Dr. Katamari is in
Though, he's busy at the moment
Published: March 21, 2006
The Japanese version of the Katamari Damacy website went down a few days ago. In its stead, a message stands. This Message. Our translation is rough and compiled by way of a generous Japanese girl and a disingenuous white boy studying the foreign tongue.
It says, ?"The Katamari Damacy Website is shut down. Thanks a lot.?"
On March 17, however, it had a wholly different message, stating:
"As of today, March 17th, Katamari Damacy on the web will be shut down.
I'm amazed that this site lasted for 2 years.
I really appreciate the staff and the players of Katamari Damacy.
Dr. Katamari is making a new game as well.
It doesn't roll things or make things bigger, but it might be sort of interesting.
Wait for it, but don't expect too much.
Well, goodbye till when I see you again."
That would be the first confirmation that Keita Takahashi is working on a new project. And, that new project is not a Katamari game.
While it isn't surprising that he's making a new game, or abandoning the Katamari series (given his reluctance to do a sequel in the first place,) it is a puzzling action to take the popular site down, replace with one message, and then another. Though, as the new iconoclast of video game designers, Keita Takahashi is permitted to do such things.
Scrolling over the bottom animation procures a message that asks, "Oh wait, where do I get a T-shirt?" Which is actually a link to the Panic Goods Katamari T-shirts. This link. The shirts are pricy. Though, clicking on them yields funny, informative remarks from Takahashi and art design lead Ryo Kimura.
Wide eyes will be scanning the highways and byways for the next title by Takahashi. E3 should yield results in this. Though, if Katamari is any indication, it won?'t be hard to miss.
UPDATE: We followed up with emails to Namco Bandai Holdings regarding the possible end of the series with Keita Takahashi gone, suggesting that Me and My Katamari would be the final game in the series. The reply was, "Thanks for your email. Namco Bandai Games America Inc. has not announced any plans to discontinue the Katamari series."
While this in no way confirms a new title, it is not unreasonable to suspect a new Katamari game at some point.
While Keita Takahashi's beliefs on game design and industry may be hesitant toward sequels, Namco Bandai Games have shown, with the PSP release, they don't need Takahashi for Katamari. From there, they can continue the popular series as long as they wish.
That the series will suffer for being continued sans the hands of it's creator is likely.
It says, ?"The Katamari Damacy Website is shut down. Thanks a lot.?"
On March 17, however, it had a wholly different message, stating:
"As of today, March 17th, Katamari Damacy on the web will be shut down.
I'm amazed that this site lasted for 2 years.
I really appreciate the staff and the players of Katamari Damacy.
Dr. Katamari is making a new game as well.
It doesn't roll things or make things bigger, but it might be sort of interesting.
Wait for it, but don't expect too much.
Well, goodbye till when I see you again."
That would be the first confirmation that Keita Takahashi is working on a new project. And, that new project is not a Katamari game.
While it isn't surprising that he's making a new game, or abandoning the Katamari series (given his reluctance to do a sequel in the first place,) it is a puzzling action to take the popular site down, replace with one message, and then another. Though, as the new iconoclast of video game designers, Keita Takahashi is permitted to do such things.
Scrolling over the bottom animation procures a message that asks, "Oh wait, where do I get a T-shirt?" Which is actually a link to the Panic Goods Katamari T-shirts. This link. The shirts are pricy. Though, clicking on them yields funny, informative remarks from Takahashi and art design lead Ryo Kimura.
Wide eyes will be scanning the highways and byways for the next title by Takahashi. E3 should yield results in this. Though, if Katamari is any indication, it won?'t be hard to miss.
UPDATE: We followed up with emails to Namco Bandai Holdings regarding the possible end of the series with Keita Takahashi gone, suggesting that Me and My Katamari would be the final game in the series. The reply was, "Thanks for your email. Namco Bandai Games America Inc. has not announced any plans to discontinue the Katamari series."
While this in no way confirms a new title, it is not unreasonable to suspect a new Katamari game at some point.
While Keita Takahashi's beliefs on game design and industry may be hesitant toward sequels, Namco Bandai Games have shown, with the PSP release, they don't need Takahashi for Katamari. From there, they can continue the popular series as long as they wish.
That the series will suffer for being continued sans the hands of it's creator is likely.
