Keita Takahashi leaves Namco, calls it a 'so-so' company

Game design luminary Keita Takahashi, best known for the long-running Katamari Damacy franchise and the recent PSN/iPhone game Noby Noby Boy, has left Namco Bandai Games. His departure was confirmed to Play.tm by a company spokesperson earlier today.

[PirateThom]

I think this may be the best thing he could do... he makes neich games and Namco probably weren't offering support. Needs somewhere his creativity can be better utilised but also directed.

[N4GAddict]

I think Sony or Nintendo should hire him

[rockleex]

If he can find ways to apply his artistic ideas in games, like Fumito Ueda.

But he can't.

Katamary Damacy was great, but he hasn't made any other games other than Noby Noby Boy.

And that game was just pointless. I think his concepts and ideas are too vague for games.

The great thing about Ueda is that although he's an artist, he's also a great director and can find a concrete path to do what needs to be done.

To get his message across without even using words.

[gaffyh]

I think Sony should just offer jobs to big time developers like Kojima, Nomura and to a lesser extent Takahashi. That way they always have an option of going to Sony rather than having their games not made they way they want them.

Japan Studio would only benefit from these guys.

[ActionBastard]

Japan Studio or bet yet, an SCEA or SCEE studio is where this man would excel.

[yewles1]

Maybe he can work with TGC... ^__^

[jack_burt0n]

noby noby is just f**king out there! it really is, its just nuts the dude needs to stop sniffing so much glue.

[Megaton]

As big of a Katamari fan as I am, I didn't like Noby Noby Boy at all. Just couldn't get into it. I liked the GIRL concept, and hoped that would be implemented into more games. I think Battlefield 1943 was the only game to do so, unlocking a new map after 43,000,000 total community kills.

[gauntletpython]

Based on his comments, its doesn't seem like he'll be going to any company. He seems pretty disillusioned with the industry as a whole.

[CrzyFooL]

Namcown'd.

[writersblock]

oh.... no!
...no?
Yes?
Whos takahashi?

[Baka-akaB]

I dont see him going anywhere , i remember him being pretty bored with videogames as an industry so he might go toward another form of entertainement and art ..

Or he could found another studio .. or join the merry band of kamiya , Inaba , Mikami and suda (for tango studio) at Platinum .

Hell for all of capcom's inafune's empty talk about the state of japan gaming (for wich he is a big guilty party) , platinum seems like a beacon of light and perfect for crazy designers

[TheColbertinator]

He should join Nintendo.They will accept his creativity with open arms

[Trroy]

Katamari Wario?

[Trroy]

Am I the only one who thought Katamari Damacy was cool when it came out, and also that it should have died after the first game?

It was cool, as in "wierd and different". Not cool as in, "well designed".

[Octo1]

at the time it came out. Very unique,weird,funky,bizarre. I don't think there was a game that was even close to being similar to it.

[Godmars290]

Yeah, it was a quirky budget that became an underground hit, so they basically re-released the same game at full price.

[jc48573]

There are times when this guy just gives me the creeps after watching one of his videos on Noby Noby.

[Octo1]

This guy was at one point Namcos version of Hideo Kojima.He was pretty much given a lot of creative freedom when creating games since the Katamari series was such a success (early versions anyway).Namco suits wanted Nobi Nobi Boy to be multiplat but this guy wanted it to be a PS3 exclusive.Now the reason for the exclusivity for Nobi Nobi was due to he liked the PS3 controller better (the analog stick placement specifically). As far as his comment about Namco being a so so company he's pretty much bang on. I can't think of a game that has came out namco lately that has been a success like Katamari.

[Stealth20k]

Of course namcos bad they dont localize there best franchise

[TheBatman_Fanatic]

If your referring to Tales, I completely agree!

[Godmars290]

Ignoring all the noise yet ultimate failure around Tekken, th company's been making a number of Square-level flubs this gen. Like not releasing Tales so late on the PS3 in the West while holding back content on the 360.

[Baka-akaB]

For all the constant Square enix trashing here , most people dont realize how far worse Namco Bandai and its future sounds ...

They dont have any kind of synergy , intel and tech sharing among themselves ..
Ironically they are prefectly capable of it , as shown via their collaboration with capcom for namco X capcom , Street fighter Vs Tekken and Tekken VS Street fighter .

They have one excellent engine from cyberconnect 2 that should serve all of their fighting anime licenses needs , they waste instead funds building up each time a new engine for each anime .

They have two or three amazing serie of mecha action games , easily rivalling virtual on or zone of the enders , like Another code R , wich licenses pretty much beloved among western anime fans , and yet they wont release it .

We already know about their crazy policies and choices when it comes to releasing a "Tales of" in the west ..

Let's not even mention the lukewarm reception of tekken 6 on consoles , despite decent sales .

They also produced quite a few western duds , such as Dark sector , ben10.
Let's not forget the horrible soulcalibur legends on wii ..

They have a very niche yet successful dating sim/rythm game franchise , Idolmaster wich they refuse to release on a bigger ps3 or wii market ...

They messed with Splatterhouse's development , firing the studio behind , only to rehire most of the staff later ...

We all know how they screwed financially the Tales studio , by making Vesperia a 360 exclusive back then ...

Lately they chose to release Tales of Graces F on ps3 right alongside monster hunter 3rd on psp ...

i'll end there anyway there is too much crap lately to list and just usher this : Hellgate London on pc

[Godmars290]

"They have two or three amazing serie of mecha action games , easily rivalling virtual on or zone of the enders , like Another code R , wich licenses pretty much beloved among western anime fans , and yet they wont release it ."

Only problem there is that Fromsoft is responsible for ACE:R, while Capcom did/does the engine used for GundamVS.

Licensing issues from Macross will likely keep it in Japan - Harmony Gold *wont* let go of Robotech - but I think you hit all other points.

[Redempteur]

AMEN i agree 200% ( already clicked )

the decision making at namco is a complete mystery ..because in my eyes it doesn't make any sense ...

[Immortal321]

I would say the same thing

[CrzyFooL]

I approve of his Pete Rose haircut.

[Kharhaz]

No big loss.

[jay2]

Oh dear, not good to hear, sounds sort of like he's retiring/retired?

[djfullshred]

I want my money back for Noby Noby Boy. Probably one of the lamest things I've ever bought. Oh well, at least it was cheaper than lunch at McDonalds.

[Redempteur]

why did you buy it ?isn't "SNAKE" on your portable phone enough ?

[albel_nox]

Your weird crappy "games" will not be missed. Namco is far from a so so company. Can't say the same for this guy.

[earbus]

Learn to put cohesive control in ur games the music was billiant in the 360 game.