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Tomonobu Itagaki, Creator of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden, Dies at 58
Veteran video game developer Tomonobu Itagaki has passed away at the age of 58. Famous for his work on the Dead or Alive fighting game franchise and the revival of Ninja Gaiden in the 2000s, Itagaki’s death was confirmed on his Facebook profile where he left a final message.
“Final Words, the flame of my life is about to go out. the fact that this message has been posted means that my time has finally come. I am no longer in this world–I have entrusted someone significant to me with this final message,” Itagaki’s post read (via Facebook translation).
“My life was a continuous battle which I kept winning. I caused a lot of trouble for others too. I take pride in having fought to the end, and having followed my convictions. I have no regrets, but I am deeply sorry that I could not deliver new works to my fans.I’m sorry. So it goes.”
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Itagaki’s video game career kicked off in 1992 with Tecmo Super bowl where he served as a graphics programmer. However, he truly rose to fame in 1996 with the release of Dead or Alive. This title was groundbreaking for its time, featuring a fully 3D fighting system and a focus on realistic character animations. It differentiated itself from contemporaries like Virtua Fighter and Tekken with its “sway” system, allowing for dynamic movement and counterattacks.
In 2001, he was placed in charge of Team Ninja-the studio he founded originally as Tecmo Creative #3 in the ’90s-and he led the production on the modern-day revival of Ninja Gaiden.This 2005 release was a critical and commercial success, lauded for its challenging gameplay, fast-paced action, and stunning visuals. It effectively redefined the action genre and cemented Itagaki’s reputation as a visionary developer.
key Games and Contributions
Itagaki served
