When and where was Hironobu Sakaguchi born?
Hironobu Sakaguchi was born on the 25th of November 1962 in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture. He initially studied computer science at Yokohama National University before entering the video game industry.
Questions about Hironobu Sakaguchi
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What caused Hironobu Sakaguchi to change his career from music to game design?
Hironobu Sakaguchi changed his career path after falling in love with the role-playing game Wizardry while studying at university. This obsession led him to purchase a computer and seek a part-time job at Square in 1983 to fund his software purchases.
How did the death of Hironobu Sakaguchi's mother influence his game design?
The death of Hironobu Sakaguchi's mother Aki in a fire during the production of Final Fantasy III fundamentally altered his approach to storytelling. This personal grief inspired the narrative direction of Final Fantasy VII and led him to name the film character Aki Ross after her.
Why did Hironobu Sakaguchi leave Square in 2001?
Hironobu Sakaguchi left Square in 2001 following the financial failure of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within which cost Square and Columbia Pictures $137 million. The film grossed just over $85 million and damaged Square financially, prompting Sakaguchi to resign from his position.
What studio did Hironobu Sakaguchi found after leaving Square?
Hironobu Sakaguchi founded Mistwalker in 2004 as an independent studio based between Honolulu, Hawaii, and Tokyo, Japan. The studio received funding from Microsoft and focused on creating games for mobile platforms and smaller intimate teams.
What awards has Hironobu Sakaguchi received for his contributions to the gaming industry?
Hironobu Sakaguchi received the Hall of Fame Award in 2000, the Lifetime Achievement award in 2015, and the Special Award in 2017. These honors recognize his extensive contributions to the gaming industry and his strong following in Japan and overseas.