I think this is another example of Japanese developers breaking under the strain of creating huge games. We've seen protracted development cycles for FF XIII, FF Versus XIII, and Metal Gear Rising in addition to The Last Guardian. At this point, I have doubts about the future of this project, and Team Ico as a studio.
Last Guardian Executive Producer Leaves
This follows rumors of the head of Team Ico leaving.
Yoshifusa Hayama, the executive producer of the hotly anticipated Playstation 3 release The Last Guardian, has left Sony to work for a Facebook game developer, IGN is reporting. After four years with the company, Yoshifusa will join Bossa Studios as creative director.
"The future of gaming is definitely online and thanks to recent developments with Flash 11," he said. "There is no reason why a social game can no longer be as visually stunning and as compelling as the big console titles. Together at Bossa we have plans to bring a plethora of games to Facebook and eventually other appropriate social media channels, which include 3D elements and can be enjoyed by all age and interest groups."
Last week it was rumoured that Team Ico head Fumito Ueda had left the studio. Ueda has yet to confirm or disperse these rumors. Although Ueda confirmed through Twitter that The Last Guardian is still in production, the personnel changes in the company can mean trouble for the long-delayed game and the relationship between Sony and Team Ico.
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