Suikoden Team Disbanded, Tri-Ace Hired Because They Have RPG Know How

Konami has renewed interest in RPGs with Frontier Gate coming to PSP this year and Beyond the Labyrinth in development for the 3DS. Don’t expect a new Suikoden game for awhile, though. In an interview with 4gamer, Elebits creator Shingo Mukaitoge says its been the Suikoden team hasn’t been around for several years.

According to Mukaitoge, producer on Frontier Gate, Konami lost their RPG know how and they would have to start from scratch by hiring new staff. That’s why Konami decided to partner with Radiata Stories developer tri-Ace to create Frontier Gate. Konami brought idea and tri-Ace brought the RPG making "know how".

While the Suikoden team disbanded, it doesn’t mean all of the staff were let go. Osamu Komuta, director on Suikoden Tierkreis is now the director of Frontier Gate. When Siliconera last spoke to Komuta he said Suikoden’s future is truly infinite. “The game’s universe now lives in the ‘Infinity’ where it is possible for all the games to co-exist while leaving room for great growth and exploration in the series because both Tierkreis and the previous games are essential elements for the Suikoden universe."

Another interesting tidbit about Frontier Gate is Yuzo Amano who worked on Tales of the Abyss and the Game Boy Advance version of Tales of Phantasia is working on Frontier Gate too. He’s employed by tri-Ace and the producer from the developer’s side.

A tip of the hat to Dan S. for the heads up. Thanks!