Visionary Game Designer Tomonobu Itagaki Dies at 58, Leaves Unfinished Project

Tomonobu Itagaki, a highly influential figure in the video game industry, passed away in October 2025 at the age of 58. Itagaki, who had a long and storied career at Tecmo and Team Ninja, was best known as the creator of the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden franchises.

Itagaki's career began in 1992 when he joined Tecmo and worked on the Super Famicom version of Tecmo Super Bowl. However, it was in 1996 that his creative genius truly shone with the launch of Dead or Alive, a 3D fighting game that revolutionized the genre with its fast-paced action, smooth mechanics, and fluid animation. Itagaki's work on Ninja Gaiden in 2004 further cemented his legacy, as the game's brutal difficulty and intricate combat system earned global acclaim and influenced a generation of developers.

Beyond his achievements, Itagaki was known for his outspoken personality and rock-star image, often courting controversy with his unfiltered opinions. His candor and flamboyance made him a beloved figure among fans and media alike.

Tragically, Itagaki's passing was announced through a farewell message on his official Facebook account, where he expressed regret at not being able to complete his next game. The exact cause of his death has not been revealed, but the gaming community has been left in shock and grief, with industry colleagues and fans paying tribute to his immeasurable contributions to the medium.