Rumors barking: Capcom Wii-fying Okami?

Capcom may have closed Clover Studio, the studio that developed Okami, the cel-shaded video game for the PlayStation 2. This beautiful game tells the story of how Nippon was saved by Amaterasu the wolf. The visual style of the multiple-award-winning game is amazing.

Now it seems that the Wii might be giving Capcom some pangs of guilt. A “not flat-out denied” rumor came up at IGN saying that Capcom might think about giving Okami‘s Amaterasu a Wiimote to go forth and paint with (by the way, IGN gave the game six awards in 2006, including Overall Game of the Year).

“Not flat-out denied.” That’s how IGN described Capcom UK’s reaction when they asked the company’s British offices about a Wii-fied, sensorized, gesture-control sumi-e-ied Okami (sumi-e: traditional Japanese artwork characterized by Okami).

The exact words used were:

Officially we have no plans for Okami on Wii at this time. Research and development are always looking at possibilities but given Clover is now closed for business, I think it highly unlikely a Wii version would be possible.

According to Capcom’s PR, Clover was closed so Capcom could align itself more closely to its strong points (e.g., ¥¥¥, perhaps) but the Wii could use a little arthouse, too. Besides, Okami rocked the ratings charts, if not the sales charts.

Many of us are hoping that this rumor is true. Or can be made true. Petition time, perhaps?

Capcom may have closed Clover Studio, the studio that developed Okami, the cel-shaded video game for the PlayStation 2. This beautiful game tells the story of how Nippon was saved by Amaterasu the wolf. The visual style of the multiple-award-winning game is amazing.

Now it seems that the Wii might be giving Capcom some pangs of guilt. A “not flat-out denied” rumor came up at IGN saying that Capcom might think about giving Okami‘s Amaterasu a Wiimote to go forth and paint with (by the way, IGN gave the game six awards in 2006, including Overall Game of the Year).

“Not flat-out denied.” That’s how IGN described Capcom UK’s reaction when they asked the company’s British offices about a Wii-fied, sensorized, gesture-control sumi-e-ied Okami (sumi-e: traditional Japanese artwork characterized by Okami).

The exact words used were:

Officially we have no plans for Okami on Wii at this time. Research and development are always looking at possibilities but given Clover is now closed for business, I think it highly unlikely a Wii version would be possible.

According to Capcom’s PR, Clover was closed so Capcom could align itself more closely to its strong points (e.g., ¥¥¥, perhaps) but the Wii could use a little arthouse, too. Besides, Okami rocked the ratings charts, if not the sales charts.

Many of us are hoping that this rumor is true. Or can be made true. Petition time, perhaps?