Keiji Quits
This is not a hoax, a dream, or an imaginary story.
Keiji Inafune has resigned from his numerous positions within Capcom.
Kotaku has the report, straight from Inafune’s own blog, where he left a final post with a title which makes things clear: “Sayonara.”
“A manager’s work means evaluating your subordinates and speaking your dreams,” said the 23-year Capcom veteran. “Anyone who can do both of those can be a manager. I thought that when I came here, and I still think that now.”
Having begun his tenure at Capcom as a character designer for Street Fighter and Mega Man, the Head of R&D Management Group, Consumer Games R&D Division, and Contents Management Division says he has reached the top of the development structure within the company. “There’s nowhere higher for me to go,” he laments.
“I’m leaving Capcom with the intention of starting my life over” Inafune states, dismissing the notion of taking a break, instead looking to his next challenge. “People that really know me, can see where I’m coming from. I’m not a regular dude. It’s probably because I’m strange.”
Inafune, who will also leave behind his position as Chief Executive Officer of Capcom subsidiary Daletto, ends his post by saying he will do his best, and “thank you.”
Given Inafune’s recent comments regarding his work, this comes as slightly less of a shock (though it’s still a pretty big surprise, just the same).
So much for the theory that he was “just venting.” Now, one has to wonder what fate such projects as his Western development initiative and Mega Man Legends 3 may suffer, if any.
Tags: Capcom, Japan, Keiji Inafune
Filed under: Mega Man News
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
I THOUGHT I WAS BEING TROLLED WHEN I READ THIS ON BOARDS.
BUT ITS REAL?!
Ah well. But what will happen to MML3? Don’t tell me MML fans have been s**t on again, and the game will be canceled?
Do you really expect me to buy this? That doesn’t even sound like something inafune would say. This is definitely a hoax.
This is f***ing bulls***, especially after being so excited about MML3.
Check the blog for yourself. Unless someone else hacked in and wrote it…
Andriasang is reporting it, too. And I ran it through Google translator; it may not be perfect, but it seems to corroborate their stories.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
It’s everywhere, even Kotaku. D:
So I think it’s pretty real. *sadface*
Google translator….uhh….hmm…
I’ll wait a couple of days…
Is this the end of Megaman…..
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck Inafune, you deserve the best, thank you for all this years.
For our own sake, let’s hope Universe and Legends 3 sales are good, because without Inafune, who knows what will happen to Mega Man.
Honestly, it’s not *that hard* to make a Megaman game. That is, if they keep it 8-bit. It’s pretty simplistic.
I’m more worried about the X Series…or was he the one refusing to do an X9?
Cr#p, i wanna megaman 11
thank you for all…..Keiji ;’)
Shake: Again, that was just to double-check on what other sites were saying; I used their actual translation in the story, not Google’s.
Even so, I think that the blog post’s title being translated to “Bye” speaks for itself.
–LBD “Nytetrayn”
At first I was like “Oh, he’s just talking about retiring from Daletto.”
And then he was all “Oh hey, guess that means I’m quitting Capcom too.”
Wooww.
Eh? Having his designin last place must’ve been the last straw, hope you change you’re mind Inafune-san.
… Oh, ****.
Wow, that’s pretty hard to swallow. I hope he’ll start his own company and continue to work with capcom,(and other game companies). He must have a really good reason for resigning right as one of his favorite game sequels is in development, so I’m not too worried about this, just a little surprised and sad. Best Life to Inafune-San. -Gandkaidos Phill. 4:11-13
what…. Just awaked and this…
my question is only one: WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MEGAMAN FRANCHISE AND LEGENDS 3!?
wow this is madness…1st legends 3now Inafune quits? Its a shame but if needs out the man needs out he is human after all. but i feel a need to thank him for what he has done for us fans in general. aside from that I wouldnt worry to much about legends 3 being scrapped or mega man series leaving capcom but his input in the series as a whole is what made mega man to begin with. we will see how capcom treats his creation and the directions they decide to go with. and NO! thank you Keiji Inafune for making a great series thats been going strong for 20+ years! here is wishing him the best in all his future endeavours, again THANK YOU!
With everything he had been saying, as you guys stated; it’s not THAT surprising.
But after saying how he’s wanted to make Legends 3 for years and years… and then to quit right as it started is very surprising.
Makes me kind of worry about Legends 3. Perhaps he didn’t like the directions it is leaning? Ugh.
Does this mean that Megaman Universe is canceled? NOOOOOOOOOOO!
I’m a little surprised that on some other sites, there’s jerks that are actually happy about this news… =/
I am quite saddened to hear this, though. Inafune was always so influential at Capcom, and not just with the Mega Man series, either.
