Capcom closing Clover Studio!! WTF?!

[VictimOfScience]

This is a sad day indeed. The guys behind Viewtiful Joe and Okami??? Ugh...

Capcom is to close its Clover Studio in March 2007 in an effort to increase efficiency.

The studio was established to develop creative titles, with the team working on acclaimed games Viewtiful Joe, Okami and God Hand.

"Clover Studio has met the goal of developing unique and creative original home videogame software," said a statement from the Japanese publisher.

"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 has been raised and passed at a Board meeting."

Source.

I am sure all involved will do well within the industry, as they are all immensely talented and have remarkable vision. I would ideally like someone else to pick them all up and allow them to continue their beautiful and creative tradition as a team. We'll see about that though...;(

 

[MorganFreeman911]

What?
Vj Gone?

 

[Warbie]

This probably isn't as bad as it sounds. From what i've read on other forums the split was to allow Clover to make their own way. Whether this was due to with a disagreement with Capcom I don't know. Hopefully they'll stick to the whacky and crazy games that made them so popular.

 

[rAdIOhEaD]

What! I want my Okami 2!!!
the first one was just Godly....

 

[Javert]

They closed the makers of OKAMI OF ALL GAMES??!

*fools.

 

[<RJMC>]

and now capcom will change it logo to CC games and will make a game whit the black eyed peas and fast and the furious

 

[Stigmata]

I hope Clover still has the IP rights to their games.

 

[CyberPitz]

Hmm, I was never fond of their games, but it always sucks when this happens to companies..hopefully they keep going..

 

[Gray Fox]

This is just sad, just sad. I can't blaim capcom. They are a business and they need to make a profit, unfortunatly beautiful original games do not net so much profit thease days.

 

[Warbie]

Okami sold pretty well, Viewtiful Joe and Killer 7 not so :/

 

[Fliko]

Viewtiful Joe was an awesome game though

 

[VictimOfScience]

Viewtiful Joe was an awesome game though

I can't speak for God Hand, but Okami and VJ were serious breaths of fresh air in an entirely too stale industry. Like Psychonauts was too.