Biography
Shinji Mikami is a Japanese video game director and producer. Mikami was hired by Capcom shortly after graduating Doshisha University in Kyoto 1990. His first assignment was to design a Capcom quiz: Hatena for the Game Boy.
Titles
In 1992 Mikami was hired by Producer Tokuro Fujiwara to direct a horror for the PlayStation one in similarities design of Sweet Home (1989), which Fujiwara himself directed. Throughout the years Mikami received criticism by Capcom for his refusal to plan out his script of the new project. Later on the years, there were some changes to the project has included BOW (bio-organic weapon) along with fighting zombies, with inspiration and ideas were taken from George Romero.
Capcom was still unimpressed with the game decided to launch the title “ Biohazard” in Japan 1996. Also, The game was released in North America March 1996 decided to rename the title “ Resident Evil” due to its English localisation under Capcom USA corporate. It has been successful one of the PlayStation’ title launch and has promoted the game to be dubbed a survival horror genre.
After the success of Resident Evil, Mikami has been promoted as director, motivated and more focused to work on the next sequel Resident Evil 2 assigned by Yoshiki Okamoto. Throughout the years, the franchise has grown its community and it is known one of the best survival horror game.
What made Resident Evil famous?
Fixed Cameras
To feel suspense and intense and allowing the player to be vulnerable. Also, fixed camera is good for an environment view rather than player navigating camera around in first-person.
Ammunition
Mikami always wants to ensure the player is not over stacked with ammunition and encouraging to reserve ammo later for such as bosses. A way of saying “ Fight or run” Ammo is not the key to kill every enemy that you see, but there are going to be events that player required to kill certain enemies.
Narrative
By putting player in a situation where there is not enough space to move or aim at the enemy. As you progress through player required to do some puzzles in order to unlock certain areas; needing key or an object.
Resident Evil Direction
There has been lot of confliction between Mikami and Capcom where Resident Evil was heading. I believe Capcom wanting to increase the audience orientating the survival horror root into action. Mikami disagreed the fact it would ruin business asset and decision wrong approach.
Example Concept
As you can see there are two concept here shows the immersive of Resident Evil. Left picture has a dark tone whether the player is hallucinating or being possessed. On the right picture it has no horror vintage instead this will be focused on daylight. Also, you will have a companion with you along the entire gameplay and featuring co-op online (Drop-in and out).
His Current Status
Shinji Mikami has resigned at Capcom at 2005 and decided to open his own game studio Tango Gameworks (2010) and released a first game called Evil Within.