This is quite a morning to wake up to. First I see that Sensei’s design (which I voted for) didn’t win the heroine contest. That was like being bitch slapped in the face. Then I see that Keiji Inafune is quitting Capcom. That’s like being punched in the gut, kicked in the groin, and then having your face shoved in water as someone attempts to drown you. Perhaps that’s a quite hyperbolic comparison to make, but needless to say… I am saddened by this.
Mr.Inafune… I don’t know what to say now… If this is the way you like, then do your best and go for it! As a huge Mega Man fans, all I can do is supporting you, and… Thank you very much Mr.Inafune! You give me a lot of valuable memories! To recall, I spend a lot of time in Mega Man, it act as a very memorable and important role in my heart… I really love Mega Man! And you too Mr.Inafune! Thanks a ton for creating such epic games for us!
No Mr.Inafune, there’ll be no Mega Man…Although it continue, it’ll be pretty horrible… So, maybe Mega Man is history now…
We’ll miss you Mr.Inafune! Continue to go for your dreams! =D
I’d just like to point out, Megaman tends to be created, these days, by Init Creates as a contract job for Capcom. Keiji has resigned his high level positions within Capcom itself, he hasn’t said anything (that I have heard) about Megaman being done.
First reaction: waaaaaaaaaaaah!
Second reaction: well, besides Mega Man Legends 3 finally getting the green light, it makes perfect sense. About the only thing I worry about now for him are that which I worry about for everyone: if he knows God.
Good. He was unhappy, so let him move on to something fun. This may also mean we’re going to get out of the stupid 8-bit phase.
This is a sad day for us fans, but this is what he wants, so I wish him the best.
It’s is odd that Legends 3 is greenlit and now he quits.
Also, I am concerned over MMU now, as it was being lead by Inafune, and honestly, it doesn’t look all too great, concept aside. Only the future will tell…
This… This has got to be a very bad dream…
I… I feel horrible for him, but I didn’t think he’d… actually go through with it…
I want him to be happy, but… what about our favorite series? What’ll happen? Who’ll take the wheel now…?
… I… I need to cry. I never thought I’d be so upset, but… It hurts….
wow, that’s just sad . . .
as a Mega Man fan for quite a long time, that is altogether shocking.
I just hope he’ll put the development of some of his games in the right hands at this point, and not just can them altogether . . . .
R.I.P Megaman 1987-2010 You will be missed.
Now prepare for the cashwhoring like they did with Sonic the Hedgehog.
I honestly feel like poo over this. Inafune did great things with Capcom. I just hope that his Megaman legacy lives on with them and they keep it good…
I hope Inafune starts his own studio.
I felt like someone died when i read this news…i mean, being a fan of Megaman and knowing that the man behind the idea has now left the company is just, wow…Now i’m seriously worried about what will happen to Megaman Legends 3.
So he FINALLY gets Legends 3 approved and then just quits after getting started on the ONE thing he wanted to do for years?
Really? He couldn’t hold out for another year or two?
Brace yourselves ladies and gentlemen the darkness is upon us. The bright era of the blue bomber as we know it may be coming to an end. All I can say at this point is HOLD FAST. This could get ugly fast. We should all brace for the worst. Either the Mega Man games are going to grind to a halt or capcom going to start heaping low quality game on us. Hope for the best expect the worst.
Now if you excuse me I’m going to get a bottle of vodka now.
most probably nobody’s gonna read my comment, but understand that inafune-sensei is one of our biggest influences, leaving capcom may be a stepping stone for intel creates thus megaman wont fade. and now’s the time for the fans to make their own game, something that inafune-sensei did, and he’s giving us one hell of privilege, so lets do this for him, lets support him in every decision, now fans, there’s no turnin back on support and aid
Well……..I dunno what to say. I still hope he’s allowed to work on Dash3. If anything, I was happy to see the game in devlopment WITH him working on it. Now that he’s gone, I’m wondering how that game will turn out……
Otherwise, if he’s tired and wants to try something new, then that for him to decide. I just hope we still get to see him make games, and that he can still keep Mega Man going. Thank you so much, Keji Inafune for making the Mega Man series what it is today!! I am very grateful to you, and hope you still continue to make games for us and continue the Mega Man series. Good luck in whatever you’re planning to do next!
(Btw…..if this IS a hoax….it’s pretty dang harsh….*sob*)
Who dares to love forever
When love must die?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5L8-FTvSVxs
Eh, I’m happy for him. Ultimately it was his job and to be good at it, he had to show some love and dedication. This is true for all of us. And what are the ends to a career? Retirement. Many of us look forward to that so we can do what we truly want to do. So good for him.
