Tomonobu Itagaki, the influential game designer behind Dead or Alive and the modern Ninja Gaiden series, has died at the age of 58. His family confirmed the news following a farewell message posted to his official Facebook page, written shortly before his passing.

In his final message, Itagaki reflected on his life and career, writing that his journey had been “a series of battles” and that he “kept winning.” He added that while he regretted not releasing one more game for fans, he was proud to have stayed true to his beliefs until the end.

Itagaki began his career at Tecmo in 1992 and went on to found Team Ninja in 1995, where he served as its first leader. Under his direction, Team Ninja produced some of the most iconic titles in modern action gaming, including the first four Dead or Alive entries and the 2004 Ninja Gaiden reboot for Xbox, known for its fast-paced combat and intense difficulty.

After leaving Tecmo in 2008, he founded Valhalla Game Studios, which released Devil’s Third in 2015. In 2021, he launched Itagaki Games, his independent studio focused on new action titles.

Following the news of his passing, tributes poured in from across the gaming industry. Team Ninja issued a statement honoring their former leader, pledging to carry forward the creative spirit he instilled in the studio. Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada also shared a message remembering Itagaki as both a senior from their university days and a lifelong rival in game development.

While no official cause of death has been disclosed, reports indicate that his passing followed an illness. Itagaki’s influence on action and fighting games remains profound, with his work helping to define an entire generation of fast, technical, and cinematic gameplay. His drive to challenge conventions left an enduring mark on how developers think about skill, style, and intensity in interactive entertainment.