Shinji Mikami is back. Or, at least, that’s what he’s hinting at. Best known for his work on Resident Evil and for founding Tango Gameworks, Mikami’s potential return to the gaming world has fans excited.
The spark for this speculation comes from a tweet Mikami posted: “Now that I’ve broken the spell of non-competition on myself, I guess I should get to work.” This statement suggests that he has completed the duration of a non-compete clause he likely agreed to when leaving Tango Gameworks earlier this year. While Mikami’s departure from the studio was confirmed back in February, the exact reasons remain a subject of debate, with some suggesting his exit followed Microsoft’s acquisition of Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda, which had acquired Tango Gameworks in the past.
Mikami’s legacy in the world of video games is vast and varied. Beyond his foundational work on Resident Evil, he has directed and produced other groundbreaking titles like Vanquish for PlatinumGames and Shadows of the Damned for Grasshopper Manufacture. Furthermore, his involvement with The Evil Within series and Ghostwire: Tokyo, which has been a commercial success, has guaranteed his continued relevance in the industry.
Now that I've broken the spell of non-competition on myself, I guess I should get to work.
— 三上 真司 (@shinji_mikami) October 12, 2023
As rich as his past contributions have been, Mikami’s future pursuits seem equally promising. He has previously voiced an interest in directing one more game project before retiring, emphasizing his ideas outside of the horror genre. His recent travels and gaming experiences, as shared on his Twitter timeline, show a designer who is still deeply passionate about the medium.
Mikami’s commendations for Ghost of Tsushima, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and even the remake of Resident Evil 4, which is based on a game he helped create, hint at an individual keeping himself updated with current trends.
The idea of Mikami returning to his roots, particularly Capcom, is both equally intriguing and divisive. While he indeed pioneered Resident Evil and Dino Crisis, coming back doesn’t guarantee he’ll be as motivated to create potential hits. Not to mention, Capcom might stiffle his creativity by asking him to work on Resident Evil, a game that he never really wanted to become a franchise. Considering Mikami’s proclivity for taking franchises in new directions and his previously expressed disinterest in expanding Resident Evil into a series, a return to Capcom could yield unpredictable results – a direction that the Japanese gaming giant might not be too keen to take considering its recent run of success save for a couple of controversial statements.
Conversely, Mikami’s association with other notable industry figures, such as Goichi Suda (Suda51), opens up thrilling possibilities. Given their past collaborations on titles like Killer7 and Shadows of the Damned, as well as Suda51’s recent interest in working with Mikami on a new project, it’s not far-fetched to envision another collaboration between these two. Particularly intriguing is the ongoing remake of Shadows of the Damned by Suda51’s studio. The timing of his non-compete ending, coupled with Suda51’s expressed interest, seems almost too perfect to be mere coincidence.
Whatever Mikami’s next step may be, his influence ensures that people will keep a close eye on it. Whether it involves a new studio, collaborating on a sequel or remake, or embarking on an entirely new project, Mikami’s ability to innovate and push boundaries is expected.
For now, fans of Shinji Mikami’s work can check out Ghostwire: Tokyko, which is currently available for free to Amazon Prime and Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Finally, the Resident Evil 4 Remake, which recently set a high bar for remakes, just got its first and presumably last DLC.
