Difference between revisions of "Yuji Naka"
From Sega Retro
(intro rewrite, sections, expansion. needs more content) |
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
− | {{PersonBob | + | {{cleanup}}{{PersonBob |
| image=EPKAugust05 YujiNaka yn 1.jpg | | image=EPKAugust05 YujiNaka yn 1.jpg | ||
| birthplace=Hirakata, Osaka prefecture, Japan | | birthplace=Hirakata, Osaka prefecture, Japan | ||
Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
| twitter=nakayuji | | twitter=nakayuji | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (中 裕司) is a video game designer, programmer, | + | '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (中 裕司), known by the alias '''YU2''' is a Japanese video game designer, programmer, and former head of [[Sonic Team]]. Most known as the co-creator of the ''[[sonic:Sonic the Hedgehog|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series, he served as one of [[Sega]]'s most well-known developers and gained widespread recognition as one of the company's star programmers. Naka departed Sega in 2006 to establish his own game company, the [[wikipedia:Minato, Tokyo|Minato, Tokyo]]-based [[Prope]]. |
− | == | + | ==Career== |
When Yuji Naka was 17 years old, he decided that he wanted to program video games. He learned how to program by copying and debugging game code published in magazines, and these experiences prompted him to learn how to use assemblers and write his own programs. The electronic music group [[wikipedia:Yellow Magic Orchestra|Yellow Magic Orchestra]] was also an influence on the young Naka. | When Yuji Naka was 17 years old, he decided that he wanted to program video games. He learned how to program by copying and debugging game code published in magazines, and these experiences prompted him to learn how to use assemblers and write his own programs. The electronic music group [[wikipedia:Yellow Magic Orchestra|Yellow Magic Orchestra]] was also an influence on the young Naka. | ||
− | Being a large fan of [[Namco]], Yuji Naka aimed to work for them after he graduated from college. However, Namco only accepted work from university graduates, and thus Yuji Naka would not be eligible as he did not want to go to university. | + | Being a large fan of [[Namco]], Yuji Naka aimed to work for them after he graduated from college. However, Namco only accepted work from university graduates, and thus Yuji Naka would not be eligible as he did not want to go to university. He did however score a job at [[Sega]] as a programming assistant in 1984. |
− | + | ===Sega=== | |
+ | [[File:SonicTeam NiGHTS interview 1996.png|thumb|right|320px|A 1996 photograph of Yuji Naka and [[Sonic Team]].]] | ||
+ | His first release was a game for the [[SG-1000]] called ''[[Girl's Garden]]''. Yuji Naka's distinction was producing/project managing projects while simultaneously handling the lead programming of them. Examples of this are ''[[Space Harrier II]]'' and ''[[Phantasy Star II]]''. In 1990 he, along with [[Naoto Oshima]] and [[Hirokazu Yasuhara]], began to conceive what would become ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'', assembling what would later be dubbed [[Sonic Team]], putting his leadership and programming talents into work. Naka would serve as a direct programmer on [[Sega]] titles up until ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'', when Sonic Team members [[Tetsu Katano]] and [[Takahiro Hamano]] succeeded him in that regard. | ||
− | + | On March 16, 2006 it was announced that Naka would be creating his own independent game studio, with partial financial backing from Sega. Naka left Sega to set up this studio, called [[Prope]]. | |
− | + | ===Prope=== | |
− | + | During his 2018-2021 employment with Square Enix, Prope remained in business with Naka as the only employee.<ref>https://www.siliconera.com/yuji-naka-on-propes-status-downsized-to-one-person-company/</ref> By 2019, Naka's work with Prope was largely administrative tasks he performed during weekends. On December 18, 2021, Naka released the free mobile game ''Shot2048'' through Prope. It was built in Unity and his first time creating a game entirely by himself<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1472186879588331525</ref>. | |
− | |||
+ | ===Square Enix=== | ||
