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{{ | {{Wikipedia}} | ||
{{Person Infobox | |||
|name=Shouzou Kaga | |||
|image=[[File:Shouzou Kaga 1994.png|200px]] | |image=[[File:Shouzou Kaga 1994.png|200px]] | ||
|caption=Kaga in a ''Famitsu'' interview in 1994. | |caption=Kaga in a ''Famitsu'' interview in 1994. | ||
Line 11: | Line 13: | ||
*Currently retired | *Currently retired | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{ | {{Quote|It's not a big problem if some of your characters die in Fire Emblem; I want each player to create their own unique story. Don't get caught up trying to get a "perfect ending." Have fun!|Shouzou Kaga<ref name="shmupulations" />}} | ||
'''Shouzou Kaga''' (Japanese: {{ | '''Shouzou Kaga''' (Japanese: {{hl|加賀昭三|Kaga Shōzō}} ''Kaga Shōzō'', spelled ''Syozo'' on his blog and ''Shouzoh'' in ''Fire Emblem Gaiden'') is a Japanese game designer and writer who was once employed by [[Intelligent Systems]]. During his time at Intelligent Systems, he was the scenario writer for the first five games in the {{FES}}, and is often considered to be the "father of ''Fire Emblem''". | ||
==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
===Early career=== | ===Early career=== | ||
Kaga first entered the video game industry in 1986, when he participated in a game coding contest run by [[wikipedia:Enterbrain|Enterbrain]]'s ''LOGiN'' magazine. His entry, a "role-playing [game] with hidden romance" called ''Cosmic Fighter'', placed third in the contest.< | Kaga first entered the video game industry in 1986, when he participated in a game coding contest run by [[wikipedia:Enterbrain|Enterbrain]]'s ''LOGiN'' magazine. His entry, a "role-playing [game] with hidden romance" called ''Cosmic Fighter'', placed third in the contest.<ref name="shmupulations">{{cite web|url=http://shmuplations.com/fireemblem/|title=Fire Emblem – Developer Interviews with Shouzou Kaga and Hironobu Sakaguchi|author=Kaga, S., [[wikipedia:Hironobu Sakaguchi|Sakaguchi, H.]], et al.; trans. shmupulations|site=shmupulations.com|published=May 3 2016|retrieved=May 3 2016}}</ref><ref name="cosmicfighter">{{cite web|url=http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-27.html|title={{lang|ja|懐かしのデビュー作(1)}}|site=D's Notes|author=Kaga, S.|published=May 31 2008|retrieved=May 3 2016}}</ref> | ||
===''Fire Emblem'' series=== | ===''Fire Emblem'' series=== | ||
{{ | {{sectstub}} | ||
As an employee of Intelligent Systems, Kaga worked on the first five games in the {{ | As an employee of Intelligent Systems, Kaga worked on the first five games in the {{FES}} and ''[[Fire Emblem: Archanea Saga]]''. He was the lead scenario writer on all of these games and the director on every game from {{title|Gaiden}} onward. As a writer on the [[Jugdral]] games in particular, Kaga drew on his fascination with political history and how the course of history is changed by the smallest acts, and aimed to write "realistic" stories reflecting the unpleasant nature of medieval times and how mistakes change the world.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kaga Interviews (Page 3/Q1)|url=http://fe-according-to-japan.tumblr.com/post/43745736161/kaga-interviews-page-3-q1|site=Fire Emblem (according to Japan)|author=Kaga, S.; trans. Amielleon|published=January 1999 (trans. February 22 2013)|retrieved=February 24 2015}}</ref> | ||
===Tirnanog and the ''Emblem Saga'' lawsuit=== | ===Tirnanog and the ''Emblem Saga'' lawsuit=== | ||
Shortly before the release of {{ | Shortly before the release of {{FE5}}, his final ''Fire Emblem'' game, Kaga departed from Intelligent Systems in August 1999 and founded his own studio, [[Tirnanog (company)|Tirnanog]]. His final contribution to a game for a Nintendo platform was ''[[wikipedia:Trade & Battle: Card Hero|Trade & Battle: Card Hero]]'', published the next February. As the president of Tirnanog, Kaga's first project was a strategy game for [[wikipedia:Sony|Sony]]'s [[wikipedia:PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] console, which was originally titled ''Emblem Saga''; former ''Fire Emblem'' artist [[Mayumi Hirota]] also served as this game's character designer. According to Kaga, ''Emblem Saga'' was planned to be directly tied to the events of the [[Archanea (continent)|Archanea]] games: | ||
