Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami

Koji "Iga" Igarashi, best known as the producer of Konami's Castlevania series, has left the company.

March 17, 2014 9:30 AM

Koji "Iga" Igarashi, best known as the producer of Konami's Castlevania series, has left the company. He has been a veteran of Konami for over 20 years. He plans on starting his own small game development studio.

"I've decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make--the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well," Igarashi said. He has been largely uninvolved with the Castlevania series ever since it went to MercurySteam with the Lords of Shadow games.

"Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly," he said in a statement to Polygon. "I've spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities--but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next. Wish me luck!"

Igarashi's departure comes right before a planned session at Game Developers Conference titled "There and Back Again: Koji Igarashi's Metroidvania Tale," which promises to offer an "exploration of his experiences and methodology in creating some of the most popular and influential games in the genre over the last 15 years."

Andrew Yoon

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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March 17, 2014 9:30 AM

Andrew Yoon posted a new article, Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami.

Koji "Iga" Igarashi, best known as the producer of Konami's Castlevania series, has left the company.
- deathofrats
  
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  March 17, 2014 9:36 AM
  
  eagerly awaiting his MansionMania featuring Blimon Sellmont kickstarter..
  - EnhancedInterrogator
    
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    March 17, 2014 1:41 PM
    
    Man I hope so.
- Gorkgork
  
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  March 17, 2014 11:39 AM
  
  I know I am in an extreme minority, but I want want a Metroidvania game without the Metroid. Something like 1, or Super, or the GBA 'vanias. I just want to walk from left to right and fight evil shit with a whip.
  - Omaha
    
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    March 17, 2014 11:43 AM
    
    So what you're saying is you just want a Castlevania.
    - NeoSmeers
      
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      March 17, 2014 1:23 PM
      
      Pre-SOTN I assume
  - EnhancedInterrogator
    
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    March 17, 2014 1:41 PM
    
    The GBA games are largely considered "Metroidvanias". And you're not in an extreme minority. A lot of people were excited about Castlevania Rebirth on Wii. That was certainly 100% oldschool.
    
    I think most people just want to leave the God of War beat 'em-up style and get back to 2d platforming gameplay, with or without Metroid-like exploration and powerups. I for one like Rondo of Blood more than any of the others even though it is divided into levels and only has the classic powerups.
    - GreggD
      
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      March 17, 2014 2:31 PM
      
      I would love an HD re-release of Dracula X Chronicles. I want it on my PC in perpetuity.
    - Gorkgork
      
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      March 17, 2014 7:41 PM
      
      I meant the GB one, sorry. The Castlevania Adventure!
  - Conan
    
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    March 17, 2014 2:40 PM
    
    That isn't what the GBA ones were.
    - deathofrats
      
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      March 17, 2014 2:45 PM
      
      not at all. They were SOTN style. The closest one is the last DS one Order of Ecclesia, which was a perfect mixture of old and new.
      - Conan
        
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        March 17, 2014 3:02 PM
        
        Eh, I personally found it ramped up difficulty a little aggressively, but then again the others are total cakewalks, so maybe it was just the contrast.
        
        deathofrats
        
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        March 17, 2014 6:17 PM
        
        sorry i misread your post as 'isn't that what the GBA ones were'
- MetaSaval
  
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  March 17, 2014 6:28 PM
  
  I still gotta go back and play those 3 DS games. I hear they're really good.