In January 2018, Naka joined Square Enix<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/955385616971247617</ref>. On July 16, 2020, it was announced that Square Enix had formed the subsidiary developer Balan Company<ref>https://www.gematsu.com/2020/07/square-enix-announces-balan-company-action-game-brand</ref>. The new developer would work with internal and external studios to make games that were more atypical for Square Enix. On July 23, 2020, ''[[wikipedia:Balan Wonderworld|Balan Wonderworld]]'' was revealed as a new 3D platformer from Yuji Naka and [[Naoto Oshima]]<ref>https://twinfinite.net/2020/07/balan-wonderworld-announced-by-square-enix-and-sonic-creators/</ref>. | In January 2018, Naka joined Square Enix<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/955385616971247617</ref>. On July 16, 2020, it was announced that Square Enix had formed the subsidiary developer Balan Company<ref>https://www.gematsu.com/2020/07/square-enix-announces-balan-company-action-game-brand</ref>. The new developer would work with internal and external studios to make games that were more atypical for Square Enix. On July 23, 2020, ''[[wikipedia:Balan Wonderworld|Balan Wonderworld]]'' was revealed as a new 3D platformer from Yuji Naka and [[Naoto Oshima]]<ref>https://twinfinite.net/2020/07/balan-wonderworld-announced-by-square-enix-and-sonic-creators/</ref>. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
In April 2021, upon the release and commercial failure of ''Balan Wonderworld'', Naka left Square Enix. He posted a fairly vague message concerning his reasons for doing so<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1401050454704857088</ref> but stated he may retire. | In April 2021, upon the release and commercial failure of ''Balan Wonderworld'', Naka left Square Enix. He posted a fairly vague message concerning his reasons for doing so<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1401050454704857088</ref> but stated he may retire. | ||
− | |||
− | |||
On April 28, 2022, Naka revealed in a Twitter thread that he had filed a lawsuit against Square Enix<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1519648947932860416</ref>. He stated that he was removed as the director of Balan Wonderworld six months before the game's release following disagreements over the game's stability. Naka stated that his protests were ignored. On July 5, 2022, Naka posted another thread about discovering in court documents that coworkers at Square Enix had been talking behind his back. He posted an image of the ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'' team with [[Naoto Oshima]] seemingly blacked out with marker<ref>https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/07/yuji-naka-erases-former-co-worker-and-sonic-creator-naoto-ohshima-from-team-photo</ref>. | On April 28, 2022, Naka revealed in a Twitter thread that he had filed a lawsuit against Square Enix<ref>https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1519648947932860416</ref>. He stated that he was removed as the director of Balan Wonderworld six months before the game's release following disagreements over the game's stability. Naka stated that his protests were ignored. On July 5, 2022, Naka posted another thread about discovering in court documents that coworkers at Square Enix had been talking behind his back. He posted an image of the ''[[NiGHTS into Dreams]]'' team with [[Naoto Oshima]] seemingly blacked out with marker<ref>https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/07/yuji-naka-erases-former-co-worker-and-sonic-creator-naoto-ohshima-from-team-photo</ref>. | ||
− | On November 17, 2022, Naka was arrested | + | ===Insider trading charges=== |
+ | On November 17, 2022, Naka was arrested by the [[wikipedia:Public Prosecutors Office (Japan)|Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office]] and charged with violating the [[wikipedia:Financial Instruments and Exchange Act|Financial Instruments and Exchange Act]] of 2006.{{ref|https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-11-18/yuji-naka-arrested-insider-trading-sonic-dragon-quest}}{{ref|1=https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/446810?display=full}}{{ref|https://variety.com/2022/gaming/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-naka-yuji-arrested-1235436767/}} The Public Prosecutors Office accused him of [[wikipedia:insider trading|insider trading]]; Naka bought 10,000 shares of the developer [[Aiming]] before its game ''[[wikipedia:Dragon Quest Tact|Dragon Quest Tact]]'' was announced to the public. Two other former Square Enix employees were also arrested, alleged to have bought 162,000 shares between December 2019 and February 2020 for approximately 47.2 million yen.{{ref|https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-11-18/yuji-naka-arrested-insider-trading-sonic-dragon-quest}}{{ref|1=https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/446810?display=full}} | ||
