Shinji Mikami
Survival horror creator
Shinji Mikami created Resident Evil and defined survival horror, later founding Tango Gameworks to continue exploring action and horror with titles like The Evil Within.
Overview
Shinji Mikami made horror a genre. Resident Evil’s fixed cameras, limited resources, and relentless tension established survival horror as a category. Later, Resident Evil 4’s over-the-shoulder action influenced third-person shooters everywhere. His career balanced commercial success with creative vision, never abandoning the tension that defined his work.
Fast facts
- Born: 1965, Japan.
- Companies: Capcom, Tango Gameworks.
- Created: Resident Evil.
- Influenced: Third-person shooters.
Capcom era
| Title | Year | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Evil | 1996 | Director |
| Resident Evil 2 | 1998 | Producer |
| Dino Crisis | 1999 | Director |
| Resident Evil 4 | 2005 | Director |
Resident Evil direction
| Design choice | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fixed cameras | Controlled tension |
| Limited saves | Resource management |
| Scarce ammo | Combat avoidance |
| Pre-rendered backgrounds | Visual quality |
Resident Evil 4 revolution
| Innovation | Impact |
|---|---|
| Over-the-shoulder camera | Industry standard |
| Action focus | Genre shift |
| QTE events | Cutscene integration |
| Inventory tetris | Item management |
Clover Studio
| Founded | 2004 | | Projects | God Hand, Okami oversight | | Closed | 2007 |
Tango Gameworks
| Founded | 2010 | | Publisher | Bethesda/Microsoft | | Games | The Evil Within, Ghostwire: Tokyo | | Closure | 2024 |
Design philosophy
| Principle | Application |
|---|---|
| Tension | Core to experience |
| Player vulnerability | Limited power |
| Pacing | Contrast quiet and action |