Capcom announced yesterday, in a report that will shock many gamers, that they would be dissolving development company Clover Studios, famous for such titles as Viewtiful Joe and the recently released Okami.

Set up in 2004, Clover Studios are a company who suceeded in establishing their name in the minds of many gamers, thanks to their unique blent od inventive and original games titles, and a strong line-up of quality talent which included the likes of Shinji Mikami, the famed creator of Residen Evil.

Capcom were quick to explain the decision, with the usual pedantic press-release statement: "Clover Studio Co., Ltd. has met the goal of developing unique and creative original home video game software, however, in view of promoting a business strategy that concentrates management resources on a selected business to enhance the efficiency of the development power of the entire Capcom group, the dissolution of Clover Studios Co., Ltd. has been raised and passed at a Board of Directors' meeting."

General finacial losses for the company have been targeted as to reasons for the decision, but many feel that the situation could have been handled better, as Clover Studios had the rare luxury of sucessful sales to back up their unique games, making this whole thing all the more perplexing.

The company will be officially dissolved at the end of March 2007, and a reshuffling of staff within the company is set to occur. Hopefully, the Clover Studio magic won't completely disappear after this happens...

Tags : Capcom : clover studios : dissolvement

Comments

By: Dragonsoul

On: 10:14 Nov 1st, 2006
Online

What? This is somewhat distressing. Clover is doing a fantastic job of creating quality games that are unique and now they must be dissolved? Where's the logic in that? Is it simply because there games while quite excellent may not be as profitable of other games that more well-known and have a more set fanbase? :disgust:

By: Dragonfly

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On: 01:05 Nov 1st, 2006
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Dragonsoul;6796

Is it simply because there games while quite excellent may not be as profitable of other games that more well-known and have a more set fanbase? :disgust:

See, that's the odd thing. As I pointed out in the article, Clover Studios had the sales to back up the unique goods, which makes the decision all the more perplexing to me. Though recent news states that only one of the head founders of Clover Studios (Shinji Mikami, of Resident Evil fame) is going to be staying on at Capcom.

Hmm...

By: Dragonsoul

On: 02:04 Nov 1st, 2006
Online

Okay, now that makes no sense whatsoever. If they making the numbers AND producing quality product there is absolutely no reason that I can see for disolving them. The only other possible answer I can come up with is that the company requires a great deal of creative energy whereas other companies can just slap together some fanservice and be done with it. Still, that's just, IMO, crazy.

By: Pedro The Hutt

On: 06:35 Nov 1st, 2006
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Maybe that's the thing. >.>;; They want to see Clover's creativity in all of Capcom's studios. As admittably some of their other titles have been growing a bit stale in recent years.

By: Istvie

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On: 03:47 Nov 8th, 2006
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I don't think I've ever played any games by this company before. I might have and just forgotten about it, but if the games are as good as you guys say, I can't understand why they would do something like this. It seems pretty stupid.
They may have an ace up their sleeve though, only time will tell.