{{ | {{Quote|I've made five games, which took place on three continents. Emblem Saga takes place on a fourth continent called "Forceria" and its atmosphere is the same. In this world, the [[Manakete]] tribe once flourished, and they built a highly advanced civilization. As history went on and they faced destruction, how did they deal with humans, the masters of the new age? The Manaketes... or rather, ancient dragons are involved deeply in this game. As they faced destruction, many of them chose to sleep underground eternally and hide their faces from the world, but there were those among the Manaketes who resented the humans. The story concerns those wicked men who sought to use their strength and the people who opposed them, as well as the shrine's holy guardian dragons who appeared because of a certain pact.|Kaga, in an interview with ''[[wikipedia:Famitsu|Famitsu]]''<ref name="fe64">{{Cite web|url=http://serenesforest.net/general/emblem-saga/|site=Serenes Forest | author=VincentASM|title=Fire Emblem 64 | retrieved= May 3 2016}}</ref>}} | ||
However, in 2002, Kaga, Tirnanog, and publisher Enterbrain faced a copyright infringement lawsuit from Nintendo over the ''Fire Emblem'' elements in ''Emblem Saga''. Nintendo lost this case, but successfully won a case against Tirnanog for breaking unfair competition laws and were awarded [[wikipedia:Damages|damages]].< | However, in 2002, Kaga, Tirnanog, and publisher Enterbrain faced a copyright infringement lawsuit from Nintendo over the ''Fire Emblem'' elements in ''Emblem Saga''. Nintendo lost this case, but successfully won a case against Tirnanog for breaking unfair competition laws and were awarded [[wikipedia:Damages|damages]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.translan.com/jucc/precedent-2002-11-14d.html|title={{lang|ja|日本ユニ著作権センター/判例全文・2002/11/14d 3}}|author=University of Japan Copyright Center|site=Translan|published=November 11 2002|retrieved=April 17 2015}}</ref><ref name="fe64" /> | ||
As a result of the case, ''Emblem Saga'' was renamed {{ | As a result of the case, ''Emblem Saga'' was renamed {{TRS1}} and all direct ties to ''Fire Emblem'' were removed. Even so, the game continued to bear a stylistic, thematic, and gameplay resemblance to Kaga's previous works; while {{FE6}}, the first ''Fire Emblem'' game produced without Kaga, simplified the series' gameplay and removed features, ''TearRing Saga'' maintained many of the more complex gameplay traits which the series had abandoned, such as a skills system and a [[weapon level]] stat. It was released on May 24, 2001, and was followed up by {{TRS2}} for the [[wikipedia:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]] on May 26, 2005. ''Berwick Saga'' featured numerous changes to gameplay, such as a hexagonal grid-based map and a different turn system. | ||
===Current activities=== | ===Current activities=== | ||
[[File:Vestaria_Saga_I_logo.png|200px|right]] | [[File:Vestaria_Saga_I_logo.png|200px|right]] | ||
In the years following the release of ''Berwick Saga'', Kaga retired. He started a blog which he uses to share scraps of information about ''TearRing Saga'' and ''Berwick Saga'' which he finds on his hard drive. His first post on this blog was a post about the world setting of ''TearRing Saga'', and a brief history of its nations.< | In the years following the release of ''Berwick Saga'', Kaga retired. He started a blog which he uses to share scraps of information about ''TearRing Saga'' and ''Berwick Saga'' which he finds on his hard drive. His first post on this blog was a post about the world setting of ''TearRing Saga'', and a brief history of its nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-5.html|title={{lang|ja|世界設定[00508]}} (World Setting [00508])|author=Kaga, S.|published=April 1 2008|retrieved=July 4 2015|site=D's Notes}}</ref> He is not known to have ever discussed his time working on ''Fire Emblem'' on this blog. | ||
