[Aokage]

NOTE: This post features excessive speculation/interpolation

You all know Yoshitaka Murayama, creator of the Genso Suikoden series, right? Sure you do -- he built one of the most expansive fictional worlds in gaming history, then left Konami under semi-mysterious circumstances prior to the completion of Suikoden III. The split was almost certainly not amicable.

The series has languished under other scenarists for many a year, with trufans left to wonder just what was going down in the mysterious lands of Harmonia.

Could it be that we're about to find out?

Two days ago, Murayama posted the following on his personal site (Quickie trans by Aokage):

A Decision I received an offer from a certain company. Although I'm extremely thankful, the idea left me very troubled, personally. Should I accept it or not? Even now, it still concerns me. What's to be done about this...? They say the Rubicon is a very small river. I wonder what it felt like to cross? That's my current mood.

The word he uses for "certain company", 某社, carries the implication of "that certain company", which could be interpreted as Konami.

As any schoolboy knows, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon to return to Rome.

Could it be?

Alea iacta freakin' est, yo!

[QuiteWhittle]

Cool news if it happens.

[duckroll]

Didn't he also say he was working on the scenario for a RPG by a "certain company" previously? Whatever happened to that?

[dallow_bg]

They say the Rubicon is a very small river. I wonder what it felt like to cross? That's my current mood.

Now that's classy writing.

[faridmon]

The best Suikoden game is the one he didn't work on, so meh.

[thcsquad]

I would be happy for the remainder of my life if that were the case. Not that all of the non-Murayama ones have been bad, but the other directors don't seem to have much confidence working with the series' story, simply throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Although it would actually be a slight disappointment, as it would mean the RPG scenario he said he was working on is not Suikoden 6.

[Aokage]

Didn't he also say he was working on the scenario for a RPG by a "certain company" previously? Whatever happened to that?

Good question! Maybe this is related to that, and he's just now posting his misgivings about it? There's no timeline implied...

[Frosteey]

I would almost just be more excited with what this says about Konami's basic plans for the series than actually bringing back Yoshitaka.

They showed they can make a competent Suikoden (though unpolished in spots) with V. It's just their flailing around with IV and Tierkreis that brings up the questions of what they're trying to make the series, and what if any future it has.

Bringing back Yoshitaka would be a huge relief in that, presumably, they'd be willing to fall back more on the original formula again. This alone would be exciting enough for me. Yoshitaka on top of that is just icing.

And bring back Miki Higashino please : (

[duckroll]

Good question! Maybe this is related to that, and he's just now posting his misgivings about it? There's no timeline implied...

I dunno. I honestly think he's just using "a certain company" in a generic way. I mean, there's really no intended hidden meaning other than he cannot name companies he deals with because of agreements. Also, his referencing of the Rubicon can have a much more simple and logical meaning - he's at a tough personal decision and he is unsure of whether to proceed. You might be reading too much into it lol.

[-Pyromaniac-]

I swear to fucking jeebus christ I don't think I can handle being teased about Suikoden VI being made by the man who made 1 2 and 3. I seriously can't.

Lets not discuss this further. Thank you.

[RomanticHeroX]

It'll be a cellphone only sequel to Tierkreis, with hoverboards.

[Aokage]

I dunno. I honestly think he's just using "a certain company" in a generic way. I mean, there's really no intended hidden meaning other than he cannot name companies he deals with because of agreements. Also, his referencing of the Rubicon can have a much more simple and logical meaning - he's at a tough personal decision and he is unsure of whether to proceed. You might be reading too much into it lol.

That's because I desperately want to believe!

某 is so often loaded... he could have gone with ある会社 or something. Yup, no doubt about it, Harmonia here we come. Eventual crushing disappointment be damned!

[nodish2]

The best Suikoden game is the one he didn't work on, so meh.

But he did make Suikoden II.

[faridmon]

But he did make Suikoden II.

which isn't the best Suikoden.

many of you will attack me for saying this

[Green Scar]

It'll be a cellphone only sequel to Tierkreis, with hoverboards.

Will they work on water?

[Instro]

As any schoolboy knows, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon to return to Rome.

...Well I learned something today.

I dont know a whole lot about this guy though, whats he done since leaving Konami?

[ntropy]

crossing the rubicon implies there's no turning back. which company comes to mind?

[Druz]

which isn't the best Suikoden. many of you will attack me for saying this

Why attack you? How about just leave you to your own delusions.

