Investigative sleuth Liam Robertson has posted some interesting news on his Patron account that suggests that Retro Studios and Kensuke Tanabe are no longer on good terms and that Yoshio Nakamoto is overseeing Retro Studios. This is of course a rumour, but Liam has been a good source of information so we shall have to wait and see how this pans out. You can check out the full post on his Patron page.
Last year, I was investigating Tanabe with regards to this. This involved speaking to a number of developers who had worked alongside him. The way in which they all described Tanabe’s directorial style was fascinating. Their words built up a portrait in my mind of a Gordon Ramsey esque figure who strived for perfection and berated anything short of it. It’s difficult for me to fully convey my impressions of him without explicitly detailing the anecdotes shared with me in confidence, which could compromise those involved; but I will try my best to elaborate.
The majority of those I spoke to about their experiences with Tanabe told tales of how he would quite often explode with great passion on certain designers when one of them either made what he perceived to be a mistake, or boldly challenged a creative decision of his.
[snip]
Around the time of Tanabe’s leave in 2014, Retro had apparently begun to seek a greater level of autonomy from NCL. Previously, Tanabe was NCL’s man on the ground there. He was their chief representative, who upheld the Japanese creative sensibilities of Nintendo at the otherwise Western studio. Retro, however, felt that his assistance was no longer necessary. They were campaigning for more freedom; although not just because some individuals had issues with his behaviour, but because they were under the impression that they had earned it. They thought that they had more proven themselves and that they didn’t need an NCL producer holding their hand anymore.
If the rumours are to be believed, a certain NCL member responded to these requests by removing Tanabe and assigning a new NCL producer in his place. While they have enormous respect for what the developers there have been able to accomplish over the years, they still feel the need to have one of their closest representatives present, overseeing projects. The identity of Retro Studios’ new NCL producer is one that I am not entirely certain of. One source, who is very credible in my eyes, and recently contributed to my story about Nintendo Software Technology’s amiibo project (a rumour which was proven to be 100% true), claims this individual is none other than Yoshio Sakamoto. Whether or not this is true, I cannot say for sure. I am only sharing that to allow fans an interesting rumour to discuss. Having said that, don’t take it as fact. It’s a rumour that even I am unsure of.
No keep Sakamoto the hell away from Metriod! Other M was bad enough!
To be fair, he also gave us Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion.
Super was Yokoi. Fusion, although it has the best bosses in the series, is a linear mess.
I don’t know who these people are but I hope this doesn’t lead to the end of Retro Studios
I’m pretty sure it doesn’t mean the end of Retro Studios.
What I CAN say is that it might just be the end of Retro Studios’ time with Metroid (but I have a deep feeling that Retro Studios got sick of only making Metroid games, since they wanted more “autonomy” from NCL).
Please note that when I said “What I CAN say…”, I mean that with speculation; I have no sources or anything.
Nope. Tanabe doesn’t have to be involved with Metroid, and Retro’s CEO said they are the biggest fans of Metroid there is. He said they made the hard choice of doing DK as their first Wii U game over Metroid, and that they would love to work on Metroid again. (Hence Metroid U reveal at E3 mwahaha)
I never said that Tanabe has to be involved in Metroid. What I’m saying is that Nintendo wants Retro to make more Metroid games and I’m pretty certain that they basically don’t want to necessarily be told what to do here (hence, that “greater level of autonomy” thing). The fact that NCL needs to have someone from NCL “oversee” everyone art Retro just goes to show you how much of a “leash” they have over them (which isn’t really “bad” since Nintendo completely owns the company, but I’m pretty sure that they want to make some new IP more than anything else).
Furthermore, I don’t think they hate Nintendo. If they did , they would have left and either started a company themselves, joined the ones that have already left and helped make Recore, or joined Sony, or Microsoft, or EA, or Ubisoft, or whoever else (it’s easier then you think if you already have the experience and if it’s not true, then I guess it’s easier to do it here in Canada than in the US, but whatever).
Also, I highly doubt that the leader for Retro is going to say anything ill about Nintendo (or their IP) or else he’ll lose his job. All this could just be something that Nintendo told him to say if someone asked. Now, I’m not denying that they’re really big Metroid fans, but I’m also not going to deny that they might just be feeling fatigued in the matter and that they want to do their own thing (like, I don’t necessarily think that they were especially thrilled when they were tasked to help out with Mario kart 7 or 8, or Smash (specifically with Metroid-related stuff), or helping Next Level Games with Metroid Prime Federation Force (I actually feel that they’re more relieved with not working on it)).
Again, this is all speculation, but I’m basing it off of what we have, what Retro themselves have said, and then some speculation logic put together. In no way am I’m saying that “this is DEFINITELY what Retro thinks” because I’ve never met him and I can’t read their minds. THIS. IS. ALL. SPECULATION!
-||I’d rather have Other M 2 than the current abomination known as Federation Force||-
AMAN!
-||chibi quadraxis confirmed||-
👏👏 fucking cry about it.
“Liam has been a good source of information..’
Despite him just recently giving inaccurate information about Star Fox being delayed?
Which makes all of his Star Fox rumors false?
Okay.
I’d also like to point out – this is a rumor ANYONE could make up.
How would we ever know if this is true or not?…
Here, I’ll make an example.
Hey guys, I have a rumor – apparently Miyamoto and Aonuma are on bad terms, which is why Zelda Wii U has been delayed so much. They can’t agree on which direction to take Zelda in!
