Hironobu Sakaguchi: the story on HearLore

Hironobu Sakaguchi

Hironobu Sakaguchi was once a geology enthusiast who spent his childhood collecting rock samples in a local quarry, a hobby that would ironically lead him to save a struggling video game company. Born on the 25th of November 1962 in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture, Sakaguchi initially had no interest in video games and dreamed of becoming a professional musician. He studied computer science at Yokohama National University, where he befriended Hiromichi Tanaka and discovered the Apple II computer. Despite his lack of interest in gaming, he fell in love with the role-playing game Wizardry, skipping classes to play it and eventually purchasing a knockoff version of the computer in the Akihabara district. This obsession led him to seek a part-time job to fund his software purchases, which resulted in his hiring by Square in 1983. At the time, Square was a subsidiary of an electric power conglomerate, and Sakaguchi applied because the company was new and not as demanding as larger rivals like Namco or Konami. He intended to use the job to gain programming experience while pursuing his musical dreams, but the path he was about to take would change the history of interactive entertainment forever.

The Gamble That Defined A Generation

In 1987, Sakaguchi bet his entire career on a project that nearly bankrupted his employer and was initially dismissed by his own colleagues. When Square became an independent company in 1986, Sakaguchi persuaded his boss, Masafumi Miyamoto, to allow the production of a role-playing game inspired by Dragon Quest, The Legend of Zelda, and the Ultima series. The project was initially titled Fighting Fantasy, but Sakaguchi changed the name to Final Fantasy to avoid trademark conflicts and to reflect his own feelings of having nothing to lose. He described the production as happening in fits and starts with a small staff, as most of the company did not believe in his vision. Had the game failed commercially, Sakaguchi had promised himself he would quit Square and return to complete his university education. Instead, Final Fantasy sold 400,000 units in Japan, kickstarting a franchise that would become Square's leading series and cementing Sakaguchi's status within the company. He went on to direct the next four entries between 1988 and 1992, eventually being promoted to Executive Vice President in 1991, a role that gradually lessened his direct creative involvement in the series.

The Tragedy Behind The Screen

A personal tragedy in 1994 fundamentally altered Sakaguchi's approach to storytelling and infused his work with themes of life and death that would define his legacy. During the production of Final Fantasy III, a fire broke out at his family home, killing his mother, Aki, and consuming the house before he could return. The deep emotions from this loss, combined with criticism that the series lacked narrative depth, caused Sakaguchi to reflect on what happens to people after death. This personal grief directly inspired the narrative direction of Final Fantasy VII and the subsequent film project, The Spirits Within. He even named the film's lead character, Aki Ross, after his mother. This shift in perspective marked a turning point where Sakaguchi moved from creating action titles he disliked to crafting complex stories that dealt with mature themes. The emotional weight of this event also influenced his decision to create Final Fantasy IX in 2000, a nostalgic entry produced by a team in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Sakaguchi was based at the time.

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.

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.

Hironobu Sakaguchi

The Gamble That Defined A Generation

The Tragedy Behind The Screen

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Common questions

When and where was Hironobu Sakaguchi born?

What caused Hironobu Sakaguchi to change his career from music to game design?

How did the death of Hironobu Sakaguchi's mother influence his game design?

Why did Hironobu Sakaguchi leave Square in 2001?

What studio did Hironobu Sakaguchi found after leaving Square?

What awards has Hironobu Sakaguchi received for his contributions to the gaming industry?

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