Hironobu Sakaguchi

HIRONOBU SAKAGUCHI

Dubbed the most electrifying name in video game entertainment, Sakaguchi started in the video game industry as a programmer. When he joined computer game creators, Square Co. Ltd., a new idea for a role-playing game (RPG) was in the works. The game, Final Fantasy, gave Sakaguchi the opportunity to take a promotion. "In the beginning, I was the main planner, but when the production team increased, a director was needed, so I took that role as well." The game was released in 1986 and created a phenomenon within the gaming world that spanned a decade and sold more than 30 million units.

Sakaguchi remained on the Final Fantasy series, which included 10 games by the end of the 20th century. By the time the sixth game was being created, he worked mainly as a producer. At Square he was promoted to executive vice president; was appointed president of Square USA in 1995; and chairman and CEO in 2000. That same year, The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences inducted Sakaguchi into the AIAS Hall of Fame.

When the idea for a feature film to be called Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was put forth, Sakaguchi was the obvious choice for director of the film.

Filmography:

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)