Takashi Iizuka
From Sega Retro
Takashi Iizuka |
---|
Place of birth: Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan |
Date of birth: 1970-03-16 (age 54) |
Employment history: Sega Enterprises (1992[1] – 1993)
Divisions:
Sega of America (1993 – 1994)
Divisions:
Sega Enterprises (1994 – )
Divisions:
Sega of America (2004 – 2008)
Divisions:
Sega (2008 – 2015)
Divisions:
Sega of America (2020 – )
Divisions:
|
Role(s): Designer, Director, Producer |
Education: Tokyo Denki University (1988-1992) |
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Takashi Iizuka (飯塚 隆) is a Japanese video game developer and Sonic Team and Sonic Studio designer, director, and producer, known as one of the key heads of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise's modern incarnation.
Contents
Career
Takashi Iizuka is a key producer, director and designer within Sonic Team. Joining Sega in 1992 as a planner, he worked directly under Hirokazu Yasuhara as a senior game designer on Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles, and quickly progressed to be the main design of NiGHTS into Dreams and supervise development of Sonic R. In 1998, he is credited as the driving force behind Sonic Adventure, the franchise's third adventure in the third dimension, as it had been his idea to create a role-playing game featuring Sonic.
After the success of Sonic Adventure, Iizuka headed to America, where he and a few other members of Sonic Team began work on such games as Sonic Adventure 2 and NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams. Iizuka continued as head of this department, known as Sega Studios USA, until 2008, when it was disbanded, and team members, including Iizuka were absorbed back into the Japanese division. After Akinori Nishiyama's departure from the head of Sonic Team chair, Sega would eventually settle with Iizuka as a main producer on the Sonic series, starting with Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I & Sonic Colors. Thus, he became the Sonic Series Producer/head of Sonic Team.
On April 1, 2023, Iizuka became the newly elected executive officer/Sonic Creative Officer at Sega of America.[11]
Production history
Games
- Golden Axe III (Mega Drive; 1993) — Planner[12] (as IIZ)
- Sonic & Knuckles (Mega Drive; 1994) — Senior Game Designers[13]
- NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Lead Game Designer[14]
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Mega Drive; 1996) — Game Concept Design (SOJ)[15]
- Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Game Designers
- Sonic Jam (Saturn; 1997) — Director[16]
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Windows PC; 1997) — Game Concept Design (SOJ)
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Windows PC; 1997) — Enhancement Design (SOJ)
- Sonic R (Saturn; 1997) — Game Design Director[17]
- Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — Game design director
- Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — Special Thanks to
- Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast; 1998) — Director
- Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast; 1998) — Character game designers
- Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast; 1998) — Field designers
- Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast; 1998) — "CHAOS" game designers
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Saturn; 1996) — Game Concept Design (SOJ)[18]
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Saturn; 1996) — Saturn Version Enhancement Design (SOJ)[18]
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Saturn; 1996) — Game Designers (SOJ)[18]
- ChuChu Rocket! (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Product Support[19]
- Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast; 2001) — Director
- Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast; 2001) — Field Designers (Level Designers)
- Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast; 2001) — Enemy Game Designers
- Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Special Thanks[20]
- Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GameCube; 2001) — Director
- Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GameCube; 2001) — Field Designers (Level Designers)
- Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GameCube; 2001) — Enemy Game Designers
- Sonic Mega Collection (GameCube; 2002) — Special Thanks[21]
- Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (GameCube; 2003) — Mission Mode Game Designers
- Sonic N (N-Gage; 2003) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Heroes (PlayStation 2; 2003) — Director
- Sega Superstars (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Xbox; 2004) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Gems Collection (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Gems Collection (GameCube; 2005) — Special Thanks
- Shadow the Hedgehog (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Director
- Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube; 2005) — Director
- Shadow the Hedgehog (Xbox; 2005) — Director
- Shadow the Hedgehog (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Lead Game Designer
- Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube; 2005) — Lead Game Designer
- Shadow the Hedgehog (Xbox; 2005) — Lead Game Designer
- Shadow the Hedgehog (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Level Designers
- Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube; 2005) — Level Designers
- Shadow the Hedgehog (Xbox; 2005) — Level Designers
- Shadow the Hedgehog (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Scenario Writer
- Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube; 2005) — Scenario Writer
- Shadow the Hedgehog (Xbox; 2005) — Scenario Writer
- Shadow the Hedgehog (PlayStation 2; 2005) — CG Movie Supervisors
- Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube; 2005) — CG Movie Supervisors
- Shadow the Hedgehog (Xbox; 2005) — CG Movie Supervisors
- Sonic Riders (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Recording Coordinators
- Sonic Riders (GameCube; 2006) — Recording Coordinators
- Sonic Riders (Xbox; 2006) — Recording Coordinators
- Sonic Riders (Windows PC; 2006) — Recording Coordinators
- Sonic Rivals (PlayStation Portable; 2006) — Project Director
- Sonic Rivals (PlayStation Portable; 2006) — Concept Design & Scenario
- Sonic the Hedgehog (PlayStation 3; 2006) — Special Thanks
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Xbox 360; 2006) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Windows PC; 2006) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Rivals 2 (PlayStation Portable; 2007) — Project Director[22]
- Sonic Rivals 2 (PlayStation Portable; 2007) — Concept Design & Scenario Writer[22]
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii; 2007) — General Producers
- NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Wii; 2007) — Producer/Director
- NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams (Wii; 2007) — Lead Game Designer
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Nintendo DS; 2008) — General Producers
- NiGHTS into Dreams (PlayStation 2; 2008) — Supervisors
- Sega Superstars Tennis (PlayStation 3; 2008) — SEGA Studio USA
- Sega Superstars Tennis (Wii; 2008) — SEGA Studio USA
- Sega Superstars Tennis (PlayStation 3; 2008) — Special Thanks
- Sega Superstars Tennis (Wii; 2008) — Special Thanks
- Sega Superstars Tennis (Nintendo DS; 2008) — Sega Studio USA
- Sega Superstars Tennis (Nintendo DS; 2008) — Special Thanks
- Sonic and the Black Knight (Wii; 2009) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (Nintendo DS; 2008) — Sonic Character Supervisor
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii; 2009) — Director
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Wii; 2009) — Game Designers
- Puyo Puyo 7 (PlayStation Portable; 2009) — Special Thanks
- Puyo Puyo 7 (Wii; 2009) — Special Thanks
- Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (Xbox 360; 2010) — CS2 R&D
- Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (Wii; 2010) — CS2 R&D
- Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing (Nintendo DS; 2010) — CS2 R&D
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I (iOS; 2010) — Producer
- Sonic Colours (Nintendo DS; 2010) — Producer
- Sonic Colours (Wii; 2010) — Producer
- Sonic Generations (Steam; 2011) — Producer
