We guess mainstream gamers don't like creative, original and artistic games, otherwise Capcom wouldn't be closing down Clover Studio, the developers behind Okami, God Hand and the Viewtiful Joe series. In March 2007, Clover Studio will close its doors; the company was founded in July 2004. While the games developed by Clover Studio have always garnered high praise, sales for its titles haven't been as stellar.
A press release sent out by Capcom today says, "Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has met the goal of developing unique and creative original home video game software, however, in view of promoting a business strategy that concentrates management resources on a selected business to enhance the efficiency of the development power of the entire Capcom group, the dissolution of Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has been raised and passed at a Board of Directors' meeting."
Clover Studio is made up of plenty of talented developers. Some rumors suggest that key members of the company may be forming their own development studio separate from Capcom. So far these are just rumors, but chances are that these guys still have a lot of good games left in them and that you'll be hearing about them again soon.
Very sad, they were easily one of my favourite developers.
They made (mostly) really great stuff. Clover was such a feather in Capcom's cap, and you'd have thought they have enough established big-name franchises bringing in money to allow a risky inspirational title from Clover every few years.
It just reflects upon the tastes of the gaming market though that people just want the same genres again and again. You see the same people in Game asking for FIFA and Scarface and "The next GTA" all the time. No one for an original title like Okami, its quite gutting.
At least the Clover staff are starting up their own studio now (according to the rumour mill), so here's hoping they can remain as innovative without Capcom picking up the cheques.
Very sad, they were easily one of my favourite developers.
They made (mostly) really great stuff. Clover was such a feather in Capcom's cap, and you'd have thought they have enough established big-name franchises bringing in money to allow a risky inspirational title from Clover every few years.
It just reflects upon the tastes of the gaming market though that people just want the same genres again and again. You see the same people in Game asking for FIFA and Scarface and "The next GTA" all the time. No one for an original title like Okami, its quite gutting.
At least the Clover staff are starting up their own studio now (according to the rumour mill), so here's hoping they can remain as innovative without Capcom picking up the cheques.
Edited by Clarkey