We have some sad news to share with you tonight. It has been announced, via a memorial message that was included in the credits of the SEGA Mega Drive Mini 2 and by a tweet from former Treasure staff member Yosuke Okunari, that SEGA developer Rieko Kodama has passed away at the age of 59.
If you don’t know who she is, she was a graphic designer on multiple games, including Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle, Altered Beast, Phantasy Star, Phantasy Star II, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Sonic the Hedgehog 2.
Kodama was also the director for Phantasy Star IV, as well as the producer for Skies of Arcadia and its Gamecube port, Skies of Arcadia Legends. More recently, she was the producer of the 7th Dragon games and the SEGA AGES project on the Nintendo Switch.
It is unknown what the cause of death was, but SEGA mentions that her passing happened in May. However, the company did not wish to share further details out of respect for her family and their privacy. We hope Kodama rests in peace, and we send our condolences to her family and friends.
Very Sad Never Heard Of Alex Kidd Heart Playing Sonic The Hedgehog Plus Sonic The Hedgehog 2 May She Rest In Peace Her Work And Memory Will Always Be Honored. 😢 She Is Doing New Projects In Heaven While Having Angel Wings.
Alex Kidd was sega’s one original mascot. May her soul rest in internal peace.
Noo!! She was one of my favorite people within the gaming industry, this is so heartbreaking to read.😭
May she rest in peace.
Sad to see her go so soon. May she Rest in Peace. She is one of the best developers onboard. 😞
Very sad to hear.
May she rest in peace.
Gaming legend x
I have no idea who she was, but this is very sad news. I hope she’s resting in peace. 😇
She was one of the greats behind the golden age of SEGA in the 90s.
I won’t deny it; I didn’t know who she was but I can clearly see she did a great service to the Gaming Industry.
Rest in Pleace, Rieko Kodama.