Tomonobu Itagaki, A Gaming Force of Nature
When news broke last week of the passing of Tomonobu Itagaki, the gaming world was left reeling at the loss of a true original. The 58-year-old creator behind Ninja Gaiden, a legendary game designer and former Team Ninja boss, had been waging war on the gaming industry for decades - and it showed in his unwavering passion, unrelenting drive, and uncompromising vision.
Those who knew Itagaki can attest to his larger-than-life personality - a man who embodied the very spirit of a game developer. His notorious penchant for taking umbrage with just about anything that crossed him was legendary, but beneath the tough exterior lay a kind heart, fiercely loyal to those he considered friends and a soft spot for the down-trodden.
For nearly 25 years, I had the privilege of knowing Itagaki, first through my work at Electronic Gaming Monthly and later as a frequent visitor to Team Ninja's offices during my time at Game Informer. His relationship with his team was one of mutual respect, built on trust and a deep affection for the craft they shared.
In many ways, Itagaki defied convention. He took no prisoners in his pursuit of perfection, pushing himself - and those around him - to ever greater heights. Yet, despite the countless hours spent on the gaming grind, he remained as soft-spoken and mild-mannered as a spring breeze.
His impact on the industry is undeniable. The games that emerged from Team Ninja's Tokyo offices were nothing short of revolutionary - from Dead or Alive to Ninja Gaiden, each one a testament to Itagaki's innovative spirit and uncompromising vision. His unwavering commitment to excellence inspired countless developers, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest game designers of all time.
As I reflect on my time with Itagaki, I am reminded of the sense of camaraderie that defined our interactions - a bond forged through shared laughter, tears, and late-night gaming sessions. His passing leaves an unfillable void in my life, but his spirit will live on, inspiring future generations to push the boundaries of what's possible.
In the end, it was Itagaki's own words that best capture the essence of his remarkable life: "I have no regrets. I only feel deep sorrow that I couldn't deliver a new work to all my fans." His determination and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest moments, there is always hope - and sometimes, it's that very hope that propels us forward.
Tomonobu Itagaki may be gone, but his indelible mark on the gaming world will continue to inspire, educate, and entertain for years to come. As a testament to his enduring legacy, I can only echo his own words: "So it goes."
When news broke last week of the passing of Tomonobu Itagaki, the gaming world was left reeling at the loss of a true original. The 58-year-old creator behind Ninja Gaiden, a legendary game designer and former Team Ninja boss, had been waging war on the gaming industry for decades - and it showed in his unwavering passion, unrelenting drive, and uncompromising vision.
Those who knew Itagaki can attest to his larger-than-life personality - a man who embodied the very spirit of a game developer. His notorious penchant for taking umbrage with just about anything that crossed him was legendary, but beneath the tough exterior lay a kind heart, fiercely loyal to those he considered friends and a soft spot for the down-trodden.
For nearly 25 years, I had the privilege of knowing Itagaki, first through my work at Electronic Gaming Monthly and later as a frequent visitor to Team Ninja's offices during my time at Game Informer. His relationship with his team was one of mutual respect, built on trust and a deep affection for the craft they shared.
In many ways, Itagaki defied convention. He took no prisoners in his pursuit of perfection, pushing himself - and those around him - to ever greater heights. Yet, despite the countless hours spent on the gaming grind, he remained as soft-spoken and mild-mannered as a spring breeze.
His impact on the industry is undeniable. The games that emerged from Team Ninja's Tokyo offices were nothing short of revolutionary - from Dead or Alive to Ninja Gaiden, each one a testament to Itagaki's innovative spirit and uncompromising vision. His unwavering commitment to excellence inspired countless developers, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest game designers of all time.
As I reflect on my time with Itagaki, I am reminded of the sense of camaraderie that defined our interactions - a bond forged through shared laughter, tears, and late-night gaming sessions. His passing leaves an unfillable void in my life, but his spirit will live on, inspiring future generations to push the boundaries of what's possible.
In the end, it was Itagaki's own words that best capture the essence of his remarkable life: "I have no regrets. I only feel deep sorrow that I couldn't deliver a new work to all my fans." His determination and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest moments, there is always hope - and sometimes, it's that very hope that propels us forward.
Tomonobu Itagaki may be gone, but his indelible mark on the gaming world will continue to inspire, educate, and entertain for years to come. As a testament to his enduring legacy, I can only echo his own words: "So it goes."
my heart goes out to his team & fans at Team Ninja... he was definitely one of the most passionate & driven devs in the gaming industry 
his legacy will live on thru the games that inspired so many, but it's sad we won't get to see what he'd create next 
i remember 1st time i met him at team ninja's offices in tokyo, he was so down2earth & humble 4 a guy whos created so many iconic games like ninja gaiden & dead or alive 
he may be gone, but his legacy will live on thru the games he created & the devs he inspired 
. personally i remember him being super kind and down-to-earth despite his reputation for being uncompromising. it's crazy to think about how many iconic games came out of team ninja during his time there 
. his legacy will definitely be felt in the gaming community and beyond 
So Tomonobu Itagaki was a total boss in the gaming industry, right? But what really gets me is that nobody mentioned how much money he made off those games. Like, didn't he just sell out to Sega and stuff? I mean, I'm all for innovators, but wasn't his whole "revolutionary spirit" just a cover for being a cash cow? 
And don't even get me started on the "sorrow that he couldn't deliver new work to fans" - sounds like he was just holding out for more money to him. 
. Like, yeah he made some dope games but so did plenty of others. Ninja Gaiden got old fast tho, like who needs all that hard mode and crazy difficulty spikes? 
I mean what's the point of playing a game if it just gonna make u wanna throw ur console out the window?! 
. He was a true gaming legend & left an indelible mark on the industry. His dedication to perfection was inspiring, but also kinda intimidating 
. I had the chance to meet him back in the day at EGM, and let me tell you, he was just as intense in person 
. His games, like Ninja Gaiden, were masterpieces that pushed the boundaries of what's possible in gaming 
. So here's to you, Tomonobu – your spirit may be gone, but it'll always be with us 
.
even if he could be tough to deal with sometimes 