Keiji Inafune resigns from Capcom

Capcom loses its most vocal and progressive leader

Words: Ryan_Winterhalter on October 29, 2010

Mega Man character designer and Capcom magnate Keiji Inafune announced today that he is resigning from the company.

Inafune, who worked at Capcom for twenty-three years, wrote in a blog post that he had “reached the peak of development of Capcom," and that "there are no more steps to climb there.”

He went on to say that while staying at his position may have been the graceful thing to do, it would have meant the end of his life as a game creator. “I won't go so far as to say that I will make games until I die, just that right now, I want to continue to make games.”

The designer also reassured us that he still loves Capcom, comparing his feelings for the company to feelings for an old ex-girlfriend (huh).

Inafune most recently made headlines by criticizing the direction of the Japanese games industry. His departure is highly unexpected, given that he was the face of Capcom at TGS this year.

[Source: Inafune's Blog]

Oct 29, 2010

Platforms:

Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, DS

Topics:

Capcom

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Crimmy - October 30, 2010 6:58 p.m.

I thoght he was working on Mega Man Legends 3? Ah well, it's very sad to see him go and I hope that he has good fortune with the rest of his life. Does anyone know who is taking his place?
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zohcray - October 30, 2010 2:24 a.m.

“reached the peak of development of Capcom," and that "there are no more steps to climb there.” Maybe he would have stayed if they got him a stairmaster...
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Valcrist - October 30, 2010 1:11 a.m.

What is happening to the games industry.... I KNEW when they said the westernalization of games would take place, things would get difficult but THIS?!?!?!? PLease Jebud, do NOT let them westernize megaman the same way they treated dante in DmC .....Seriously though.... what will happen with megaman now?
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Shenlong4517 - October 29, 2010 11:44 p.m.

Well, there goes Capcom. I totally get where Inafune's coming from, and I wish him the best success in wherever he's going now, but it's worrying to think where Capcom will be without him.
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AdonisX82 - October 29, 2010 9:20 p.m.

I don't post comments often, but this is huge. This is like Miyamoto leaving Nintendo, or Kojima leaving Konami. Hell, it's Lucas ditching Star Wars to a degree. It's safe to say that Megaman was Capcoms first MEGA ( lol get it? I know, it's lame) succesful franchise, the one from which the company built everything else on. And now Inafune is leaving. I shed a tear as I wish him nothing but the best. Capcoms ALWAYS been my favorite company. But with the lose of two of their heaviest hitters, I fear the future...
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Mexiflan - October 29, 2010 9:06 p.m.

I shed a tear. God dammit. Looking forward to his new work though.
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ninjaemperor - October 29, 2010 8:07 p.m.

Holy shit, i was not expecting this, so many of capcoms best developers have left in the last couple years, who knows, maybe they'll all team up for a new company like platinum.
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Felixthecat - October 29, 2010 7:57 p.m.

I wish him the best of luck in his future ventures.
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CoryRX8 - October 29, 2010 7:35 p.m.

Capcom is just hemmorhaging talent these days, aren't they? Most of the Platinum staff, Mikami, and now Inafune... when did Bobby Kotick take over Capcom?
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Crabhand - October 29, 2010 7:26 p.m.

Well that's a little shocking. Hopefully he finds somewhere where his talents will be well utilized.
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bonerachieved - October 29, 2010 7:23 p.m.

This is saddening.....
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hester2 - October 29, 2010 7:23 p.m.

Just imagine if he left to join Mikami at Zenimax. I find it really interesting they're both making these career changes mere days apart.
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ZiegZeon - October 29, 2010 7:09 p.m.

I wonder if he is seeking work with more western companies, I know that he has been very vocal about his opinions on the direction that the industry has taken as well his position in the past. As long as he stays till Legends 3 is finished though, more power to him.
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ventanger - October 29, 2010 7:09 p.m.

Eh, Godspeed to the guy. Though the 'ex-girlfriend' line is a little strange. People don't break up with their spouses because 'it would mean the end of their life' unless, ya know, they hate that person. A more tactful analogy would have been to compare to feelings for a young adult moving out from their parents home, seeing as Capcom 'raised' Inafunes career. Captain Hindsight, AWAAAYYYYY!
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