Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi leaves Konami

Konami producer Koji Igarashi has announced his exit from the Japanese video game publisher.

Igarashi – credited on over a dozen Castlevania releases – informed Polygon on the news of his departure, stating his intention to start his own indie studio.

"I’ve decided to break out on my own to have the freedom to make the kind of games I really want to make – the same kind I think fans of my past games want as well,” Igarashi said.

"Leaving Konami was a big decision, and not one I took lightly – I’ve spent my entire career there, made many friends, and had a lot of great opportunities – but I hope all the gamers and fans who have supported me in the past will join me in being excited about what comes next."

Igarashi is scheduled to present his talk There and Back Again: Koji Igarashi’s Metroidvania Tale this week at GDC 2014.