Keita Takahashi, the creator of the surreal Katamari Damacy series, has revealed that his latest experimental game, To a T, failed to achieve commercial success. The title, developed by his studio Uvula and published by Annapurna, explores themes of disability through a humorous lens but struggled to find an audience. Takahashi has since returned to Japan and is calling for more investment in fun and weird games.
Background on Keita Takahashi
Keita Takahashi gained fame with the Katamari Damacy series, where players roll a sticky ball to collect objects in increasingly absurd environments. After leaving publisher Namco in 2010, Takahashi relocated to Vancouver and later San Francisco to pursue independent projects. He no longer owns the Katamari Damacy intellectual property, which Namco has continued without him.
Details on To a T
Takahashi's most recent release, To a T, follows a young child confined to a T-shaped pose, blending joy, humor, and insights into living with a disability. Developed under his studio Uvula and released by Annapurna, the game draws inspiration from the somber atmosphere of Takahashi's surroundings, aiming to counter it with positivity and silliness. Despite its inventive approach, Takahashi acknowledged in an interview with GamesRadar that it "didn't sell well" and "wasn't a good fit" for broader audiences.
The commercial disappointment led Takahashi to move back to Japan, highlighting the risks of independent development. "I recently returned to Japan, and one of the reasons I had to do was because To a T didn't sell well," he stated. "This is a risk of being independent, and I'm willing to take it, but I don't think it's a question of niche or traditional, it's a question of whether people like it or not."
Challenges and Outlook
Takahashi emphasized that his games stem from a desire for originality rather than intentional niche appeal. "I don't think anyone tries to make a niche game," he explained. "The title 'niche game' is just a result. I know my games are far from mainstream."
Reflecting on the industry's direction, he noted growing difficulties for experimental titles: "I'm not sure, but it's definitely getting harder for me." Yet, Takahashi remains optimistic about innovation, asserting there's "still room for new ideas." He issued an open invitation for support: "If anyone wants to invest in a Uvula, let me know. Let's make more fun and weird games!"
Eurogamer contributor Christian Donlan praised the game's essence, describing it as capturing "how luridly weird life is when you're young, how boundless and loosely-ruled it seems." This underscores To a T's artistic value amid its sales struggles.
