Koei Tecmo VP Honors Itagaki: 'Pure & Cool' Legacy Endures

The gaming world recently paused to pay respects to a true visionary, Tomonobu Itagaki, the legendary creator behind the iconic Dead or Alive and 3D Ninja Gaiden series. At a poignant memorial service held late last month, Koei Tecmo Executive Vice President Yosuke Hayashi delivered a deeply personal and heartfelt eulogy, honoring a mentor he described as "so pure and cool," whose unconventional spirit left an indelible mark on game development and his own career.

Remembering a Gaming Titan: Tomonobu Itagaki's Enduring Legacy

Industry leaders gathered to commemorate Tomonobu Itagaki, who passed away at the age of 58. Itagaki was a celebrated figure in Japanese video game development, renowned for founding Team Ninja—originally known as Tecmo Creative #3—in the late 90s. Under his leadership, the studio brought to life the beloved Dead or Alive fighting game franchise and revitalized the action genre with the critically acclaimed 3D Ninja Gaiden series. Among the distinguished attendees was Tekken director Katsuhiro Harada, underscoring the broad impact of Itagaki's contributions to the industry.

A Mentorship Forged in Fire: The Early Days and Ninja Gaiden Development

Koei Tecmo's Yosuke Hayashi recounted his extraordinary journey with Itagaki, beginning with an unorthodox introduction in 2001. "I never thought we'd meet like this," Hayashi stated, reflecting on his initial assignment as a game planner to Itagaki's department as a new graduate. Hayashi humorously recalled being told there was "no work" for him, leading to two weeks of inactivity and a self-confessed lament of a "worst possible encounter."

However, this initial frustration blossomed into a defining professional relationship. Hayashi highlighted the development of Xbox Ninja Gaiden between 2003 and 2004 as his most memorable collaboration. Despite the development team being "in complete chaos," Itagaki remained the sole unwavering force. Hayashi vividly described how the two of them dedicated 12 hours every night, meticulously refining every adjustment to the game. Those intense six months, he affirmed, are "a treasured part of my game-development career."

The Unforgettable Final Message and a Promise Kept

Itagaki's career saw significant shifts, including his departure from Tecmo in 2008 following a sexual harassment lawsuit, where he was deemed innocent by Japanese courts in 2007, though he subsequently lost his executive officer role. He later reached a settlement with Koei Tecmo in 2010 over withheld bonuses for Dead or Alive 4, before moving on to found Valhalla Game Studios and develop Devil's Third.

Before his departure from the company, Itagaki left Hayashi with a simple yet profound instruction: "don't change the [Koei Tecmo] logo." Hayashi characterized this interaction as devoid of "unnecessary words," describing Itagaki as "so pure and cool."

Hayashi also shared a poignant final message from Itagaki. In it, the developer expressed gratitude for remembering their promise: "Thank you for remembering our promise. Times have changed lately, and selling a million copies doesn't earn you much recognition from the world anymore. That's the era we've entered. Please keep making great products from now on." Itagaki's words serve as a powerful testament to his enduring passion for quality and his keen understanding of the evolving gaming landscape, a legacy that will undoubtedly continue to inspire.