Capcom seems to be at the top of the world lately, making record-breaking profits and releasing numerous hit games after years of stagnation and middling releases. While the company is at an all-time high, though, numerous notable talents at the iconic Japanese video game company seem to be making their exit. Back in June, it was revealed that Dragon’s Dogma lead developer and Devil May Cry 5 designer Ryota Suzuki had been recruited by Square Enix to work on a new action game. Then, just over a week ago, lead Devil May Cry 5 developer Ryosuke Yoshida revealed that he was leaving Capcom to join NetEase Games Sakura Studio as their Senior Game Designer. Now, yet another long-time Capcom veteran makes his exit, as Ace Attorney series director and writer Takeshi Yamazaki confirmed that he is no longer with Capcom.
He says he'll be continuing to work in game development, but also be taking on new challenges.
Best of luck to Yamazaki-san in his new endeavors, and many thanks for his work on the series over the years!
— Court-Records (@CourtRecords_) July 11, 2020
In a statement posted to his Twitter account that was translated by Court-Records, Yamazaki states “Although leaving a company is always painful, I like to think of this as ‘graduating’. I’m truly glad I was able to make games and meet the Ace Attorney series at Capcom.” He also confirms that he wants to continue to work in game development, but is also interested in taking on new challenges.
The series was created by Shu Takumi, but Yamazaki was a major player since the beginning. He was involved with planning on the titles, assisting Takumi throughout the original trilogy as well as with Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. When Takumi moved on from the series in 2014, though, it paved a path for Yamazaki to step up and take the helm as he made his directorial debut with Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies. He went on to serve as the director and head writer for Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice, Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, and Ace Attorney Investigations 2.
Source: Siliconera
