News - Clover Studios is Reborn
Posted by
Justin Fassino
at 06:49:23 PM EST on 2.14.2007.
When
Clover Studios (
Okami,
Viewtiful Joe) announced last fall that it was closing its doors, gamers the world over lamented the loss of one of the planet's most talented teams.
But hope is not lost. The old Clover team has been busy.
Atsushi Inaba, the man who has worked on a plethora of
Capcom's brightest games, including both
Phoenix Wrights,
Devil May Cry,
Resident Evil: Code Veronica, and
Okami (among others), has formed a new studio that's getting back to Clover's "roots."
The new company, called Seeds, Inc. (complete with a clever devolutionized version of the old Clover logo) has brought aboard several key ex-Clover staff members, including
Hideki Kamiya, one of the brain children behind the PS2's lupine adventure
Okami, and Shinji Mikami (
God Hand,
Viewtiful Joe, and
Killer 7, among others) .
What platform(s) the studio will be developing for is still unclear, but if you want an idea of what Seeds is all about, check out
their nifty homepage. The company is also currently hiring to add to their 50+ staff.
GAF will keep you up-to-date about Seeds as announcements are made.
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+0 karma
dragon dash 2.19.2007 at 04:58:04 PM
"I thought the mechanics were extremely frustrating for the lava guy's boss fight. . . I believe the shark boss fight was also extremely frustrating because there just seemed to be something wrong with it."
Yeah I admit, those bosses were very tough to deal, but I eventually beat them. You know, by holding Y button on the GCN version while on slow, you dish out even more damage on enemies. I hope for those having tough time on the game will take that as a tip.
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shippoyasha 2.19.2007 at 03:04:09 AM
This doesn't surprise me at all. Game developers don't just die off with their companies. They tend to resurface one way or the other. Even if Clover wasn't to be reformed as a new company, the development talent would have made other companies or joined other development circles.
+1 karma
i_like_pizza 2.18.2007 at 03:02:35 AM
Naw, not being able to beat VJ1 doesn't mean you suck. It's a tough game to beat. I thought the mechanics were extremely frustrating for the lava guy's boss fight (it's been a long time, haha, I've forgotten a lot of the details). The gameplay works out well in nearly every other instance of the game, but I believe the shark boss fight was also extremely frustrating because there just seemed to be something wrong with it. VJ1 was a tough game, so don't be ashamed.
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watkinzez 2.17.2007 at 10:49:28 PM
Viewtiful Joe 2 was awesome because I could beat it.
Yes, I suck.
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pojo 2.17.2007 at 09:57:09 PM
Yeah, dragon dash, but VJ2 was so uninspired. Not to mention slower, with more puzzles that put the action to a screeching halt.
At least from what I can remember. VJ1 was bliss, though.
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mrsinister 2.16.2007 at 01:30:33 PM
the seeds of love have been sewn :)
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rahvii 2.16.2007 at 08:28:02 AM
This is the best news ever. Things like this dont happen anymore on the industry.
I wish the best of lucks for them, now get working, i want clover games! :D
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ikexc07 2.15.2007 at 11:34:43 PM
This is great news to hear indeed. I will eagerly be awaiting to see what they have in store with their games.
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dragon dash 2.15.2007 at 10:07:53 PM
"'d.lo'
I've never heard of anyone who actually preferred VJ2 (or RHR or VJDT) to the original..."
Until you've heard from me. IMO, VJ2 took everything that was awesome from VJ and added:
*Level select
*Switchable characters in battle
*Replay (replay equal sex)
*Joe Silvia team attacks
and improved:
*The seriously jamming music (have the OST in my iPod)
*Difficulty (More ballanced, IMO)
*Silvia's controls
*Selection of purchasable items, powerups, etc.
*Bosses were the cherrys' of the cake at the end
of the stages, particularly Frost Tiger and Big
John.
And perfected it. I couldn't find a better 2.5D game on the GCN at the time of the games release. Its my favorite game on the GCN. Now if Capcom themselves can make good 2D home console titles like this again.
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outlawgamer7 2.15.2007 at 07:49:29 PM
YES I'm soooo glad thier back! I was upset when it was gone.
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unforgivingedges 2.15.2007 at 07:15:02 PM
"Okami on Wii. Make it happen, guys. I'll see what all the fuss is about then. A game that involves painting using the dualshock sounds silly. Using the Wiimote it sounds killer."
1. You are a complete idiot. There's no way you can say painting with the dualshock is silly without ever having played it. The game was built around the dual shock, and it works fine. You're denying yourself a great game because of corporate loyalty? Pathetic.
2. Okami is owned by Capcom, not by Clover/Seeds.
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shooter_mcgavin 2.15.2007 at 07:10:58 PM
I never got to play Okami on the PS2 cuz my console was in its dying breath and wanted to save it for FFXII.
