Takaya Imamura: The Mind Behind Nintendo’s Iconic Games
Takaya Imamura, a renowned artist, joined Nintendo in 1989, during a time when the company was creating some of its most memorable intellectual properties. Over the course of his 32-year career at Nintendo, Imamura played a pivotal role in character design for beloved games such as Star Fox, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and F-Zero. However, in 2021, amidst the pandemic, Imamura decided to leave Nintendo and pursue his passion for teaching game design while also exploring his own creative endeavors.
Imamura’s latest venture is a manga titled “Omega 6,” which is being published by France’s Omake Books. This new intellectual property allowed Imamura the freedom to create something entirely on his own, a feat he believes is easier for startups than established companies like Nintendo. Alongside a team of game developers, including publishers City Connection and Clear River Games, as well as developers Happymeal and Pleocene, Imamura turned his retro-futuristic sci-fi concept into a game. The Japanese version of Omega 6 was released last month, with plans for a US release in early 2025.
In a recent interview, Imamura discussed his time at Nintendo, his most memorable projects, and the evolution of game design. Imamura highlighted Star Fox 64 as one of his most significant contributions, as he was involved in various aspects of the game’s development, including the original proposal, story, character design, and art. He also emphasized that Nintendo’s core game design principles have always focused on simplicity and easy understanding, which remains consistent even in today’s more complex gaming landscape.
When asked about the scarcity of recent Star Fox and F-Zero games, Imamura speculated that legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto holds these franchises close to his heart and prefers to have personal involvement in their development. Miyamoto’s busy schedule, which includes working on a new Nintendo movie, has limited his availability to dedicate time to these beloved franchises. Imamura’s insights shed light on the creative decision-making process within Nintendo and the dedication to maintaining the integrity of these iconic IPs.
As a game design teacher, Imamura imparts valuable lessons to his students, emphasizing the importance of creating unique and standout experiences in a saturated gaming market. He encourages students to find ways to deliver messages or incorporate visually striking elements that differentiate their games from others. Imamura draws inspiration from Gunpei Yokoi, an early game designer at Nintendo, who believed in surprising users with innovative concepts and experiences.
Regarding his departure from Nintendo, Imamura expressed a desire for more creative freedom and flexibility in his career. The opportunity to teach at a university and pursue personal creative aspirations aligned perfectly with his goals. Imamura’s decision to leave Nintendo and embark on his own creative journey is a testament to his passion for game design and his desire to explore new avenues for self-expression.
When asked about the inspiration behind Omega 6, Imamura revealed that living in Kyoto and witnessing an influx of tourists from other parts of Asia sparked a core concept for the game. He noticed a potential decline in the Japanese population and imagined a world where aliens migrate to Earth, causing a reduction in the human population—a central theme in Omega 6. Imamura’s personal connection to the story and his lifelong dream of becoming a manga artist drove him to create this unique and captivating narrative.
Imamura’s decision to collaborate with smaller companies for Omega 6 speaks to the advantages of startups in fostering creativity and flexibility. The team’s ability to indulge Imamura’s creative vision and provide the necessary support allowed him to bring his ideas to life more easily than within a larger organization like Nintendo.
As for the future of Omega 6, the Japanese version has already been released, and the game is set to launch in the United States in early 2025. Imamura’s ambition is to continue building upon Omega 6 and expand its reach across different mediums.
While Imamura’s departure from Nintendo marks the end of an era, his legacy as a key contributor to iconic games and his pursuit of new creative endeavors demonstrate his ongoing dedication to the gaming industry. As fans eagerly await the release of Omega 6 and Imamura’s future projects, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring game designers and artists, showcasing the possibilities that lie beyond established companies and the power of personal creative exploration.