Reports filled the internet yesterday after it was discovered that iconic video game designer Yuji Naka, who had wrapped up his work on the divisive Balan Wonderworld, had left Square Enix where he was given a one shot chance to make a brand new 3D platformer. It now appears as though Mr. Naka resigned from his position at Square Enix in April, telling his fans on Twitter that he can’t speak about what happened right now. He says that he is now considering retirement from the video games industry, so he can presumably relax with friends and family. Here’s what Mr. Naka said on Twitter:
“Due to inquiries from the media and users on Twitter, [I am announcing that] I resigned from Square Enix at the end of April 2021. I cannot tell you why right now, but I hope to be able to tell you when the time comes. As for my future plans, I’m already 55 years old, so retirement is in the cards. Here is a photo that was taken for the Sega Console Historia interview.”
Retirement from the video game industry? Dont make me laugh.Every developer retires after making 1 game. Then return back to work 15 years later trying to pick up on a game they haven’t made in over 10 years. I been waiting nearly 9 years for Pikmin 4 and 8 years for a New Donkey Kong. And let’s not mention how the gap of years between Metroid 3 to Metroid 4.
Umm, none of the people behind those games retired, they just went to work on different franchises. It’s easy for fans to say to just make the same games over and over, but for the actual devs it’s tiresome to do so. They like changing it up. And fans can only hope during that time the franchise is large enough to be handed over to someone new who’d keep up the original quality.
Don’t mind him. He’s become quite idiotic over the last 2(?) years. Maybe if he did some rhyming, I’d read his dumb ramblings.
Gruntilda, what you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Making Balan Wonderworld the game it should’ve been is going to be the biggest project modders ever faced.
I just want a good game out of all of this. This was his one chance to create a 3D platformer, they released a bad demo late during a pandemic, refused to delay the game, we got shit, and now this guy wants to leave and retire.
The only game that even comes to mind to make up for this one is Clive N Wrench (whenever that’s finished).
There’s always some back-door drama or a dealbreaker when it comes to 3D platformers.
Take the money and run
He’s probably depressed at how badly things went for Balan. I think a lot of thought went into the game’s setting, but it seemed to be hurt by development problems.
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If you wanna play a good Yuji Naka game, then just play Rodea the Sky Soldier, but play the Wii version and not the 3DS/Wii U version. We can just pretend that Rodea was Yuji Naka’s final game instead of Balan
Regardless of what may have happened during this game’s development, it sucks to see a legend like Yuji Naka treated so shabbily for pushing out a mediocre product – especially during a global crisis. Considering the extraordinary circumstances under which he and his team were forced to work, and the fact that it was Naka’s first big project with Square Enix, I’m sure they had to make many difficult compromises on their vision for Balan to deliver the game on time and under budget. Sincerely hope this isn’t the note on which he leaves the industry entirely.
They should direct their ire at Squeenix for not delaying the game when it obviously needed more time.
Well, this saddens me. :(
I’m wanting to hope he can find success at least one more time before leaving.