and innovation," all the while respecting its "independence as a studio, which is very empowering." EA Games' Frank Gibeau is equally polite, saying, "It is an honor for EA to sign Grasshopper Manufacture and help bring their new franchise to gamers worldwide. Franchise, you say? Of course, neither of them say anything about the actual game. Way to leave us hanging, guys!
Resident Evil's Shinji Mikami begins work on new project
"YEEEeeeees!!!"We couldn't agree more with Shinji Mikami's recent exclamation on his blog, where he announced that work had finally begun on a new, untitled project. The blog entry (translated by IGN) explains that the Resident Evil creator has managed to assemble a development team for his first endeavor under the Platinum Games banner. Though he says that more staff will be required to complete the game, we don't expect the lack of creative talent will pose much of a problem considering the company he's keeping at the studio.Mikami, eventually joined by Viewtiful Joe's Atsushi Inaba and Devil May Cry's Hideki Kamiya, departed Capcom in 2006 to form a new company, Seeds. In September 2007, it was announced that Seeds had merged with ODD Incorporated and ruined changed its name to "Platinum Games." NOOOooooo!!!
Shinji Mikami + David Lynch = development heaven?
You may know Shinji Mikami not by name, but by project -- he's one of the main creative forces behind games like Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, and the strangely forgotten about Dino Crisis. He's left Capcom and is currently an external board member on the newly formed SEEDS studio, born from the ashes of Clover Studios. What's surprising is that prior to Clover's closing, he actually formed another, private development team called Straight Story -- named after the crazy David Lynch movie. No worries, any projects he releases will carry the SEEDS brand, so there shouldn't be too much confusion there.As an aside, Mikami apologized for the multi-platform-itude of Resident Evil 4 and how he knew some people bought a GameCube just for that game... then it came to PlayStation 2. It seems like he harbors a little resentment towards Capcom... probably why he left.Anyway, Mikami told Famitsu that he's currently working on a couple of projects, but there won't be too much released about them until well into 2008. However, he plans to show something around summer regarding a project he's working on with the fellas that churned out the psycho-trippy Killer 7. Wonder what he's cooking up?
Former Clover members now working on Resident Evil 5, new Wii game
Capcom's VP of marketing, Charles Bellfield, recently demonstrated extraordinary levels of courage and patience when he was sealed in a (possibly metaphorical) room with our very own Kyle Orland. The experience yielded an interesting interview on Gamasutra, one that touches on the fate of Clover Studios and the not-so-elusive Ace Attorney 3. On the topic of Clover Studios and its untimely liquidation, Bellfield asserts that several members of the team have simply been integrated into other Capcom groups. "So, for example, some of the team that worked on Clover titles are now helping Takeuchi-san on Resident Evil 5, helping Inafune-san on a new title for the Wii, so I think it's very much the skill set still stays in the company when those individuals stay and, unfortunately, three individuals chose to leave." The three referenced individuals, namely Shinji Mikami, Atsushi Inaba and Hideki Kamiya, have since formed their own studio, Seeds.Later in the interview, Bellfield expresses some surprise as to the success Phoenix Wright has found in America, with the original title now having shipped over 100,000 copies since its introduction. "It's shipped steadily for the last year, and we've just shipped Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Justice for All and we have more coming up, so I think again it's like a good book, it's that word of mouth that gets people out there to learn more about the game." With that, Bellfield likely confirms what we've suspected since Capcom launched it's Ace Attorney 3 contest last week -- the third Phoenix Wright adventure is likely being localized as we speak. English, that is.
Capcom hits us with more God Hand
Capcom has released a third trailer for God Hand, a project that boasts such talent as Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami as director and Viewtiful Joe creator Atsushi Inaba as producer. The new footage features some outrageous ass kicking, including groin assaults, spanking, homerun swings, and an exploding body. Sprinkle a dash of clever, but campy dialogue into the mix and you've got the ingredients for a classic.If God Hand is any indication, the best Sony console to own this holiday season is still gonna be PlayStation 2. Continue on to view the trailer...
God Hand unites Capcom's elite
Capcom has confirmed that God Hand is currently in development for the PS2 in Japan. While a company rep declined to give further details about the title and the possibility of its release outside of Japan, JeuxFrance.com claims that God Hand will be an action title crafted under the guidance of Shinji Mikami (director) and Atsushi Inaba (producer).Both Capcom vets have impressive resumes, which could lead to a successful formula. Inaba has produced the Viewtiful Joe series, as well as Okami (due in September). Mikami's work also includes Viewtiful Joe, along with Devil May Cry and Capcom darling, Resident Evil.