+ | On December 7, Naka was arrested again, accused of having purchased 144.7 million yen of shares of the developer [[wikipedia:Ateam Inc.|ATeam]] before their game ''[[wikipedia:Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier|Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier]]'' was announced.{{ref|https://www.eurogamer.net/former-sonic-boss-yuji-naka-re-arrested-as-fresh-insider-trading-allegations-emerge}} He was later indicted on insider trading charges by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.{{ref|https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/yuji-naka-indicted-in-square-enix-insider-trading-case/}} Naka plead guilty in March 2023.{{ref|https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/yuji-naka-has-reportedly-been-sentenced-to-2-5-years-in-prison-for-insider-trading/}} On June 1, prosecutors asked for a sentence of two and a half years in prison and a combined fine of 172.5 million yen.{{ref|https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/yuji-naka-has-reportedly-been-sentenced-to-2-5-years-in-prison-for-insider-trading/}} | ||
==Production history== | ==Production history== |
Revision as of 06:54, 27 June 2023
![]() |
This article needs cleanup. This article needs to be edited to conform to a higher standard of article quality. After the article has been cleaned up, you may remove this message. For help, see the How to Edit a Page article. |
![]() |
Yuji Naka |
---|
Place of birth: Hirakata, Osaka prefecture, Japan |
Date of birth: 1965-09-17 (age 58) |
Employment history:
Divisions:
Divisions:
Divisions:
|
Role(s): Programmer, Designer, Producer, Executive |
Education: Nishinoda Technology Senior High School |
Twitter: @nakayuji |
Yuji Naka (中 裕司), known by the alias YU2 is a Japanese video game designer, programmer, and former head of Sonic Team. Most known as the co-creator of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, he served as one of Sega's most well-known developers and gained widespread recognition as one of the company's star programmers. Naka departed Sega in 2006 to establish his own game company, the Minato, Tokyo-based Prope.
Contents
Career
When Yuji Naka was 17 years old, he decided that he wanted to program video games. He learned how to program by copying and debugging game code published in magazines, and these experiences prompted him to learn how to use assemblers and write his own programs. The electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra was also an influence on the young Naka.
Being a large fan of Namco, Yuji Naka aimed to work for them after he graduated from college. However, Namco only accepted work from university graduates, and thus Yuji Naka would not be eligible as he did not want to go to university. He did however score a job at Sega as a programming assistant in 1984.
Sega
![](/images/thumb/e/ea/SonicTeam_NiGHTS_interview_1996.png/320px-SonicTeam_NiGHTS_interview_1996.png)
His first release was a game for the SG-1000 called Girl's Garden. Yuji Naka's distinction was producing/project managing projects while simultaneously handling the lead programming of them. Examples of this are Space Harrier II and Phantasy Star II. In 1990 he, along with Naoto Oshima and Hirokazu Yasuhara, began to conceive what would become Sonic the Hedgehog, assembling what would later be dubbed Sonic Team, putting his leadership and programming talents into work. Naka would serve as a direct programmer on Sega titles up until NiGHTS into Dreams, when Sonic Team members Tetsu Katano and Takahiro Hamano succeeded him in that regard.
On March 16, 2006 it was announced that Naka would be creating his own independent game studio, with partial financial backing from Sega. Naka left Sega to set up this studio, called Prope.
Prope
During his 2018-2021 employment with Square Enix, Prope remained in business with Naka as the only employee.[2] By 2019, Naka's work with Prope was largely administrative tasks he performed during weekends. On December 18, 2021, Naka released the free mobile game Shot2048 through Prope. It was built in Unity and his first time creating a game entirely by himself[3].
Square Enix
In January 2018, Naka joined Square Enix[4]. On July 16, 2020, it was announced that Square Enix had formed the subsidiary developer Balan Company[5]. The new developer would work with internal and external studios to make games that were more atypical for Square Enix. On July 23, 2020, Balan Wonderworld was revealed as a new 3D platformer from Yuji Naka and Naoto Oshima[6].
