Mega Man creator and Capcom's global head of production has unexpectedly announced he's to depart from the company...

Keiji Inafune announced on his blog today that he is to resign from his position as global head of production at Japanese publishing giant Capcom.

Inafune, who created the supremely popular Mega Man, has been at the company for 23 years, and will leave at the end of the month.

"It would probably be good for me to sit gracefully in this seat and become a leading figure in the industry. However, I cannot do this. Settling down means death for a creator. As long as you are a creator, you cannot settle down.

"Capcom is truly a good company. I love Capcom. Probably more than anyone in the world. However, it's not always the case that your hopes are realized. Just as it was with the girlfriend I loved long ago. There was a chance that I could continue to be Capcom's power. I bet on that chance until the end. The means of both Capcom and myself to be happy. That was surely possible. However, now that chance is completely closed off.

"Capcom must, from here on out, walk without Inafune. I too can not depend on Capcom."

That would seem to rule out Inafune working with the company again any time soon. He didn't hint at his immediate future plans.