"Okami 2: Kamiya's 18-Year Dream Sequel Realized"

Hideki Kamiya, the legendary game director, is back in the gaming industry with an exciting new sequel to the beloved Okami series, and he's doing it through his freshly established studio, Clovers Inc. This marks a significant return for Kamiya, who left PlatinumGames after spending two decades there. In an exclusive interview with VGC, Kamiya shared details about his new venture, the revival of the Okami IP, and his departure from PlatinumGames.

Fulfilling A Long-Standing Ambition

Hideki Kamiya, renowned for directing iconic games like the original Okami, Devil May Cry, Resident Evil 2, Bayonetta, and Viewtiful Joe, has always harbored a deep desire to create sequels for Okami and Viewtiful Joe. He felt that the stories in these games were left unfinished and deserved proper closure. Despite his persistent requests to Capcom for a sequel, his efforts were met with silence. "The director himself is asking to make the game again, but they won’t even talk about it!" Kamiya humorously remarked in a YouTube video alongside fellow game director Ikumi Nakamura. However, his long-held ambition is now being realized with the new Okami sequel, developed by his new studio and published by Capcom.

New Sequel With New Studio, Clovers Inc.

Image from Clovers Inc. official website

Kamiya's new studio, Clovers Inc., is a nod to his past. The name pays homage to Clover Studio, the original developer of Okami and Viewtiful Joe, as well as his initial team at Capcom, which directed Resident Evil 2 and Devil May Cry. Clover Studio, founded by former members of Capcom's Division 4, was built on a creative philosophy championed by co-founder and Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. "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. Though many years have passed since Clover Studio ceased to exist, the creative principles we held at the time remain just as important to me today," Kamiya shared with VGC.

Clovers Inc. is a joint venture between Kamiya and his former PlatinumGames colleague, Kento Koyama. After leaving PlatinumGames in October 2023, Kamiya was unsure of his next move until Koyama convinced him to start a new company with a new project. Koyama now serves as the president of Clovers, handling management duties, 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, acknowledging Koyama's skills in managing finances and people.

Image from Clovers Inc. official website

Currently, Clovers Inc. employs 25 people across offices in Tokyo and Osaka, with plans to expand as production on the Okami sequel ramps up. However, Kamiya emphasizes that it's not about the size of the team but the shared vision and passion. "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 said. Many of the team members are former PlatinumGames employees who have worked with Kamiya or Koyama and share their creative philosophy.

On His Exit From PlatinumGames

Kamiya's departure from PlatinumGames, a company he co-founded and led for 20 years, surprised many. He hinted at internal changes that no longer aligned 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 explained.

Despite the challenges, 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."

Kamiya Apologizes For Snappy Remark To Fan

Known for his sharp wit and sometimes abrasive responses on social media, Kamiya recently showed a softer side. On December 16th at 2 AM EST, he posted on X (formerly Twitter) about watching fans' reactions to the Okami sequel announcement. He was touched by a fan's emotional response but then realized he had previously insulted her. "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 confessed. He shared the fan's reaction video, adding, "I like this person…and I’m sorry about what happened before…"

Kamiya is also responding to fans' requests to be unblocked and reposting their touching reaction videos and fan art, while still maintaining his characteristic bluntness with those who continue to provoke him.