In April 2021, upon the release and commercial failure of Balan Wonderworld, Naka left Square Enix. He posted a fairly vague message concerning his reasons for doing so[7] but stated he may retire.
On April 28, 2022, Naka revealed in a Twitter thread that he had filed a lawsuit against Square Enix[8]. He stated that he was removed as the director of Balan Wonderworld six months before the game's release following disagreements over the game's stability. Naka stated that his protests were ignored. On July 5, 2022, Naka posted another thread about discovering in court documents that coworkers at Square Enix had been talking behind his back. He posted an image of the NiGHTS into Dreams team with Naoto Oshima seemingly blacked out with marker[9].
Insider trading charges
On November 17, 2022, Naka was arrested by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and charged with violating the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of 2006.[10][11][12] The Public Prosecutors Office accused him of insider trading; Naka bought 10,000 shares of the developer Aiming before its game Dragon Quest Tact was announced to the public. Two other former Square Enix employees were also arrested, alleged to have bought 162,000 shares between December 2019 and February 2020 for approximately 47.2 million yen.[10][11]
On December 7, Naka was arrested again, accused of having purchased 144.7 million yen of shares of the developer ATeam before their game Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier was announced.[13] He was later indicted on insider trading charges by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.[14] Naka plead guilty in March 2023.[15] On June 1, prosecutors asked for a sentence of two and a half years in prison and a combined fine of 172.5 million yen.[15]
Production history
Games
- F-16 Fighter (Master System; 1986) — Programmer
- Hokuto no Ken (Master System; 1986) — Programmer
- Hokuto no Ken (Master System; 1986) — Enemy Graphics
- Spy vs Spy (Master System; 1986) — Programmer
- Black Belt (Master System; 1986) — Programmer[16]
- Space Harrier (Master System; 1986) — Produced by (as Nitta Tai Yuji)
- Space Harrier (Master System; 1986) — Screenplay by (as Nitta Tai Yuji)
- Space Harrier (Master System; 1986) — Proposed by (as Nitta Tai Yuji)
- Great Baseball (Master System; 1987) — Programmer
- OutRun (Master System; 1987) — Programmer (as Y.N)
- Phantasy Star (Master System; 1987) — Main Program[17] (as Muuuu Yuji)
- Space Harrier 3D (Master System; 1988) — Special Thanks (as Muuu Yuji)
- Super Thunder Blade (Mega Drive; 1988) — Executive Producer[18] (as Muuuu Yuji)
- Phantasy Star II (Mega Drive; 1989) — Produced and Programmed by[19] (as Muuuu Yuji)
- Ghouls'n Ghosts (Mega Drive; 1989) — Main Programmer (as YU2)
- Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (Mega Drive; 1990) — Special Thanks[20] (as Muuuu Yuji)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive; 1991) — Program[21] (as YU2)
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive; 1992) — Chief Programmer[22]
- Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (Mega Drive; 1993) — A Special Bow To[23]
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Mega Drive; 1994) — Producer[24]
- Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Mega Drive; 1994) — Lead Programmer[24]
- Sonic & Knuckles (Mega Drive; 1994) — Producer[25]
- Sonic & Knuckles (Mega Drive; 1994) — Lead Programmer[25]
- Magic Knight Rayearth (Saturn; 1995) — Special Thanks[26] (as 中 裕司)
- NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Producer[27]
- NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Lead Programmer[27]
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Mega Drive; 1996) — Advisors (SOJ)[28]
- Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Producer
- Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Programmers
- Sonic Jam (Saturn; 1997) — Producer[29]
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Windows PC; 1997) — Advisors (SOJ)
- Sonic R (Saturn; 1997) — General Producer[30]
- Sonic R (Saturn; 1997) — Producer[30]
- Burning Rangers (Saturn; 1998) — Producer[31]
- Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — General producer
- Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — Producer
- Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — Supervisor
- Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast; 1998) — Producer
- Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Saturn; 1996) — Advisors (SOJ)[32]
- ChuChu Rocket! (Dreamcast; 1999) — プロデューサー&ディレクター (as なか ゆうじ)
