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Joystiq

Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi leaves Namco

by Ben Gilbert on Sep 8th 2010 12:15PM

King of all kings of the cosmos -- Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy creator Keita Takahashi -- is leaving Namco, reports Play.tm. A Namco representative confirmed Takahashi's resignation.

The developer expressed his dissatisfaction in the past with developing for the Japanese publisher, even saying he was disappointed with the support he received for Noby Noby Boy. He's also expressed interest in branching out to other careers, telling the BBC in 2005, "In 10 years time, I am not going to be making games any more." More recently, he got to work on plans for a playground in Nottingham, UK.

[Image credit: jontintinjordan]

Via: Next-Gen.biz
Source: Play.tm

Tags: katamari-damacy, keita-takahashi, namco, namco-bandai, Noby-Noby-Boy

Reader Comments (20)

Best of luck to the guy, what a creative, eccentric mind he has. I must visit this playground one day, it'll be a blast =)

Has Noby Noby Boy made it to Jupiter yet?

Creator of some of the most unique and fun games ever made. He will definitely be missed, best of luck.

@ccc
I don't really see another giant company willing to take a chance with him. He's built up a pretty serious anti-establishment reputation. Maybe one of the smaller upstarts like Grasshopper or Platinum?

Honestly, while I loved Katamari Damacy - I can't say my day is ruined from hearing this. Noby Noby Boy was a disappointment in my eyes even knowing what to expect going in. Plus, I kinda' think he's the video game equivalent to a one-hit wonder.

Don't get me wrong - I think the guy is incredibly creative and both Katamari and Noby Noby have a unique style, but he's never come across as a dedicated game developer/creator. He seems like the kinda' guy who floats about doing the various things that he wants to do.

@InvaderDem - I'm gonna edit myself and say that he seems like a guy who floats about doing the various things he wants to do without restrictions. Once he's done making one thing, he goes on to do another thing that interests him. He's not tied down to one specific industry.

@InvaderDem - My take on things is that he only really had the one idea that could effectively be pitched and turned into a game. I'm sure there are a million wacky and fantastical ideas in his brain somewhere, but none of them was as concise as "It's rolling a snowball, except EVERYTHING goes into the snowball. Also, there will be awesome music."

If he never comes back to gaming, it will certainly be a shame. None of the later Katamari games had the same soul as the ones he worked on directly, and I was looking forward to his next wacky game.

I can only imagine him rolling out of the studio covered in staplers, family photos, and various personal items.

I guess he got tired of Tales not being brought to the US huh? :D

Sorry...

@edofyingfilms

Tired of reminding people that Tales games DO NOT SELL over here. They're great games but the last hit was Symphonia on Gamecube.

I had absolutely no idea that I lived within 15 miles of Keita Takahashi until now. The park he's building is about a mile away from my cousin's house too! Oh my giddy aunt.

I'm a huge fan of the katamari series, I agree capcom would be the best company for him, they tend to be a bit more creative with there games, katamari x streetfighter? Prince for the win!

@ccc
Platinum Games isn't part of Sega. They just have a publishing deal.

If Apple was smart, they'd snatch him up to do a line of games for the iphone/ipad/ipod.

NO I NEED MY KATAMARI FOREVER! he lied to me...

@The Spy
so what's stopping you from buying "Katamari Forever"? it's been out for nearly a year.

@laser beams No i mean I need the katamari franchise to continue forever and using the title of the game as a pun. I hope you satisfied your ignorance for the sake of my pun.

How could you make a post about Takahashi and not use this image:
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/03/takahashidrugs.jpg

The thought of this guy designing playgrounds for children is as intriguing as it is terrifying. God speed, sir.

@ccc
I'm speculating, but I think Platinum values its independence. The Sega publishing deal is up after Vanquish - we'll see if they renew.

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Breaking News

Noby Noby Boy

Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi leaves Namco

Reader Comments (20)

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 12:17PM willooi said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 12:29PM Spoof Meister said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 12:41PM mikeymilkshake said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 12:44PM MLS said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 12:53PM InvaderDem said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 12:54PM InvaderDem said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 1:08PM BananaBoat said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 1:00PM butaneko said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 1:00PM edofyingfilms said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 4:48PM thisredengine said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 1:51PM Hank Hill said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 1:55PM Dipdabfizz said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 2:29PM quarlie said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 3:18PM gangcar said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 3:24PM The Spy said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 4:49PM laser beams said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 8:14PM The Spy said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 3:53PM PSN ID JBerg said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 4:39PM soypancho said

Posted: Sep 8th 2010 4:49PM quarlie said

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