- Sonic Generations (Windows PC; 2011) — Producer
- Sonic Generations (Xbox 360; 2011) — Producer
- Sonic Generations (PlayStation 3; 2011) — Producer
- Sonic Generations (Nintendo 3DS; 2011) — Producer
- Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Wii; 2011) — Sonic Character Supervisors
- Puyo Puyo!! (PlayStation Portable; 2011) — Special Thanks
- Sonic the Hedgehog CD (PlayStation 3; 2011) — Special Thanks
- Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure (Nintendo 3DS; 2012) — Special Thanks
- Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS; 2012) — Sonic Character Supervisors
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode II (Xbox 360; 2012) — Producer
- 3D Sonic the Hedgehog (Nintendo 3DS; 2013) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Lost World (Wii U; 2013) — Producer
- Sonic Lost World (Nintendo 3DS; 2013) — Producer
- Puyo Puyo!! Quest Arcade (RingEdge; 2013) — スペシャルサンクス (as 飯塚 隆)
- Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (Wii U; 2013) — Sonic Character Supervisors
- Uta Kumi 575 (PlayStation Vita; 2014) — プロジェクトサポート (as 飯塚 隆)
- Puyo Puyo Tetris (Nintendo 3DS; 2014) — Project Support
- Hero Bank (Nintendo 3DS; 2014) — スペシャルサンクス (as 飯塚 隆)
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (Nintendo 3DS; 2014) — Supervisors (Original Games)
- Hero Bank 2 (Nintendo 3DS; 2014) — スペシャルサンクス (as 飯塚 隆)
- Puyo Puyo Tetris (PlayStation 4; 2014) — Project Support
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Wii U; 2014) — Supervisors (Original Games)
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (Nintendo 3DS; 2014)
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (Nintendo 3DS; 2014) — Producer
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (Nintendo 3DS; 2014) — Character Supervisors
- Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U; 2014) — Producer
- Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U; 2014) — Character Supervisors
- Sonic Runners (iOS; 2015) — Producer
- Sonic Runners (Android; 2015) — Producer
- Tembo the Badass Elephant (Steam; 2015) — Supervisor
- 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nintendo 3DS; 2015) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Dash Extreme (Nu SX; 2015) — Special Thanks
- Miracle Girls Festival (PlayStation Vita; 2015) — プロジェクトサポート (as 飯塚 隆)
- Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (Nintendo 3DS; 2016) — Sonic Character Supervisors
- Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (Nintendo 3DS; 2016)
- Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (Nintendo 3DS; 2016) — Producer
- Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (Nintendo 3DS; 2016) — Character Supervisors
- Puyo Puyo Chronicle (Nintendo 3DS; 2016) — Project Support
- Sonic Mania (Windows PC; 2017) — VP of Product Development and Creative Services
- Sonic Mania (Windows PC; 2017) — Animation Supervisor
- Puyo Puyo Tetris (Nintendo Switch; 2017) — Project Support
- Sonic Mania (PlayStation 4; 2017) — VP of Product Development and Creative Services
- Sonic Mania (Nintendo Switch; 2017) — VP of Product Development and Creative Services
- Sonic Mania (PlayStation 4; 2017) — Animation Supervisor
- Sonic Mania (Nintendo Switch; 2017) — Animation Supervisor
- Sega Ages Sonic the Hedgehog (Nintendo Switch; 2018) — Special Thanks
- Sega Ages Thunder Force IV (Nintendo Switch; 2018) — Special Thanks
- Sega Heroes (Android; 2018) — Sonic the Hedgehog
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nintendo Switch; 2018) — SEGA
- Team Sonic Racing (PlayStation 4; 2019) — Sonic Series Producer
- Puyo Puyo Champions (Nintendo Switch; 2018) — Special Thanks
- Sega Ages Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nintendo Switch; 2020) — Special Thanks
- Sonic at the Olympic Games (iOS; 2020) — Character Supervisors
- Sonic at the Olympic Games (Android; 2020) — Character Supervisors
- Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 (Nintendo Switch; 2020) — Special Thanks
- Sonic Colours: Ultimate (Xbox One; 2021) — Producer
- Sonic Colours: Ultimate (PlayStation 4; 2021) — Producer
- Sonic Colours: Ultimate (Nintendo Switch; 2021) — Producer
- Sonic Colours: Ultimate (Epic Games Store; 2021) — Producer
