The world
of video games has received news that leaves our hearts heavy. Shutaro
Ida, the legendary developer who dedicated more than two decades to
perfecting the genre we love today as Metroidvania, died on February 10 at the
age of 52. After a brave year-and-a-half fight against pancreatic
cancer, ArtPlay's creative director leaves us with a void that is impossible
to fill, but with a library of jewels that will live on our consoles.
The Man
Behind the Shadows of Castlevania
Although
his name did not always hog the spotlight like that of his great friend and
collaborator Koji Igarashi, the reality is that the success of the
golden age of Castlevania would not exist without him. Ida
joined Konami in 1996 and was the driving force behind the programming and
design of fundamental titles such as Dawn of Sorrow. Igarashi
himself confessed in an emotional farewell message that Ida was someone who
"burned her own life" in each development, thinking about video games
24 hours a day. His talent was so exceptional that when Igarashi founded
ArtPlay, Shutaro didn't hesitate for a second to join to bring Bloodstained:
Ritual of the Night to life.
Even after
receiving his diagnosis in 2024, Shutaro demonstrated his commitment to us, the
players. Before retiring to focus on his treatment, he made sure to get all the
design plans and story ready for Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement.
His last wish on social networks was a message that touched our souls: he asked
fans to treasure the future releases of the saga and all the games he worked
on. He wasn't just a programmer; He was an architect of worlds who knew exactly
what made a platformer and exploration game fun.
About
Shutaro Ida's career
Beyond
Dracula's castles, Shutaro Ida's resume is a list of successes
that any developer would envy. In addition to his time in Castlevania,
he lent his talent to titles such as Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom
Pain, Shadow of Memories and even the bizarre but
classic Sexy Parodius. Affectionately known to his friends as the
"Curry Hermit," Ida left an indelible mark on studios such as Inti
Creates and Armature Studio before cementing the genre's renaissance with ArtPlay.
His vision will live on in every corner of The Scarlet Engagement,
a game that the studio promised to finish in his honor.
