– Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama’s passing
– Yoshitaka Murayama, creator of Suikoden, passes away.
Yoshitaka Murayama, the renowned writer and director of the popular Konami RPG series Suikoden, has sadly passed away. The news of Murayama’s death was announced by Rabbit & Bear Studios, the company he founded in 2020. In an official statement released on Wednesday, Rabbit & Bear Studios revealed that Murayama died on February 6, following complications from an ongoing illness.
Murayama rose to fame in 1995 with the release of the original Suikoden game, and he achieved even greater success with its sequel, Suikoden 2. PC Gamer described Suikoden 2 as “one of the finest JRPGs ever.” He served as the writer and director for Suikoden 3 but left Konami just before its release to establish his own company, Blue Moon Studio. Under Blue Moon Studio, Murayama developed the acclaimed PS2 shooter, 10,000 Bullets.
In 2020, Murayama returned to his roots with a Kickstarter campaign for a spiritual successor to Suikoden titled Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. The project was a resounding success, surpassing its $500,000 goal and raising over $4.5 million. Two years later, Konami announced the remasters of the first two Suikoden games, further reflecting the popularity and enduring legacy of Murayama’s work.
Unfortunately, neither the Suikoden remasters nor Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes were completed before Murayama’s untimely passing. The Suikoden remasters were delayed in August 2023, and a new release date is yet to be announced. On the other hand, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is scheduled to launch on Steam on April 23, just over two months from now.
In a heartfelt announcement, Rabbit & Bear Studios expressed their gratitude to Murayama’s devoted fans for their support throughout the development of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes. They acknowledged that it saddens them that Murayama won’t be able to witness the reactions of his fans but emphasized their commitment to carrying on his legacy and vision by releasing the game to the world.
The publisher of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, 505 Games, also paid tribute to Murayama, describing him as a true pioneer and visionary. They expressed their deep sadness over his passing and highlighted his significant contributions to the gaming world, creating cherished memories for millions of people worldwide.
Yoshitaka Murayama’s death is a profound loss for the gaming community. His talent and creativity knew no bounds, and his legacy will live on through the games he created. As we mourn his passing, let us remember the immense impact he had on the RPG genre and the joy he brought to countless gamers around the world.
Rest in peace, Yoshitaka Murayama. Your contributions to the gaming industry will never be forgotten..
“Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama death”
“Yoshitaka Murayama, creator of Suikoden, passes away”.