- Sonic Origins (PlayStation 4; 2022) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Origins (PlayStation 5; 2022) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Origins (Xbox One; 2022) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Origins (Nintendo Switch; 2022) — Sonic Series Producer
- Devi & Pii (Mega Drive; 2022) — Planning (as Iiz)
- Devi & Pii (Mega Drive; 2022) — Graphic (as Iiz)
- Sonic Colours: Ultimate (Steam; 2023) — Producer
- The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog (Steam; 2023) — Sonic Pillar Creative Officer
- The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog (Steam OS X; 2023) — Sonic Pillar Creative Officer
- Sonic Superstars (PlayStation 4; 2023) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Superstars (PlayStation 5; 2023) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Superstars (Nintendo Switch; 2023) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Superstars (Epic Games Store; 2023) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Superstars (PlayStation 4; 2023) — Story
- Sonic Superstars (PlayStation 5; 2023) — Story
- Sonic Superstars (Nintendo Switch; 2023) — Story
- Sonic Superstars (Epic Games Store; 2023) — Story
- Sonic Superstars (PlayStation 4; 2023) — Character Designer for Trip
- Sonic Superstars (PlayStation 5; 2023) — Character Designer for Trip
- Sonic Superstars (Nintendo Switch; 2023) — Character Designer for Trip
- Sonic Superstars (Epic Games Store; 2023) — Character Designer for Trip
- Sonic X Shadow Generations (PlayStation 5; 2024) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic X Shadow Generations (Xbox One; 2024) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic X Shadow Generations (Nintendo Switch; 2024) — Sonic Series Producer
Videos
- Sonic Mania Adventures (??; 2018) — Executive Producers
- Chao In Space () — Executive Producers
- Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony () — Executive Producers
- Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps () — Executive Producers
- Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (??; ?) — Executive Producers
- Sonic Superstars: Trio of Trouble (??; ?) — Executive Producers
Music
- Cuts Unleashed SA2 Vocal Collection (CD; 2001) — Special Thanks[23]
- Multi-dimensional Sonic Adventure 2 Original Sound Track (CD; 2001) — Special Thanks[24]
- Sonic Adventure 2 Official Soundtrack (CD; 2002) — Special Thanks[25]
- Triple Threat Sonic Heroes Vocal Trax (CD; 2004) — Director[26]
- Complete Trinity Sonic Heroes - Original Soundtrax (CD; 2004) — Director[27]
- Lost and Found: Shadow the Hedgehog Vocal Trax (CD; 2006) — Director[28]
- NiGHTS: Hoshi Furu Yoru no Monogatari Original Soundtrack (CD; 2008) — Producer/Director
- True Blue: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog (CD; 2008) — Supervisors[29]
- Face to Faith: Sonic and the Black Knight - Vocal Trax (CD; 2009) — Special Thanks To[30]
- Tales of Knighthood: Sonic and the Black Knight Original Soundtrax (CD; 2009) — Special Thanks To[31]
- True Colors: The Best of Sonic the Hedgehog Part 2 (CD; 2009) — Supervisors[32]
- Vivid Sound x Hybrid Colors: Sonic Colors Original Soundtrack (CD; 2010) — Producer[33]
- Sonic the Hedgehog CD Original Soundtrack 20th Anniversary Edition (CD; 2011) — Supervisors[34]
- Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode I & II Original Soundtrack (CD; 2012) — Producer
- Live! (CD; 2012) — From Jun Senoue...[35]
- Sonic Lost World Original Soundtrack Without Boundaries (CD; 2013) — Producer[36]
- Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Original Soundtrack (CD; 2014) — Supervisors
- Sonic The Hedgehog "Passion & Pride" Anthems with Attitude from the Sonic Adventure Era (CD; 2014) — Supervisors
- The Works II (CD; 2016) — Producers & Directors for the Original Projects
- Sonic Adventure Music Experience (CD; 2016) — Executive Producer[37]
- Sonic Runners Complete Soundtrack (CD; 2016) — Producer
- Sonic Forces Vocal Traxx - On the Edge (CD; 2017) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Mania Plus Original Soundtrack (CD; 2018) — Sonic Series Producer[38]
- Maximum Overdrive - Team Sonic Racing Original Soundtrack (CD; 2019) — Sonic Series Producer[39]
