Fact Check: "Keiji Inafune left Capcom in October 2010 citing his frustration in working at Capcom, as well on game developments approaches at the time"
What We Know
Keiji Inafune, a prominent figure in the video game industry and the creator of the Mega Man franchise, announced his departure from Capcom on October 29, 2010, after a 23-year tenure with the company. His resignation was largely attributed to his dissatisfaction with the current state of the Japanese video game industry and his frustrations with Capcom's development approaches. Inafune expressed his belief that the industry was in decline, stating that developers were creating "awful games" and that he felt the Japanese game industry was "finished" (source-1, source-4).
In an interview shortly before his departure, Inafune openly stated, “I hate it! I want to retire early and take it easy,” indicating a profound level of frustration with his work (source-1). His comments reflect a broader concern about the direction of game development in Japan, which he felt was not aligning with his vision for the industry (source-5).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Inafune left Capcom due to frustration with the company and the state of game development is robust. Multiple sources confirm that he was vocal about his dissatisfaction with the Japanese gaming industry, which he believed was struggling to innovate and produce quality games. His resignation was not a sudden decision; it stemmed from a long-standing frustration that he articulated in various interviews leading up to his departure (source-2, source-3).
Inafune's statements about wanting to retire early and his critical views on the industry lend credibility to the claim that his departure was motivated by frustration. Furthermore, his desire to create a subsidiary company for a more hands-on approach to game design suggests that he was seeking a different environment that aligned better with his creative vision (source-7).
The sources used in this analysis are generally reliable, with many being established gaming news outlets that have covered Inafune's career extensively. However, it is important to note that while Inafune's comments reflect personal opinions, they are indicative of broader industry sentiments and should be interpreted within that context.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Keiji Inafune left Capcom in October 2010 due to frustrations with the company and the state of game development is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Inafune's own statements about his dissatisfaction and desire for a different approach to game design further reinforce the accuracy of this claim.
Sources
- Inafune Expresses Intense Dislike for His Job
- Keiji Inafune Quits Capcom (Update)
- End Of An Era: Keiji Inafune Quits Capcom - Push Square
- Keiji Inafune, Creator of Mega Man, Leaves Capcom
- Translation of Keiji Inafune's Capcom departure interview
- Keiji Inafune resigns from Capcom - GameSpot
- More On Inafune's Resignation