After a memorable 30-year tenure at Capcom, renowned game director Hideaki Itsuno has announced his decision to leave the company to embark on new creative endeavors. Over the decades, Itsuno has been instrumental in shaping some of Capcom's most celebrated franchises, including Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma.
Itsuno's career at Capcom began in the early 1990s. One of his first major contributions was co-directing 'Rival Schools,' a well-received fighting game released on the PlayStation. He followed this with leadership roles in the development of the 'Power Stone' series and 'Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001.' These games helped solidify his reputation as a versatile and innovative director.
However, Itsuno is perhaps best known for his work on the Devil May Cry series. He took over directing duties from the second installment and was credited with rejuvenating the series by directing 'Devil May Cry 3,' which is often praised as one of the best in the series. More recently, he directed 'Devil May Cry 5,' which was met with critical acclaim and commercial success, further cementing the franchise's legacy in the gaming industry.
In addition to his work on Devil May Cry, Itsuno ventured into new territories with the creation of 'Dragon's Dogma,' an action role-playing game that blended vast open-world exploration with Capcom's signature action-oriented combat. The game was well-received, leading to a sequel, 'Dragon's Dogma 2,' which was also overseen by Itsuno.
In his parting message, shared via his social media accounts, the 54-year-old expressed his gratitude towards the fans who have supported the games and characters he developed over the years. Itsuno hinted at his future plans, revealing that he is set to begin development on a new game in a fresh environment starting September 2024. He expressed a desire to create games that are as fun and memorable, if not more so, than his previous works.
Itsuno's departure marks the end of an era for Capcom, but also the beginning of a promising new chapter in his career. His legacy at Capcom is characterized by a knack for revitalizing and innovating game franchises, leaving an indelible mark on the gaming landscape.
Fans of Itsuno can look forward to experiencing the new worlds and adventures he plans to create. As he steps into a new environment, his commitment to crafting engaging and beautiful games remains undiminished. This move might also allow him the creative freedom to explore new concepts and game mechanics, continuing to push the boundaries of what video games can offer.
As the gaming community and industry colleagues bid farewell to Itsuno at Capcom, there is a palpable excitement and curiosity about the fresh ideas he will bring to the gaming world. His track record promises that whatever projects he undertakes next will be worth waiting for.
You must be logged in to post a comment!