Hopefully a Wii version of Okami will make up for it :)
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swerk 2.15.2007 at 06:23:14 PM
Okami on Wii. Make it happen, guys. I'll see what all the fuss is about then. A game that involves painting using the dualshock sounds silly. Using the Wiimote it sounds killer.
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dj tempora 2.15.2007 at 05:44:49 PM
VJDT is pretty decent, but it's more or less accepted that VJ1 is the jewel of the series. I agree.
Also I second the motion for a (spiritual) sequel to God Hand. Make it happen, Seeds.
+2 karma
d.lo 2.15.2007 at 12:47:35 PM
"(Except for Viewtiful Joe 1, which was kinda ick)"
Er, what? VJ1 was way better then the 'gimped for PS2 optomisation' sequel.
I've never heard of anyone who actually preferred VJ2 (or RHR or VJDT) to the original...
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siraileron 2.15.2007 at 12:19:14 PM
Tears of joy are flowing from my eyes. TT_TT
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bidingtime 2.15.2007 at 09:56:14 AM
Nice. Good luck to them.
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darc requiem 2.15.2007 at 07:32:00 AM
Shinji Mikami was responsible for RE4. I guess he quit Capcom over the RE4 port to PS2. Seeds has a wealth of talent. In fact it seems they have the bulk of Capcom's talent. Who is left at Capcom?
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jcgamer60 2.15.2007 at 05:11:42 AM
I'm pretty sure hideki kamiya did viewtiful joe.
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unforgivingedges 2.15.2007 at 12:51:59 AM
"Awesome. I was so irked when they closed their doors. If I remember correctly, it wasn't by choice, right?"
They weren't making as much money as Capcom would have liked, so it was cheaper to just close them down, as I understand it.
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aztec triogal 2.15.2007 at 12:40:04 AM
Awesome. I was so irked when they closed their doors. If I remember correctly, it wasn't by choice, right?
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watkinzez 2.15.2007 at 12:29:19 AM
Well, that's good news to come home to.
And Shadow of the Colossus people involved too.. awesome.
+3 karma
thehawk 2.15.2007 at 12:27:31 AM
I think "Seed" is kind of a funny name, but they could call themselves "Dog Crap Binoculars" and I'd still be interested in what they're making. I hope they REALLY shoot for innovation.
+1 karma
unforgivingedges 2.15.2007 at 12:17:35 AM
"and from the photos they are hard at work on something...can't wait."
True. And judging by this picture:
http://www.seeds-inc.jp/staff/staff/n_ueda_08.gif
I see an Xbox 360 controller in the background. I wouldn't read TOO much into that as they probably have every system in their office for dev purposes, but we know at LEAST they're messing with stuff on the 360.
+2 karma
geo 2.15.2007 at 12:14:13 AM
I don't know about you guys and gals but this is the best news I've ever gotten on Valentines Day.
and from the photos they are hard at work on something...can't wait.
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scarecrow9 2.15.2007 at 12:12:11 AM
loving that website and their new logo. Their new logo is up there in design creativity. Much better than that clover logo...pretty cliche and unoriginal logo/name that was. The new one feels/looks fresh =)
Can't wait to see the crazy games they'll make. Going back to their roots. That's the best thing any musician/artist/whatever can do.
Make some serious HD(1080p)game for the ps3. And I really fun 2D game for the Wii!
+2 karma
soul4ger 2.14.2007 at 11:03:03 PM
Hideki Kamiya also created Viewtiful Joe, as well, in fact. He was the director. He's a friggin' genius.
-3 karma
nekofrog 2.14.2007 at 10:18:53 PM
No, it made it a piece of s***.
RE2 blew away the conventions that RE1 established with its gameplay and intertwining story (not the half-assed attempt that RE1 had).
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unforgivingedges 2.14.2007 at 09:47:29 PM
"The D-pad on the homepage looks like that of PS's. Wonder if any of the big 3 (Ninty, Sony, MS) is backing them."
Well someone with money sure is. Have you seen the pictures of the building they're in on the website? Plus, you don't just start a new company fully ready with 40 employees without some serious capital. I'm curious if they'll become a 2nd party to Capcom.
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sugoi 2.14.2007 at 09:43:29 PM
Oh joy of joys! This is the very definition of Good News!
And for those of you who hated CV: Yes, it was quite a bit different from other RE games. Yes, it was brutally hard in places. Yes, it broke many of the conventions that RE1 and 2 established. And you know what? All of that made it a better game.
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jjmai 2.14.2007 at 09:25:11 PM
The D-pad on the homepage looks like that of PS's. Wonder if any of the big 3 (Ninty, Sony, MS) is backing them.
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ender13 2.14.2007 at 09:22:44 PM
*wets pants*
this is the best news ive heard this year
now if only they can find a publisher with the right amount of money to support them financially. right now im lookin at konami
YEAH DUDE!
