Takashi Tokita (時田 貴司, Tokita Takashi) (born 24 January 1965) is a Japanese video game developer working for Square Enix. He has worked there since 1985, and has worked as the lead designer for Final Fantasy IV as well as the director of Live A Live, Parasite Eve and Chrono Trigger.[1]
Takashi Tokita | |
|---|---|
| 時田 貴司 | |
| Born | January 24, 1965 Japan |
| Occupation(s) | Video game designer, director, producer |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Employer | Square Enix |
| Notable work | Final Fantasy |
| Spouse | Naomi Orikasa |
Career
editTokita joined Square in 1985 as a part-time employee, not becoming full-time until the development of Final Fantasy IV.[2] For the first three Final Fantasy games, he worked on graphic design, testing, and sound effects, respectively, before becoming lead designer of Final Fantasy IV in 1991.[3]
Tokita wanted to make a career as a theater actor, but working on Final Fantasy IV made him decide to become a "great creator" of video games.[4] He was one of only 14 people working on the game.[5] Tokita feels that Final Fantasy IV is the first game in the series to really pick up on drama,[5] and the first Japanese RPG to feature "such deep characters and plot".[6] He also felt that Final Fantasy IV was so good because it was the culmination of the best parts of the first three games.[2]
Chrono Trigger is a role-playing video game developed and published by Square for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1995. Director credits were attributed to Akihiko Matsui, Yoshinori Kitase and Takashi Tokita. Tetsuya Takahashi had the role of graphic director.[7] Additionally, Takashi Tokita, along with Yoshinori Kitase wrote the various subplots to the game.[8]
Following that title, he was also involved in the production of Final Fantasy VII.[3][9]
He handled the game design for Parasite Eve and wrote the game's story.[9] He considers the later games in the series as having been "handed off" to others.[10]
After the successful remakes of Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy IV, there was a desire by the team to make a new game in the same style.[11]
He was the lead developer on Final Fantasy IV: The After Years.[2]
His greatest inspiration was Dragon Quest II, since it emotionally engaged him like no game he had played before.[12]
Between 2003 and 2007, Tokita was the head of Square's Product Development Division 7.[13]
Currently, Tokita is a senior manager and producer in Square Enix's Business Division 8.
Works
edit| Year | Title | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Aliens: Alien 2 | Graphic design |
| Cleopatra no Mahō | ||
| Nakayama Miho no Tokimeki High School | ||
| 1988 | Hanjuku Hero | |
| 1989 | Square's Tom Sawyer | |
| The Final Fantasy Legend | Character design, sprite graphics, scenario, sound effects | |
| 1990 | Final Fantasy III | Sound effects |
| Rad Racer II | ||
| 1991 | Final Fantasy IV | Lead game designer, scenario |
| 1992 | Hanjuku Hero: Aa, Sekaiyo Hanjukunare...! | Scenario director |
| 1994 | Live A Live | Director, event design, scenario |
| 1995 | Chrono Trigger | Director, scenario |
| 1996 | DynamiTracer | Producer |
| 1998 | Parasite Eve | Director, planner, scenario |
| 1999 | Chocobo Racing | Director, scenario, lyricist |
| Parasite Eve II | Special advisor | |
| 2000 | The Bouncer | Director, dramatisation, lyricist |
| 2003 | Hanjuku Hero Tai 3D | Director, producer |
| 2004 | Egg Monster Hero | Producer |
| Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls | Producer, game design | |
| 2005 | Hanjuku Hero 4: 7-Jin no Hanjuku Hero | Director, producer |
| Final Fantasy IV Advance | Supervisor | |
| Musashi: Samurai Legend | Producer | |
| 2006 | Mario Hoops 3-on-3 | Senior producer |
| 2007 | Final Fantasy IV DS | Director, executive producer |
| 2008 | Final Fantasy IV: The After Years | Producer, game design, scenario |
| Nanashi no Game | Executive producer | |
| 2009 | Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light | Director, scenario |
| 2011 | Ikenie no Yoru | Co-director |
| Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection | Supervisor | |
| 2012 | Final Fantasy Dimensions | Producer, game design, scenario |
| Demons' Score | Producer | |
| 2015 | Final Fantasy Dimensions II | General director, game design, scenario, illustrator, lyricist |
| Holy Dungeon | Writer | |
| 2017 | Itadaki Street: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy 30th Anniversary | Final Fantasy character supervisor |
| 2019 | Oninaki | Creative producer |
| 2022 | Live A Live (Remake) | Producer, scenario, lyricist |
References
edit- ^ "Takashi Tokita on the legacy of Final Fantasy IV". gamesradar. 10 March 2011. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ a b c Nutt, Christian (2011-04-19). "Years After: The Final Fantasy IV Interview". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ a b jeriaska (2011-03-29). "Sound Current: 'Serializing RPG Storylines on Final Fantasy Legends'". Game Set Watch. Retrieved 2016-02-14.
- ^ Hayashi, Koichiro (2004-10-17). "Square Enix Discusses DS". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ a b Xcomp (2007-05-31). "Final Fantasy IV DS Interview". GameBrink. Archived from the original on 2008-10-26. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ "Final Fantasy IV Fan-Powered Q&A Part 3". Square Enix. 2008-09-19. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ Square Co (1995-08-22). Chrono Trigger (Super Nintendo Entertainment System). Square Soft. Level/area: Credits.
- ^ "Procyon Studio: Interview with Masato Kato". Cocoebiz.com. November 1999. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved June 3, 2007.
- ^ a b Major Mike; Ken Ogasawara (September 1997). "Parasite Eve and Cyberbots". GamePro. No. 108. IDG. p. 74.
- ^ Spencer (2011-04-01). "Takashi Tokita Interview On Creating New IP & Focusing Less On Focus Groups". Siliconera. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
- ^ Torres, Tim (2010-09-14). "Interview: Takashi Tokita on 4 Heroes of Light". 2d-x.com. Archived from the original on 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ Cameron Teague (2011-03-08). "PSLS Presents – Takashi Tokita, Lead Designer for Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection". PlayStation Lifestyle. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
- ^ Winkler, Chris (2003-09-20). "Square Enix Talks Current Status". RPGFan. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
External links
edit- Takashi Tokita at IMDb
- Takashi Tokita profile, interviews, and photo gallery at the Square Haven People Database