The gaming community is mourning the loss of a titan of the Metroidvania genre, as it has been for a long time Castlevania Developer and director Shutaro Ida has passed away at the age of 52. His family confirmed the news through a statement on his official social media account, noting that he died on February 10, after an eighteen-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Ida was a cornerstone in Castlevania series and served as the creative lead for its spiritual successor, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.
Throughout his career, Ida was a frequent collaborator with Koji Igarashi, helping to define the modern era of exploration-focused action games. His demise comes just as his final project, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagemententers its ultimate production phase. Igarashi has vowed to honor his colleague's legacy by ensuring that the sequel is completed to the high standard that Ida envisioned.
A new Castlevania game in the main series was just revealed, but its art style may be controversial
Konami is announcing its first original, mainline Castlevania title in more than ten years during Sony's hour-long State of Play.
Ida heralded a decades-long legacy in the Metroidvania genre
Ida, whose name is sometimes written as Shutaro Iida, began his journey in the industry at Konami in 1996. While contributing to massive titles such as Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain as lead programmer, his heart remained with gothic platformers. He was an important part of the team too Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Castlevania: Lament of Innocenceeventually step into the director's chair for Castlevania: Harmony of Despair.
When Igarashi left Konami to co-found ArtPlay, Ida joined him without hesitation. Together they have successfully crowdfunded Bloodstained: Ritual of the Nighta project that proved that the “Igavania” style of play was still in high demand. In a moving tribute, Igarashi stated, “It is not an exaggeration to say that many games hailed as masterpieces would not have succeeded without his contribution. His talent was exceptional.”
Ida's influence extended far beyond individual titles, as his technical expertise helped bridge the gap between classic 2D exploration and modern 3D execution. During his tenure at Konami, he was instrumental in bringing Castlevania franchise to the sixth and seventh console generations. His ability to refine complex game formulas made him one of the most respected programmers in the industry, landing him high-profile roles in projects as diverse as Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes.
Colleagues often noted that Ida's approach to development was deeply personal and incredibly intense. Igarashi recalled that Ida was the type of person who was “always thinking about games,” often tackling difficult programming challenges with a level of dedication that inspired the entire team. This tireless work ethic was a major reason why Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night received critical acclaim, with many noting that it felt like a true successor to the legendary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
The success of these projects was not just a result of nostalgia, but of Ida's commitment to modernizing the Metroidvania genre. By focusing on tight controls, rewarding exploration, and intricate RPG systems, he helped ensure that this specific style of action platformer remained relevant to a new generation of players. His work continues to serve as a blueprint for both indie developers and major studios trying to capture the same sense of atmospheric discovery.
Even in the final weeks, Ida's dedication to her craft was consistent. He is said to have approached game design like he was “burning his life away”, always focusing on the player experience. On January 30, Ida shared a final message with her followers, acknowledging her declining health and making a simple request: “Please love Blood colored 2 and all the games I made.”
Balance the critics' averages
Start
Balance the critics' averages
Light (6) Medium (8) Hard (10)
ArtPlay has confirmed that the development of the sequel, Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagementwill continue with a renewed sense of purpose. The team is determined to bring Ida's ambitions forward, ensuring that the final work is a worthy tribute to his vision. While his “adventure in this world has come to an end,” his family hopes players will continue to find joy in the expansive worlds he helped build.
Following the family's wishes, the funeral was a private ceremony for close relatives. ArtPlay has respectfully asked fans to refrain from sending flowers or monetary gifts to the company or family during this difficult time. Instead, the best way for the community to show support is by continuing to encourage the developers as they finish Ida's final masterpiece.
