A message was posted on his official Facebook page announced that former Tecmo director Tomonobu Itagaki has passed away at 58 years old. He notably created the Dead or Alive series and the modern Ninja Gaiden series from 2004.
The full message on his Facebook page reads:
My Last Words
The light of my life is finally about to fade.
The fact that this message has been posted means that the time has come at last. I am no longer in this world.
(This final message was entrusted to someone dear to me.)
My life was a series of battles. I kept on winning.
I also caused a lot of trouble.
I take pride in having fought through to the end according to my own convictions.
I have no regrets.
However, I am filled with sorrow that I was unable to deliver a new work to my fans. I’m sorry.
That’s how it is.
So it goes.
—Tomonobu Itagaki
Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden Studio Team Ninja made a statement on Itagaki’s passing on social media:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Team Ninja’s first leader, Tomonobu Itagaki. We will carry on the philosophy and creativity that Itagaki-san began and continue to create games that many gamers will enjoy. Our deepest condolences for his loss.”
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