HIRONOBU SAKAGUCHI
Dubbed the most electrifying name in video game entertainment, Sakaguchi
started in the video game industry as a programmer. When he joined computer
game creators, Square Co. Ltd., a new idea for a role-playing game (RPG)
was in the works. The game, Final Fantasy, gave Sakaguchi the opportunity
to take a promotion. "In the beginning, I was the main planner, but
when the production team increased, a director was needed, so I took that
role as well." The game was released in 1986 and created a phenomenon
within the gaming world that spanned a decade and sold more than 30
million units.
Sakaguchi remained on the Final Fantasy series, which included 10 games by
the end of the 20th century. By the time the sixth game was being created,
he worked mainly as a producer. At Square he was promoted to executive vice
president; was appointed president of Square USA in 1995; and chairman and
CEO in 2000. That same year, The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences
inducted Sakaguchi into the AIAS Hall of Fame.
When the idea for a feature film to be called Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) was put forth, Sakaguchi was the obvious choice for director
of the film.
Filmography:
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)