Exclusive: Takahashi Critical Of Nintendo Revolution

In an interview conducted with Gamasutra sister publication Game Developer at the recent Game Developers Conference, maverick Namco designer and Katamari Damacy creator Keita Takahashi has expressed skepticism over Nintendo's next-gen Revolution console, particularly targeting the machine's innovative control design. Takahashi commented of the Revolution, which has drawn widespread praise for its underlying concepts from other Eastern and Western designers: "I'm not really interested in it. I don't think a controller should have that much influence on the enjoyment of games." He continued: "I see what [Nintendo is] trying to do, but they're putting such emphasis on the controller; 'Woah, this controller lets you do this!' and I'm thinking - are you messing with us?" Takahashi, who has not yet announced his current post-Katamari game project or its platform, concluded on the subject of the Revolution: "So, there's nothing I really want to do with it right now." Game Developer's full interview with Takahashi will appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine, including more insight from the Namco designer, whose unconventional views, including comments in a BBC News interview that he was arguably more interested in designing children's playgrounds than video games, continue to be of interest to the game business.