After a remarkable 30 year long career at Capcom, legendary director Hideaki Itsuno has announced his departure from the studio. Known for his work on some of Capcom’s most iconic titles, including Dragon’s Dogma, Devil May Cry, Power Stone, and Capcom vs. SNK, Itsuno leaves behind a legacy of influential games that have shaped the industry.
Itsuno announced his departure on Saturday, August 31, 2024, via a heartfelt post on Twitter/X, where he expressed gratitude to Capcom and his fans. “Thank you for your long-term support of the games and characters I have been responsible for,” he wrote. “From September, I will start developing a new game in a new environment. I hope to create fun, beautiful games that are as memorable as, or even more memorable than, the ones I have created so far.”
Itsuno joined Capcom in 1994, initially working as a designer in the company's arcade division. His career took off quickly, with him having notable contributions to fighting games like Capcom vs. SNK and Street Fighter. However, his major breakthrough came when he was asked to step in as the director of Devil May Cry 2. From there, Itsuno continued to helm the Devil May Cry series, with Devil May Cry 5 being one of his most acclaimed works. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the creation of the beloved action RPG Dragon’s Dogma and its upcoming sequel, Dragon’s Dogma 2.
While Itsuno has not revealed where he will be heading next, his departure marks the end of an era for Capcom. And with Dragon’s Dogma 2 having released earlier this year, he leaves the company on a high note. Capcom fans will undoubtedly miss his creative direction, but they eagerly anticipate what comes next from the veteran game developer in his new environment.
Meanwhile, Capcom continues to push forward with major upcoming releases, including Resident Evil 9, Monster Hunter Wilds, and the Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster. And as Itsuno embarks on the next chapter of his career, the gaming community will be watching closely to see what new adventures he will create.
Rasha is a HR manager and contributor at The Daily Esports.
