Mikami Discusses New Projects, Bioshock
Next title may arrive within two years.
US, February 21, 2008 - Former Capcom producer/director Shinji Mikami is the latest developer to be featured in Famitsu as part of a series of interviews in commemoration of the magazine's 1000th issue.
Now an employee of Platinum Games, a new studio formed by former Clover and Capcom talent, Mikami recently made headlines by announcing through his blog that he has at long last started on his new project.
Considering that the new game hasn't been formally announced by Platinum or whatever publisher it's working with, it shouldn't be too surprising to learn that Mikami didn't get too specific with Famitsu in discussing the game. The magazine asked him when we can expect to see the fruits of his labor, to which he responded a noncommittal, "It's just started so I'm not sure, but maybe within two years."
Mikami is serving as the director on this title, a role that he seems to relish. "I've been separated from development for so long that I'm just having so much fun," he said. Perhaps too much fun. Always the jokester, he also noted, "It's possible that the next title will, both physically and mentally, be my last."
In addition to this mysterious new game, Mikami is working with Killer 7 and No More Heroes director Suda 51 on another title. "I'm serving as the producer on this one," said Mikami. "I've been involved with it longer than I was with Killer 7, so I want you to look forward to it."
As it did with the recent Shigeru Miyamoto and Akihiro Hino interviews, the magazine asked Mikami to name his top creators and games. On the creator side, he mentioned Suda 51 as someone he'd like to support. However, the person he most has his eye on is Smash Bros. Brawl director Masahiro Sakurai. He's particular interesting in seeing the result of Sakurai developing a true 3D game on an extremely high spec machine.
On the game side, his top pick for 2007 was Bioshock. "I believe it was the best game of 2007," said Mikami. And with perfect timing too, as Bioshock's Japanese version just saw release today!