In May 2015, Kaga announced that he had begun production on a free strategy RPG, {{ | In May 2015, Kaga announced that he had begun production on a free strategy RPG, {{VS1}}, using the game-making software SRPG Studio. He put out a call on his blog for assistance in producing the game.<ref>{{Cite web|quote= On his purported blog, Kaga is recruiting volunteers to assist with an indie game to be developed with SRPG Studio, a recently-released Japanese game-making tool published by SapphireSoft that allows creation of strategy RPGs like Fire Emblem.|site=Serenes Forest|author=VincentASM|published=May 6 2015|retrieved =September 5 2016|url=http://serenesforest.net/2015/05/06/shouzou-kaga-developing-indie-game-srpg-studio/#more-26336 | title=Shouzou Kaga developing indie game with SRPG Studio|type=webpage}}</ref> After this call, ''Vestaria Saga I'' was released on September 5th 2016, ahead of its planned schedule.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=Originally planned for release on 21st September 2016, Vestaria Saga (Part 1) is now available for public download!|site=Serenes Forest|author=VincentASM|published=May 6 2015|retrieved =May 9 2015|url=http://serenesforest.net/2016/09/05/vestaria-saga-world-and-characters/#more-33215|title=Shouzou Kaga developing indie game with SRPG Studio|type=webpage}}</ref> The first part of the game can be downloaded for free from [http://site.wepage.com/vestariasaga/page5-02 ''Vestaria Saga's'' website]. | ||
In September 2017, Kaga posted his first, and, as of writing, only English-language blog post, stating that ''Vestaria Saga I'' would possibly have an official localization due to overseas fan demand.< | In September 2017, Kaga posted his first, and, as of writing, only English-language blog post, stating that ''Vestaria Saga I'' would possibly have an official localization due to overseas fan demand.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kaga, S.|url=http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-164.html|title={{lang|ja|海外向け{{lang|en|(localized into English)}}について}}|site=D's Notes|published=September 14 2017|retrieved=December 6 2017}}</ref> Kaga stated that, if the localization progressed successfully, more details would be revealed some time in 2018. A demo of the English version of ''Vestaria Saga I'' was released on August 16, 2018 on Steam, published by DANGEN Entertainment, with the full game's release date initially listed as "2019".<ref>{{Cite web|site=Steam|published=August 15 2018|retrieved=August 15 2018|url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/694770/Vestaria_Saga/|title=''Vestaria Saga'' on Steam}}</ref> The English localization of the game finally released on December 27, 2019, narrowly making its announced window. | ||
On March 27, 2019, Kaga released both ''[[Vestaria Saga Gaiden: The Sacred Sword of Silvanister]]'' and ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Lucca Gaiden (Heroes of Lucca)''.< | On March 27, 2019, Kaga released both ''[[Vestaria Saga Gaiden: The Sacred Sword of Silvanister]]'' and ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Lucca Gaiden (Heroes of Lucca)''.<ref>{{Cite web|quote=But lo and behold, S_Kaga has just released both of his brand new gaiden (side story) games on the same day.|site=Serenes Forest|author=VincentASM|published=March 27 2019|retrieved=December 3 2021|url=https://serenesforest.net/2019/03/27/vestaria-saga-silverbirchs-sacred-sword-heroes-lucca-released/|title=Vestaria Saga "Silverbirch's Sacred Sword" and "Heroes of Lucca" Released!}}</ref> In June 2020, Kaga announced ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Chronicles of the Norden Civil War''. This departs from the strategy RPG gameplay of the ''Fire Emblem'' and ''TearRing Saga'' series and is described as an "SLG".<ref name="norden">{{cite web|author=Kaga, S.|url=http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-178.html|title={{lang|ja|地域制圧型SLGのテスト制作}} (Test work for region control-style SLG|site=D's Notes|published=June 24 2020|retrieved=September 29 2020}}</ref> Compared to the previous game, it has a simplified map but more tactical depth. According to Kaga, the gameplay was made different because it would be boring to keep doing the same thing.