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The title says it all. In a press release issued yesterday, Capcom announced that Clover Studios, makers of Okami, God Hand, and the Viewtiful Joe series of games, will no longer be operational as of March of next year. In their statement, Capcom praises Clover Studios for achieving their goal of creating original and entertaining video games, but also states that it will serve Capcom better to use Clover Studio's funding and resources as part of the greater Capcom group and not as an independently-operating subsidiary. In a nutshell, Capcom loves Clover's games, but would rather absorb them back into Capcom and not have them spend so much money. It should be noted that the official dissolution of the development studio isn't official until March of next year, giving Clover time to still release any current unannounced projects that are under wraps.

Personally, this news saddens me. Viewtiful Joe and Okami are two of the most fun, original, and beautiful action games of this generation, and I have high hopes for God Hand. Hopefully, Capcom can still make good use of the enormous talent within Clover Studios after its disbanding, and we can see more great games in the tradition of Okami and Viewtiful Joe in the future.

Source: Capcom's Official Press release, found via digg.com



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That is sad news. Okami is a beautiful game, and Godhand is one of the few titles on the horizon that I've really been watching/looking forward to.

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Join the Army, see the world, meet interesting people - and kill them.

~Pacifist Badge, 1978

This is really too bad. I don't think anyone can deny Viewtiful Joe, and I've heard great things about Okami. But, I guess if it's for Capcom's greater good...

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Quote (laszlow @ 12th October 2006 14:07)

The official dissolution of the development studio isn't official until March of next year, giving Clover time to still release any current unannounced projects that are under wraps.

Do you know if Clover Studios have anything in the pipeline to be released before March?

Quote (mertinatron @ 12th October 2006 14:35)

Quote (laszlow @ 12th October 2006 14:07)

The official dissolution of the development studio isn't official until March of next year, giving Clover time to still release any current unannounced projects that are under wraps.

Do you know if Clover Studios have anything in the pipeline to be released before March?

No, we don't, but there is a chance. Of course, there's an equal chance that any current Clover Studios projects will just get passed on to a Capcom interior production studio once it happens.

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this is a blog mostly about comics and videogames
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Wops then, I guess if i'm in a rush next time i'll save the topic till later then.
I did try the Viewtiful Joe series, wasn't a big fan but the game was OK, but who knows, if this woulnd't of happened they could of made a good game/series, but like you said Laz, there will be a "tradition" of the games.

This post has been edited by Dragon King on 15th October 2006 01:24

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Kel'Thuzad: She is persistent. Reminds me of you, death knight.

Arthas:Shut up you damned ghost.

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Quote (Dragon King @ 12th October 2006 20:34)

I remember them making a "Arcade type-fighting game" that I really enjoy. (Street Fighter?)

This is sad, Next thing we know, Squenix is next.

Ummm... Keep in mind that Capcom is shutting down Clover Studios, which is just a small Capcom subsidiary. There is no danger of Capcom going under, and probably an equally low chance of Square-Enix going under. Did you even read the first post?

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this is a blog mostly about comics and videogames
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What's a bit interesting here is that this month's OPM has an interview with Clover Studio, and in this interview the Clover guys readily acknowledge that with all their success so far, the call from Capcom to shut down could happen at any time. Given that the interview probably took place in July or August, these guys really knew what their industry is about.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

it is a shame to see clover go
i love the viewtiful joe series