Yuji Naka confirmed to be leaving Sega to form Prope
by Dan Choi 
{ May 8th 2006 at 12:20PM }
Back in March, we heard rumblings that Sega stalwart Yuji Naka was planning to leave Sega to start his own studio. Today, that rumor's been confirmed.According to Next Generation, Naka's new company is called Prope, which means "'beside' and 'near' future." Prope's web site (not linked on Next Gen) apparently explains that the name was chosen "in the hopes of bringing game entertainment much closer to users, establishing closer ties between users and us, and creating near future entertainment."
We're just happy that Naka is retaining some ties to his old corporate home thanks to a 10% contribution on Sega's part to prop up the emerging new independent studio (a concept which Sega seems to support with its developers). Unfortunately, as the firm "will commit to new IP," you shouldn't expect updates of Sega classic franchises from the old hand anytime soon. It will also be interesting to see who's guiding the new Sonic games as well. Prope will open for business on June 1st.
[Thanks, Sense; via 8-bit Ninja]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James @ May 8th 2006 12:42PM
first!
Why do Japanese companies need to choose stupid names and later have to use 10 thousand lines of text to explain why that stupid name was chosen?
Paul @ May 8th 2006 12:46PM
Dang. Without Naka games I bet the Sonic games are really gonna...
Hmm, improve, actually. The 3D sonic games since SA 2 have just been dreadful, a new direction would be good, from someone who realizes people really only care about Sonic Tails and Knuckles, and not every little furry animal in furtown.
Jeff @ May 8th 2006 12:55PM
Man, people who complain about Sonic games lately really need to play Sonic Rush.
As far as I'm concerned, complaining about Sonic games right now is not much different than complaining about New Coke. It's fixed already, man; no need to keep bitching.
Of course, with Naka gone, who knows. I'm taking bets on Shadow the Hedgehog 2, myself.
Erik Novak @ May 8th 2006 12:56PM
Wow, Yuji Naka looks like Ken Lo, the kicking bad guy from Legend of Drunken Master.
http://www.hkfilm.net/dm2_10.jpg
sepll cehck @ May 8th 2006 1:00PM
#1.
Actually, the need to explain the name stems from a general lack of respect for the intelligence of journalists/bloggers.
The moment I saw prope I knew it was latin for near - being the root word for propensity. I think anyone with even a 3rd rate highschool education should be able to figure that out...
Sense @ May 8th 2006 1:15PM
Actually, the need to explain the name comes from the fact that not everybody knows Latin. Even the ones with 3rd rate highschool educations.
Vladimir @ May 8th 2006 2:03PM
dude, #4, I was just writing a comment about that when I saw yours...YES, exactly like that guy. it's uncanny!
sepll cehck @ May 8th 2006 2:51PM
#6
Everyone that writes for a living should at least have some knowledge of Latin or root word analysis. I think the required dumbing down of mainstream media causes a general lack of respect for those that report our news. I feel that this is reflecting in these long winded press releases.
Most companies in the gaming industry are failing at PR. This press release sounds like an attempt to woo more Venture Capital. The name Prope creates the impression of mass appeal to VCs because mass appeal usually equates to dollars.
Josh @ May 8th 2006 3:42PM
Originally posted by sepll cehck:
"Everyone that writes for a living should at least have some knowledge of Latin or root word analysis."
Yeah, because we're all professional writers, you know? O.o
And Naka has gone crazy recently...T_T
striegs @ May 8th 2006 4:25PM
While it may have Latin roots, at first glance the name reminds me of "prole" (the shortened form of "proletariat"), which, outside of Marxism, is usually used in a derogatory sense. I'd like to think that a lot more people have read "1984" than have had extensive instruction in Latin.
Josh @ May 13th 2006 12:17AM
Ack, about my earlier comment, I didn't mean Naka has gone crazy, I mean Yu Suzuki has gone crazy.
I'm sorry, Naka-san, I really didn't realize what I was typing, but I still think Yu Suzuki has been acting crazy recently.