Other Legendary developer Tomonobu Itagaki, creator of Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden, has died

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Tomonobu Itagaki, the legendary creator of the Dead or Alive series, and creative mind behind the 2004 version of Ninja Gaiden, has passed away at the age of 58.

The news was shared on his personal Facebook page, and independently confirmed by members of the development community. The cause of death was not given.

The elegaic Facebook post was written by Itagaki to be shared in the event of his death.

Words to leave

The light of my life is about to run out.

The fact that this sentence has been posted means it's finally time. I'm no longer in this world.

(This last post is asking someone special to me)

My life has been a series of battles. We stayed winning.

I've caused a lot of trouble.

I stand by my beliefs and I owe it.

No regrets.

I just feel so sorry to all my fans for not being able to deliver my new work. Sorry.

It is what it is.

So it goes.

Banobu Itagaki

Always wearing his signature sunglasses regardless of location, Itagaki was a legendary presence in the Japanese development scene. He joined Tecmo in 1992 and rose to become head of its development team, Team Ninja. He was producer and director of the first seven Dead or Alive games, and advised on other Tecmo titles.

After leaving the company in 2008, following the launch of Ninja Gaiden 2, he formed Valhalla Game Studios and released Devil’s Third in 2015 and 3DS title Momotaro Dentetsu 2017: Tachiagare Nippon in 2016. Valhalla closed in 2021 and he launched Itagaki Games, which had yet to release a title.

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Read from gamesindustry biz Dang! The guy made famous 3d bouncing PLOT physics in videogames! very very sad news!
 
Ah, that one pained me. Tomonobu Itagaki was a big legend. I still remember sweating through Ninja Gaiden back in the day. That game nearly gave me headache. The man really knew how to make games that test our patience. It’s sad seeing such names go, but his legacy will live forever.
 
https://twitter.com/x/status/1993986075782717449
https://twitter.com/x/status/1994197774628270189

Read from VGC:

Images shared by Japanese industry leaders show a venue covered in tributes to the late designer, including copies of his many games, unique artwork, swords, and some of his iconic clothing.

Among the tributes shared at the memorial was a speech by Yosuke Hayashi, the executive vice president at Koei Tecmo. Although he is now part of Koei Tecmo’s board, Hayashi started his career under Itagaki, helping design 2004’s Ninja Gaiden, and leading the project for 2005’s Black.

Hayashi recalled how he first came into contact with Itagaki:

It’s been a while, Itagaki-san. This is Hayashi. I never thought we’d meet like this. My encounter with Itagaki-san dates back to 2001, when I joined the company as a new graduate. I was assigned to your department as a game planner. You told me you had no work for me. That’s what you told me. Two weeks after I was assigned, I really had no work, haha. At the time, I lamented my bad luck, thinking it was the worst possible encounter.

My most memorable memory with Itagaki-san was the development of Xbox Ninja Gaiden from 2003 to 2004. The development team was in complete chaos, and it seemed like the game would never be completed, haha. But you were the only one who didn’t give up. The two of us spent 12 hours every night checking every adjustment to the game. Those six months are a treasured part of my game-development career.

As you all know, the title was successfully completed and then made a big leap forward afterwards. In 2008, we worked together on several titles. That was the time our paths parted ways (Itagaki leaving the company).

You spoke to me before you left: “Don’t change the logo,” was all he said. No other unnecessary words were exchanged. You were so pure and cool.

From there, our paths diverged. I could never imitate your brilliance and recklessness. While carrying on your will, I’ve continued fighting in my own way. Within Itagaki’s world, direct communication was almost non-existent.

The change in our relationship began about a year ago. Opportunities to receive direct messages from you increased. But honestly, messages from you were now written in a polite language, while you always used to speak in commands. This was incredibly awkward for me haha. I still have that last message you sent me from that time.

Please allow me to publish it here:

“Thank you for remembering our promise from back then (to not change the logo). 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”.

I fought relentlessly because I wanted your approval. Did I earn even a little of it? Since this has become your final words to me, I will always treasure the words you gave me. Your business card is dated October 16th. This day is also my wife and my marriage registration anniversary. My wife said to me, “You really do have a connection with Mr. Itagaki, don’t you? I’ll never forget it.” The word “connection” is so very you. That my first boss was Mr. Itagaki. That we were able to build a home together is still a happy memory. It wasn’t the worst encounter; it was the best encounter.

Please continue watching over us from the window Itagaki. Thank you.
 
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