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Idolm@ster Game Series Director Akihiro Ishihara Leaves Bandai Namco
posted on by Rafael Antonio Pineda
Bandai Namco Entertainment on January 31. He clarified that his resignation wasn't due to a reprimand, quarrel, scandal, or his dissatisfaction with the company, nor a health-related issue, but a decision he made himself. He further explained that there was no single reason for his resignation, but an important reason was that he "wants to see his ideal IP (intellectual property)."
He thanked the game series' fans for their , and said he hopes that they will continue to the series even without him.
A letter by Bandai Namco Entertainment producer Yozo Sakagami on the same site noted that the company has raised a number of individuals who can succeed in directing the series.
The IDOLM@STER series casts players into the role of a producer of an idol management agency, and tasks them with training and improving the performance of their idols. Ishihara directed the original 2005 The IDOLM@STER arcade game, and directed most of the various incarnations of the game on arcades, consoles, and smartphones. Bandai Namco Entertainment recently PlayStation 4.
The first game in the streamed A-1 Pictures' television series as it aired in Japan.
The spinoff game launched its second anime season last year.
[Via Hachima Kikō]