- ChuChu Rocket! (Dreamcast; 1999) — Producer/Director
- Samba de Amigo (NAOMI; 1999) — Producer
- Sega Smash Pack 2 (Windows PC; 2000) — Special Thanks
- Samba de Amigo (Dreamcast; 2000) — Producer
- Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Neo Geo Pocket Color; 1999) — Superviser[33] (as Y.Naka)
- Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Neo Geo Pocket Color; 1999) — Produce[33] (as Y.Naka)
- Samba de Amigo Ver.2000 (NAOMI; 2000) — Producer
- Samba de Amigo Ver.2000 (Dreamcast; 2000) — Producer
- Phantasy Star Online (Dreamcast; 2000) — Producer
- ChuChu Rocket! (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Producer & Director[34]
- Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (Dreamcast; 2001) — Producer
- Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast; 2001) — Producer
- Puyo Pop (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Producer
- Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Producer[35]
- Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GameCube; 2001) — Producer
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (GameCube; 2002) — Producer
- Sonic Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance; 2002) — Producer[36]
- Sonic Mega Collection (GameCube; 2002) — Producer[37]
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (Xbox; 2003) — Producer
- Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (GameCube; 2003) — Producer
- Sonic Pinball Party (Game Boy Advance; 2003) — Producer
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 1: Phantasy Star Generation: 1 (PlayStation 2; 2003) — スペシャルサンクス (as 中 裕司)
- Sonic N (N-Gage; 2003) — Producer
- Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GameCube; 2003) — Producer
- Puyo Pop Fever (NAOMI; 2003) — Producer
- Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution (GameCube; 2003) — Producer
- Sonic Battle (Game Boy Advance; 2003) — Producer[38]
- Sonic Heroes (PlayStation 2; 2003) — Producer
- Sonic Heroes (GameCube; 2003) — Producer
- Sonic Heroes (Xbox; 2003) — Producer
- Puyo Pop Fever (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Producer
- Puyo Pop Fever (Dreamcast; 2004) — Producer
- Astro Boy (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Chief Producer
- Puyo Pop Fever (GameCube; 2004) — Producer
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 11: Hokuto no Ken (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Special Thanks
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 12: Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set (PlayStation 2; 2004) — スペシャルサンクス (as 中 裕司)
- Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst (Windows PC; 2004) — Chief Producer
- Sonic Advance 3 (Game Boy Advance; 2004) — Producer[39]
- Puyo Pop Fever (Game Boy Advance; 2004) — Producer[40]
- Virtua Quest (PlayStation 2; 2004) — 本部長 (as 中 裕司)
- Virtua Quest (GameCube; 2004) — Special Thanks
- Puyo Pop Fever (Windows PC; 2004) — Producer
- Sega Superstars (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Chief Producer
- Feel the Magic: XY/XX (Nintendo DS; 2004) — Chief Producer
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Producer
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Xbox; 2004) — Producer
- Puyo Pop Fever (Nintendo DS; 2004) — Producer
- Puyo Pop Fever (PlayStation Portable; 2004) — Chief Producer
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 17: Phantasy Star Generation: 2 (PlayStation 2; 2005) — パッケージ (as 中 裕司)
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
- Bleach Advance: Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society (Game Boy Advance; 2005) — チーフプロデューサー[41] (as 中 裕司)
- Sonic Gems Collection (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Chief Producer
- Sonic Gems Collection (GameCube; 2005) — Chief Producer
- The Rub Rabbits! (Nintendo DS; 2005) — Chief Producer
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 20: Space Harrier II ~Space Harrier Complete Collection~ (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 21: SDI & Quartet: Sega System 16 Collection (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
- Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS; 2005) — Producer
- Puyo Puyo Fever 2 (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Chief Producer
- Bleach GC: Tasogare ni Mamieru Shinigami (GameCube; 2005) — チーフプロデューサー (as 中 裕司)
- Shadow the Hedgehog (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Producer
- Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube; 2005) — Producer
