Prior to E3 2018, Ikumi Nakamura was probably a name most people didn't know. However, following her expressive presentation before revealing Ghostwire Tokyo, she quickly became a beloved industry figure. Not long after, she resigned from her post as creative director on the project. The question since that surprising turn has been, what's next?
After a period of traveling and visiting other teams, many thought she would end up in one of Sony's first-party studios. However, the above film, which chronicles Nakamura's career to date, reveals she's not joining any established developers. She has opened her own independent studio.
As it happens, she quit Tango Gameworks because she had been "ill for some time" while working on the game, and wanted to find a way to "make games while feeling better". Despite thousands of invitations to visit or join other teams, Nakamura instead is now creative director on a new game at her own studio.
So, what will this new title be like? She admits she's drawn to "horror or the grotesque", but that a key aim on this project is to "stop making games too seriously". The game will apparently be "full of dark jokes".
We honestly can't wait to learn more about the project. By the way, we fully recommend watching the above video; not only does it provide some insight on Nakamura's journey through the industry, it's just a really nicely shot film. What do you make of this news? Tell us in the comments section below.
[source youtube.com, via videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 11
Dark jokes? Now I'm interested lol
Please name the studio "It's Spooky"
I would love to play a grotesque horror game with a dark sense of humor from her team.
I do love dark humor just as much as the kids in my basement!
Great news all the way around. Very excited for her, incredibly excited for the project and even happier that its a new Japanese Studio being developed. Win-Win-Win.
haha, I first read that as 'dirty jokes'.
Very interested to see what she comes up with!
Hope she'll be happy with how Ghostwire Tokyo turns out in the end. I'm looking forward to it a lot, myself.
Also interested in whatever she'll end up making next. Seems like the kind of person who's able to bring something unique to the table.
I'm interested.... the whole making a game "full of dark jokes" is 50/50 for me. You got to make sure the humor is at least decent in order for this to work.... we will see.
I don’t envy anyone attempting comedy in 2021 let alone dark comedy. As a big fan of what Tango has accomplished, all the power to Nakamura going forward.
Even though I don't like horror games, I will buy whatever she is involved with.
Good for her for having the courage to venture out on her own. Very excited for Ghostwire Tokyo, and “dark jokes (and) grotesque horror” is a big fat YES PLEASE. Another article (Kotaku?) went into more depth on the health issue too, and it sounds like she’s laser-focused on building a sustainable studio that positions employee health as a priority. All good things here!
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