When he’s not heading up Research & Development at Capcom, Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune occasionally expresses his feelings on his Daletto blog. During his most recent update, made yesterday, Inafune touched on a certain game he’s wanted to make for a while now, ultimately vowing to create it.
(the following was translated by The Mega Man Network)
There are games I want to make but am unlikely to be able to make. Or perhaps it’s that there are less people who can make the games they want to make. Being a game creator, when is the time you feel the greatest happiness? Surely it’s when you can sell a product you made through great hardships? Or when you make a game that you wanted to make? It varies from person to person, but for me, I like the moments when I’m making a game I want to make. I can’t help but enjoy the time I’m thinking “Would it be interesting if I do it like this, or like that?” Of course I’m probably happy from the excitement of a game going to market, but that’s the expectation when you reach the end.
There are works that I love even though they didn’t sell. I don’t want to erase these from my game making history just because they didn’t sell. And even if they don’t sell, they’re games I made with all my heart. Games that, with all the happiness and excitement [of making them], I’m confident they share those feelings with the player. I have such a game.
I swear I will still make that game one of these days. A game that not just myself, but almost the whole staff swears on. Even in interviews I am so often asked “Supposing you were allowed make a game you’ve neglected again and again, what game would you make?” I replied without uncertainty, every time. I would make a sequel to that one game. Before I knew it, the fans who share that sentiment multiplied. All of a sudden my feelings have begun to reach out? Why now?
In the past, there has been times I was told by my subordinates “Your games are ahead of their time. You make them too soon.” Then perhaps that [game] is also too soon. But now, the voices calling out for that [game] are the most numerous. What do the fans request of it, and what do they expect of it? No, what do they want to let me do with that [game]? What sort of ways do they want it to evolve from that [game]? Surely they are waiting for that evolution throughout the world, I think.
So, I have to respond. But, I’m not doing this per usual. I am again challenging myself with a game that is ahead of its time. This time it’s a challenge at a speed that everyone can follow. The fans’ encouragement has made me inspired, and as long as the fans are there I will not abandon the revival of this work.
Truly I thank you. From here on out this game will be made with the fans.
Anybody who’s been following the recent Mega Man Legends updates can easily piece this vow together with the recent rumors. Add that to the fact that Inafune’s teased an “oft-requested” Mega Man earlier this summer and that Hideki Kamiya says Legends fans should be “happy” soon, then you’ve got the next Mega Man Legends.
I just wish they’d stop with all the teasing and just announce the game already.