Fox Engine director Julien Merceron joins Bandai Namco
Could he work on a Dark Souls follow-up?
Konami's former worldwide technology director Julien Merceron - the architect behind Metal Gear Solid 5's Fox Engine - has found a new home at Bandai Namco where he'll serve the same role, the publisher has announced.
According to Bandai Namco, Merceron will work on "the development of core technology for contents and production pipelines for various platforms." No details were given regarding what projects he'll be working on, though Bandai Namco has a few big IPs to its name with Dark Souls and Ni No Kuni both seeing sequels on the horizon.
The tech wizard reportedly left Konami in September, shortly after the release of Metal Gear Solid 5, when Konami reportedly decided to cease development of all triple-A console games outside of PES. Of course, the publisher has since teased a new Metal Gear project it's recruiting for - though it's unclear if that will even be a blockbuster console game. For all we know it could be a mobile title.
Merceron previously worked at Square Enix on projects like Tomb Raider and Hitman before he joined Konami in 2013.
"I'm extremely excited to be given an opportunity to make a difference within the amazing Bandai Namco Group, so well-known for its iconic IPs," Merceron said. "I'm looking forward to empower the teams I'll be working with and accelerate growth, innovation and creativity. The reach of this group goes well beyond games, it is a true Multimedia and Entertainment Group, so I know I will learn a lot too! Working with so many experienced people and friends and focusing on a wider range of entertainment forms is the chance of a lifetime!"
"We are facing a chance to create a lifestyle and entertainment that has never been imagined," added Bandai Namco CEO Hajime Nakatani. "In such revolutionary times, in order to create the best product for the world, we would like to evolve the studio together with Mr. Merceron."