History
Born and raised in Iwate prefecture. Majored in Electronic Science at Okayama University of Science. Joined Sega Enterprises in 1983.
He joined Sega as a programmer and a producer, and in his second year he created the first in the world simulation arcade game, Hang On.
After "Hang On", as a pioneer of simulation games, he released many hit titles such as Out Run.
He also set eyes on the high potentials of CG boards, and was the first to develop a title using the Model 1, a CG board in the forefront of technology at the time.
In 1993, he created a global sensation with the release of Virtua Fighter, a 3D computer graphics fighting game.
This Virtua Fighter series was highly recognized by the Smithsonian Institution, as an application which made great contribution to the society in the field of Art & Entertainment, and for the first time ever in the Japanese Game Industry, became a part of the Smithsonian Institution's Permanent Research Collection on Information Technology Innovation, and is now being kept perpetually at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.
He vitalized games both culturally, and technologically, and is a meritorious man in the Amusement Industry.
His title, "Shenmue Chapter 1 Yokosuka" which is a software for Dreamcast. A brand new genre was created with this title. The grand story, the incredible graphics, and the innovative system far exceeds any previous games.
His latest arcade title is F355 Challenge, a racing simulator created upon a strong partnership between Ferrari. This game is drawing much attention not only from the game industry, but also from the automobile industry.
Gameography
- Hang-on July, 1985
- Motorbike Game:
- 'Notes:' First simulation game in the world. The player controls the rider by tilting the cabinet, which is in the form of a motorcycle.
- Space Harrier December, 1985
- 3d Shooting:
- 'Notes:' A shooting game which accomplished smooth 3D graphic images, through high-speed 3D processing. The motorized cabinet moves in 4 directions (forward, backward, left and right) to enhance the action.
- Out Run September, 1986
- Driving:
- 'Notes:' A driving simulation game which was a huge hit throughout the world. Each stage ends with a diverging point, which enabled players to drive various courses.
- After Burner July, 1987
- Flying:
- 'Notes:' A 3D shooting game which realistically reproduced aerial combats. The cabinet rotates on 2 axes, which made it possible for the players to feel realistic motions.
- Power Drift August, 1989
- Driving:
- 'Notes:' A driving game where you dash through undulating courses like a roller coaster. There are 25 circuits, and 12 characters to choose from.
- G-Loc May, 1990
- Flying:
- 'Notes:' The players can experience the realistically reproduced aerial combat, through a cock-pit view. When a missile approaches you from behind, the view will automatically change.
- R-360 November, 1990
- Flying:
- 'Notes:' Using the Afterburner/G-loc engine. By having 2 motion axes on the cabinet, this game became the first game in the world to rotate 360 degrees in all directions. This cabinet enabled players to enjoy an ultimate experience.
- Virtua Racing August, 1992
- Driving:
- 'Notes:' The very first Sega game to use the 3DCG board "Model 1", which made possible the realistic cyber space. This was the first game where players could freely choose their view from the 4 VR buttons.
- Virtua Fighter December, 1993
- Fighting:
- 'Notes:' The very first 3DCG fighting game in the world. Human motions are realistically reproduced by high level 3D processing. The players can choose from 8 characters. Each character has a variation of distinctive moves.
- Virtua Fighter 2 November, 1994
- Fighting:
- 'Notes:' Model 2's texture mapping capability enabled the beautiful graphics of this game. The 8 characters from the previous version has been enhanced, and 2 new characters have joined the competition. Every factor has been improved from the previous version.
- Virtua Fighter 3 September, 1996
- Fighting:
- 'Notes:' The first Model 3 game. The Escape Button has been added as a new feature. This is the first fighting game to have undulations in the stages. 2 new characters have been added.
- Virtua Fighter 3 Team Battle September, 1997
- Fighting:
- 'Notes:' Improved version of the 1 on 1 battle system of the "Virtua Fighter" series, with the new "Team Battle" system added as a new feature.
- F355 Challenge July, 1999
- Driving:
- 'Notes:' A real racing simulator, fully equipped with a 6 speed gear shift and a clutch pedal, targeted for players who wish to improve their driving techniques in order to become professional drivers. This game has brought forth great praise and sympathetic responses from Ferrari, for it far exceeds previous arcade games, and for being a very complete piece of entertainment. For the first time ever, Ferrari licensed a game which features only a single model of a Ferrari car.
- Shenmue December, 1999
- 'Free':
- 'Notes:' The first consumer title for Yu Suzuki, which took 5 years from the first conception. The players control the main character freely, gather information through conversation, and adventure through their own story. Everything is so full of reality. You'll be experiencing another reality which exists inside this game.
- FREE･･･Full Reactive Eyes Entertainment. This game does not fit into any previous genre of games. It is close to a RPG in a sense that it has a story.
- Virtua Fighter 4 August, 2001
- Fighting:
- 'Notes:' Another game in the Virtua Fighter series game. As usual, a few more characters added to the mix, with some new features. This game was one of the first to use the NAOMI 2 arcade board.
- Shenmue 2 September, 2001
- 'Free':
- 'Notes:' The second in the Shenmue Saga, this time we see the game character Ryo Hazuki-san travel through Hong-kong looking for the murderer of his father, Lan Di.
The Rest: TODO