Ex-Konami developer Shutaro Iida known for Metal Gear Solid V Ground Zeroes and other popular games passes away at 52

Former Konami developer Shutaro Iida, known for his recent work on the Bloodstained series, has passed away at 52. His family has confirmed that Iida was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in September 2024 and had been updating people on his condition via social media until recently.In a post shared on the microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), Iida’s family wrote (translated from Japanese): “SHUTARO, the Curry Sage, who had been battling illness for some time, passed away on February 10th due to pancreatic cancer. We would like to express our deepest gratitude for the kindness shown to us during his lifetime and to report his passing. SHUTARO's adventure in this world may have come to an end, but his work will remain. We hope you continue to enjoy the games created by SHUTARO.whole family”Iida was credited for programming on several Castlevania titles, as well as Bloodstained, under the name “Curry The Kid.”In his final message on X, Iida wrote: “I'm reaching my limit. I'm painfully aware that I'm getting weaker with each passing day. Please love the upcoming Bloodstaied 2 and the games I create.”Iida joined Konami in 1996 and joined the Castlevania team during the development of the GBA title Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow. He later worked on several other entries in the series, including “Lament of Innocence", “Dawn of Sorrow”, “Portrait of Ruin", and “Order of Ecclesia". He also served as development lead on “Harmony of Despair.”He later served as a lead programmer on Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain before leaving Konami in 2015. After that, he directed the Castlevania-inspired title “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night". His final role was as director of “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement,” which is scheduled for release later this year.Castlevania series producer Koji Igarashi worked with Iida for many years and even served as the producer of Bloodstained. In a tribute post shared on X, Igarashi wrote (translated from Japanese): “Our company's creative director Shutaro passed away peacefully after a 1.5-year battle with cancer.Since “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night”, we had been working together.Many of the titles hailed as masterpieces could not have been achieved without his contributions.His talent was unparalleled.After I left the Dracula series, our opportunities to work together became fewer, but when I invited him to join the current company, he accepted with an immediate and enthusiastic yes, and I am truly grateful for that.I feel that the success of “Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night” was largely due to its strong support.Before I knew it, he had been supporting me for over 20 years.He was a person who always thought about the games and approached production with a passion that burned like his very life.In September 2024, when it was discovered that he had terminal cancer, it was a tremendous shock.The subsequent 1.5-year battle with illness must have been unimaginably grueling.His departure is far too regrettable, but thinking that he has been freed from suffering brings a sense of relief as well.Having run at full speed all this time, I now wish from the bottom of my heart that he can rest peacefully.Currently, “Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement”, which he was working on, is in the midst of production, but it is a precious work infused with his spirit.So as not to disappoint him, we will carry on his legacy and complete it with care.We kindly ask for your continued support and encouragement.Our thoughts are with the bereaved family, and we sincerely pray for his soul.”