On another note: We really don’t know his innermost feelings and dreams for Mega Man or whether or not they were related in the sense of love for his creation OR in the sense of pimping it. To make a point: his entering in this contest gives us a glimpse of his ideas for MML3 vs other designers. And the votes are in, which illustrates that his ideas may not have necessarily been in line with what the general fan base expects. Behind closed doors, we don’t know who really has the final word on some of the MM games we get, OR who is actually promoting what the fans want. MM being a large part of the Capcom world, they aren’t going to let it disappear. And who knows, maybe there will be unexpected improvements as a result. Obviously, we can guess that Capcom is run by a group of people and no one person really calls the shots. But I’m sure that his vote held some hefty weight. Maybe in this new company environment, newer designers might rise to the occasion.
I’m stunned, and conflicted.
One one hand this is honestly a devastating blow to the series we all know and love as Capcom has been known to horribly screw with the series if left unchecked (Megaman X6 anyone?)
However at the same time I know I wouldn’t want to work in a job I enjoy and as such I really can’t blame Inafune-san for quitting, at the very least he left us with the ambitious project of Megaman Legends 3.
Though if you sit here and think about it this it’s almost like a brilliant chess game on his part if he planned this. Zero, ZX, as well as MM9 & 10 have been done by Inti Creates with him overseeing things and if I had to trust anyone with the series it’d be them. As well as with Legends 3 hopefully being left for the fans to steer where it needs to go hopefully. Yes we may lose the father of Megaman but I think he’s left things in good hands. I can only hope that Capcom respects his wishes and appoints someone who truly cares about the franchise to oversee it.
WHA-WHAAAT?
*Too speechless to say anything else*
I really think this will give the franchise the opportunity to get some new life.
This is sad but his feelings have been pretty clear lately with how the industry’s been going in Japan. You’d think he wouldn’t leave when his dream project is finally underway, but perhaps there is something he’s not mentioning going on in the background. Anyway, no need to burn bridges.
I hope his next step in life, however, brings him much fulfillment. I doubt this is the last we’ll see of him.
”Now prepare for the cashwhoring like they did with Sonic the Hedgehog.”
Yes, because Megaman wasn’t cashwhored before that at all.
So what will become the future of the Megaman franchise? Will we still see ZX3 or perhaps a game featuring Axl on the 3DS? I’m sad to see him go, he was amazing to contribute such a wonderful series.
@Sammy
My reaction exactly. My heart pretty much stopped when I read this.
Nonooo this isn’t happening!! How could he just up and leave right when Legends 3 is underway, his dream game?! And what the heck are we supposed to do now?! How could he do this to us?!
*sob sob* *bangs head against wall*
I believe we the fans can make the series a better place if we can give our voices to Capcom about our ideas and thoughts for future projects for the series. We shouldn’t give up. Believe in Zero that believes in Ciel.
I guess Mega Man Legends 3 was his last great goal that he had yet to acheive. Now that he has got that on the roll, I guess he feels like he has acheived it all, but he wanted to wait just a little while so that he could say a decent goodbye to his fans.
Keiji Inafune, you are awesome. You’ve touched our lives in our childhood, our teenage years, and even in our older adult and middle-aged lives. Mega Man 3 was your best game ever, and I thank you for creating such wonderful childhood memories.
It’s no big surprise nor is it as big of a deal as many of you make it out to be.
For one Inti Creates made Mega Man Zero 1-4, ZX/Advent and Mega Man 9 and 10. To what degree he has been involved on those games can’t be too much. Not to mention the X series has been without him since X5 now X6 and X7 may be games of debatable quality but X8 was fantastic.
He is bitter towards gaming in this day and age therefore I say that Mega Man is better off without him.
Well, he never said he wanted to effectively MAKE Legends 3 by his own hands, he just wanted it to BE made.
@ Burning Hunter Yeah, I hope so. Inti Creates does awesome work. Besides, I’ve never played a truely BAD Megaman game. They don ‘t exist. Sure, some Megaman games are not as good as others. That will happen with everything. Honestly, I enjoy X6 despite all the haters (yeah it’s hard and the translation is whack, but I’m a sucker for killer boss fights.) Sure it was rushed, but that was because Capcom wanted to please the fans. Capcom is a company that loves its customers. Legends 3 is proof of that.
Well, for one thing he never said he’s leaving the game industry altogether, and acutally he hints quite the opposite.
Here’s hoping that he’ll join Nintendo. Hey, I can dream can’t I?