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Denver, 10:40 AM
Thu Nov 12
55 posts in the last 24 hours
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11/05/09
11/05/09
The greatest developers seized opportunities like this and made better games. All Takahashi is doing is goofing off and making playgrounds. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
And I'd argue that there's nothing wrong with him deciding to make playgrounds; I certainly wouldn't belittle it, anyway. If he's honestly no longer interested in making games, I'd rather he go on and do something he's more motivated to work on rather than just churn out more titles without the passion to back them up.
That said, I do hope he reconsiders, as I think we need more bizarrely creative people like him in the industry. If it's his decision to leave, though, I'll respect that. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
And while I respect his idioscyncracy, I'm not going to lose too much sleep over whether or not he makes anymore games. He's not beholden to the industry and innovative gameplay will not forever elude us. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
God forbid the day that all people working on the gaming industry is fit for it. #keitatakahashi
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11/05/09
"I just can’t perceive where the fun is in recent hit video games. I see nothing in them that resonates with me and, their success leaves me feeling confused. The things I find interesting and enjoyable just aren’t reflected in the popular games of today and, I feel like there’s not much room for my voice because of that."
He does previously state, though, that his "ideal would be to be a freelancer, working with different creatives in a far more loose structure."
I wonder if the lack of success with Noby Noby Boy had anything to do with it. While he was granted the freedom to create a virtual playground that was released at a minuscule cost, relatively few flocked to his sandbox. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
I guess, as you pointed out, there is a difference between "market pressure" and "market pressure"- creating advant-garde games that don't sell. But on the other hand, there's another thing to be said for creating a game that no one wants to play.
Don't get me wrong, I love Katamari and Noby Noby Boy. I think the man is a genius, but on the other hand, you assume those risk when you want to go so far off the mainstream. And plus, he hasn't put anything out in ages. Those are the only two I can think of off the top of my head. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
He's absolutely off his rocker, I can't see that he'd be suited to any industry to be honest, he doesn't care about profits, doesn't want his games to be merchandised, doesn't like sequels. The fact that he's still on payroll at Namco is a testament to their faith in him. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
Sounds to me he's just what the games-industry needs. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
In honor of Takahashi I submit this image of him I conjured up back in March. #keitatakahashi
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11/05/09
However, for someone who seems to want so badly to make something fun, he sure didn't try many new things. (1 actual game, tons of remakes and 1 experimental "toy" application).
I think maybe licensing something like Katamari milked him of his interest for the industry as a whole. #keitatakahashi
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annyong #keitatakahashi
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Hopefully he continues to make another game, but if not, then I shall bid you farewell, Mr. Takahashi. #keitatakahashi
11/05/09
So keep him away from demos, promotions, or marketing. Someone above commented that there's actually "more freedom" nowadays for developers, and referenced retail venues and platforms and technology as part of his argument. But Mr. Takahashi sounds like a pure idea man, not a "retail venue / technology" man, all that marketing jazz is probably poison to his ears. It sounds like he just wants to be left out of that stuff.
And quite frankly, I relate to him when he says he doesn't relate to most of the popular games out nowadays, such as the military squad shooters. I enjoy them to an extent, but really I'm waiting for the next Katamari to roll along.
11/05/09
I thought I was through. No longer would I have to deal with things stretching or rolling or growing bigger. I was free to design playgrounds. Tangible things. Solid things. Things that made sense.
But I guess that wasn't to be. Here's hoping this is one trip I come back from... #keitatakahashi
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