Koji Igarashi
| Koji Igarashi | |
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 Koji Igarashi at the Game Developers Conference in 2007. |
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| Occupation | Konami veteran employee |
Koji Igarashi (五十嵐 孝司 Igarashi Kōji), also known simply by the nickname IGA, is a Konami employee and one of the producers of the Castlevania video game series. He is best known as the assistant director of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, his first major involvement in the Castlevania series (he was partially involved in Akumajō Dracula X Chi no Rondo and is listed under "Special Thanks" in the ending credits). He served as producer between Castlevania Chronicles and up until Castlevania: Harmony of Despair. He has been involved in other titles such as the Japan-only RPG Elder Gate and Nano Breaker.
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[edit] Career
After graduating from college, Igarashi sought employment in the video game industry. He interviewed at a company, but an argument with its Human Resources department prevented him securing a job. A mentor of Igarashi then suggested he work at Konami, where the mentor worked. Igarashi passed the application exam, but lacked the university credits to work full-time. He worked part-time at Konami for a year while he attended school. In 1990, Igarashi switched to a full-time capacity. His first project was a simulation game for the Educational Software department. The title, however, was never released. Igarashi's first game to be released was Detana! Twinbee.[1] Igarashi informed his boss that he had no desire to work on a sequel to Tokimeki Memorial, and requested a departmental transfer. The strong sales of the game prompted his boss to agree, and Igarashi asked to join the Castlevania development team.[2]
[edit] Works
He is credited as IGA, except where noted.
- Detana! Twinbee (PC-Engine) - Programmer[3]
- Gradius II (PC-Engine Super CD-ROM²) - Programmer[4]
- Tokimeki Memorial (PC-Engine Super CD-ROM²) - Scenario Writer (as K. IGA)[5]
- Tokimeki Memorial: Forever with you (PlayStation, Sega Saturn) - Scenario Writer
- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (PlayStation) - Assistant Director, Programmer, Scenario Writer (as Kouji IGA)[6]
- Elder Gate (PlayStation) - Director, System Programmer
- Castlevania Chronicles (PlayStation) - Producer [7]
- Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance (Game Boy Advance) - Producer
- Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Game Boy Advance) - Producer
- Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (PlayStation 2) - Producer
- Nano Breaker (PlayStation 2) - Producer
- Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow (Nintendo DS) - Producer
- Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (PlayStation 2, Xbox) - Producer
- Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (Nintendo DS) - Producer
- Castlevania: Order of Shadows (mobile phone) - Producer
- Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles (PlayStation Portable) - Producer
- Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (Nintendo DS) - Producer
- Castlevania Judgment (Wii) - Producer
- Castlevania: The Adventure ReBirth (WiiWare) - Producer
- Castlevania: Harmony of Despair (Xbox Live Arcade) - Producer
- Otomedius Excellent (Xbox 360) - Producer
- Leedmees (XBox 360 Kinect) - Producer[8]
[edit] References
- ^ Sheffield, Brandon (2005-08-15). "Whip Smart: Konami's Koji Igarashi On Mastering Castlevania". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2372/whip_smart_konamis_koji_igarashi_.php. Retrieved 2010-02-10.
- ^ Szczepaniak, John. "Before They Were Famouos". Retro Gamer (Imagine Publishing) (35): 75.
- ^ VGMuseum.com: Ending for Detana!! TwinBee. Retrieved on 16 July 2007.
- ^ VGMuseum.com: Ending for Gradius II. Retrieved on 16 July 2007.
- ^ Tokimeki Memorial credits. Retrieved on 16 July 2007.
- ^ Mr. P's Castlevania Realm: Credit list. Retrieved on 18 May 2009.
- ^ VGMuseum.com: Ending for Castlevania Chronicles. Retrieved on 28 March 2008.
- ^ Igarashi, Koji. "Leedmees Facebook Page Comment". http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=247455315285598&id=244336018930861. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
[edit] External links
- IGA Log IGA's personal blog. (Japanese)
- MobyGames profile: Koji Igarashi
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