Capcom is having a modern resurgence. Franchises includingResident EvilandMonster Hunterhave found ways to reach new audiences and new levels of success. But now it seems that Capcom’s lost one the talents that have been behind part of that resurgence.Daisuke Ichihara, the director ofMonster Hunter World: Iceborne, has now confirmed that they’ve departed Capcom. Ichihara has already confirmed that his next destination is the ILCA, where he’ll be directing game development.
On his way out, Ichihara had some inspiring words to share that also come off as a bit of a dismissal toCapcom. Ichihara says he wants to “create an organization that can realize proposals from staff members who have something they want to do.” He seems to be implying that he was feeling stifled at Capcom. But he may just have had lofty aspirations, too. He also says that he’s leaving Capcom for ILCA because “I only live once.”
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Ichihara was a relatively young talent at Capcom. His only two major projects were theIceborneexpansion forMonster Hunter Worldand theUltimateexpansion forMonster Hunter Generations. Prior to that, Ichihara had only worked onMonster Hunter Generationsas a planner, meaning he climbed in the company rapidly. Perhaps there was no place left to climb for the young game director, at least until other Capcom veterans were willing to retire.
The ILCA is definitely an interesting destination for Ichihara. The studio, up to this point, has been mostly based in a support role for other studios' projects, working on CG graphics and trailers. For example, it worked onAce Combat 7,Code Vein,Dragon Quest 11, andNieR Automata. As part of the ILCA, Ichihara will be helping the studio produce a full game. As for what kind of game that will be,Ichiharawill assuredly tell fans once it’s far enough along in development.
