Released in 2015 to significant critical acclaim, From Software’s PlayStation 4 exclusiveBloodborneis an action RPG in the vein of the company’s hugely popularDark Soulsseries. Praised for its hectic combat, enthralling gothic world, and focused distillation of theSouls’ formula,Bloodborneearned itself a highly impressive 92 score on Metacritic and countless passionate fans.
While the games’ director, Hidetaka Miyazaki, is understandably credited for much ofBloodborne’s massive critical success, the games’ producer, Masaaki Yamagiwa, certainly deserves some of that recognition as well. Originally starting in the industry as a planner on the Game Boy AdvanceSonic Advanceseries, Yamagiwa’s career eventually took him to From Software, where he worked as the Producer onBloodborneand the VR titleDeracine. Now, Yamagiwa has moved studios once again, this time to another action-focused, Japan-based developer: Team Ninja.
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A tweet from Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Head of Independent Developer Initiative, Shuhei Yoshida, broke the news to fans. In the tweet, Yoshida shares a photo of himself with Yamagiwa and Team Ninja’s Fumihiko Yasuda, who has directed titles in themuch-belovedNiohseries. The caption reads, “A fun evening with Team Ninja’s Yasuda-san and @giwamasa, who joined Team Ninja @TeamNINJAStudio.”
Team Ninja’s own official Twitter account has also confirmed the news, albeit in Japanese. Fans are excited to see Team Ninja’s acquisition of a Producer from a well-regarded studio like From Software, although it is unclear what Yamagiwa’s role at Team Ninja will be. Being that a top PlayStation executive broke the news, though, fans are speculating that Team Ninja may be working with the PlayStation brand on something new for its consoles.
Since Team Ninja’s excellentNiohseries and its upcomingStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originareheavily influenced by From Software’sDark Soulsseries andBloodborne, it makes sense that the company would acquireBloodborne’s Producer. While theNiohseries may not quite be as beloved as From Software’s gothic masterpiece, its incredibly deep combat system and challenging boss fights have garnered much esteem from players.
Of course, a single producer, well-respected or not, cannot make an excellent game the scope ofBloodborneall by themselves, and many beloved developers have disappointed fans with follow-up projects in the past. For example, famedMetal GearDirector Hideo Kojima’s new IPDeath Strandingwas a game that received mixed receptionfor its deliberate pace and esoteric design. Still, given Yamagiwa’s past projects, it’s easy to see why he can be a great asset for Team Ninja moving forward.
Bloodborneis available on PS4.
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