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 23: Sega Memorial Selection (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 25: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 22: Advanced Daisenryaku: Deutsch Dengeki Sakusen (PlayStation 2; 2006) — エグゼクティブ スーパーバイザー (as 中 裕司)
- Sonic Riders (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Producer
- Sonic Riders (GameCube; 2006) — Executive Producer
- Sonic Riders (Xbox; 2006) — Executive Producer
- Doraemon: Nobita no Kyouryuu 2006 DS (Nintendo DS; 2006) — チーフプロデューサー (as なか ゆうじ)
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 26: Dynamite Deka (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 27: Panzer Dragoon (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 24: Last Bronx -Tokyo Bangaichi- (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
- Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis (Game Boy Advance; 2006) — Program[42] (as YU2)
- Sonic Riders (Windows PC; 2006) — Executive Producer
- Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Windows PC; 2006) — Producer
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii; 2007) — Original Executive Producer
- NiGHTS into Dreams (PlayStation 2; 2008) — Special Thanks
- Let's Catch (Wii; 2008) — Producer
- Let's Tap (Wii; 2008) — Producer
- Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (Wii; 2010) — Supervisor (as Naka Yuji)
- 3D Sonic the Hedgehog (Nintendo 3DS; 2013) — Special Thanks
- 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nintendo 3DS; 2015) — Special Thanks
- Iri-san (Dreamcast; unreleased) — Supervisor
- Metal Lancer (Mega Drive; unreleased) — Programmer
Videos
- Sonic the Hedgehog (VHS; 1996) — Production Directors
- Sonic the Hedgehog (DVD; 1999) — Production Directors
- Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls () — Professor Center
- Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony () — Special Thanks
Music
- Comix Zone: Roadkill (CD; 1995) — Special Thanks[43]
- NiGHTS Original Soundtrack (CD; 1996) — Supervisor
- Virtual Sonic (CD; 1996) — Special Thanks[44]
- Sonic R (CD; 1998) — Producer
- Burning Rangers Sound Track (CD; 1998) — Producer
- Burning Rangers Sound Track (CD; 1998) — Commentary
- Sonic Team "PowerPlay" (CD; 1998) — Producer
- Sonic Adventure Songs With Attitude ~Vocal mini-Album~ (CD; 1998) — Producer[45]
- Sonic Adventure Remix (CD; 1998) — Producer[46]
- Sonic Adventure "Digi-LOG Conversation" Original Sound Track (CD; 1999) — Producer[47]
- Samba de Amigo Presents Samba de Janeiro Non-Stop Best of Bellini (CD; 2000) — Producer
- Phantasy Star Online Original Sound Track (CD; 2001) — Executive Producer
- Cuts Unleashed SA2 Vocal Collection (CD; 2001) — Producer[48]
- Multi-dimensional Sonic Adventure 2 Original Sound Track (CD; 2001) — Producer[49]
- Sonic Adventure 2 Official Soundtrack (CD; 2002) — Special Thanks[50]
- Phantasy Star Online Songs of Ragol Odyssey: Soundtrack Episode 1 & 2 (CD; 2002) — Executive Producer
- Let the Winds Blow Phantasy Star Online Episode III C.A.R.D. Revolution Original Sound Track (CD; 2003) — Game Producer
- Triple Threat Sonic Heroes Vocal Trax (CD; 2004) — Producer[51]
- Complete Trinity Sonic Heroes - Original Soundtrax (CD; 2004) — Producer[52]
- Sonic X: Original Sound Tracks (CD; 2004) — エグゼクティブプロデューサー[53] (as 中 裕司)
- Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II Premium Arrange (CD; 2004) — Special Thanks
- Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst Episode IV Sound Track (CD; 2005) — Chief Producer[54]
- Lost and Found: Shadow the Hedgehog Vocal Trax (CD; 2006) — Producer[55]
- Sonic Riders Original Soundtrack "Speedbeats Grand Prix" (CD; 2006) — Chief Producer[56]
- OutRun 20th Anniversary Box (CD; 2007) — Commentator
- Let's Tap Soundtrack (CD; 2009) — BIG THANKS to (as 中 裕司)
- Sonic The Hedgehog "Passion & Pride" Anthems with Attitude from the Sonic Adventure Era (CD; 2014) — Thanks to
Accessories
- FM Sound Unit (Master System; 1987) — Concept
- Sonic the Hedgehog (anime) (1996) — Supervisor
- Sonic X (2003) — Executive Producer
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 1: Phantasy Star generation:1 (2003) — Special Thanks (Sonic Team)
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 17: Phantasy Star generation:2 (2005) — Special Thanks (Sonic Team Div)
- Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (PS2 Version) (2005) — Chief Producer
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers (2005) — Executive Supervisor)
- Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 23: Sega Memorial Selection (2005) — Executive Supervisor
Song credits
- Main article: Yuji Naka/Song credits.