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terpfen 2.14.2007 at 09:12:49 PM
"creid: Mind your mouth."
He was mocking matters' comment that Nintendo should buy Seeds.
+1 karma
i_like_pizza 2.14.2007 at 09:05:47 PM
Seeds could easily pull a RARE though and make a PD-like game, which was obviously the spirtual-sequel to Goldeneye even though they don't own these properties.
I'm definitely more for originality though, these days, so I'm happy either way.
-1 karma
animetayl 2.14.2007 at 08:38:16 PM
creid: Mind your mouth.
I've not had the opportunity to delve into my copy of Okami yet, but from all the praise it's been getting, I hope I'll be able to sooner rather than later.
+2 karma
unforgivingedges 2.14.2007 at 08:35:56 PM
Addendum: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5565771&postcount=69
f***. It's a Japanese developer dream team. Masami Ueda is on board (composer for Okami, Viewtiful Joe) and even some former Shadow of the Colossus staff.
Their first game WILL be sex.
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creid 2.14.2007 at 08:34:54 PM
Awesome. Microsoft should buy 'em.
+1 karma
mduo13 2.14.2007 at 08:28:41 PM
I love it when talented game designers get together and form their own studio. I mean, there's always a chance that they'll be missing some sort of key factor like fiscal management or that they'll be so ambitious that their projects don't come together (like most of Retro Studios' early works) but you never know when they'll bring you a hell of a gem.
Cheers to Seeds, Inc.
+1 karma
squire apparatus 2.14.2007 at 08:25:19 PM
I really liked Code Veronica as it was the game that seemed to tie up some loose ends as far as story. It gave me a bit of closure since it discussed who financed Umbrella and why. I liked that. Probably not as scary, but I did love the game overall.
+4 karma
unforgivingedges 2.14.2007 at 08:23:38 PM
Just to be clear, God Hand, Viewtiful Joe, and the various other games were Capcom properties, meaning Capcom still owns the rights to them even though Clover is no longer around.
Seeds will have to develop something new (which is better than rehashing their old series' anyway) or buy the rights off Capcom (not very cheap I imagine).
-2 karma
miguga 2.14.2007 at 08:12:15 PM
Well, it seems here rise the Rumor ok Okami for Wii...
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MegaManX 2.14.2007 at 08:06:31 PM
This is wonderful news.
Okami was my Game of the Year for 2006.
-1 karma
nekofrog 2.14.2007 at 07:58:42 PM
CV has too many "f*** you" moments in it. Didn't conserve almost all of your ammo when it comes to the airplane Tyrant boss?
Well, f*** you!
Didn't keep the stupid and at the time seemingly worthless fire extinguisher from the very beginning of the game?
Well, f*** you!
Don't like super-fancy Matrix sequences?
Well, f*** you!
Just a bad game all around.
+1 karma
bluelander 2.14.2007 at 07:57:06 PM
I like Code Vernoica better than any of the original three RE games. Sure, it wasn't as scary as the other ones. But I thought it was a lot more fun to play. Oh well, guess that's just my taste.
+1 karma
rurounizel 2.14.2007 at 07:50:18 PM
Best news all year! X3
(though the year is still young ^^)
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oz 2.14.2007 at 07:46:44 PM
Okami is in my top three PS2 games ever, anyone who misses it is only hurting themselves.
+1 karma
heartless_king 2.14.2007 at 07:43:57 PM
Wow... there is some hope left in the universe.
-2 karma
i_like_pizza 2.14.2007 at 07:29:18 PM
Eh, Code Veronica was all right, but with so many other great examples of awesome horror/survival games in that very franchise, I wouldn't put Code Veronica up there either.
I loved VJ though. I can't get enough 2-D.
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nekofrog 2.14.2007 at 07:23:21 PM
I would hardly call Code Veronica "one of Capcom's brightest games".
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morzas 2.14.2007 at 07:21:21 PM
God Hand 2 FTW!
+2 karma
matters 2.14.2007 at 07:19:23 PM
Aw man Viewtiful Joe 1 was great! How much did you play it?
Okami is pretty nice too but I haven't played it much yet though so I'll probably buy it this weekend if I still can't find a Wii.
Clover makes some pretty nice games (innovative). It's good news they'll be sticking around in some form or another.
+5 karma
hypersonicexe 2.14.2007 at 07:16:08 PM
Well, while I did not have the pleasure of enjoying Clover's works (Except for Viewtiful Joe 1, which was kinda ick), I know a lot of people raved about 'em, and this is definitely great news.
Good show.
+6 karma
bounchfx 2.14.2007 at 07:07:00 PM
SWEET. I hope they develop for the wii.
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matters 2.14.2007 at 07:03:57 PM
Awesome. Nintendo should buy 'em.
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dragon dash 2.14.2007 at 06:58:28 PM
Is the company still with Capcom?
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