Rieko Kodama, Pioneering Sega Developer Behind Phantasy Star, Skies Of Arcadia, And Extra, Has Died

Rieko Kodama, the pioneering Sega developer behind titles like Phantasy Star and Skies of Arcadia, has died at 58. 

Nick Thorpe, options editor for Retro Gaming Magazine, seen that within the credit for Sega’s Mega Drive Mini II, there is a message that reads, “In reminiscence of Rieko Kodama.” Twitter person Ares Arcadia quote-tweeted Thorpe’s tweet to ask Sega producer Yosuke Okunari if this message signifies that Kodama had died to which Okunari replied and said, “As you perceive it. We revered her,” confirming her dying. 

Sega has since confirmed Kodama’s dying, citing that she had handed in Might, in response to IGN. Additional particulars round her dying won’t be shared out of respect for her household’s privateness, Sega says. 

“We pray that the deceased will relaxation in peace, and we provide our gratitude for her monumental contributions to Sega,” Sega of Japan says, as translated by IGN Japan. 

Kodama’s journey by recreation growth started within the Nineteen Eighties when she began as a graphic designer for Grasp System and Sega Genesis video games like Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog. She was the primary artist for Phantasy Star and continued to work on the sequence’ visuals group till Phantasy Star IV: The Finish of the Millennium, which she directed.

Different credit embrace Mega Drive variations of Sorcerian, Alex Kidd within the Enchanted Citadel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and extra. After directing Phantasy Star IV, she directed Magic Knight Rayearth in 1995 earlier than turning into a producer and growth lead on Sega’s Skies of Arcadia. She continued to work in video games growth in some capability till a minimum of 2018, the place she was the lead producer on the Sega compilation title Sega Ages. 

In 2019, she was acknowledged with the Pioneer Award at GDC 2019. 

The employees at Recreation Informer extends their condolences to Kodama’s household.