CLOVERS founders discuss Okami 2 and Capcom amid industry layoffs

VGC speaks with CLOVERS leaders about the Okami 2 project, staff growth, and a path that could include publishers beyond Capcom.

CLOVERS founders discuss Okami 2 and Capcom amid industry layoffs

CLOVERS has set up shop in Osaka and Tokyo as it pursues the Okami sequel, a project tied to Capcom that was unveiled at The Game Awards 2024. The studio is funded by the founders’ own capital, with Capcom providing an operational and publishing wind behind the scene. Kamiya and Koyama say the arrangement has helped them hire quickly and establish a solid base for growth without immediate external investment. They emphasize the team’s shared mindset as a key driver of early success and note that most hires are experienced professionals rather than new graduates.

The interview highlights a conscious move to keep creative control while leveraging a major publisher’s support. CLOVERS presents a model where a small, tightly knit team can scale up with the help of a partner like Capcom, while still maintaining independent DNA. This raises questions about sustainability: can a studio of this size sustain multiple projects or even move into self-publishing if a long-term collaboration with Capcom shifts? The narrative also contrasts Japanese publishing culture, which Kamiya characterizes as more tolerant of experimentation, with Western publishers’ preference for early, visible outcomes. That tension matters as CLOVERS weighs future partnerships and potential new IPs.

Another thread is staff protection. Kamiya’s insistence on safeguarding his team against layoffs signals a values-based resolve, but it also sets a high bar for risk management in a volatile industry. If the Okami sequel falters, the question becomes whether the same commitment can endure broader market pressures or if CLOVERS will need to diversify to stay afloat.

Highlights

The real test will be whether CLOVERS can translate early momentum into lasting creative and financial growth.