Hideki Kamiya, after a 20-year tenure at PlatinumGames, embarks on a new chapter, launching Clovers Inc. and delivering on an 18-year-old dream: an Okami sequel. Discover more about this highly anticipated title and Kamiya's new studio below.
Okami Sequel: A Kamiya Masterpiece
Realizing a Long-Held Ambition
Gaming legend Hideki Kamiya, renowned for directing classics like the original Okami, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 2, Bayonetta, and Viewtiful Joe, has announced his return with a highly anticipated Okami sequel. In a recent interview with VGC, Kamiya detailed his new studio, Clovers Inc., the revival of the beloved 18-year-old IP, and his departure from PlatinumGames.
Kamiya has long expressed his desire to create sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe, believing their narratives were unfinished. He even jokingly recounted on YouTube (with fellow game director Ikumi Nakamura) his unsuccessful attempts to convince Capcom to greenlight a sequel. Now, his ambition is finally realized, with a new studio and Capcom as publisher.
A New Sequel, A New Studio: Clovers Inc.
Image from Clovers Inc. official website
Kamiya's new studio, Clovers Inc., pays homage to both Clover Studio (developers of Okami and Viewtiful Joe) and his early Capcom team behind Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. Kamiya explained to VGC, "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."
Clovers Inc. is a joint venture with former PlatinumGames colleague Kento Koyama. Following Kamiya's October 2023 departure from PlatinumGames, Koyama convinced him to start anew. Koyama serves as president, 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 stated, highlighting Koyama's expertise in management.
Image from Clovers Inc. official website
Currently employing 25 people across Tokyo and Osaka, Clovers Inc. plans to expand gradually. However, Kamiya emphasizes 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." Many team members are former PlatinumGames employees who share Kamiya and Koyama's vision.
Departing PlatinumGames
Kamiya's departure from PlatinumGames, a company he co-founded and led for two decades, surprised many. He alludes to internal changes that conflicted with his game development philosophy: "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."
Despite the circumstances, Kamiya expresses immense enthusiasm for the Okami sequel, highlighting the excitement of building Clovers Inc. from the ground up.
A Public Apology
Beyond his celebrated career, Kamiya is known for his sometimes blunt social media interactions. In a recent X (formerly Twitter) post, he apologized to a fan he previously insulted, demonstrating a shift in his online persona. He expressed being "really touched" by the fan's emotional response to the Okami sequel announcement, only to realize he had previously been harsh towards them. He's since been seen unblocking fans and engaging more positively online.