[-Pyromaniac-]

which isn't the best Suikoden. many of you will attack me for saying this

Nah...I don't attack the mentally challenged/handicapped.

[Kuraudo]

Yeah, that worked like gangbusters for Ceasar.

[Aokage]

...Well I learned something today. I dont know a whole lot about this guy though, whats he done since leaving Konami?

Struggled, basically. He did a mediocre PS2 TPS (although conceptually pretty damn cool) called Tsukiyo ni Saraba for Taito, then a text adventure called Tenshou Gakuen Gekkouroku for Asmik Ace.

[JodyAnthony]

I swear to fucking jeebus christ I don't think I can handle being teased about Suikoden VI being made by the man who made 1 2 and 3. I seriously can't. Lets not discuss this further. Thank you.

I can't handle even being teased about Suikoden VI at all.

[scurker]

Didn't he also say he was working on the scenario for a RPG by a "certain company" previously? Whatever happened to that?

I thought I remembered seeing this quote a while back spread across a few of the Suikoden fan sites.

Had Tierkreis not been released I would be a little more concerned about Suikoden's fate, but I haven't given up complete hope yet. I'm clinging to the small, slim chance we will see Suikoden VI in some shape or form, and it would be absolutely amazing if Murayama was involved.

[Xelinis]

Konami or not, it sounds like he's about to consider an opportunity that will change his life dramatically. Honestly, this man hasn't been allowed to work to his full potential in quite a while. I say go.

If this ends up with him returning to Suikoden, then good days are ahead.

[duckroll]

That's because I desperately want to believe! 某 is so often loaded... he could have gone with ある会社 or something. Yup, no doubt about it, Harmonia here we come. Eventual crushing disappointment be damned!

Well.... okay. Don't let me rain on your parade or anything. RETURN TO HARMONIA!

[faridmon]

Why attack you? How about just leave you to your own delusions.

your are so angry that you don't recognize whether something is a joke and whether something is delusion.

grow up.

[thcsquad]

For the sake of argument, what other company besides Konami would represent a 'point of no return' for him? Maybe a rival of Konami? So if he joined them, would never be able to return to Konami (think Brett Favre and the Vikings)? Square-Enix? Final Fantasy releases were the bane of Konami's Suikoden marketing team for years. I'm sure they're not fond of the company.

No, I don't actually think it's Square-Enix. There is no doubt in my mind he's talking about Konami, I'm just trying to evaluate any other possibilities.

which isn't the best Suikoden. many of you will attack me for saying this

I would love to argue with you, but I don't think this thread is the place. It could get long and ugly. Make a dedicated thread for it if that's what you want :)

[faridmon]

Nah...I don't attack the mentally challenged/handicapped.

you sound pathetic.

[duckroll]

For the sake of argument, what other company besides Konami would represent a 'point of no return' for him? Maybe a rival of Konami? So if he joined them, would never be able to return to Konami (think Brett Favre and the Vikings)? Square-Enix? Final Fantasy releases were the bane of Konami's Suikoden marketing team for years. I'm sure they're not fond of the company. No, I don't actually think it's Square-Enix. There is no doubt in my mind he's talking about Konami, I'm just trying to evaluate any other possibilities.

Maybe it's not a game company? Has anyone considered that? Maybe he got an offer to do something in a completely different industry. It's not like he's been very active or in the spotlight in terms of games these days anyway. He could be talking about a substantial change which would move him into a new direction away from videogames for good.

[thcsquad]

Maybe it's not a game company? Has anyone considered that? Maybe he got an offer to do something in a completely different industry. It's not like he's been very active or in the spotlight in terms of games these days anyway. He could be talking about a substantial change which would move him into a new direction away from videogames for good.

Murayama considering entering the porn industry confirmed!

[duckroll]

Murayama considering entering the porn industry confirmed!

First Kikuta, now Murayama. :(

[thcsquad]

Moved this to a new post because duckroll posted while I was editing...

In all seriousness, that's a possibility. Though I don't see that as a point of no return. There's no reason he couldn't return to video games after a few years of doing something random.

[Aokage]

For the purposes of argument, another interpretation.

He's accepted an offer from an accounting company. Crossing this "Rubicon" will forever take him out of the game industry.

Discuss.

Edit: Curses! Beaten!

