Two weeks after his surprising departure from Platinum Games, the studio he helped create in the mid-2000s, Hideki Kamiya has made quite an exit in true Hideki Kamiya fashion. The mastermind behind Bayonetta zoomed out of Platinum’s parking lot in a Lamborghini and declared, “I’m off to the unemployment center,” before launching his own YouTube channel.
In his debut video on this new channel, Kamiya seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his newfound freedom. He appeared on screen holding a box of anime and movie figurines he likely cleared from his previous desk and shared that he’s had an amazing time just chilling in front of the TV since leaving his old job. “I’ve been watching Netflix, YouTube, Disney Plus, and stuff like that,” Kamiya shared with viewers. “I’ve already lost track of what day it is.” Can you blame him? Who wouldn’t want that kind of downtime?
However, Kamiya’s video didn’t delve much into the specific reasons for his departure from the company he co-founded. When the news first broke that he was leaving Platinum, he mentioned that it was a decision he made after much thought, emphasizing it was not an easy choice to make.
This sentiment remains consistent in his video. When asked about his departure, Kamiya repeats, “How can I put it?” a few times before finally answering, “There’s no way I can put it.” Instead of giving a straightforward explanation, he reaffirms that he left Platinum to follow his creative beliefs and take a path he believes is right. He makes it clear that he has no intention of retiring and still wants to continue making games. So, he didn’t quit Platinum to become a full-time YouTuber, after all.
As for Kamiya’s future plans, it may take some time to learn more. He mentioned that he “can’t work in the same industry for a year” due to undisclosed reasons.
He also took a few minutes in the video to share his disastrous attempt at making java curry at home. This amusing anecdote is my personal favorite part of the video, but it may not be the most critical news to cover.
Though Kamiya didn’t reveal many specifics about his future in the gaming industry, he did discuss his YouTube channel’s focus. He intends to keep it “completely EDUCATION FREE” and unrelated to his 30-year career in gaming. “It won’t be helpful to anyone aspiring to enter the gaming industry,” Kamiya stated. Instead, he just wants to create fun, non-gaming-related content, preferably by himself since he admits he’s “extremely shy.”
With that, Kamiya-san drives off in his Lamborghini, leaving us mostly in the dark about his exact reasons for leaving Platinum but giving us the impression that being Hideki Kamiya when we grow up doesn’t sound like a bad idea.
Nonetheless, given his reluctance to spell it out and his repeated references to his “own beliefs,” it’s hard not to assume that Platinum Games has decided to take a direction that Kamiya doesn’t entirely agree with, right? The details may still be hazy for now, but as time goes on (and we approach Kamiya’s industry re-entry deadline), the situation might become clearer.