Suda51 Wants To Make Gundam And Deadpool Games, Thinks One Has A ‘50% Chance’ Of Happening

Grasshopper Manufacture is finally independent again, and cult-favorite game developer Goichi ‘Suda51’ Suda already has some rather ambitious ideas for what comes next. The No More Heroes creator said he’s looking to return to the studio’s dark, unconventional roots, like The Silver Case and killer7 — but that’s not all. He’s also hoping this new chapter will open the door to working on some of the biggest franchises around, including Mobile Suit Gundam.

In a Famitsu Issue 1971 interview, Suda51 discussed the possibilities that have opened up after Grasshopper Manufacture departed from NetEase Games. The studio is said to retain its name, staff, office, and development equipment as it returns to being independent. With this newfound freedom, though, Suda isn’t ruling out working with other companies. Quite the opposite, he welcomed potential investors and contract works before bringing up a beloved mecha franchise he’s been chasing for more than two decades.

“Especially, I’ve kept saying this in Famitsu for over 20 years now; I think, sure enough, it’s about time I get to make a Gundam [game]… or something,” said Suda perhaps half-jokingly. When the interviewer suggested that he should make sure Bandai Namco heard his request, Suda enthusiastically agreed and even asked his fans for help. “For those reading this, please make some noise on social media, so that it reaches a point where they think, ‘Well, we have no choice but to let Suda make Gundam.’ (laughs).” Suda then continued, believing that if you ask for something long enough, someone might eventually relent and say yes. “Sooner or later, we might end up working on Gundam; maybe after appealing for it this hard, there’s a 50% chance of it happening. (laughs).”

After all, despite enjoying a dedicated cult following, Suda himself admitted his games haven’t exactly made much of a splash in the mainstream consciousness. “After [Romeo Is a Dead Man] was launched, I’ve spoken to many people, and many said that they didn’t know the game was already released,” revealed Suda. While self-publishing comes with its own challenges, particularly in promoting their works, he added that releasing Romeo Is a Dead Man independently has been a very valuable learning experience. He said that he wanted to create more ‘news’ surrounding the game and generate more momentum going forward.

Nevertheless, Gundam isn’t the only established franchise he has an eye on. Suda also reiterated his long-standing interest in Marvel’s foul-mouthed mercenary. “But seriously, there are many IPs, which I’ve said before, that I want to make, like Marvel’s Deadpool,” he continued, while hoping Grasshopper Manufacture can make a major announcement for its 30th anniversary in 2028. “Those collaborations I talked about and other things, I would like to make them a reality in various ways.”

Whether that involves a licensed franchise or a completely original project once again remains to be seen. For now, though, the possibility of Suda51 making a mecha game is definitely an entertaining one. For more gaming news and interviews, don’t forget to keep an eye on GameObserver.