Tomonobu Itagaki, a legend in game design, passed away this week at the age of 58. Known as one of the pillars of what we recognize today as Team Ninja, Itagaki was the creative force behind the Dead or Alive series and directed most of its installments. He also directed the acclaimed 2004 reboot of Ninja Gaiden. Until his passing, he remained active in the gaming industry through his own studio, Itagaki Games.
Itagaki’s impact on the Japanese gaming industry was profound. He began his career at Tecmo in the early 1990s, with his first credited role as a Graphic Engineer on Tecmo Super Bowl. Over the years, he established himself as a rockstar force by creating Dead or Alive and directing the majority of its series, up to Dead or Alive Xtreme 2.
In addition to Dead or Alive, Itagaki led the reboot of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, working on the titles through the release of Ninja Gaiden 2 in 2008.
In 2008, Itagaki left Tecmo amid controversy. He sued the company and its president for unpaid bonuses, claiming unfair business practices surrounding the development and release of his games, particularly Dead or Alive 2.
Following his departure from Tecmo, Itagaki joined Valhalla Games, where he directed the cult classic Devil’s Third. Later, he founded Itagaki Games, where he had been working on his latest project prior to his passing.
Tomonobu Itagaki leaves behind a lasting legacy as a visionary game designer whose work helped shape the landscape of modern Japanese gaming. His final message to fans and the industry stands as a testament to his passion and dedication.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146378/tomonobu-itagaki-obituary-dead-or-alive-ninja-gaiden
