Tango Gameworks‘ legendary founder and CEO Shinji Mikami is leaving the company “in the coming months,” according to a since-verified internal Bethesda email. Bethesda has not yet announced a replacement for Mikami, but “wishes [him] well for the future.”
- Related Reading: Report: The Evil Within 3 Teaser Spotted in Hi-Fi Rush
In his three-decade career, Shinji Mikami has been responsible for some of the largest video game franchises and smash hits to come out of Japan. At Capcom, Mikami served as director for the original Resident Evil, and subsequently produced multiple sequels and the Code Veronica spinoff before taking the directorial role again for Resident Evil 4. Mikami also collaborated (as a producer) with Hideki Kamiya on the original Devil May Cry, before establishing Clover Studio under Capcom where he directed the 3D beat ’em up title God Hand. He then co-founded PlatinumGames and directed Vanquish before finally going fully solo with Tango Gameworks where he was responsible for The Evil Within franchise, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and most recently the rhythm fighter Hi-Fi Rush.
Years following ZeniMax’s 2010 acquisition of Tango Gameworks, Mikami apparently feels it is time for him to chase new horizons. Todd Vaughn, senior vice president of product development at Bethesda, announced Mikami’s upcoming departure in an internal email:
I am writing today to let you know that studio head Shinji Mikami has decided to leave Tango Gameworks in the coming months. Mikami-san has been a creative leader and supportive mentor to young developers at Tango for 12 years through his work on the Evil Within franchise, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and of course, Hi-Fi Rush.
Earlier today, Bethesda publicly confirmed the veracity of the email:
— Bethesda (@bethesda) February 23, 2023
We can confirm that Shinji Mikami has decided to leave Tango Gameworks in the coming months. We thank him for his work as a creative leader and supportive mentor to young developers of The Evil Within franchise, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and, of course, Hi-Fi RUSH.
We wish Mikami-san well in the future and are excited by what lies ahead for the talented developers at Tango.
Mikami has not publicly spoken out about his departure or upcoming plans so far, but it is reasonable to expect a new venture in due time from the superlative visionary. What do you think Mikami or Tango Gameworks will create next? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: TrueAchievements