Keiji Inafune leaves Capcom (UPDATE)

[kosmos]

Keiji Inafune announced today via his blog that he will be leaving his position at both Capcom and Daletto at the end of the month... more info can be found at andriasang.

Sad day for the Mega Man community. We wish you the best luck, INAFKING.

Here is the full, translated interview with Inafking about his decision for leaving, his possible plans for the future, and more...

[Acid]

This [tornado fang]ing sucks.

[Blackhook]

...Wait what?

[KudosForce]

WHAT!? Noooooooooooo!!!

Well, this is unexpectedly unpleasant. But still, I do understand that not being directly involved with your work can be detrimental, in the long run. I just hope that Mega Man Legends 3's development will go smoothly without him (especially since fans are getting involved ). A possible Mega Man 11 would likely be done well without him, but still.

I won't be surprised if he follows Yuji Naka and Masahiro Sakurai's footsteps and decides to start up his own independant company. Good luck to you, sir! I'll continue to follow your work.

[kosmos]

I'm not worried about Legends 3 at all, I'm worried because probably there is nobody at Capcom to push the franchise when the sells are not good. Let's pray for good sales, or bad things could happen.

[Acid]

I want to share your optimism, kosmos.
But I am kinda worried about this.

[borockman]

...

...

...

WHAT THE!? I'M SHOCKED!

Well, I guess I can understand his reason. I hope he can do stuff  he likes without constraint then...

But does that mean there will be no more megaman by Inafking?

[Sniper X]

Reminds me of Tomonobu Itagaki leaving Tecmo.

[HokutoNoBen]

Sadly, I could see this happening. But even with all of the nutty things he's been saying in the press, I didn't think it would be happening THIS SOON.

*salutes*

[The Great Gonzo]

Sadly, I could see this happening. But even with all of the nutty things he's been saying in the press, I didn't think it would be happening THIS SOON.

Same here...

I wish you the best of luck, Inafking.

[VixyNyan]

He just needs some fresh air. After working so many years, we all need to relax and do something else for a change. If he wants, he can start his own company with his own ideas, or do some doujin works of his own, be it games or other creative things.

And he can decide if he wants to help other companies or work on projects he couldn't do before.

Rest well, Inafune. You earned it. ^^

[Aresian]

Haha... well, in retrospect honestly... I'm glad. I don't like Inafune's ideas of "Westernizing" everything. It has and always will be a bad idea. Capcom makes sells, has ALWAYS made sells. It does fine with the vision it has had, despite how many things have changed. Inafune wants things that frankly... people in their right mind should not want.

Devil May Cry is a good example of why I am GLAD he is going out the door. Though... why he is leaving now is a good question. I could say something snarky like... Capcom wouldn't let him turn MML3 into an FPS... but I won't. I assume he is either tired or through with the whole "Capcom: Western vs Eastern" BS. Just keep Capcom the way it is. There is enough diversity with the company (unlike say, Squeenix for the most part) that it can cater to a plethora of different kinds of fans.

So... Ciao, Inafune. Ciao.

[Turian]

He should have saw Legends 3 through first. This sucks. What a letdown.

[Smoke]

I have a bad feeling for the future of rockman... well best luck to you, inafking

[Flame]

Suddenly im reminded of when Yuji Naka left Sega.

Wow. Though I cant say I didn't see this coming. He was getting increasingly upset with Capcom's company heads, and the japanese gaming biz in general. Not to mention the position he's in has GOT to be demanding... From what it seems, he has really not had that much fun being involved with the series lately. After all, outside of 9 and 10, he has not been a producer in a Mega Man game since 8/X4. he used to do illustrations, and him an the team would be all happy happy. After X4, he's just been "special thanks".

I actually kinda worry about Mega man now. :C

I wonder what he will do from here on out? Make his own company perhaps, like the aforementioned Mr. Naka?

In any case, Good luck Inafune-San! D:

[Turian]

  Also adding too my last.

MML3 "dream project" my ass. He didn't see it through! What a [sonic slicer].    

[Kieran]

Yeah, that's what I've been saying for ten years.  He doesn't really care one way or another.

On the other hand, I don't really see what there is to worry about.  He hasn't actually been INVOLVED with Megaman for the last ten years, either.  I doubt this'll have any bearing whatsoever on Legends 3's development, which is all I really care about.  It'll be the only Megaman game I've had any interest in since 2007 anyway.

[CephiYumi]

Well, both my zombie people have left capcom now

[Acid]

Does that mean Dead Rising stream tonight?

[Jericho]

Mikami, Kamiya and now Inafune... WTF is happening to my Capcom?

Edit - After re-reading the article I now feel bad for jumping down the guy's throat in regards to the whole westernization and big budgeting of most Capcom franchises. It seems as though that was a more company mandated line they fed him to pimp out to the media. He notes that he would actually find a lot more joy and satisfaction working on the kinds of projects he'd like to on a smaller scale... Damn.

[CephiYumi]

Does that mean Dead Rising stream tonight?

Yeah, I guess so

[GP Aznable]

Damn, Capcom is DOOMED.


Now who's gonna be its saviour, Jun Takeuchi? No, just no....

[Karai]

what is this I don't even
At least it looks like he still wants to create things. Who knows, maybe some day he'll return with another hit.

What will happen with all those trademarks, rights, and stuff?

[Acid]

What will happen with all those trademarks, rights, and stuff?

Capcom keeps them.

[Align]

I would be sad, except I don't know how much influence he had, if it was good or bad (to my tastes), plus I doubt he'll have trouble finding work. Mostly I find myself wondering "what will change?"