Shutaro Iida, the Creative Director at ArtPlay and a pivotal figure in the Castlevania and Bloodstained franchises, passed away on February 10, 2026. He was 52.
ArtPlay co-founder Koji Igarashi announced the news this morning. He confirmed that Iida had been battling cancer for approximately one and a half years. While Igarashi is often the public face of the “Igavania” subgenre, Iida was the mechanical architect who gave these games their depth and longevity.
For those of us who hold the Nintendo DS era of Castlevania in high regard, Iida’s influence cannot be overstated. While Circle of the Moon and Super Castlevania IV often dominate conversations about the series’ 2D peaks, the DS trilogy represented a specific, refined brand of action RPG.
Iida served as the main programmer for Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia. His programming work built the foundation for what felt like a huge leap forward for the genre. These titles refined and expanded upon the “town” mechanic originally seen in Simon’s Quest. They utilized the dual screens to separate the map from the gameplay. This allowed for a more open structure that encouraged experimentation.
This was most evident in Portrait of Ruin. The dual character mechanic allowed for many different play styles and culminated in one of the most mechanically intense and fun final boss fights in the series.
Following his departure from Konami, Iida joined Igarashi at ArtPlay. He served as Director for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. His direction was instrumental in translating the tight, responsive feel of the 2D era into a 2.5D engine.
When playing Ritual of the Night, the lineage is undeniable. It feels like a direct refinement of the DS games. The Shard system functions exactly like the Glyphs from Order of Ecclesia. It slots into the gameplay loop in the same satisfying way. Ecclesia is often cited as being very tough, but with Iida’s programming, the placement of enemies and attacks always felt fair rather than cheap.
At the time of his passing, Iida was leading the development of Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement. ArtPlay has confirmed that development is in its final stages.
“We will carry forward his legacy and strive with all our strength to complete this work worthy of his vision and name,” Igarashi stated in the official announcement.
Iida’s funeral was conducted privately with close family members. In accordance with the family’s wishes, ArtPlay has respectfully declined condolence visits, monetary gifts, or floral tributes.
The industry has lost a director who understood that in action games, the “feel” of the controller is just as important as the map on the screen.
Rest in Peace, Shutaro Iida.
