- Keita Takahashi
Keita Takahashi (高橋 慶太) is a game director, his most notable titles being "
Katamari Damacy " and its sequel, "We Love Katamari ". The original "Katamari" game was a surprise hit and was praised for its quirkiness, simplicity and charm.Katamari
Takahashi has stated in numerous interviews that he had no desire for "Katamari" to be touted as innovative or creative - he simply set out to bring the concept of simple, silly fun back into video gaming.
Takahashi has named the following sources as inspiration for his "Katamari" games:
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Taro Okamoto (painter, sculptor)
*Tadao Ando (architect )
*Ito Jakuchu (Japanese painter)
*Yoshitatsu Yanagihara (sculptor)
*Pablo Picasso (painter)
*Joan Miro (painter)
*Hundertwasser (architect, painter)
*Zdeněk Miler (picture book author)
*Virginia Lee Burton (picture book author)
*Savignac (graphic designer)
*Mitsumasa Yasuno (picture book author)
*John Irving (author)
*Tomoo Itsukida (illustrator)
*Quruli (a Japanese band)
*Playmobil (toys)
*"Little Shop of Horrors" (movie)
*Japanese cityscape atmosphere
*Japanese culture In an interview [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4392964.stm] Takahashi announced that he hopes to eventually move on from video games, with an ambition of designing a
playground for children. It has been reported that this project may involve the renovation of a playground near to theLakeside Arts Centre at the University Park campus of theUniversity of Nottingham . [cite journal |last=Anon. |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2007 |month= |title= |journal=Edge | issue=183|pages= |publisher=Future Publishing |id= |url= |quote= ]Published works
* "
Katamari Damacy " - Director
* "We Love Katamari " - Director
* "Nobi Nobi Boy " - DirectorExternal links
* [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20060525/sheffield_01.shtml Interview with Keita Takahashi on Gamasutra.com]
* [http://1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3142234 Interview with Keita Takahashi on 1up.com]
* [http://www.edge-online.co.uk/archives/2006/01/everybody_loves_1.php Everybody Loves Takahashi] from Edge
* a portrait of [http://www.flickr.com/photos/jontintinjordan/50894760/ Takahashi] 2005, at GDC Europe (creative commons copyright)
* another portrait of [http://www.flickr.com/photos/jontintinjordan/1807471370 Takahashi] , 2007 at Nottingham Gamecity (creative commons copyright)
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*References
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