The video game industry is in mourning. This morning, the passing of Masayuki Kato, founder and president of Nihon Falcom, one of Japan's most prominent developers and publishers, was confirmed. The executive passed away on December 15 at the age of 78.

Reports about his passing did not disclose the cause of death. His close family members will hold a private wake and funeral in the coming days. Additionally, a commemorative event will be held in honor of Kato and his legacy, with the date yet to be announced.

Masayuki Kato was one of the great visionaries of the industry

Masayuki Kato was born on August 19, 1946. His interest in entertainment and video games led him to found Nihon Falcom in March 1981, at the age of 34. He worked with talented developers to transform the company into one of the most iconic names in the Japanese industry and a leader in JRPGs.

Under his leadership, fans of the genre enjoyed sagas such as Ys, The Legend of Heroes, Xanadu, among others, which remain active in both Eastern and Western markets. Kato ensured Nihon Falcom grew significantly over the years, ultimately reaching global audiences.

He oversaw Nihon Falcom's international expansion, achieved through multiple agreements with XSEED Games and NIS America. These collaborations were instrumental in bringing the company’s iconic franchises to fans worldwide, greatly increasing its presence outside of Japan.

Kato remained dedicated to preserving the studio’s core philosophy, firmly believing that their formula of delivering fun games with compelling stories and memorable characters would lead them to long-term success.

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Masayuki Kato (1946-2024)

Nihon Falcom fans and creatives bid farewell to Masayuki Kato

Players took to social media to say goodbye to Masayuki Kato and express their gratitude for his immense contributions to the industry. Many noted that, without him, Nihon Falcom simply wouldn’t exist. They highlighted his decades of dedication to creating one of the most iconic video game companies in history.

Creatives like Yuzo Koshiro, the acclaimed composer, also mourned the executive's passing. Koshiro thanked Kato for helping many creators enter the industry and for valuing their talent.

“His visionary leadership brought us masterpieces like Ys, which still resonate with fans. He was the first to recognize my talents as a composer and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” Koshiro commented.

At LEVEL UP, we deeply regret the passing of Masayuki Kato and wish him eternal peace in his final rest.