Last week, we reported that Yoshifusa Hayama, former producer on the seemingly beleagured The Last Guardian, had left his position at Sony to head up a new title for London-based social dev Bossa Studios. Now, Hamaya has spoken out about the reasons for his departure, citing a desire to break new ground and a firm belief that social games represents the future of the industry.
Hayama told Eurogamer that the public response to his move recalls the early '90s, when he transitioned from arcade development into home consoles.
"When I started making console games it was the same feeling," he said, "The entertainment industry is simple – the film industry is the same. No-one cared about video, but now it's all about DVD and Blu-ray. Markets always change – and I just don't want to join after the markets change."
"The [social] market is growing up," he continued. "It's just a matter of software. It's getting better, but we need that masterpiece." Hamaya, it seems, is keen on being the one to create that breakthrough game.
Despite his decision to leave the project, Hamaya has nothing but goodwill towards The Last Guardian. "It's a great team," he commented, "I still miss them and they're really nice people. I miss them and I miss everyone, and it's one of the greatest teams I've worked with."