[thcsquad]

The Rubicon referring to Konami makes perfect sense to me when you take into account his interview with Level from several months back:

None of that is true, he assures. Konami always wanted me to stay. After the success of Suikoden II they listened to me and I could practically ask for anything. To erase me from the credits was simply an issue about following the rules, even if all employees disliked it. But, even as I started at Konami I set up a goal for myself to not work there for longer than 10 years and then I wanted to go freelance. When that time was up in 2002 I had done three games and I simply wanted to move on. There is no bad blood, I still meet my old Suikoden-team for a beer from time to time. And if Konami would give me an offer to come back I would seriously consider it.

So returning to Konami would be breaking his ten year goal. If he goes back to Konami, there's no going back - he would break the goal he set for himself.

[shuyin_]

Crossing the Rubicon doesn't mean to return to something/someone. Just sayin'

[Edgeward]

Suikoden rumors is almost as bad as Shenmue rumors. And both I hold out some tiny sliver of hope, moreso for Suikoden though.

They'll tell the Yuber/Pesmerga story and we'll see Harmonia someday!

... ;_;

[thcsquad]

Crossing the Rubicon doesn't mean to return to something/someone. Just sayin'

It means 'point of no return', which I would argue implies Konami just as much. From Wikipedia:

"Crossing the Rubicon" is a popular idiom meaning to pass a point of no return. This phrase is often used by journalists in newspapers.[1][2][3] It refers to Caesar's 49 BC crossing of the river, which was considered an act of war. Since the river has changed its course many times through the years, it is impossible to confirm exactly where the original Rubicon flowed when Julius Caesar crossed it.

[obonicus]

So he's going to chase Konami's CEO out of Tokyo?

[duckroll]

It means 'point of no return', which I would argue implies Konami just as much. From Wikipedia:

The point of no return refers to the decision. Crossing the Rubicon symbolizes making the decision to go forward on a decision you are unsure of because it presents a sort of unknown factor to the person making the decision. Once you decide to cross, there's no turning back and you have to go all the way through with your decision.

[Xelinis]

So he's going to chase Konami's CEO out of Tokyo?

Yes, Murayama is going to pull a Steve Jobs on Konami.

[Bill Rizer]

alea iacta est

[Aokage]

Crossing the Rubicon doesn't mean to return to something/someone. Just sayin'

I've never heard the expression "cross the Rubicon" (meaning a point of no return) in Japanese, and my Japanese dictionary of English idiom only explains it literally. I was thinking as a student of history -- as Murayama undoubtedly is.

You never know, though, he might be just that cosmopolitan (to appropriate an English idiom).

Edit: Whoa, I never saw that Murayama interview. Fuel for the fire!

[ZephyrFate]

The best Suikoden game is the one he didn't work on, so meh.

You're funny.

[RPGCrazied]

Suikoden VI, please?

[Joei]

This would make me excited for Suikoden. After 4 and 5 I'd pretty much given up hope that it'd be a great series again. God, I hope he comes back.

[∀ Narayan]

I will jump for joy if he ends up directing a new Suikoden.

This would make me excited for Suikoden. After 4 and 5 I'd pretty much given up hope that it'd be a great series again. God, I hope he comes back.

I've actually heard that Suikoden V is pretty good. Any truth to that? IV and V are the only ones of the main series I haven't played.

[clashfan]

... As any schoolboy knows, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon to return to Rome...

I means much more then returning to Rome. It means starting a WAR! I think he's going to join MS and fight sony.

[jj984jj]

I thought I remembered seeing this quote a while back spread across a few of the Suikoden fan sites. Had Tierkreis not been released I would be a little more concerned about Suikoden's fate, but I haven't given up complete hope yet. I'm clinging to the small, slim chance we will see Suikoden VI in some shape or form, and it would be absolutely amazing if Murayama was involved.

You only became concerned after Tierkreis was released when the series has been in decline since Suikoden IV was released? Suikoden V was a great game but it didn't help the series in Konami's eyes.

[Aokage]

I means much more then returning to Rome. It means starting a WAR! I think he's going to join MS and fight sony.

I didn't want to take it that far. Returning to Konami to conquer and claim it is a leap, even for me

[Gunloc]

Um, this is getting me far too excited and hopeful.

Getting Suikoden back to its true form and away from that awful Tierkreis nonsense is my number one gaming wish right now.

Suikoden VI + Murayama = Bliss