OutRun (Master System Version)
- Magical Sound Shower — Arrangement
- Passing Breeze — Arrangement
- Splash Wave — Arrangement
- Last Wave — Arrangement
Interviews
- Interview: Yuji Naka (1995-02) by Sega Saturn Magazine
- Interview: Yuji Naka (1999-11-30) by Future Gamez
- Interview: Yuji Naka (2004-01) by Sega.com
- Interview: Yuji Naka (2004-02) by Sega.com
- Interview: Yuji Naka (2005-02-11) by Nintendo Official Magazine
- Interview: Yuji Naka (2010-05-05) by Gamasutra
- Interview: Yuji Naka (2010-07-05) by NightsIntoDreams.Com
Some or all of the following content should be mirrored on Sega Retro (or Retro CDN). |
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega Visions (August/September 1992)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega Saturn Magazine (February 1995)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega.com (December 20, 1996)
- Yuji Naka and Naoto Oshima interview by Hobby Consolas (Unknown Month, 1996)
- Yuji Naka and Naoto Oshima interview by Saturn Power (July 1997)
- Yuji Naka interview by Dreamcast Magazine (January 22, 1999)
- Yuji Naka interview by Gamefan (June 1999)
- Yuji Naka interview by Official Dreamcast Magazine (September 1999)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega Saturn Magazine (October 8, 1998)
- Yuji Naka interview by Futuregamez (November 30, 1999)
- Yuji Naka interview by Edge (1999)
- Yuji Naka interview by IGN (February 1, 2001)
- Yuji Naka interview by Gamespot (February 2, 2001)
- Yuji Naka interview by Famitsu (April 19, 2001)
- Yuji Naka interview by Gamespot (July 3, 2001)
- Yuji Naka interview by Times (September 13, 2001)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega.com (2001)
- Yuji Naka interview by Nintendo (February 12, 2002)
- Yuji Naka interview by XenGamers (July 17, 2002)
- Yuji Naka interview by Gamespot (September 30, 2002)
- Yuji Naka interview by Euro Gamer (May 23, 2003)
- Yuji Naka interview by CVG (May 27, 2003)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega.com (June 14, 2003)
- Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka interview by Sega Score (December 12, 2003)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega Europe (January 30, 2004)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega.com (January 2004)
- Yuji Naka interview by Sega.com (February 2004)
- Yuji Naka interview by IGN (May 13, 2004)
- Yuji Naka interview by The Next Level (June 15, 2004)
- Yuji Naka interview by Kikizo (June 24, 2004)
- Yuji Naka interview by Gameplanet (December 7, 2004)
- Yuji Naka interview by GameSpy (September 30, 2005)
- Yuji Naka On New Beginnings At His Studio, Prope (December 29, 2008)
- Yuji Naka interview by Kikizo (February 04, 2009)
- Yuji Naka interview by Nintendo Power (May 4, 2009)
- Yuji Naka interview by 1UP (June 25, 2010)
- Yuji Naka and Takashi Iizuka interview for Sonic Heroes website
- Meisaku Album interview (Japanese)
- Sonic the Hedgehog – Developer Interview Collection
- NiGHTS into dreams… – 1996 Developer Interview
- Shigeru Miyamoto x Yuji Naka – 2001 Developer Interview
Magazine articles
- Main article: Yuji Naka/Magazine articles.
