Masayuki Kato, an important figure in the gaming industry, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the age of 78. Nihon Falcom, the company he founded, announced this sad news on December 17, 2024. As a pioneer in the gaming world, Kato contributed greatly to shaping the action RPG genre through works that are still remembered today.
The Start of Nihon Falcom's Career and Establishment
Masayuki Kato's career began as a computer technician in the automotive industry. However, his keen interest in personal computers, especially their potential for entertainment, led him to found Nihon Falcom in 1981. The company's name was inspired by Millennium Falcon in Star Wars, with the addition of "com" to reflect the focus on computers.
Nihon Falcom began its journey by developing games for Japanese personal computers in partnership with Apple. Under Kato's vision, the company grew to become one of the pioneers in the Japanese gaming industry, laying the foundation for the development of the action RPG genre.
Contribution to the Action RPG Genre
Masayuki Kato led Nihon Falcom to become one of the leading creators in the action RPG genre. Under his leadership, various iconic games were born, such as Panorama Toh (1983), Dragon Slayer (1984), and Xanadu (1985), which set a new standard for the genre.
In addition, two legendary game series, Ys and The Legend of Heroes, born from the cold hands of Kato and his team. These two series not only solidified Nihon Falcom's position in the gaming industry, but also provided inspiration for many developers around the world.
Nihon Falcom Transformation and Global Expansion
In the early 2000s, Nihon Falcom began to expand its reach by working with PlayStation. Games like Ys I & II Complete and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky was introduced to the PS2 and PSP consoles, making it more accessible to players in the global market.
This transformation changed the company's focus from being solely oriented towards personal computers. With third-party support, Nihon Falcom expanded their reach to various platforms, including Nintendo, so that their works could be enjoyed by the international gaming community.
Masayuki Kato's Role After Stepping Down
In 2001, Masayuki Kato resigned from his position as president of Nihon Falcom as part of the company's restructuring. However, he remained active as chairman of the board of directors until the end of his life.
As a producer, Kato also continues to contribute to Nihon Falcom's major projects. One of his most recent works is Ys X: Nordics, a globally released game. Kato's pivotal role in ensuring the company's relevance in the gaming industry cannot be overlooked.
Legacy and Influence
The legacy left behind by Masayuki Kato encompasses more than just games. He established Nihon Falcom as a pioneer of the action RPG genre, creating iconic game series such as Ys and The Legend of Heroes.
Kato's contribution to defining the modern gaming experience continues to be remembered by the global gaming community. To this day, his works remain an inspiration to a new generation of developers around the world.
Masayuki Kato's passing is a great loss to the gaming industry. However, through the works he left behind, his legacy will live on as an important part of gaming history.
Source: IGN
