We have just learned that Yoshitaka Murayama, creator of the Suikoden franchise and director/scenario writer on Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, has sadly passed away due to complications with an ongoing illness.
The news comes via Rabbit & Bear Studios, the development team responsible for Hundred Heroes on Switch and other platforms. Murayama served as head of the studio after forming it alongside fellow Suikoden creator Junko Kawano.
Rabbit & Bear Studios released a statement on Murayama's passing, expressing the team's sadness that the creator will not be around to see the reaction from his fans when Hundred Heroes launches:
"Murayama first began this journey of the creation of Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes in 2020 through the support of his very loving fans on Kickstarter. Throughout the three-plus-year-development of the game, it was always the passion from his fans that continued to drive his creative vision and motivate him to put his all into the project.
"His hard work on Eiyuden Chronicle as scenario writer was finished but as his co-workers and friends, it saddens us to know that he won’t get to see the reactions from his fans. However, even with those feelings we need to accept the reality that he is no longer with us and continue to push his dream forward by releasing Eiyuden Chronicle to the world. We want to maintain his legacy and vision with this game and know that he would have wanted the rich world he has created with Eiyuden Chronicle to live on."
Murayama's family has requested privacy during this sad time and asks that no flowers, mail, or other offerings be sent. Rabbit & Bear Studios will share more details on organisational changes as a result of Murayama's passing at a later date.
On behalf of the team and community here at Nintendo Life, our thoughts go out to Murayama's family, friends, and colleagues.
[source rabbitandbearstudios.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 28
Rest in peace legend. We will never forget you and what you contributed to the gaming world. We are forever grateful to you for creating one of the best games and universes ever made.
I am yet to play a Suikoden game. But I remember a friend of mine here in the UK had a chipped PS1 and he had a US copy of Suikoden 2, my friends were always over at his place watching him play the hell out of it. Another friend of mine still worships the game to this very day (we’re in our late 30’s). He has definitely made his mark on the gaming world with that title alone. As soon as the remasters are released, I think I owe it to myself and his memory to finally play this game.
RIP Brother 🙏🏻
Sad times - will make this spiritual succesor all the more poignant. His creative vision will live on in the hearts and minds of all his colleagues, family and fans.
Very saddening situation. I wonder what this means for the future of Suikoden and Eiyuden Chronicle
He won't get to see his last game's release.
Rest in peace.
Waking up to this message today sure was something. I don't really even know the guy and only happened to back Eiyuden on a whim, but reading this message had me tearing up.
Rest in peace and my condolences to his family.
I haven't had the pleasure to play any of his games yet myself, but I'm looking forward to trying the upcoming remaster when it comes out and I have the time for it!
The loss of the creator for a franchise I hold in higher regard than Final Fantasy. Rest in peace. Playing Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes will be bittersweet.
幻想水滸伝を作っていただきありがとうございました。
Sad day for every Suikoden fan. First two installments are one of the best gaming memories of my life. May he return to the source.
I was first introduced to the Suikoden series back in the 2000's by playing Suikoden III on the PS2. Since them I fell in love with it and played every game trying to find as many characters as I could. The recruiting and base building always felt so unique, giving so much personality in the small army you created to fight against whichever was the political power in the games.
He's gone now but his legacy will definitely not be forgotten.
It’s really hard to read this in the context of a new video game. Like I almost don’t care about the game - this dude died.
But also I think this series (or two series) were the art that he poured his soul into. Maybe that says something instead. I’m gonna go think about that.
Very sad. I hope, when Eiyuden Chronicles releases, that it is a masterpiece. That would only be fitting.
I enjoyed Eiyuden on the Series X.
Was looking forward to Hundred Heros.
@Spider-Kev "was"? It's still coming out.
Oh man, RIP. I remember spending free periods on my college’s OG iMacs playing Suikoden and having a blast (using Connectix Virtual Game station because I couldn’t afford the real thing). I even made sure I bought it again on PSN. It’s always sad hearing a legend leave so soon.
@Emmerichcoal
That's good
Hopefully the publisher doesn't change too much.
😧 i dont have words. this one hurts.
It's always untimely, but all the bitterly moreso with the new creation (and a return to one's roots in a way) around the corner. Rest in peace, and thank you for everything we gamers owe you.
God rest his soul. Hopefully both his upcoming games (Suikoden 1 & 2 Collection and Eiyuden Chronicles: Hundred Heroes) turn out good in the end.
@Serpenterror Pretty sure Hundred Heroes went gold a couple months ago meaning that development of the game is finished, so his death shouldn't affect that game at the very least.
I am no more or less saddened than for anyone else, death is always sad, especially at that age.
But Suikoden is my absolute favourite game series, and this man, whose name I didn't even know before this article, positively impacted my life greatly. So I owe him my grattitude.
@Spider-Kev the game is finished and coming out in April. Nothing is going to change.
@WiiWareWave It actually got delay though, but I'm sure they are just polishing for bugs and stuff before wrapping things up.
The thing that hurts me the most is seeing people die at young ages like 55. Jeez thats just not fair he had alot more life if it werent for that illness. R.I.P life is cruel thats why we gotta cherish every moment before our time has come.
I will be forever grateful for the Suikoden series. Rest in peace Murayama, and thank you for all your hard work.
Sad part is when a creator director leaves or passes that's a sign the studio isn't going to be well off in the future. Loosing too may creatives minds isn't a good thing for future gaming.
his games were exactly what i want: traditional, yet unique. humble, yet emotional. modest, yet grand. 💔 RIP legend
RIP. The Suikoden series was always the best RPG out there and still to this day has some of the best writing in all of gaming. At least he got to see the huge fan reaction to Eiyuden Chronicle and know that we were all looking forward to his newest creation.
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