Rumor: Team ICO’s Fumito Ueda Leaving Sony

Most rumors we hear are about good things: new games, features, etc. But once in a while, rumors circulate that inspire a "please, please don't be true" response. This latest rumor, has me crying in the corner of my shower alternating between quietly asking "why" and then toe-curlingly screaming "Nooooooooooo!"

Fumito Ueda is said to be parting ways or has already parted ways with Sony.

Eurogamer reports that ICO and Shadow of the Colossus creator Fumito Ueda is working on PS3 exclusive game, The Last Guardian, on a freelance basis, and when the development is completed, Ueda-san will be leaving to persue personal projects.

The Last Guardian has been delayed a number of times and has missed a number of industry events since it was announced at E3 2009. Mounting pressure on both Ueda and Sony may have led to a strained relationship, as made evident by a recent comment from Sony Worldwide Studio head, Shuhei Yoshida:

It's been very difficult in terms of seeing the progress: not as fast as we'd been hoping for, and the team has been under big pressure.

It's true that The Last Guardian has been a long time in the making, but going by past Team ICO titles, it will be well worth the wait. Although, if this rumor is true, and Ueda's heart isn't in the title any longer, the title could suffer.

Again, this is a "please don't let this be true" type of rumor, and hopefully it isn't. Sony has responded to Eurogamer saying that they don't comment on rumor or speculation; however, information of this magnitude won't stay unconfirmed for long. 

We'll be sure to update you if anything changes in regards to this rumor.

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