Photographs
- Main article: Photos of Yuji Naka
External links
- Yuji Naka on Twitter
- Sega Stars: Yuji Naka article by Ken Horowitz at Sega-16
- Legendary Sonic Team creators reveal the truth of Sonic the Hedgehog's birth, success and rebirth on his 25th anniversary (June 24, 2016)
- Yuji Naka believes Balan Wonderworld is his one chance to make a platformer with Square Enix article by SICKR at My Nintendo News
- Yuji Naka confirms he resigned from Square Enix and is now thinking of retiring from games industry article by SICKR at My Nintendo News
References
- ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "1998-03 (1998-01-23)" (JP; 1998-01-09), page 62
- ↑ https://www.siliconera.com/yuji-naka-on-propes-status-downsized-to-one-person-company/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1472186879588331525
- ↑ https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/955385616971247617
- ↑ https://www.gematsu.com/2020/07/square-enix-announces-balan-company-action-game-brand
- ↑ https://twinfinite.net/2020/07/balan-wonderworld-announced-by-square-enix-and-sonic-creators/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1401050454704857088
- ↑ https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1519648947932860416
- ↑ https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/07/yuji-naka-erases-former-co-worker-and-sonic-creator-naoto-ohshima-from-team-photo
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2022-11-18/yuji-naka-arrested-insider-trading-sonic-dragon-quest
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/446810?display=full
- ↑ https://variety.com/2022/gaming/news/sonic-the-hedgehog-naka-yuji-arrested-1235436767/
- ↑ https://www.eurogamer.net/former-sonic-boss-yuji-naka-re-arrested-as-fresh-insider-trading-allegations-emerge
- ↑ https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/yuji-naka-indicted-in-square-enix-insider-trading-case/
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/yuji-naka-has-reportedly-been-sentenced-to-2-5-years-in-prison-for-insider-trading/
- ↑ File:UltraGamePlayers US 103.pdf, page 36
- ↑ File:Phantasy Star SMS credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Super Thunder Blade MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Phantasy Star II MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Phantasy Star III MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic the Hedgehog MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:SonicSpinball MD US manual.pdf, page 21
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:Sonic the Hedgehog 3 MD credits.pdf
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 File:Sonic & Knuckles MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Mahou Kishi Rayearth Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 File:NiGHTS into Dreams Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic 3D Blast MD credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic Jam Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 File:Sonic R Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Burning Rangers JP Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic 3D Blast Saturn credits.pdf
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 File:Sonic Pocket Adventure NGPC credits.pdf
- ↑ File:ChuChu Rocket! GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic Advance GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic Advance 2 GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:SonicMegaCollection GC US Credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic Battle GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Sonic Advance 3 GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Puyo Puyo Fever GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:Bleach Advance GBA credits.pdf
- ↑ File:SonicGenesis GBA US manual.pdf, page 18
- ↑ File:SegaTunesComixZone Album JP Box Back.jpg
- ↑ File:VirtualSonic CD US back.jpg
- ↑ File:SongsWithAttitude CD JP booklet.pdf, page 7
- ↑ File:SARemix CD JP booklet.pdf, page 9
- ↑ File:SADLCOST CD JP booklet1.pdf, page 2
- ↑ 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:SonicXOST CD JP booklet.pdf, page 3
- ↑ File:PSOBBSoundTrack CD JP Box.jpg
- ↑ File:LostandFound CD JP booklet.pdf, page 6
- ↑ File:SonicRidersOST CD JP booklet.pdf, page 3
- Cleanup
- Sega of Japan employees
- Sega R&D 2 staff members
- Sega CS staff members
- Sega CS3 staff members
- Sega of America employees
- Sega Technical Institute staff members
- Sega Software R&D Dept. 8 staff members
- Sonic Team (company) employees
- Programmers
- Designers
- Executives
- Producers
- All people
- Use ProductionHistory template
- External references that could be mirrored