Hideki Kamiya of Clovers Emphasizes Commitment to Shielding Employees from Layoffs

Hideki Kamiya, the head of Clovers and its chief game designer, expresses a profound sense of duty to safeguard his studio's employees amidst the prevalent trend of layoffs in the industry. In an in-depth interview, Kamiya highlighted the studio's unwavering dedication to its staff, stressing that they cannot simply abandon their team members when projects face challenges. "We have a deep commitment to keeping the company afloat for the people we are grateful for," he emphasized. Kamiya distinguished Clovers' approach from that of larger companies, which often resort to layoffs due to circumstances. He noted that Japanese companies, like Clovers, tend to prioritize the well-being of their creators. According to Kento Koyama, Clovers' CEO and president, Japan's culture of respecting creators plays a significant role in this difference. Kamiya shared his thoughts on the cancellation of Scalebound, suggesting that working with a Japanese publisher might have led to a more understanding approach. He acknowledged the failure of Scalebound as PlatinumGames' responsibility but expressed openness to collaborating with overseas publishers in the future. Kamiya also discussed Clovers' partnership with Capcom, describing it as highly beneficial, particularly in terms of the Okami project, which enabled the studio to expand its operations. However, he clarified that Capcom has no financial stake in Clovers, leaving the studio with the freedom to explore various opportunities, including self-publishing and collaborations with other publishers.