Clover Studio
Encyclopedia
Clover Studio was an independent Japanese development studio, funded by Capcom Japan
. Clover Studio developed the PlayStation 2
port of Viewtiful Joe
, both versions of Viewtiful Joe 2
for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2, and the PlayStation 2 titles Ōkami
and God Hand
. The name "clover
" is an abbreviation of "creativity lover" as well as the Japanese syllables mi ("three") and ba ("leaf") coming from the names of Shinji Mikami and Clover's Atsushi Inaba.
The studio consisted largely of existing Capcom R&D talent, who had formed the company (then called Studio 9), in order to achieve greater executive control, and thus creative freedom, but like Sega's semi-autonomous studios did in the early 2000s. The studio focused largely on creating New IPs rather than sequels. When these new IPs failed to perform on par with Capcom's more popular series, Capcom attempted to merge the studio back into their internal R&D. Those at the studio chose instead to leave the company, and Clover was closed.
Some of the key members of Clover founded Seeds Inc., a new development group that merged with ODD Incorporated in October of 2007 to form Platinum Games, which has since built up a staff overwhelmingly composed of former Clover staff. Other members (including the art director of Ōkami) went to join Ignition Entertainment
at their Tokyo development studio and are currently working on the game El Shaddai
. On October 28, 2010, one of the most prominent members of Clover Studio and then Platinum Games, Shinji Mikami
, joined ZeniMax Media in a deal where ZeniMax acquired his new development studio Tango Gameworks.
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
. Clover Studio developed the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
port of Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe
is a video game developed by Capcom's Production Studio 4 for the Nintendo GameCube. It was originally released in 2003 as a part of the Capcom Five under director Hideki Kamiya and producer Atsushi Inaba. Viewtiful Joe was later ported to the Sony PlayStation 2 by the same design team under the...
, both versions of Viewtiful Joe 2
Viewtiful Joe 2
Viewtiful Joe 2, known in Japan as , is a video game and sequel to Viewtiful Joe. The game was developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom in 2004 for GameCube and PlayStation 2 . The game's story begins precisely where the original Viewtiful Joe left off, with the beginning of an alien...
for the Nintendo GameCube and PlayStation 2, and the PlayStation 2 titles Ōkami
Okami
is an action-adventure video game developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom. It was released for Sony's PlayStation 2 video game console in 2006 in Japan and North America, and 2007 in Europe and Australia...
and God Hand
God Hand
God Hand is a 2006 PlayStation 2 gameGod hand may also refer to:-Video games:* Ken "Godhand" Mishima, a character from the PlayStation game, Ehrgeiz* Godhand, the demonic version of Lenny from Shadow Hearts: Covenant...
. The name "clover
Four-leaf clover
The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common, three-leaved clover. According to tradition, such leaves bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally...
" is an abbreviation of "creativity lover" as well as the Japanese syllables mi ("three") and ba ("leaf") coming from the names of Shinji Mikami and Clover's Atsushi Inaba.
The studio consisted largely of existing Capcom R&D talent, who had formed the company (then called Studio 9), in order to achieve greater executive control, and thus creative freedom, but like Sega's semi-autonomous studios did in the early 2000s. The studio focused largely on creating New IPs rather than sequels. When these new IPs failed to perform on par with Capcom's more popular series, Capcom attempted to merge the studio back into their internal R&D. Those at the studio chose instead to leave the company, and Clover was closed.
Some of the key members of Clover founded Seeds Inc., a new development group that merged with ODD Incorporated in October of 2007 to form Platinum Games, which has since built up a staff overwhelmingly composed of former Clover staff. Other members (including the art director of Ōkami) went to join Ignition Entertainment
Ignition Entertainment
Ignition Entertainment Ltd. is a British video game publisher formed in April 2002. It was created from a selection of smaller developers and publishers, such as Archer MacLean's Awesome Studios.-History:...
at their Tokyo development studio and are currently working on the game El Shaddai
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
is an action video game for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles. It is developed and published by Ignition Entertainment. The development is led by Takeyasu Sawaki, who was a character designer in Devil May Cry and Ōkami. The game was released on April 28, 2011 in Japan, on August...
. On October 28, 2010, one of the most prominent members of Clover Studio and then Platinum Games, Shinji Mikami
Shinji Mikami
is a Japanese video game designer best known for creating the seminal survival horror series Resident Evil. He also contributed to some of Capcom's most popular post-32-bit era franchises, including Viewtiful Joe, Devil May Cry, and Ace Attorney, where he served as an executive producer...
, joined ZeniMax Media in a deal where ZeniMax acquired his new development studio Tango Gameworks.
Games developed by Clover Studio
- Viewtiful JoeViewtiful Joeis a video game developed by Capcom's Production Studio 4 for the Nintendo GameCube. It was originally released in 2003 as a part of the Capcom Five under director Hideki Kamiya and producer Atsushi Inaba. Viewtiful Joe was later ported to the Sony PlayStation 2 by the same design team under the...
- (2004) (PlayStation 2 version) - Viewtiful Joe 2Viewtiful Joe 2Viewtiful Joe 2, known in Japan as , is a video game and sequel to Viewtiful Joe. The game was developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom in 2004 for GameCube and PlayStation 2 . The game's story begins precisely where the original Viewtiful Joe left off, with the beginning of an alien...
– (2004) (GameCube and PlayStation 2) - Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot RumbleViewtiful Joe: Red Hot RumbleViewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble, known in Japan as , is a video game available for the Nintendo GameCube and the PlayStation Portable. It is a slightly mission-based fighting/beat 'em up somewhat similar in style to Super Smash Bros...
– (2005) (GameCube) - Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble! – (2005) (Nintendo DS)
- Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot RumbleViewtiful Joe: Red Hot RumbleViewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble, known in Japan as , is a video game available for the Nintendo GameCube and the PlayStation Portable. It is a slightly mission-based fighting/beat 'em up somewhat similar in style to Super Smash Bros...
– (2006) (GameCube and PlayStation Portable) - ŌkamiOkamiis an action-adventure video game developed by Clover Studio and published by Capcom. It was released for Sony's PlayStation 2 video game console in 2006 in Japan and North America, and 2007 in Europe and Australia...
– (2006) (PlayStation 2) - God HandGod HandGod Hand is a 2006 PlayStation 2 gameGod hand may also refer to:-Video games:* Ken "Godhand" Mishima, a character from the PlayStation game, Ehrgeiz* Godhand, the demonic version of Lenny from Shadow Hearts: Covenant...
– (2006) (PlayStation 2)
External links
- IGN's listing
- Gamespot article about formation of Clover
- GameGossip.com press release on the formation of Clover
- Capcom press release announcing the dissolution of Clover
- Clover Studios' final interview?, 1UP.com1UP.com1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
, 2006-10-13