Industry leaders in Japan just lately gathered to honor Tomonobu Itagaki, the creator of Dead or Alive and the 3D Ninja Gaiden sequence, who handed away in October at age 58. The memorial venue was stuffed with heartfelt tributes, together with copies of his video games, art work, swords, and items of his iconic clothes. Photographs shared by attendees confirmed simply how a lot he meant to the gaming neighborhood.
Itagaki was a significant determine in Japanese sport improvement. He based Group Ninja within the late Nineties and helped form trendy motion and preventing video games. On the memorial, Koei Tecmo govt Yosuke Hayashi shared reminiscences of assembly him in 2001. Hayashi recalled being assigned to Itagaki’s staff and being advised there was no work for him.
“I used to be assigned to your division as a sport planner. You advised me you had no work for me. That’s what you advised me. Two weeks after I used to be assigned, I actually had no work, haha. On the time, I lamented my dangerous luck, pondering it was the worst doable encounter,” he stated (through a Redditor translator).
Hayashi’s strongest reminiscence was creating Ninja Gaiden for the Xbox between 2003 and 2004. He stated the challenge felt chaotic and generally not possible, however Itagaki by no means gave up. “The 2 of us spent 12 hours each evening checking each adjustment to the sport,” he stated. When speaking about his former mentor, Hayashi added, “You had been so pure and funky,” exhibiting how a lot respect he nonetheless held for him.
Itagaki left Tecmo in 2008 after authorized disputes, although he had been declared innocent of harassment charges in courtroom the yr earlier than. He later reached a settlement with Koei Tecmo over unpaid bonuses for Dead or Alive 4 and went on to create Satan’s Third at Valhalla Sport Studios. Earlier than leaving Tecmo, he advised Hayashi, “Do not change the emblem,” a message Hayashi remembered for years.
Hayashi additionally shared the ultimate message he obtained from Itagaki: “Thanks for remembering our promise. Instances have modified … promoting 1,000,000 copies does not earn you a lot recognition anymore. Please hold making nice merchandise any longer.”
After his loss of life, a closing notice appeared on Itagaki’s Facebook page. “My life was a steady battle which I stored profitable. I triggered a whole lot of bother for others too,” it learn through Fb translation. “I take satisfaction in having fought to the top, and having adopted my convictions. I’ve no regrets, however I’m deeply sorry that I couldn’t ship new works to my followers. I am sorry. So it goes.”