Mikami chose Bethesda for Tango buyout because it had "the most independent development environment"

Tango Gamework boss Shinji Mikami has given his first interview since the studio was bought by Bethesda parent ZeniMax, saying it decided on ZM because it gave the studio "the most independent development environment to work with."

Speaking to Famitsu, Mikami admitted that he spoke to ten companies at E3 before deciding on Bethesda.

"I had been looking for a new business partner before all this, so I contacted ten or so companies during E3, both Japanese and elsewhere," he said.

"Bethesda was the best match among them because they gave us the most independent development environment to work with as we pursue our goal of producing Japanese games that work worldwide -- that, and their track record when it comes to overseas sales."

As far as Bethesda Asia is concerned, it was right place, right time.

"We've been publishing titles from overseas studios in Japan for a while," said GM, Tetsu Takahashi.

"But one of our other goals was to publish Japanese games overseas if we found the right content match. However, it's pretty hard to find creators whose work can really be appreciated around the world."

Mikami added that his newest project with Tango will be his last as a director.

"That's something I was planning for from the start," he said.

"I can only last for so long handling both director and company president duties, and besides, I want to give our younger developers a chance. Knowing that, of course, makes me want to put all of my experience, my energy, and everything else I've got into this game.

"I'm pretty lucky that [Bethesda] was willing to accept that, too. Too many publishers are only interested in the very near future, after all."

Despite the new project at Tango, Mikami will stay on as producer to Shadows of the Damned at Grasshopper for EA Partners.

Thanks, 1UP.