The JRPG world is in mourning. Yoshitaka Murayama, one of the most important developers of the genre and creator of the Suikoden saga, has recently passed away.
We have woken up with the sad news of death of Yoshitaka Murayamaa very relevant figure in the world of Japanese video game development for being the creator of such important sagas as Suikoden or Eiyuden Chronicle.
Apparently, The Japanese developer had been sick for a while and has not been able to move forward. From Hobby Consolas we deeply regret his death, as do all fans of both Japanese role-playing sagas.
The industry remembers Yoshitaka Murayama
The news of his death has been confirmed by his development studio, Rabbit & Bear Studios, in a statement. “It is with great regret and profound sadness that we must inform you that Rabbit & Bear Studios writer and director Yoshitaka Murayama passed away on February 6 due to complications with an ongoing illness.”
“Murayama began this journey of creating Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes in 2020 thanks to the support of his beloved fans on Kickstarter. Throughout the game’s more than three years of development, it was always the passion of his fans that continued to drive his creative vision and motivate him to put his all into the project.
“We want to maintain his legacy and vision with this game and we know that he would have liked the rich world he created with Eiyuden Chronicle to live on. His family sincerely appreciates your prayers and support, but he asks for privacy and that no flowers, mail or other offerings be sent.”
The developer created the Suikoden saga in the nineties and he consolidated the franchise by participating in its first three games as producer, screenwriter and director until his departure from Konami. The return of his ideas would occur in 2020.
It was then that Murayama founded his own indie studio, Rabbit & Bear, with which he launched a successful Kickstarter funding campaign to develop Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, the spiritual successor to Suikoden.
The distributor Digital Bros, authors of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes together with 505 Games, commented: “It is with deep sadness that we have learned of the death of our friend Yoshitaka Murayama, the creator of the next Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes.”
“Not only was he a true pioneer and visionary, creating cherished memories for millions of people around the world, but he was also a wonderful partner and dear colleague. “His enthusiasm and creativity knew no limits and the world of video games will feel emptier without him,” says the statement.
Rest in peace. We mourn the loss of such an important figure for the genre, but he can always be honored with Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, a revitalization of the saga that arrives this year.