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kaga, S.|url=http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-179.html|title={{lang|ja|質問まとめ}} (Question summary)|site=D's Notes|published=June 27, 2020|retrieved=September 29 2020}}</ref> On December 9, 2021, DANGEN Entertainment announced an official localization of ''The Sacred Sword of Silvanister'' with a tentative "2022" release date.<ref>{{Cite web|site=Serenes Forest|author=VincentASM|published=December 9 2021|retrieved=December 10 2021|url=https://serenesforest.net/2021/12/09/vestaria-saga-gaiden-the-sacred-sword-of-silvanister-english-version-slated-for-2022/|title=Vestaria Saga Gaiden: The Sacred Sword of Silvanister English Version Slated for 2022}}</ref> | ||
{{ | {{clear}} | ||
==Credits== | ==Credits== | ||
===''Fire Emblem'' series=== | ===''Fire Emblem'' series=== | ||
* {{ | * {{FE1}}: [[wikipedia:Scenarist|Scenario]] | ||
* {{ | * {{FE2}}: Director, Game Design | ||
* {{ | * {{FE3}}: Director, Game Design, Scenario | ||
* {{ | * {{FE4}}: Game Designer, Scenarist / Director | ||
* {{ | * {{FEBS}} | ||
* {{ | * {{FE5}}: Game Design & Scenario | ||
===Post-''Fire Emblem'' works=== | ===Post-''Fire Emblem'' works=== | ||
* {{ | * {{TRS1}} | ||
* {{ | * {{TRS2}} | ||
* ''Vestaria Saga: The Seven Sacred Circles'' | * ''Vestaria Saga: The Seven Sacred Circles'' | ||
** {{ | ** {{VS1}} (Japanese: {{hl|ヴェスタリアサーガI 亡国の騎士と星の巫女|Vesutaria sāga wan: bōkoku no kishi to hoshi no miko}} ''Vestaria Saga I: Knight of the Fallen Kingdom and the Star Priestess'') | ||
** ''[[Vestaria Saga Gaiden: The Sacred Sword of Silvanister]]'' (Japanese: {{ | ** ''[[Vestaria Saga Gaiden: The Sacred Sword of Silvanister]]'' (Japanese: {{hl|ヴェスタリアサーガ外伝 シルヴァビルヒの聖なる剣|Vesutaria sāga gaiden: Shiruvabiruhi no seinaru ken}} ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Holy Sword of Silvabirch'')<ref name="gaiden"/> | ||
** ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Lucca Gaiden (Heroes of Lucca)'' (Japanese: {{ | ** ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Lucca Gaiden (Heroes of Lucca)'' (Japanese: {{hl|ヴェスタリアサーガ外伝 ルッカ外伝(ルッカの勇者達)|Vesutaria sāga gaiden: Rukka gaiden (Rukka no yūsha-tachi)}})<ref name="gaiden">{{cite web|url=http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/blog-entry-161.html|title={{lang|ja|外伝の予定}} (Gaiden Plans)|author=Kaga, S.|published=July 31 2017|retrieved=August 15 2018|site=D's Notes}}</ref> | ||
** ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Chronicles of the Norden Civil War'' (Japanese: {{ | ** ''Vestaria Saga Gaiden: Chronicles of the Norden Civil War'' (Japanese: {{hl|ヴェスタリアサーガ外伝 ノルデン内乱記|Vesutaria sāga gaiden: Noruden nairanki}})<ref name="norden"/> | ||
===Other=== | ===Other=== | ||
* ''[[wikipedia:Battle Clash|Battle Clash]]'': Special Thanks | |||
* ''[[wikipedia:Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge|Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge]]'': Special Thanks | |||
* ''[[wikipedia:Super Famicom Wars|Super Famicom Wars]]'': Game Design | |||
* ''[[wikipedia:Trade & Battle: Card Hero|Trade & Battle: Card Hero]]'': Advisor | |||
<!-- | <!-- | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
--> | --> | ||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
< | <gallery> | ||
Shouzou Kaga 1994.png|Kaga in a ''Famitsu'' interview from 1994. | |||
Vestaria Saga I logo.png|Vestaria Saga I image from Kaga's website. | |||
</gallery> | |||
{{ | {{refbar}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* [http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/ D'sノート]: Kaga's personal blog (Japanese) | * [http://zeeksweb.blog120.fc2.com/ D'sノート]: Kaga's personal blog (Japanese) | ||
* [http://site.wepage.com/vestariasaga ヴェスタリアサーガ公式サイト]: Vestaria Saga website (Japanese) | * [http://site.wepage.com/vestariasaga ヴェスタリアサーガ公式サイト]: Vestaria Saga website (Japanese) | ||
{{ | {{NavPeople}} | ||
[[Category:People]] | [[Category:People]] | ||
{{ | {{DEFAULTSORT:Kaga, Shouzou}} |