We Love Katamari
Keita Takahashi / Namco / 2005 / Japan
Possessing a novel and infectious interaction de- sign concept, as well as an audiovisual sensibility reflective of contemporary Japanese pop art, “We Love Katamari” extends the boundaries of visual and conceptual innovation in commercial gaming. In the game, as with its surprise hit pre- cursor, “Katamari Damacy” (2004), players roll a “katamari ball” – an ultra-adhesive orb, over objects that make the ball grow larger. Katamari is an example of an extremely successful game franchise that could never have been dreamed up through the traditional commercial game development process. The original game was created as part of a Namco-sponsored game design workshop with a local university, in which Namco staff worked with students. The games serve as an example of both the vibrancy of the game design field in Japan, and of the potential blockbuster status of games made outside the traditional studio system.
