As his latest project progresses, Keita Takahashi, the mind behind Katamari Damacy, has shared thoughts on his exit from Bandai Namco back in 2006. Takahashi, who was instrumental in creating the beloved game, expressed a desire to work alongside a diverse group of developers globally to foster creativity in game design.

Takahashi’s inspiration for his new 3D game, titled To a T, draws heavily from his experiences in Japanese schools and includes unique cultural elements. In his view, collaborating with international developers will enrich his work as he believes that exposure to varied perspectives is vital in game creation.

Summary:

• Takahashi parted ways with Bandai Namco to collaborate with developers worldwide.
• He aims to incorporate broader ideas and insights into his game designs.
• His upcoming game reflects elements of Japanese culture and eccentricity.

He reminisces how Katamari Damacy—which was released for PlayStation 2 in 2004—challenged norms with its original concept of combining various objects into a larger mass. Following his departure from Namco due to the merger with Bandai, Takahashi founded Uvula Studio and embarked on developing To a T.

The narrative and gameplay in To a T promise to present a unique take on school life while also addressing serious themes like bullying, thus merging playfulness with pertinent social issues. In addition to this new direction, the Katamari series remains a cherished franchise, with recent remasters and new trademarks indicating ongoing interest in this iconic franchise.