You better believe it, because there’s no way you can prove me right or wrong.
Baseless rumors are hilarious to me.
Still, NCL is known to be less favorable to their westernly partners. They tend to favor their own traditional ideas better, hence why multiplayer is pretty much shot. It’s really hard to pass to get anything done between studios, it’s like a hierarchy.
An idea could get approved by one and trickle down, only to be shut down and never see the light of day again. It’s next to be impossible for aspiring Western designers to even have their worked looked over, just look at HarmoKnight.
The difference being you made up that rumor on the spot, whereas Liam’s rumors he gets from inside sources, mostly from Nintendo of Europe. Whether or not you trust him is a matter of your own choice, but it’s nice to be open-minded about things and neither jump onto the “we can’t trust him!” bandwagon nor the “we can trust him!” bandwagon. For example, if his source or the source of his source is intentionally trying to uncredit him for releasing info that the public isn’t supposed to know, maybe think about it before getting tricked into that?
Also, go through Liam’s info and try to find him explicitly saying Star Fox Zero will be delayed. He never said that; he only said that whether or not they’ll delay the game was put up to a vote and that Nintendo of Europe fought to delay it.
I understand what you’re saying, but seeing as him/his “sources” haven’t been reliable on multiple occasions leads me to lose trust in his information. Rumors are never a healthy source of information, especially ones that are false – which Liam has given plenty of. I didn’t simply jump to my conclusion of not trusting him off of a single article. And who’s to say he didn’t make up this rumor on the spot? Isn’t it convenient this rumor surfaces the day after Federation Force was discussed by Tanabe himself, victim to negative backlash? I’d say so. It’s perfect timing, as all of those upset about said information would easily believe this. Also, his “source” claimed that Star Fox’s delay was to be determined today. Although, the Direct yesterday confirmed it’s not being delayed. Whether it’s him, or his “source”, the information is inaccurate and false. If you want to believe it – or take his rumors seriously – that’s your call. I will not try to convince you otherwise. We’ll agree to disagree.
I know many people are probably angry with him about Federation Force, but I first heard of this guy during the E3 2013 Digital Event when he was talking about DKC: TF, and I really liked the way he was thinking when directing the game. A trilogy may not be a thing nkw that this guy is rumoured to have been let go, let alone it may not live up to what it potentially could.
My excitement when DKC:TF was announced…I was a huge fan of Returns.
Retro has earned its right to be on a loose leash, I agree. I don’t know how not having Tanabe around will influence the Prime series if they ever return to it, though. Although, to be fair, Tanabe is partially responsible for both Sticker Star AND Federation Force, so maybe having Sakamoto back on board is not such a bad idea after all.
sigh? Kensuke Tanabe… Just stop with the bullshit and move on with your life. God! When even Chris Chan is more mature than a big gaming first party company. You know you fucked up? ;/
https://youtu.be/JAbUcz8jgog
I wouldn’t be surprised since Retro’s CEO stated they are the biggest Metroid fans there is, and after what Tanabe did with Prime Federation Force, I could see them being like you made that shit? I don’t like Tanabe, Retro will reveal Metroid U at E3 and everyone will be like THERE WE GO. That’s Metroid.
I’ve been holding my breath for three E3s in a row. Not anymore.
If you expected Retro to show up to E3 1 year after Tropical Freeze came out your crazy. 2 years would be still to soon. 3 fits the bill.Which E3 2016 marks the 3rd year.
I meant E3 2012, 2013 and 2014. I wasn’t expecting Metroid on 2015, and boy was I bitterly wrong on that one.
And Tanane is no Gordon Ramsay! Ramsay is awesome! Tanabe is an idiot.
Tanabe* not Tanane
This would explain why Federation Force is total shit. Tanabe is pissed off that Retro Studios doesn’t want his input anymore, so he supports Federation Force to try & discredit the Prime series. Sneaky bastard.
Even though Other M was a failure story & character portrayal wise, Sakamoto still has the awesome Super Metroid & Metroid Fusion, that he wrote the stories for, under his belt. I’m willing to chalk Other M up as a fluke & give Sakamoto another chance if this is true & he is now the new NCL for Retro Studios. Maybe now we won’t have to worry about another Metroid game Sakamoto writes the story for ignoring the events of the Prime series (Other M) since he’ll be working with the main people making that spin-off series so they can give him a heads up on what they are doing with Prime so he doesn’t contradict their events in a Metroid game he writes the story for.
I liked Other M’s story, minus the “I need permission to use weapons.” And the characters were fine.
-||Samus’ portrayal was utter garbage specially in her present self and so was Adam to some extent||-
-||And of course typical American racism with Black Humans acting the same stereotypical behaviour||-
Do we really have to keep going back to this topic? It’s the definition of beating up a dead horse at this point, anyone defending the game might as well just be trolling by now.
-||Yes, I’m programmed to defend Metroid at all costs, including from our creators||-
Either way I can’t wait for the next Metroid game.
Huh, looks like Retro is pissed about FF too.
I recognize the name Kensuke Tanabe, but can’t recall who he is.
Can’t wait for federation force
Can’t wait to try federation force
Stop giving that much credit to what Liam Robertson says. He never brings any proof to anything and he says the truth less than 20% of the time.
He says the truth less than 20% of the time, eh.
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