- The Works III (CD; 2019) — Special Thanks to
- Sonic the Hedgehog DJ Style "Party" (CD; 2020) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Colors: Ultimate Original Soundtrack "Re-Colors" (CD; 2021) — Sonic Series Producer
- Rock 'n' Sonic The Hedgehog: Sessions! (CD; 2022) — Sonic Series Producer
- Sonic Frontiers Original Soundtrack Stillness & Motion (CD; 2022) — Sonic Series Producer
Books
- Sonic Adventure Perfect Guide (Book; 1999) — 製作協力 (as 飯塚隆)
Hardware
- Mega Drive Mini (Mega Drive; 2019)
- Mega Drive Mini 2 (Mega Drive; 2022)
- Sonic X (2003) — Supervisor
Interviews
Some or all of the following content should be mirrored on Sega Retro (or Retro CDN). |
- Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka interview by Sega Score (December 12, 2003)
- Takashi Iizuka interview by EGM (February 3, 2004)
- Takashi Iizuka interview by GMR (February 10, 2004)
- Takashi Iizuka and Ethan Einhorn interview by 1UP (March 22, 2005)
- SEGA VOICE interview (December 15, 2005)
- SEGA VOICE interview (December 13, 2007)
- Takashi Iizuka interview by Digital Chumps (September 3, 2010)
- Takashi Iizuka interview by Danny Russell (September 17, 2010)
- Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka interview for Sonic Heroes website
- Legendary Sonic Team creators reveal the truth of Sonic the Hedgehog's birth, success and rebirth on his 25th anniversary (June 24, 2016) [Translated]
- Sonic the Hedgehog Lead Reflects on SEGA's Road to the Dreamcast by Game Informer (April 8, 2024)
Photographs
- Main article: Photos of Takashi Iizuka
References
- ↑ http://sega.jp/segavoice/vol21/ (Wayback Machine: 2008-04-01 08:56)
- ↑ https://blog.playstation.com/archive/2018/05/04/veteran-sega-developers-reveal-their-favourite-mega-drive-classics/
- ↑ Dorimaga, "2001-03 (2001-06-22)" (JP; 2001-06-08), page 37
- ↑ https://browniehideout.wordpress.com/2023/07/28/naka-yuuji-is-also-present-interview-with-sonic-heroes-director-iizuka-takashi/
- ↑ https://www.4gamer.net/games/131/G013139/20111227008/ (Wayback Machine: 2023-10-21 18:00)
- ↑ http://shg.sega.jp/news1510.html (Wayback Machine: 2015-11-08 00:27)
- ↑ https://app.famitsu.com/20171010_1150637/ (Wayback Machine: 2023-04-19 20:47)
- ↑ https://www.4gamer.net/games/421/G042175/20190415016/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-05-17 01:38)
- ↑ https://tailschannel.com/sonic-the-hedgehog/sega-hopes-to-meet-fans-desires-for-sonics-30th-anniversary/ (Wayback Machine: 2023-06-09 17:45)
- ↑ https://note.com/beep21/n/n6c043a1e1d10
- ↑ https://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/pdf/release/20230228_jinji_e_final.pdf (Wayback Machine: 2023-03-08 13:46)
- ↑ File:Golden Axe III MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic & Knuckles MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:NiGHTS into Dreams Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic 3D Blast MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic Jam Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic R Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 File:Sonic 3D Blast Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ File:ChuChu Rocket! GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic Advance GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:SonicMegaCollection GC US Credits.pdf
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 File:SonicRivals2 PSP US manual.pdf, page 23
- ↑ File:CutsUnleashed CD JP front.pdf, page 3
- ↑ File:MDSA2OST poster1.pdf, page 1
- ↑ File:SA2OST CD US booklet.pdf, page 10
- ↑ File:TripleThreat CD JP booklet.pdf, page 2
- ↑ File:CompleteTrinity CD JP booklet.pdf, page 8
- ↑ File:LostandFound CD JP booklet.pdf, page 6
- ↑ File:TrueBlue CD JP booklet.pdf, page 5
- ↑ File:FacetoFaith CD JP booklet.pdf, page 11
- ↑ File:TalesofKnighthood CD JP booklet.pdf, page 10
- ↑ File:TrueColorsTray.jpg
- ↑ File:VividSound CD JP booklet.pdf, page 18
- ↑ File:SonicCD OST Tray.jpg
- ↑ File:Live! CD JP booklet.pdf, page 15
- ↑ File:SLWOSTWB CD JP booklet.pdf, page 22
- ↑ File:SonicAdventureMusicExperience CD JP Box Tokyo.jpg
- ↑ File:SMPOST CD JP booklet.pdf, page 3
- ↑ File:MaximumOverdrive CD JP inlay front.jpg
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