Last Friday, publisher Devolver Digital confirmed Downwell would arrive on the Switch on 31st January. Now, in a bit of a surprise announcement, the creator Ojiro Fumoto has revealed he's officially left Nintendo, after being picked up by the Japanese company about a year ago. He explained the reason behind this decision in a Twitter post:
"I was working at Nintendo for most of 2018 but I quit at the end of the year to pursue being an indie dev again. Working there was an incredible experience but ultimately I found my passion to simply be making a thing I want to make. So yeah, I'll get working on that this year!"
Are you surprised by Fumoto's decision? Are you glad to hear he'll be making more indie games like Downwell from here on out? Tell us in the comments.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 19
That's a shame. I was really hoping Welltaro would make it in to Smash. There would've been a chance.
Some people work better alone. Let’s hope his time at Nintendo went towards expanding his abilities to make what he loves.
He wants to create his own games and not be told what to work on so it would seem. Good for him!
I really enjoyed Downwell, I wish him success.
I'm happy for him, he got to work at Nintendo, which is probably something every game dev wants to do at some point. But he followed his own passion, which is making games he wants to make. Very excited to see what Fumoto's next project is like.
Usually with a major developer like Nintendo, you'd need to earn the trust of the higher ups by working on other projects first, before you can be trusted to create a game yourself. Being an already existing indie developer, it's possible Ojiro found the process a little too slow for his liking, and decided that he preferred working on his own time in the indie scene in the end.
I think watching Bandersnatch has changed his mind working for a company. Downwell looks like Nosedive in that movie... LOL.
Would be nice if his future game(s) become Nintendo exclusives.
Games will probably end up on Switch anyway, non issue, more people to enjoy their games.
Must be hard going from 100% artistic freedom to a company renowned for constructive criticism (no matter how well respected!). Good luck to him.
So, he didnt like the work going on at Nintendo? That is worrying to me.
But fair play to him for going it on his own.
You don't leave a big company that quickly without something negative causing your decision.
I remember the article talking about how the culture at Nintendo and Japan in general worked, and as an America I found it horrifying. I can totally see a creator with a strong sense of independence wouldn't slot in their. Hope he learned some useful lessons from them at least
And why in the world is Downwell still not on the Switch!? Perfect game to use with my flipgrip
@getyourak 1/31 or 31/1 depending where you live
Godspeed dude!
Downwell was a simple but fun action game when I played it a year ago. I still have it installed on my phone so if I ever have that itch to play it again, I can. Hopefully the creator makes another awesome game.
He's right. Freedom again.
Can't wait for his next game. This man is an inspiration for me.
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