Rieko Kodama, Pioneering Sega Developer Behind Phantasy Star, Skies Of Arcadia, And More, Has Died

At 58, Rieko Kodama (the pioneer Sega developer who created titles such as Phantasy Star or Skies of Arcadia), has passed away. 

Nick ThorpeFeatures editor Retro Gaming Magazine, noticed that in the credits for Sega’s Mega Drive Mini II, there’s a message that reads, “In memory of Rieko Kodama.” Twitter user Ares ArcadiaThorpe tweeted to Yosuke Okunari, asking if this message meant that Kodama had been killed. Okunari replied and said“As you can understand it.” We respected her,” confirming her death. 

Sega confirmed Kodama’s death and cited that Kodama had died in May according to Sega. IGN. Sega said that further details regarding her death won’t be released out of respect for the privacy of her family. 

Sega of Japan’s words are translated as “We pray for the repose of the dead, and we express our thanks for their immense contributions to Sega.” IGN Japan. 

Kodama’s journey through game development began in the 1980s when she started as a graphic designer for Master System and Sega Genesis games like Altered Beast and Sonic the Hedgehog. Phantasy Star’s main artist was Kodama, and she continued working with the series’ visuals teams until Phantasy Star V: The End of the Millennium which she directed.

Mega Drive versions and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 are just a few of her credits. Before directing Phantasy star IV, she was the director of Magic Knight Rayearth 1995. She then became a producer for Sega’s Skies of Arcadia. She worked in game development until 2018, when she became the lead producer for the Sega compilation, Sega Ages. 

She received the Pioneer Award from GDC 2019, in 2019 

Staff at Game Informer Our condolences go out to Kodama and his family.