Hideki Kamiya surprised fans when he, the co-founder of PlatinumGames, announced his departure from the company last month. While initial speculations about the future of the creator of Bayonetta rank amok, the fog surrounding his sudden exit has cleared up, if only a little. And, no, he’s not working on a game – yet.
Instead of moving to another company or starting a new one, Kamiya decided to do something arguably as surprising as his resignation – start a new YouTube channel.
Kamiya, recognized not only for his contributions to the gaming industry but also for his unapologetically candid persona on social media platforms, especially Xbox, began his digital journey on YouTube with a nearly 10-minute long video. Captured in both English and Japanese, the video initiates with a scene that seemingly showcases Kamiya leaving the PlatinumGames office. Throughout, he is both candid and jovial, opening up about his recent choices and the path forward.
While the video doesn’t provide an explicit reason for his exit, Kamiya offers a philosophical take, indicating a deeper introspection about his career trajectory. “I left the company because I wanted to follow my beliefs as a game creator,” he remarks, emphasizing his pursuit to “choose the path I think is right and move on.” This sentiment echoes his earlier statements, where he’d vaguely mentioned that his departure was based on personal beliefs. But, for those anticipating an early return to the gaming world, Kamiya dropped a bombshell: he won’t be returning to the video game industry for at least a year “due to reasons”, likely pointing to a non-compete clause associated with his exit from PlatinumGames.
This hiatus, while seemingly abrupt, isn’t entirely unprecedented. Notable figures in the gaming industry, like Masahiro Sakurai, have taken sabbaticals and turned to YouTube as a creative outlet. Sakurai’s channel post the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate was a testament to this trend. While Sakurai focused on the nuances of game creation, Kamiya’s content promises to be distinct. He explicitly states that his videos will be “completely education free” and unrelated to the gaming industry, indicating his desire for a genuine break after three decades in the gaming realm.
The single video on his channel, punctuated with humor and wit, sees Kamiya discuss a myriad of topics – from his decision to leave PlatinumGames to his newfound interest in making curry. He candidly speaks about feeling refreshed post his departure, divulging into his recent routines which include binge-watching shows across Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. And in quintessential Kamiya style, the video concludes with him driving off to an “unemployment centre” in a luxurious supercar, perhaps a Lamborghini, showcasing his unwavering sense of humor amidst change.
His channel, despite being new, has already garnered over 12,000 subscribers at the time of writing. Naturally, his fans flooded the comment section with a mix of surprise, admiration, and a touch of sadness, reminiscing the stellar games he’s bestowed upon the community. Some even hoped for collaborations between Kamiya and other legendary figures like Masahiro Sakurai, while others speculated on possible reunions with industry peers like Shinji Mikami, who recently left Tango Gameworks.
Though Kamiya has assured fans of his eventual return to the gaming realm, his departure has inevitably led to talks of the future of the projects and titles he left behind, particularly the highly anticipated Project G.G. While it remains to be seen how PlatinumGames will fare without one of its stalwarts, gamers can take solace in history. Notable franchises like Kirby and Mario have thrived even with their original producers stepping back, proving that with a robust foundation, legacies can indeed endure.
As Kamiya embarks on this new digital chapter, the industry eagerly awaits his eventual return and the innovation he’s sure to bring.
Speaking of Shinji Mikami, the co-founder of PlatinumGames recently hinted at coming back to game development soon.
